Prime Time - 19th January 2012

On tonight's programme:

Ireland is now over a year into its bailout programme with the EU, ECB and IMF and this week has seen the latest visit from the Troika to inspect Ireland’s progress. We’ve thus far set ourselves up as the star pupils in the bailout class, consistently meeting the targets set, and this review has been no different. After the first full year of the programme, the Troika are satisfied that the Government have been meeting all the requirements dictated to them by the terms of the bailout. These most recent discussions have also taken in the sale of State assets, and what the Fine Gael-Labour coalition can hope to do with the proceeds. There are many who insist that checking all of the Troika’s boxes may look good on paper, but that the policies taken to ensure it happens are causing the Irish economy to further stagnate, with prospects of growth continuing to dwindle.
Minister for Finance Michael Noonan said today that some progress has been made in negotiating for the Government being permitted to use money generated by the selling-on of State assets to invest in job creation. These are the small battles one must fight following the loss of financial sovereignty. Another, larger, battle is the fight to keep Ireland’s corporate tax rate at 12.5%, with France and Germany renewing their efforts to secure a harmonised rate across the EU. Tonight, Robert Shortt examines our latest Troika report-card and what chances Ireland has of growing itself out the current economic wasteland by pursuing a policy of continuing austerity. Joining Miriam O'Callaghan is studio will be Fine Gael's Paschal Donohoe and Mary Lou McDonald of Sinn Féin.
Also tonight, an issue that has been generating growing consternation in public Ireland. Legislation on the upgrading of septic tanks has passed committee stage and is currently due before the Dáil next week. If passed, it will force owners of septic tanks to ensure their systems meet new European standards, with fines of to €5,000 for those who do not comply. Clearly, it is in the Ireland's interests to ensure that the country's water supplies are kept clean and Minister for the Environment Phil Hogan is under pressure from Europe to pass the legislation before February 3rd, warning that Ireland will face paying daily fines should this not happen. The minister has announced a public consultation but will it be enough for hard-pressed rural dwellers worried that they simply will not have the money to ensure their tanks are compliant? Tonight, Edel McAllister attends a public meeting in Aughrim, Co. Wicklow and speaks to members of the community about their fears regarding what this new legislation will mean for them. Minister Hogan will be in studio with Richard Crowley, debating the issues at stake with Independent MEP Marian Harkin.