Ireland General Discussion

[patrick1]

Also, "justice, equality and defence"?

As I recall, Defence is mandated by the Constitution, but it's not important enough to warrant its own portfolio. Hence this.

It is not in the constitution, but is based off statutory law that predates the current constitution.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ministers_and_Secretaries_Act,_1924

[Јas]

The demotion of Defence to an adjunct to Justice is a new move alright. It had been it's own ministry since the foundation of the State. Giving the same Minister responsibility for the Gardaí and the Defence Forces seems to me unusual.

Other substantial changes in cabinet structure include the splitting of the Department of Finance, to create a Dept of Public Expenditure and Reform; and the creation of a new Department of Children (that has been a junior ministry since 1994).

[Јas]

One is shocked, shocked I say, to see that a Tribunal of Enquiry, after quite some deliberation, has deemed the actions of a former Minister, one Mr. M. Lowry, were variously 'disgraceful' and 'insideous'.

So, kudos to the people of Tipperary North on re-electing him for the umpteenth time!

In the cynical and venal abuse of office, the brazen refusal to acknowledge the impropriety of his financial arrangements with Mr Denis O'Brien and Mr Ben Dunne, and by his contemptuous disregard for his taxation obligations, Mr Lowry displayed qualities similar in nature, and has cast a further shadow over his country's public life.

[Јas]

Taoiseach Enda Kenny has joined the bandwagon in saying that Michael Lowry should resign following the report of the Moriarty Tribunal.

Not that there's any chance of that happening, of course.

The only ways a TD can be removed are through declared bankruptcy and imprisonment. It's conceivable that Lowry's legal fees related to the Tribunal could bankrupt him - but that's probably still quite unlikely.

[Χahar]

I for one am caught completely unawares by these accusations.

[Sibboleth]

I for one am caught completely unawares by these accusations.

Personally I am shocked and even somewhat disappointed. Such conduct I would never have expected from a man who shines with the sheer force of his own integrity quite so much as Lowry.

[Јas]

Not a headline I expected to see...

Healy-Rae to decide if he will run for president - Irish Times

[Sibboleth]

This must happen.

[YL]

Not a headline I expected to see...

Healy-Rae to decide if he will run for president - Irish Times

Would he be able to get nominated?

[Јas]

Not a headline I expected to see...

Healy-Rae to decide if he will run for president - Irish Times

Would he be able to get nominated?

Absent something quite remarkable happening, no.

[Vasall des Midas]

This must happen.

And he must win. And Jas must cringe. And I must rejoice.

Please God, make it so.

[Јas]

Brian Lenihan (52), TD for Dublin West and outgoing Minister for Finance in the pre-election FF/Green government, has died this morning.

He had pancreatic cancer, first diagnosed in December 2009. Despite the diagnosis and considerable treatment in fighting the disease, Lenihan continued as Finance Minister for the duration of the government - and sucessfully defended his seat in February's General Election (leaving him as FF's only Dublin TD).

A former Minister for Justice, Lenihan was first elected to the Dáil in a 1996 by-election brought about by the death of his namesake father (also of cancer), a former Tánaiste and Presidential candidate. Lenihan's death means that the 3-generation Lenihan dynasty, which until recently had 3 TDs simultaneoulsy in the house, is ended.

One of the few very senior politicians I've met, he came across as a nice guy. RIP.

- Irish Times

[London Man]

Just saw this on the BBC.

Rest in Peace.

[RodPresident]

Now, Lenihan Jr. RIP. Now, can one of Lenihan's go to Dublin West and try to get sympathy vote in by-election or another pick-up for Sinn Fein, ULA or Labour?

[JonBidinger]

RIP. Though I hope the by-election goes to the left rather than FF picking up a sympathy vote.

[Vasall des Midas]

Rest in Peace. 52 is not old.

FF now down to one seat in Dublin - do I remember that right?

[patrick1]

Rest in Peace. 52 is not old.

FF now down to one seat in Dublin - do I remember that right?

I think he was the last one.

edit: checked and he was.  Even he barely held on.

[Vasall des Midas]

Ah, right. Hanafin didn't make it. So, yeah.

[Ghyl Tarvoke]

The sort of the news which is shocking to hear even though it was an inevitability that it would happen soon. RIP. Didn´t agree with what the man did, but horrible way to die and so young as well.

As for the by-election, I imagine that SF will putting their maximum resources on targeting the seat. FF are hardly in the best shape for a by-election especially in Dublin and no government has won a by-election since the 1980s (1982 iirc) though there has no time since then which has been so favourable to the government parties (In this constituency, probably Labour rather than FG would benefit). I doubt the ULA will run a candidate - they already have Joe Higgins here.

[Јas]

So, along with the Presidential election this October (more on which anon), the Government have decided upon 3 referenda to be held at the same time.

These be:
1.
A referendum to specifically allow the Government to cut the pay of the judiciary.

While the pay of public servants has been cut quite significantly in the course of recent budgets, the judiciary have been exempted - by virtue of the Attorney General's advice that their inclusion would be unconstitutional. For...

The remuneration of a judge shall not be reduced during his continuance in office.

That there is a perfectly adequate long-standing judgment on the books that says that cuts in judicial pay arising from taxation are fine, seems to have been either ignored or discounted by now 2 Attorneys General.

2.
A referendum to effectively reverse the Abbeylara judgment of the Supreme Court from 2001 - the effect of which was to greatly inhibit the capacity of parliament from conducting investigations, by deciding that such inquiries do not have the power to make findings of fact or expressions of opinion adverse to the good name or reputation of citizens.


and 3.
An amendment providing protection for whistleblowers - something that I've not been able to find any real detail about.

[oakvale]

If Paddy Power is to be believed, it looks like Ireland may elect a Gay president.


I'll get my coat.

[Χahar]

What of Senate reform?

[Јas]

What of Senate reform?

It won't be ready to be put to referendum.

I presume FG have now got around to having a look at the Constitution and realised that it's quite a redrafting exercise to extricating references to the Seanad from it.

[Јas]

By the by, I came accross the most excellent Irish Political Maps blog a while ago, which may be of interest to some of you.

The blog contains an increasing number of constituency templates (North and South) goin back to 1801; as well as results maps for particular elections, referenda and parties; and some other bits and pieces.

[Sibboleth]

Ah, now that is good.