Angeldubba

I wouldn’t for a minute sink to prurient discussion of the troubles that have befallen Britain’s Minister for Health (make that ex-minister). But Matt Hancock’s resignation after images of him passionately embracing his “special adviser” do bring up the question of what counts as sackable behaviour, in any work context.   The hapless Hancock did not have a stellar reputation during his two years in the job. Mind you, being health minister at any time is a difficult post (former Irish health minister Brian Cowen once described his department as “Angola”, and he didn’t mean everyone spoke Portuguese). Being health minister during the Covid-19 pandemic, facing unprecedented challenges, would have tested the greatest mettle. Nobody suggested that Hancock had that quality, and if you are a follower of Dominic Cummings you would be familiar with his recent denunciation  and  claims that Hancock should have been sacked  for up to twenty specific failings because of his...

  Think it through     In many work situations, as in the non-work arena we call “life”, it’s important to look at a problem from the four points of the compass. The best way to make a change is not to charge, full steam ahead, with one simple idea. Annoyingly, there are many facets to most events, just as there are to people.   This simple-minded enthusiasm was demonstrated by the Irish government’s declaration that outdoor dining would be allowed, post-harsh-lockdown, from June 7 2021. Cue hundreds if not  thousands of businesses buying lightweight chairs  and tables, marquee canvas roofs, all-weather pods, and migrating their offering on to the street. It’s been a very positive development, bringing that sort of liveliness and spirit we think of as “Continental” all over the country. (And former Justice Minister and barrister, Michael McDowell , tried without success to introduce  in the early noughties.)   Luckily the weather has been good too...

  Someone comes to your door or rings you up saying they're from the “Irish Research Agency”. (Substitute the appropriate country for where you live.) But they're not, they're from a political party which wants your vote. It's a lie.  If the Russians were doing it, ref the infamous Internet Research Agency, there'd be skin and fur flying. Vlad, this means war. But in Ireland  the revelation that all political parties  , except Labour and the tiny ones, employed this sleazy tactic to gauge attitudes before an election seems to have burst into a void. How  shocking is it that the political parties sent people out posing as pollsters? Are we horrified by this? Am I getting (more) hysterical in my old age? These frauds had fake identity material for their mythical research company issued by the people who want votes, want to run the country. Maybe I just haven't noticed or been exposed to the level of outrage which should be felt. But it does make me wonder if ...