Irish general election, 26th Feb 2016

[Јas]

Various notes on inter- and intra-party discussions yesterday...

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https://www.irishtimes.com/news/politics/kenny-moves-to-start-talks-on-government-formation-1.2556122

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http://www.independent.ie/irish-news/election-2016/greens-and-independents-willing-to-talk-to-all-parties-34503734.html

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http://www.irishexaminer.com/election2016/election2016-news-and-analysis/td-bids-to-form-grouping-to-represent-rural-ireland-385065.html

[Јas]

Enda has been back in front of some microphones this afternoon...

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http://www.irishtimes.com/news/politics/enda-kenny-says-people-should-continue-to-pay-water-bills-1.2556777

[Јas]

2nd Recount complete.

Longford-Westmeath
Seats: 4
Quota: 11,050

	Count 13	Count 14
Troy (FF)	Elected (Ct. 1)
Moran (IndAll)	11,122
Burke (FG)	7,880	7,890
Hogan (SF)	7,366	7,386
Penrose (Lab)	7,055	7,087
Bannon (FG)	7,071	7,081

Count 14 was the distribution of Moran's surplus.
No further surpluses to redistribute - Bannon eliminated.
Count 15 will be the distribution of Bannon's votes.


One may note that the quota changed during the recount, as decisions changed on what were spoiled ballots.
Original Quota: 11,056
Recount 1 Quota: 11,049
Recount 2 Quota: 11,050

[Јas]

A statement issued by James Bannon on his elimination includes the following:

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https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Ccmf06eWwAAbDvH.jpg

[Јas]

On the difference between Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael, our beloved old philosopher king, Jackie Healy-Rae once said:

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[Јas]

Thursday's front pages:

[Јas]

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http://www.independent.ie/irish-news/election-2016/fine-gael-ministers-hold-latenight-talks-about-kennys-leadership-34506839.html

[Јas]

Some notes on reported inter- and intra-party talks...

As noted above FG's TDs will meet in Dublin today; so too will FF.


The Examiner reports that "Sinn Féin has begun talks with independent TDs about potentially forming a new government".


With regard to the Social Democrats, the Independent reports:

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On the Greens, the Independent also reports:

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The Healy-Rae bloc want a Minister for Rural Affairs:

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Independent Catherine Zappone wants to be part of the action to, per the Examiner:

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[Јas]

Final result expected from Longford-Westmeath soon.

Reports indicate that Burke and Penrose will be declared elected.

[Јas]

Longford-Westmeath
Seats: 4
Quota: 11,050

	Count 13	Count 14	Count 15
Troy (FF)	Elected (Ct. 1)
Moran (IndAll)	11,122
Burke (FG)	7,880	7,890	11,385
Penrose (Lab)	7,055	7,087	8,505
Hogan (SF)	7,366	7,386	7,824
Bannon (FG)	7,071	7,081

Count 15: Distribution of Bannon's votes.

Burke surpasses the quota and is deemed elected.

Burke's quota being insufficient to save Hogan and with no other votes to distribute, Hogan is eliminated, and Penrose deemed elected without reaching the quota.

[Јas]

