Latest news with #IvanYates
BreakingNews.ie
21-07-2025
- Politics
- BreakingNews.ie
Politics watch: Simon Harris urged to 'think more strategically'
Here, we have a look at the topics likely to dominate political discourse in the week to come. Government performance 'quite low' says Ivan Yates Former minister Ivan Yates has said the Coalition Government's performance so far is "quite low". Advertisement In an interview with , Mr Yates said Taoiseach Micheál Martin "has become a bit of a photo opportunity junkie" and Tánaiste Simon Harris "needs to think more strategically". "The report card for this government in the first six months is quite low, three out of 10. Good programme for government, good transactional arrangement in putting the government together, ensuring its longevity," said Mr Yates. "I think the government parties, both Simon Harris and Micheál Martin, had a pretty good election and post-election. "The speaking rights row was totally counterproductive for the Government. It was not a core issue. I think it was something that should have been anticipated, TDs simultaneously being in government and opposition was always going to be a touchstone for the Opposition. Advertisement "It allowed the Opposition to get up a head of steam and that allowed the unity of the Opposition to have a cohesion, and also made the Dáil chamber exceptionally attritional, which I think all contributed to a bad start for the Government. "The delay in setting up committees as well, I think that has been the worst period. The complete lack of government cohesion, from the appointment of a housing tsar to 'we're going to dismantle rent pressure zones... no we're not, we're going to double down on that', there were a lot of mixed messages." Mr Yates was a Fine Gael TD for Wexford during his political career and served as minister for agriculture from 1994 to 1997. Mr Yates said Mr Harris is "trying to reinvent himself and to find his niche for Fine Gael in a situation where there is a medium term risk that Fine Gael or Fianna Fáil could cannabilise each other". Advertisement He added: "I think Micheál Martin has become a bit of a photo opportunity junkie, there is a lack of depth. "For Simon Harris, with student fees and things like this, it seems the initial six months as leader and Taoiseach, he was so full of energy he was responding three times a day on every issue that moved, he is not that different nowadays and therefore is a bit distracted and trying to lead the news on different things. It makes him look less earnest and less heavyweight. I think he needs to think more strategically." Triple lock While the Dáil is in its summer recess, debate over the removal of the triple lock is going on behind the scenes. Under the current system, Ireland cannot deploy any more than 12 Defence Forces peacekeepers overseas without a mission being approved by the UN Security Council or General Assembly, as well as approval by the Government and the Dáil. Advertisement Under draft legislation being advanced by the Government, it is proposed to remove the requirement of formal UN approval and replace it with a stipulation that the deployments are in accordance with the UN Charter. The Government argues that this will prevent the five permanent members of the Security Council – Russia, China, the UK, the US and France – from exercising their veto against Irish peacekeeping missions. The Irish Neutrality League and a number of opposition TDs have pledged a "robust challenge" to the changes. Sinn Féin has opposed it, and the party has proposed 111 amendments to the Bill to remove the triple lock, according to The Irish Times. The Oireachtas defence committe is to meet to discuss it this week. Advertisement Presidential race Michael Healy-Rae has ruled himself out of the presidential race after speculation that he could make a bid for Áras an Uachtaráin. Speaking on RTÉ's Saturday with Colm Ó Mongáin, the Minister of State ruled himself out. It came after a interview with former minister Ivan Yates, who said Mr Healy-Rae could be a "dark horse" in the presidential race. Mr Healy-Rae said he had a "very clear focus" on serving as a TD for Kerry. When asked about rumours of a run from Michael Flatley , Mr Healy-Rae said he is an 'excellent ambassador for our traditions of dance and music'. He added: "'He's a person that I know personally, and he's a very, very nice gentleman. I wish him every good luck in every endeavour that he would ever had, but you can be sure of one thing, whatever name is going to be on that piece of paper, it's not going to be me.' Catherine Connolly and Mairead McGuinness are the declared candidates at this point. Sinn Féin leader Mary Lou McDonald has been heavily linked with a bid for the presidency. The Irish Daily Mail ran a poll today on how a race between Ms McGuinness and Ms McDonald would fare. It found Ms McGuinness leads Ms McDonald 55 per cent -45 per cent overall. McDonald leads among 18-34: 61 per cent to 39 per cent. Ms McGuinness leads among 65+: 81 per cent to 19 per cent. Abroad In the US, calls for the release of files on Jeffrey Epstein continue to be a headache for president Donald Trump. In the UK, the ruling Labour government is pushing ahead with changes to lower the voting age to 16 before the next British general election.
