Personally I don’t see the point in them being there at all. The Coalition has a majority so big that there’s no point in having debates about anything. Can anyone tell me what the opposition are supposed to be there for? Any bill they try and bring in is automatically rejected by government just because they can. The whole thing is a farce. I mean the government are told in advance what questions are going to be asked by opposition TD’s for starters. Then you have days and nights taken up by so called motions of confidence that haven’t an earthly of being successful. Unless the ordinary people of Ireland rise up against the government, they will do whatever they want.

Precisely why we need to restore Direct Democracy as originally envisaged in the 1922 constitution. Without Direct Democracy, debates in the Dáil are utterly pointless as one man, Enda Kenny, ultimately makes all the decisions by enforcing the party whip system.

Any society where one man makes all the decisions is called a dictatorship, not a democracy or a republic

Liam; Record in terms of what though, Liam?

Rodrgio; This isn’t unique to this country or government, to be fair. The opposition are there to highlight to the people alternatives and to put pressure on the government and back benches. It has worked in the past and within this current government. Its not ideal but the Irish people did democratically elect these two parties in large numbers. Polls suggest they would do the same in the morning so don’t turn around and say the people were mislead. True, a number of promises were broken by both parties largely due to the formation of a coalition but also to do with parties just wanting to lie in the first place (Labour re: Child Benefit, Fine Gael re: Bond Holders). However, a number of party policies in manifestos were implemented.

Its the opposition which introduces the ‘No Confidence’ measures so blame them if you feel its a waste.

Scrap Croke Park1; Interesting idea. Not sure how well it could work seeing as turnout in referendums are never that high and the opposition in this country always seem to make up lies about what you are being asked to vote on. I fear it could be a huge mess. People get fed up of referendums easily so asking them for ‘their say’ on legislative issues and so on probably wouldn’t go down that well. Its interesting to see that, it appears, its not used anywhere?

Aside from that the Irish people voted Fianna Fail in repeatedly despite the blatant false promises and damage they have done to the country repeatedly. They decided democratically to elect that party every four/five years despite the opposition strongly opposing it. Surely, considering the Irish people get to vote in the people who represents them and have, year after year, voted in the same party than we don’t need such a system?

Also, its not Enda Kenny that has the final say on policy. Its a cabinet decision which the Dail then votes on. Enda cannot go on a ‘one made crusade’ as you suggest and implement a policy framework of his choosing. Ireland is not in a dictatorship. As above, you can clearly see the people have had their say every 4/5 years and can choose to kick out the government.

It’s the system of government in Switzerland for the passed 200 years, also to a slightly lesser extent in the US and Canada.

Cabinet discuss issues but ultimately Kenny decides. He would have massive influence over his ministers being leader of the party. So I stand by my dictatorship comment. Only difference is we get to change the dictator every 5 years. When u vote in your representative he ultimately votes according to his party leaders wishes – not according to the bulk of people who voted him in

Kevin. I’m actually well aware that its usually the opposition that bring no confidence motions before parliament. It’s a complete waste of time and money when a government has such a large majority though. You are also implying that its ok to tell lies in order to gain power, trying to justify it by stating the needs of the coalition. How democratic is that then? Telling blatant lies is so endemic in Irish politics, that people like you deem it to be almost acceptable. Enda Kenny promised us 100,000 jobs for example. I wonder how many unemployed people voted for Fine Gael for this reason alone. Why hasn’t he been brought to task over this? What he has done would be tantamount to fraud in most other civilised jurisdictions!!

I think you’ll find that being a TD involves much more than sitting in the Dail.

There is very rarely more than a dozen STD’s sorry meant TD’S in the dail they can open as many days as they like but still nobody is ever there bar the normal few

Fg and Labour never gave our Brian the support he needed in 2010,what have you got againest the third child they shouted across the floor in December2010 no cut to socialwelfare labour cried 2011 bond holders to be burned the lies go on and on .what awaits me in Waterford regional hospital today who knows but its getting worst.. we got a lot wrong but in 2011 people were told there was a better way they put their faith in labour and fianna Gael ,the work our Brian did in 2010 will pay off he gave his life to put our mistakes right.

Most parties stated during the election that there was no easy way out and that the budgets would be very tough. To say the Irish people got plenty of warnings about austerity budgets was an understatement. People were also told that the EU/IMF agreement was there to stay, and they are pushing for the cuts and savings. Without them, Ireland would be a lot more screwed.

No party you elect will implement anything but austerity. Sinn Fein implement austerity budgets in the North and they take orders from Britain – their worst enemy for years that they fought against with killings and so on. So they won’t be abandoning the EU/IMF agreement and they couldn’t come up with any financial messures that ‘added up’ to keep us afloat if they did. Its unavoidable. Yes, there are some ways of making it less severe on the lower-income families and less well off. I can think of a few from the top of my head this government have avoided. But largely, it wont be that different. The country is looking very good considering the money that was drained out to pump funding at central government and despite the complaints from some online that we are heading backwards and not forwards.

I’m not saying its a walk in the park and the government are perfect. Far from it.

Or when they wake up Rob.

Elaborate please Mike?? I like to know whats will happen in 2013? Who will be in power? Enlighten me!!

I ask mike to tell me what 2013 will bring and i get red thumbs… I kinda hope they do shut all these forums down…

@declan..just because people don’t agree with you fourms should be shut down??if you don’t like it what are you doing here

Remember this post folks. See what Mike says in 2014 when the electorate didn’t even vote for a new government.

Are the sheep/trolls still bleeting .

Of course you are right…. Travel for work is so much fun!!!! I hate this sort of stuff… Im thinking people are getting sick of the crap on these sites…

The green thumbs make me think maybe people did not get my attempt at satire!!! travel with work is quite frankly a pain in the ass… anyone who has to do it on regular basis generally hates it…. So point is….it really bugs me when people make it sound like every trip related to work is some sort of leisure cruise….

Irony even :-)

So confused you forgot there were two parties in government the Irish people democratically elected with a large majority ahead of everyone else. :)