Columns - Irish Examiner

Fergus Finlay

FF’s lowest tactic yet: spreading fear and confusion on immigration

SO. This referendum on citizenship. Its only purpose is to bring us into line with every other European country, right?

Tue, 20 Apr, 2004

Martin clears the air, but the sick and elderly still feel coalition chill

THE Minister for Health has given us a smoking ban. The Tánaiste wants to look after elderly people.

Tue, 30 Mar, 2004

We might never defeat terrorism but we can cut out its causes

IN 1989 Francis Fukuyama, who was then working for the US State Department, wrote a long essay called The end of History.

Tue, 16 Mar, 2004

Árd Fheis heaped promises on top of the ones FF have already broken

NEVER in the history of mankind has so little been learned about so much by so many. The Fianna Fáil Árd Fheis was like a sort of Pinocchio-fest.

Tue, 09 Mar, 2004

Gerry Adams should have won an Oscar for his lifetime of denials

I START this morning by offering the mightiest congratulations to Adi Roche. Let’s hope that the Oscar-winning documentary about the Chernobyl Children’s Project wins thousands more converts to the cause to which she has dedicated her life and talent.

Tue, 02 Mar, 2004

An informed immigration debate can help curb the politics of hate

IT was cold in Dun Laoghaire on Saturday. Not only was the temperature way down, but there was a biting north-east wind. That was the first thing that made the sight of three men in T-shirts and jeans unusual.

Tue, 24 Feb, 2004

If Ireland were in Africa, we’d send observers to help build democracy

TRY to imagine a little African country, somewhere in the middle of that great continent. From everything we’ve heard and read about it, it fits all the stereotypes.

Tue, 17 Feb, 2004

Bertie’s foot-dragging leaves him out of step with other politicians

WE have had in Ireland a government that, by any standard, was the most corrupt in modern European history.

Tue, 10 Feb, 2004

Blair may see off Kelly challenge but education cuts are just wrong

“STARING into the abyss.” It seems a very apocalyptic description for a political leader facing difficulty, but it is the phrase used by one of Tony Blair’s closest lieutenants to describe the situation he faces.

Tue, 27 Jan, 2004

Our sham parliament is back today. They should have stayed at home

THE Dáil is coming back today, and it’s a complete sham. For the remainder of the week, it will be an exercise in phoney accountability.

Tue, 20 Jan, 2004