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# seanad - Yesterday’s News

Phone Home

Give Ireland fans free texts and reduced tariffs at Euro 2012 – Senator

Yesterday, 7:15 AM 2,650 Views 34 Comments

Labour senator Jimmy Harte has called on mobile phone companies to help out the estimated tens of thousands of fans who will be heading to Poland next month.

# seanad - Thursday 3 May, 2012

Giggles This post contains videos

VIDEO: Alan Shatter has a laughing fit… in the Seanad

03/05/12 4,702 Views 12 Comments

What’s got the justice minister so amused? Apparently it’s the plethora of acronyms contained in his own speech…

# seanad - Wednesday 2 May, 2012

Equality

Seanad to discuss equality for gay teachers and doctors

02/05/12 2,725 Views 48 Comments

Fianna Fáil’s bill wants to change the current law which allows schools and hospitals to discriminate against gay staff members.

# seanad - Tuesday 1 May, 2012

Marriage

Humanist marriage ceremonies on track to being legally recognised

01/05/12 2,839 Views 23 Comments

Currently, humanist ceremonies are not recognised – but an amendment to the Civil Registration Bill 2004 is expected to change this.

# seanad - Wednesday 11 April, 2012

Opinion

Column: People don’t believe it but Senators work hard. Really.

11/04/12 2,759 Views 54 Comments

Senators are sittings ducks: damned if they do and damned if they don’t, writes Senator John Whelan.

# seanad - Tuesday 10 April, 2012

Your Say This post contains a poll

Poll: Should smoking in cars when children are present be banned?

10/04/12 6,892 Views 128 Comments

Three senators are hoping to introduce legislation that would ban smoking while driving in cars but critics would argue people should be allowed the choice or that such laws would be hard to enforce. What do you think?

Health

Ban smoking in cars with children present, say Senators

10/04/12 1,556 Views 26 Comments

Senators John Crown, Jillian van Turnhout and Mark Daly are drafting legislation to ban smoking in cars where there is a child or children present.

# seanad - Saturday 31 March, 2012

Opinion

Column: David Norris’s Privacy Bill recycles a flawed earlier version

31/03/12 2,246 Views 8 Comments

Secretary of the Irish NUJ, Séamus Dooley, on his concerns about the recent legislation proposed by a number of independent senators.

# seanad - Wednesday 28 March, 2012

Women

Female genital mutilation officially banned in Ireland

28/03/12 6,589 Views 66 Comments

Over 3,000 women living in Ireland are believed to have undergone FGM.

Press Freedom

Shatter launches stinging attack on ‘contrived’ journalism

28/03/12 3,184 Views 35 Comments

The minister for justice tells a Seanad debate that some journalists omit important facts in order to scandalise the public.

# seanad - Thursday 15 March, 2012

Oireachtas

Open democracy: Leinster House to offer public tours from tomorrow

15/03/12 2,506 Views 34 Comments

Members of the public can now tour the houses of the Oireachtas every Monday and on non-sitting Fridays without having to book beforehand.

# seanad - Wednesday 14 March, 2012

Mark Mac Sharry

‘Subversive website’ comments taken out of context – FF Senator

14/03/12 2,920 Views 44 Comments

Marc Mac Sharry said yesterday that certain online forums amounted to “legalised subversion of the State” but insisted today his comments were taken out of context.

# seanad - Tuesday 13 March, 2012

Tallafornication

TV3 says Norris can watch Late Late after he criticises ‘obnoxious’ Tallafornia

13/03/12 12,743 Views 118 Comments

The Senator criticised what he called the “drink-sodden programme” in the Seanad today.

# seanad - Friday 9 March, 2012

One Year In

12 random items that convulsed Irish politics this past year

09/03/12 5,424 Views 2 Comments

Septic tanks, dry-cleaning receipts and Michael D’s knees – just some of the strange things we never thought we’d obsess about in a political context… but we do now.

One Year In

TheJournal.ie’s progress report for the Government: Political reform

09/03/12 369 Views 1 Comment

The government has promised major political reform – but has it fulfilled its promises, one year in?