BreakingNews.ie
21-07-2025
- Politics
- BreakingNews.ie
'Martin has become photo opportunity junkie, Harris needs to think more strategically': Ivan Yates
Former minister Ivan Yates has said the Coalition Government's performance so far is "quite low". In an interview with , Mr Yates said Taoiseach Micheál Martin "has become a bit of a photo opportunity junkie" and Tánaiste Simon Harris "needs to think more strategically". Advertisement "The report card for this government in the first six months is quite low, three out of 10. Good programme for government, good transactional arrangement in putting the government together, ensuring its longevity," said Mr Yates. "I think the government parties, both Simon Harris and Micheál Martin, had a pretty good election and post-election. "The speaking rights row was totally counterproductive for the Government. It was not a core issue. I think it was something that should have been anticipated, TDs simultaneously being in government and opposition was always going to be a touchstone for the Opposition. "It allowed the Opposition to get up a head of steam and that allowed the unity of the Opposition to have a cohesion, and also made the Dáil chamber exceptionally attritional, which I think all contributed to a bad start for the Government. Advertisement "The delay in setting up committees as well, I think that has been the worst period. The complete lack of government cohesion, from the appointment of a housing tsar to 'we're going to dismantle rent pressure zones... no we're not, we're going to double down on that', there were a lot of mixed messages." Mr Yates was a Fine Gael TD for Wexford during his political career and served as minister for agriculture from 1994 to 1997. Mr Yates said Mr Harris is "trying to reinvent himself and to find his niche for Fine Gael in a situation where there is a medium term risk that Fine Gael or Fianna Fáil could cannabilise each other". They claim housing is their number one priority, but is it really? While the two parties benefitted from transfers in the general election, Mr Yates said there is a danger if they lost their separate identities. Advertisement "They're getting the benefit of the sum of the parts being more than the individual parts in terms of preferences, but if that means there is no difference between them, the downside is one will cannabilise the other. "They claim housing is their number one priority, but is it really? The Department of Finance and Department of Public Expenditure essentially turning down approved housing body schemes, public-private partnership, 3,000 units, that tells me actually government finances are more important than housing." While the Government has had a difficult start, Mr Yates said there is the prospect of improvement. He doesn't feel Sinn Féin have strengthened their prospects of leading a left-leaning government either. Advertisement Former minister Ivan Yates has said the Coalition Government's performance so far is "quite low". "Then some ministers who hadn't gotten their feet under the table, let alone found their feet, are now starting to find their feet so from September with individual ministers on top of their briefs there is the prospect of it improving. "However, there is no doubt from January to June was a very difficult period for the Government. The public wasn't buying it. "The election is five years away though, are Sinn Féin any closer to leading the next government with the Social Democrats and the left? I don't think so. "Basically, the two overviews of the government perspective are the issues of non-delivery across a number of fronts: water, electricity, infrastructure, and so on, they have not found a way to reform the planning system. They have not found a way of making things happen. Advertisement "In the next year they will either deliver in the revised National Development Plan or won't. I thought a hopeful sign was the recent summit on competitiveness, and a few later days they copped on that increasing insurance awards by 17 per cent was inimical to what their stated view was. They did a U-turn where it was correct. "There are examples where they aren't connecting with the public though, such as pointing out inflation is down, that doesn't matter because they cost of living has never been higher." He said the decision to "frontload" some of the difficult economic moves makes sense for a government hoping to see out its five-year term. I think Micheál Martin has become a bit of a photo opportunity junkie. "I would say the political fact is if you have a five-year term, you try to frontload all the bad news, all the austerity, into the first budget, into the first year. Ireland Government bracing for 'profound uncertainty' amid... Read More "That is going to be the next big thing, moving on from lack of cohesion it will be unpopularity. In the last six years the solution to everything was to throw money at it, that is coming to an end because of the global uncertainty and particular uncertainty on FDI investment here. "I think there are people in the Department of Finance who are adamant that the Troika will not return on their watch and therefore, they don't care how unpopular this makes the Government. "I think Micheál Martin has become a bit of a photo opportunity junkie, there is a lack of depth. "For Simon Harris, with student fees and things like this, it seems the initial six months as leader and Taoiseach, he was so full of energy he was responding three times a day on every issue that moved, he is not that different nowadays and therefore is a bit distracted and trying to lead the news on different things. It makes him look less earnest and less heavyweight. I think he needs to think more strategically."