Summary of Election Results for the 32nd Dáil

Constituency	FG	FF	SF	Lab	AAA-PBP	i4C	SocDems	Green	Ind. Alliance	Independents
Carlow-Kilkenny	2	2	1
Cavan-Monaghan	1	2	1
Clare	2	1								1 (Harty)
Cork E	1	1	1	1
Cork NC	1	1	1		1
Cork NW	1	2
Cork SC	1	2	1
Cork SW	1	1								1 (Collins)
Donegal	1	2	1							1 (Pringle)
Dublin Bay N	1	1	1			1			1 (McGrath)
Dublin Bay S	2	1						1
Dublin Central	1		1							1 (O’Sullivan)
Dublin Fingal	1	1	1	1		1
Dublin MW	1	1	1		1
Dublin NW	1		1				1
Dublin Rathdown	1							1	1 (Ross)
Dublin SC	1		1		1	1
Dublin SW	1	1	1		1					1 (Zappone)
Dublin W	1	1		1	1
Dún Laoghaire	3				1
Galway E	1	1							1 (Canney)
Galway W	2	1								2 (Grealish, Connolly)
Kerry	1	1	1							2 (Healy-Raes)
Kildare N	1	2					1
Kildare S	1	2
Laois	1	1	1
Limerick City	1	1	1	1
Limerick County	2	1
Longford-Westmeath	1	1		1					1 (Moran)
Louth	2	1	2
Mayo	2	2
Meath E	2	1
Meath W	1	1	1
Offaly	1	1	1
Roscommon-Galway		1							1 (Fitzmaurice)	1 (Naughten)
Sligo-Leitrim	1	2	1
Tipperary		1		1						3 (Lowry, McGrath, Healy)
Waterford	1	1	1						1 (Halligan)
Wexford	2	1		1		1
Wicklow	2	1	1				1
TOTAL	50	44	23	7	6	4	3	2	6	13

Totals
50 Fine Gael
44 Fianna Fáil
23 Sinn Féin
  7 Labour
  6 AAA-PBP
  4 Independents 4 Change
  3 Social Democrats
  2 Green
  6 Independent Alliance
13 Independents

158 Total

[Јas]

Were does the twelve independents stand for?

See here.

[Јas]

More notes on inter and intra-party discussions:

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http://www.independent.ie/irish-news/election-2016/fine-gael-warns-kenny-not-to-seek-return-to-power-at-any-cost-34510652.html

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http://www.irishexaminer.com/election2016/election2016-news-and-analysis/fine-gael-divided-on-any-deal-with-old-enemy-385529.html

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http://www.independent.ie/irish-news/election-2016/news/noonan-warns-fine-gael-tds-they-can-expect-another-election-inside-next-two-years-34509352.html

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http://www.irishtimes.com/election-2016/miche%C3%A1l-martin-starts-bid-to-enter-government-1.2559304

[Јas]

so a couple of questions re: the upcoming Seanad elections.

Does Enda still get to appoint his 11 senators if there's no permanent Taoiseach is chosen by then?

No, I shouldn't think so.

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https://www.constitution.ie/Documents/Bhunreacht_na_hEireann_web.pdf


Enda Kenny having not yet been re-appointed would not appear to have the authority to make such appointments until the Dáil re-elects him as Taoiseach, if it chooses to do so.


The question hasn't arisen before.

This is the third time we've had an acting Taoiseach.

First was Haughey from 29 June to 12 July 1989.
Second was Reynolds from 14 Dec 1992 to 12 Jan 1993.

In 89, the Dáil took 4 sittings to elect a Taoiseach, and conducted essentially no other business during those sittings than to debate that matter.

In 92/93, the Dáil took 6 sittings to elect a Taoiseach, and did conduct some substantive legislative business during those sittings including a Finance Bill. The acting Government also made its nomination to the European Commission during that period.

In both cases the Seanad elections occurred after the Dáil had elected a Taoiseach - so the question didn't arise.

Today, the 32nd Dáil meets for the second time - but the nomination of a Taoiseach is not on the agenda.

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http://www.oireachtas.ie/viewdoc.asp?fn=/documents/thisweek/business-2016/document12.htm



On a point of quite trivial interest, I notice on the proposed Private Members Business of the Order of Business, that the Independents4Change have put down a serious of motions with the support of Thomas Pringle (i-Donegal) and Catherine Connolly (i-Galway West). None of the other parties have, that I have seen, put down any motions which gained the support of any independents or non-party members.

It seems that our old friend, Senator Power is hoping that the graduates of Trinity College will return her to her lofty perch, any chance of success?

I've yet to really look at the Seanad nominations; hopefully will do in the coming week or two.