The week that was in it . . .

Quote of the week This is where Enda attempts to show solidarity with our Hellenic friends by lapsing into Greek.

The Taoiseach was speaking in the National Library at the launch of a new online genealogy resource. After holding forth on matters such as Irish emigration to Mexico in days of yore, he started to talk about the economy.

It’s in recovery now. But things were not looking so good when he took over in 2011. The Government faced a very difficult job.

They had to take our ailing economy “out of the mire in which it was stuck, put it on the highway, wash it down, fill it with fuel or backbone and say that nothing can actually stop us if we apply ourselves”.

Suggestion of the Week (to Ciarán Lynch, chairman of the banking inquiry.)

In the light of this week’s revelations about America’s National Security Agency spying on the French and German governments, perhaps a little letter might be in order?

“Dear NSA,

Our politicians appear to have mislaid the minutes of their 2008 midnight meeting when they guaranteed Irish banks. As this was when they signed away our children’s financial future, you can understand our dismay. Given your exemplary record-keeping of government communications, we would be much obliged if you could send us your backup copy of all phone calls and other material collected in Dublin on that or any other night relating to our economic meltdown. Enclosed, please find, a stamped address envelope.

Yours pompously,

Ciarán.”

Lucky Leaders of the Week

During Leaders’ Questions on Thursday, July 2th, Mick Wallace was representing the technical group. The Independent TD for Wexford brought up the curious circumstances surrounding the purchase of Nama’s multibillion euro Northern Ireland portfolio by a major US investment company.

He was cautioned by the Ceann Comhairle about mentioning names and eventually told he should take his complaints to the Garda. “This is not an inquisition.”

When Wallace brought up the £7 million “fee” deposited in an Isle of Man account, his microphone was switched off.

Fast forward to Leaders’ Questions on Tuesday. Micheál Martin and Gerry Adams run with the Nama story, giving a lot more detail.

Luckily for them, their microphones were not switched off.

Question of the Week

Whatever happened to Fine Gael’s Michael Collins Institute – motto “Powerful Citizens in a Just Republic” – a Fine Gael-funded independent think tank which operates from Fine Gael’s Mount Street headquarters. Enda Kenny announced its establishment at the party conference in October 2013 and said the new institute was going to work on developing fresh policies for the party and the country.

We heard very little until it was “launched” again last December.

Will they come up with any ideas at all before the general election, or let all the new FG thinking – democratic reform and the like – come from the direction of Lucinda Creighton and Renua?

What would Mick do?