BreakingNews.ie
19-07-2025
- Politics
- BreakingNews.ie
Michael Healy-Rae rules himself out of presidential race after rumours
Michael Healy-Rae has ruled himself out of the presidential race after speculation that he could make a bid for Áras an Uachtaráin. Speaking on RTÉ's Saturday with Colm Ó Mongáin, the Minister of State ruled himself out. Advertisement It came after a interview with former minister Ivan Yates, who said Mr Healy-Rae could be a "dark horse" in the presidential race. Mr Healy-Rae said he had a "very clear focus" on serving as a TD for Kerry. When asked about rumours of a run from Michael Flatley , Mr Healy-Rae said he is 'excellent ambassador for our traditions of dance and music'. He added: "'He's a person that I know personally, and he's a very, very nice gentleman. I wish him every good luck in every endeavour that he would ever had, but you can be sure of one thing, whatever name is going to be on that piece of paper, it's not going to be me.' Advertisement In the interview, Mr Yates said: "One name I've picked up with my political antennae, who people believe would win if he ran is, believe it or not, Michael Healy-Rae. "What people said to me was, if there has to be another candidate other than Fine Gael, Fianna Fáil and Catherine Connolly, what about Michael Healy-Rae? "This is from talking to people from all sorts of background, when I put it to them what do you think of the mad idea that the guy with the cap would run? They immediately said to me, both rural and Dublin, 'oh if he ran, he'd win'. "The Healy-Raes are seen as doers, it's distinctive. Even second generation people in Dublin would see the merit in it, and that he has not only name recognition but a brand as well."
BreakingNews.ie
19-07-2025
- Politics
- BreakingNews.ie
Michael Healy-Rae could be 'dark horse' in presidential race, says Ivan Yates
Kerry TD Michael Healy-Rae could be a "dark horse" in the presidential race, according to former minister Ivan Yates. In an interview with Mr Yates said he had initally been surprised about speculation over the Kerry TD throwing his hat in the ring in the race for Áras an Uachtaráin, however, he now believes Mr Healy-Rae would have a good chance. Advertisement "One name I've picked up with my political antennae, who people believe would win if he ran is, believe it or not, Michael Healy-Rae. "What people said to me was, if there has to be another candidate other than Fine Gael, Fianna Fáil and Catherine Connolly, what about Michael Healy-Rae? "This is from talking to people from all sorts of background, when I put it to them what do you think of the mad idea that the guy with the cap would run? They immediately said to me, both rural and Dublin, 'oh if he ran, he'd win'. "The Healy-Raes are seen as doers, it's distinctive. Even second generation people in Dublin would see the merit in it, and that he has not only name recognition but a brand as well." Advertisement Mr Yates, who served as minister for agriculture and now hosts the Path To Power podcast with Matt Cooper, siad Mr Healy-Rae could be a "dark horse" in the upcoming presidential election. When asked about whether Mr Healy-Rae would really consider a bid, Mr Yates said he had put it to Minister of State, but Mr Healy-Rae would "keep his cards close to his chest". Michael Healy-Rae is different and for him that is a big plus. "I see him as a dark horse. Only this morning I asked him for his view, one thing is certain, he will keep his cards close to his chest. A bit like Michael McDowell, he won't object to the speculation. It's always nice in politics to stay in the news, there's no downside. "I'm surprised at the high respect he has outside of Kerry, he's seen as a doer and a successful person in his own right. Advertisement "I always say it's not the same that sells, it's different that sells. "Michael Healy-Rae is different and for him that is a big plus." The fact Fine Gael have nominated Mairead McGuinness will put further pressure on Fianna Fáil to run their own candidate, Mr Yates said. He said the lack of an obvious choice is their main issue, and that Taoiseach Micheál Martin is the strongest candidate. Advertisement He also believes the fact Mary Lou McDonald has been linked with a run will bring another dimension to the race. Kerry TD Michael Healy-Rae could be a "dark horse" in the presidential race, according to former minister Ivan Yates. "The big factor is now that Fine Gael are running a conventional campaign with Mairead McGuinness, Sinn Féin will have to react to that. I think Sinn Féin have taken the decision to run their own candidate instead of backing a left unity candidate. "The three choices will be Michelle O'Neill, John Finucane and Mary Lou McDonald, the strongest of those is Mary Lou in terms of driving their agenda, their brand, their statement. "She has had two goes at becoming taoiseach without making much progress, now might be the time rather than going for taoiseach again in 2029. Advertisement It would suit that strategy if she could get elected to the park. I think it is a gamechanger, if she stands it becomes a completely different election. "A lot more exciting, in terms of political capital... the stakes will be much