Kenny visits ‘citizens of nowhere’ as Ross faces travel chaos

Theresa May called them "citizens of nowhere" and Donald Trump has signalled he is ready to rein in the globalisation close to the heart of those attending the annual get together of the liberal economic elite in the Swiss ski resort of Davos.

It is a strange world indeed when Chinese president Xi Zinping, in his first speech to the World Economic Forum, assumes the role of the defender of trade.

Into the gathering of Davos men and women, the very definition of the global elites that the election of Trump and coming of Brexit so repudiate, step Taoiseach Enda Kenny and Minister for Finance Michael Noonan.

It has become an annual jaunt for Kenny but his task is much different this year. Where previously he defended and promoted an Ireland in the teeth of a bailout and then in recovery, this week will see the Taoiseach emphasise Ireland's strength in the emerging new world order.

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Suzanne Lynch is reporting from Davos for The Irish Times, and notes that, along with Mr Noonan, Kenny will meet the chief executive of Lloyds of London, Dame Inga Bale. Such a meeting in an indication of Kenny's mission in Davos this week: Lloyds is looking for a new location for its European subsidiary in light of Brexit, with Dublin in the hunt.

Ireland's task will not be easy. HSBC yesterday announced that it is moving 1,000 staff from London to Paris.

Kenny will not, however, be taking part in any panel discussions, thus scotching any hope of a repeat gaffe similar to his 2012 outing at Davos, when he said that Irish people went “mad borrowing” during the boom.

May is also in Davos, and while this New York Times piece probably isn't popular among the nowhere men and women, it argues that footloose elites, such as those in Davos, represent one of the reasons for the rise of populism, such as that which brought the British prime minister to office.

Ross faces transport chaos

Our lead today by Industry Correspondent Martin Wall centres on the prospect of disruptive strikes across bus and rail services because of a radical plan cost cutting put forward by management at Bus Éireann.

The National Bus and Rail Union said that the plan to save the beleaguered company could lead to a 25 per cent reduction in earnings for staff.

As Wall notes, NBRU general secretary Dermot O'Leary dropped a not too subtle hint that opposition to these measures could involve disruption at Dublin Bus and Irish Rail, and not just Bus Éireann.

Minister for Transport Shane Ross could have an all out strike on his hands. Ross briefed the Cabinet this week on the situation at Bus Éireann but did not mention the plan that was put forward by management yesterday.

Government sources said he would not have to be consulted on such a move, given that Bus Éireann is a State owned enterprise rather than a State agency.

Enda Kenny has insisted that Bus Éireann is a commercial company in difficulties that require a commercial response, while Ross has previously said cost cutting plans are a matter for the company.

Yet given the scale of what is being threatened by the NBRU, Ross will come under political pressure to outline his views on what is proposed by Bus Éireann.

Many in Fine Gael view the various transport companies - Dublin Bus, Irish Rail and Bus Éireann - as financial basket cases and would prefer to face the unions down and back cost cutting measures. Ross has previously said Bus Éireann could become insolvent within two years if action is not taken.

While Fine Gael are likely to have his back, should he need it, the current minority administration is not strong enough to impose its will on the Dáil.