Oireachtas Retort

Hey kids, have you heard?

Raising a family on your own is the latest craze sweeping the country.

Forget those squares getting the boat. Signing on is out, the 80s revival is dead. You wanna be hip, you know you gotta make that choice.

Just be sure you’re aware of those consequences because some cats don’t appreciate what’s involved in juggling family, work, education and a life without that most basic of support most of us can take for granted.

Of course Jim Power wouldn’t be alone in his attitude. He’s just foolish enough to air it on television while sitting beside Louise Bayliss.

We would say lesson learned if we didn’t know Jim.

Now the editors have declared the honeymoon over, everyone should be coming to terms with Kenny and Gilmore’s Government following the same path as the last. (in)Action on bailouts and bondholders generates most of the ire and equal amounts of apologists. Where are we going to get the money eh? We have no choice.

It’s no easy task granted but the deadlock over billions is a sideshow from the choices they are making and like Brian Cowen, it’s this more then any faux restoration of sovereignty they will be judged on. Fianna Fáil and others can and should be blamed for the mess the new coalition finds itself but each TD is responsible for how they deal with it. Fianna Fáil’s choice was to shield those who benefit most. Vilify, attack and manipulate those who benefit least.

At around nine tonight the The Social Welfare Bill 2012 begins it’s journey through the Oireachtas. Part of the Budget and set to become legislation that will bring a tear to the eye of the Troika.

They grow up so fast.

For those raising real families it’s another kick in a long line of shitty budgets.

Easy target in the mind of Government

Last December during the post-mortem Vincent Browne asked Kieran O’Donnell if he believed he would keep his seat should there be an election in the morning. €3.6bn in tax increases but mostly spending cuts had been outlined and after the usual guff Alison O’Connor chipped in to say Budgets like this will keep Fine Gael safe.

No news there. Enda Kenny wants the best small country for business but rarely outlines his vision for people who live here.

This is not inherited. This is choice

Labour are quickly eroding any claim to think differently. They too have choices and if they continue to make the same one as Fianna Fáil the electorate will repeat the choice they made last February in their droves.

As I type, statements on the Medical Treatment Bill are being read in Dáil. Much of the debate has been marked by humility rarely seen in the chamber. An awareness of how successive governments have failed women in this state one would hope.

No atmosphere close since An Taoiseach ended his speech on the publication of the Cloyne report with a two word commitment from him and his government.

“Children first”

Despite Jim Power comparing being a lone parent buying a second home he was right about one thing.

Choices have consequences.

Why do we need a  7 is too young campaign to remind TDs they should be doing everything ensure children of any age are protected from poverty.