higher." Fianna Fáil dilemma Mr Yates added: "For what can be a very moribund, personalised, abusive, esoteric contest, this will turn it into a proper national heavyweight title. With a Fine Gael and Sinn Féin player in it, Fianna Fáil cannot sit on their hands, they will need to run a candidate whether they like it or not. "Party faithful will say the only one who can win it is Micheál Martin, and that he owes it to the party to stand. "I don't see him giving up a job he's worked so hard for to be taoiseach again, I don't see him being tempted by the presidency. "It's his personal decision and I don't think he wants it. So what will Fianna Fáil do? They can't stay out though. "I originally thought there will be a desire not to give it to Fine Gael or Fianna Fáil and let them have everything, and that is an opportunity for Mary Lou. "I thought Frances Black had a great chance as a unity candidate, but that would have to have buy in from Sinn Féin." With Ms McGuinness and Ms Connolly declared as early candidates, Mr Yates believes Fianna Fáil may adopt a strategy of entering the race at a later date. "If Fianna Fáil get involved, the route of four councils for a nomination could be choked off. So the likes of Peter Casey and Ming Flanagan will not be facilitiated. "We know that Michael D finishes on November 11th, so the polling day has to be 60 days before that so some time between mid October and early November. I think Fianna Fáil have taken the view that by the time the media have done their forensic, in the weeds analysis of Mairead and Catherine they will be damaged goods, and they will play their hand late to try to scoop it. The problem is they don't have a candidate. "It's hard to know when some of them don't know themselves yet. What I'm hearing from Fianna Fáil over the last six months is when it comes to the presidency, it costs €500,000, no guarantee you'll get your 12.5 per cent vote for your money back, it can be unpredictable. Look at Fine Gael, they got 38 per cent of the vote in the 2011 general election and Gay Mitchell received 6 per cent in the presidential election." Mr Yates believes the presidential election would be more "party political" than personality driven if Mary Lou McDonald takes the Sinn Féin nomination. Mary Lou being in the running changes things as it will make it highly political, and almost tribal. He added that the Coalition parties would be desperate to keep her out of Áras an Uachtaráin, as she would likely take up an active commentary on various national issues rather than the ceremonial role some believe the President should fulfill. "Mary Lou being in the running changes things as it will make it highly political, and almost tribal. "Let the games begin. "What we're looking at now is a much more party political election. Previously it was more of a personality contest with the likes of Joe Duffy and Miriam O'Callaghan linked with bids. "It now looks like a more conventional party gun fight. They will all be more invested in it, but unlike a European election it will be very door to door, fought through the media and on debates. "I remain to be convinced that the currently declared candidates will provide the winner. "There's a fundamental dichotomy of views about the presidency. One is it's a representational role, the other is that it's to change Ireland. This is a constitutional and political row. "With someone like Mary Lou it's limitations would become even more frayed, and maybe attritional, but a lot of people would say that's a good thing. They're not in favour of an FF/FG heghemony and that in itself will be an issue upon which the public is very divided. "We live in a world of culture wars, so that will be thrown in to everything."
Irish Times
11-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Irish Times
Ivan Yates swaps ranting for raving, showing unexpected knowledge of nightclubs
Ivan Yates has been many things, be it broadcaster, businessman or government minister. But as he acts as guest host of The Pat Kenny Show ( Newstalk , weekdays), Yates reveals another, more surprising side of his personality: if he's to be believed, he was a bit of a clubber in his day. At the very least, the presenter displays an unexpected awareness of the Irish nightclub scene, past and present, as he bemoans both the declining number of venues and, perhaps more predictably, the more abstemious social lives of young people today. 'Gen Z is ditching late-night drinks for an early-morning run, would you believe it,' he says. 'Partying has gone out of fashion.' He points to the precipitous drop in nightclubs in Ireland since 2000, from 522 then to 'a meagre 83' now. 'I assume the hormonal interest in intimacy and romance hasn't changed, so where are people meeting?' READ MORE The pub, answers the Newstalk staffer Ciara Treacy, who enthuses about thriving bars full of crowds until after midnight. 'That's still early,' Yates scoffs with the dismissive air of a veteran raver. 