Over the last 80 years FG and FF eliminated the Youth Vote by forcing them to emigrate. It meant that they and their cronies could keep robbing the country.

Exactly. Though i was pleased that my 90 yr old nana said she’d be voting for norris

Rubbish

my what a well articulated reposte sir…….

Why is it ” essential” that David Norris be on the ballot paper? Is he more impotent than other candidates?

I would agree with Conor, if not exactly using the word “essential”. While no one should ever depend on a political poll as a justification for anything, it has appeared (to me at least) that David Noris is the popular favourite for the role, no doubt especially amongst those not likely to fill the ranks of county council seats.

I believe the role has been invigorated by the last two incumbents, and have no doubt that Senator Noris would make an excellent contribution; but I, nor anyone else for that matter, will be allowed to make that judgement call if the select few on County Councils have their way…

And don’t tell me that they are there to fulfil the will of their electorate… like that ever happens!

As a State we should be striving to ensure as many people use their franchise as possible, remain as engaged as possible, and have as diverse and talented a field of candidates as possible. Holding elections on Thursdays, only being allowed to vote in your own polling station (I know from Australia you can vote in any polling station in a region), require candidates to select from a number of elaborate methods to get onto the ballot… none of these enhance political engagement or franchise in my mind.

Thanks a lot for that additional information David.

so a student from say Galway but studying in Dublin should effectively miss two days in college or travel from Dublin to Galway and back again on the same day and only miss one day then ?

as for left handed cross dressers, well whatever your into yourself i guess……….

:)

Mick. It certainly is to discourage college voters, who may be away during the week and have the vote at home. They are going to be less likely to vote for a uncharasmatic and angry man like Mitchell.

From a cynical point of view I can see why they would do it.

Mick,

That is an absolute bullshit. Take a day off of work? What planet do you live on? One can only assume you have never had to commute or were a student. I doubt you’re a left handed cross dresser.

The fundamental question here is why the Government is making it more difficult for people to vote. A fair percentage of people aren’t going to apply for a postal ballot, they have enough paperwork as it is in their lives without the government of the day making it more difficult. Not everyone is as dedicated to politics as some are. To hold it on a Thursday only sends out the message that you aren’t interested in what the youth/commuter vote has to say. Why don’t they have it the following week if the bank holiday is the reason? Why are we privileging people who are going to go on a break on a bank holiday over hardworking commuters and Students who live away from home?

It isn’t a conspiracy theory. It’s fact. It’s lazy and it disenfranchises people from the system whether you think it or not.

Ah here, Brian.

In one breath you’re saying that a ‘fair percentage’ of people won’t be bothered filling out a form in order to elect a head of state because they ‘have enough paperwork as it is’… and in the next you’re saying it’s the government that’s lazy?