'I'd only be getting going at two in the morning back in the day.' It's not the only time he shows off a familiarity with nightlife. During an earlier discussion about the high price of insurance, he again refers to the falling number of clubs, recalling how an establishment in his native Enniscorthy, in Co Wexford, had to close because of rising premiums, despite being 'absolutely packed to the rafters with people on a Saturday night'. In fairness, the 65-year-old host notes that much of his information comes from his grown-up children rather than from first-hand experience. Given he was a Fine Gael TD from the age of 21, it's probably too much to hope for that he might also be an aficionado of old-school acid house. His theatrical decrying of young people's sober socialising is much more on-brand. Hearing about romances being formed at easygoing sports groups known as run clubs, he affects a perplexed tone. 'For the running, is there a dress code or does it all hang out?' Slagging off contemporary trends has always been as crucial to Yates's would-be iconoclastic persona as ribbing liberal shibboleths, as when he plays the unreconstructed male chauvinist for the benefit of the psychotherapist Stephanie Regan: 'Women do nag a lot.' Such waggery marks a change in gear from Kenny's micromanaging instincts, as is surely the intention, though the novelty soon wears thin. But Yates also finds time for more in-depth analysis of current issues, from nationwide variations in cancer treatment to the rising number of vacant teaching posts. And his irreverent and informed sides sometimes come together to good effect, such as during Monday's conversation with new TDs about their time in the Dáil so far. The host draws on his own years as a deputy as he quizzes Sinéad Gibney, of the Social Democrats, about the right balance between constituency work and parliamentary duties, or talks to Albert Dolan, of Fianna Fáil, about the importance of communicating with local voters. On learning that Dolan has yet to open a constituency office, Yates adopts a faintly scolding tone – 'Okay, that's a bit tardy' – before mocking Barry Heneghan's roll call of relatives who help the Regional Independent TD. 'You needn't namecheck your whole family. You're starting to sound like Michael Healy-Rae,' the host says, chuckling. But the discussion is marked by a genial collegiality, while Yates tempers his sweeping pronouncements with flashes of self-deprecation, as he recalls arriving in Leinster House as a newly elected TD. 'I was making it up as I went along,' he says, 'I'm still doing that.' Who knows, he might be a clubber yet. A less showily mischievous atmosphere permeates Yates's former berth on The Hard Shoulder (Newstalk, weekdays), where Kieran Cuddihy conducts affairs with an easy confidence. Not that Cuddihy eschews humour: on Monday he feigns indignation when describing the scoreboard error at the All-Ireland hurling semi-final between Kilkenny, his home county, and Tipperary as a 'stitch-up' that cost the Cats the match. But this knowing style is more light-touch than heavy-handed. He examines the issue of retail price hikes with Jennifer Whitmore, Social Democrats TD for Wicklow, who talks of the need for her party's Dáil motion on transparency of supermarket profits at a time when rocketing grocery bills are squeezing ever more families. Cuddihy hears out his guest but can't resist a gentle dig. 'It's well for you. In Wicklow you'd just be eating lamb,' he says. 'In Monaghan they'd be living on a diet of mushroom and stones.' In a voice that can only be called sheepish, Whitmore replies that she hates lamb – to the host's undisguised delight. 'Oh my gosh, if Jennifer loses her seat in the next election, I'll play that clip.' Of course, Cuddihy's manner changes depending on the topic. He is purposeful during his interview with the chairwoman of the Road Safety Authority , Anne Graham, on the flatlining number of road deaths, while he takes a sensitively inquiring approach during his discussion about the reported increase in self-generated child-abuse images. The latter item is as disturbing as one might imagine, the determinedly factual tone of the host and his guests adding to the impact. Cuddihy admits to a naivety about the seriousness of the problem, sounding genuinely alarmed on learning that half of the children who took intimate photographs of themselves were aged between four and 12. 'Really young kids,' he gasps. Performative outrage can make for splashy radio, but sincere shock has more effect. Moment of the week Broadcasting live is stressful enough, so kudos is due to Shane Coleman and Ciara Kelly on Newstalk Breakfast , who sound as if they're talking over a loud old dial-up modem as they open Wednesday's show. 'You probably can hear that glitch in our output at the moment,' Coleman says contritely. 'It's not your radio. You do not need adjust your set.' Despite their voices sometimes resembling a stuck CD, the pair gamely soldier on, though the fault seems to throw their delivery: Kelly talks about 'the warm smell – sorry, spell – of weather'. By the end, however, the problem has been resolved. 'The glitch is f-f-f-f-fixed,' Coleman jokes. But they're not out of the woods yet, as Kelly again fluffs her lines. 'Shane and I will be back on the ... on the Breakfast ... on the Newstalk Breakfast,' she stumbles before finally finding her feet. 'I'm the one glitching now.' It's just one of those days.