# seanad - Thursday 8 March, 2012

Photo Opp

Enda Kenny finds alternative photoshoot

08/03/12 5,236 Views 36 Comments

Government photo opp was cancelled today – but Taoiseach still finds himself centrestage with pic to mark International Women’s Day.

# seanad - Wednesday 29 February, 2012

Child Abuse

Child pornography blocking system to be debated by Seanad

29/02/12 2,277 Views 87 Comments

New proposals could radically cut the number of people in Ireland accessing child abuse material, according to backers.

# seanad - Saturday 25 February, 2012

In Numbers

Prime numbers: The week in stats

25/02/12 2,782 Views No Comments

Debts, draw-downs, state assets and lunar rock – all of that, and more, in your weekly numerical wrap-up.

# seanad - Thursday 23 February, 2012

Take 5

The 5 at 5: Thursday

23/02/12 4,520 Views 13 Comments

5 minutes, 5 stories, 5 o’clock…

Silent Time

Seanad “should reflect in silence before daily prayer”

23/02/12 2,743 Views 59 Comments

A proposal on introducing 30 seconds of silence before the daily prayer was reached by compromise between Senators Ivana Bacik and Ronan Mullen.

# seanad - Wednesday 22 February, 2012

From Business ETC Media Standards

Pat Rabbitte criticises descent of media into “corrosive cynicism”

22/02/12 2,916 Views 28 Comments

The Minister for Communications was leading statements on media standards in the Seanad – and hearing concerns from senators about the future of the media in Ireland.

From Business ETC Seanad

David Norris says tabloid editor told him stories about him were “payback”

22/02/12 6,243 Views 50 Comments

Independent senator and former Presidential candidate scathing of media standards during discussion in Seanad.

# seanad - Friday 17 February, 2012

Upskilling

Application for EU retraining fund for TalkTalk workers almost finalised

17/02/12 1,015 Views 3 Comments

It will be submitted by the end of this month.

# seanad - Thursday 16 February, 2012

Fiscal Compact

Harsh words in Seanad over cut on EU-IMF interest

16/02/12 2,173 Views 14 Comments

Lucinda Creighton says she would refuse to return to the Seanad if FF members “accuse me of being a liar”.

# seanad - Wednesday 15 February, 2012

Daily Fix This post contains videos

Daily Fix: Wednesday

15/02/12 4,849 Views 3 Comments

In today’s Fix: household charge campaign; health service ‘reduction’; and the best way to get onto a crowded bus…

Oireachtas TV

Oireachtas Plus: parliament hoping to expand TV channel

15/02/12 2,145 Views 40 Comments

The parliament launched a pilot channel last November, and is now looking for advice on rolling the project out further.

# seanad - Thursday 9 February, 2012

Papal Visit

Seanad rejects motion calling for Pope visit to Ireland

09/02/12 4,906 Views 104 Comments

Fianna Fáil Senator Jim Walsh said he was “extremely disappointed” that the motion had been defeated.

# seanad - Tuesday 7 February, 2012

Fine Gael

Former Olympic athlete Eamonn Coghlan joins Fine Gael

07/02/12 1,995 Views 64 Comments

The former athlete was appointed to the Seanad as an independent by the Taoiseach last May.

Opinion

Column: We’re all in this together? Yeah, right.

07/02/12 3,608 Views 59 Comments

Politicians tell us we’re all in the same boat – but their expenses and other wasteful decisions tell a different story, writes former trader Nick Leeson.

# seanad - Sunday 5 February, 2012

Expenses

Former FF senator given €3,100 expenses for role he couldn’t fulfil

05/02/12 6,827 Views 52 Comments

Pat Moylan was paid €3100.05 in expenses across April and May – for being the Cathaoireach of a Seanad that no longer existed.

# seanad - Saturday 4 February, 2012

Daily Fix

The Daily Fix: Saturday

04/02/12 14,774 Views 1 Comment

Your evening round-up of the day’s biggest news stories, as well as the bits and pieces you may have missed…

9 At 9

The 9 at 9: Saturday

04/02/12 5,190 Views 3 Comments

Every morning, TheJournal.ie brings you the nine stories you need to know before your morning coffee…

Seanad Expenses

Here’s how much the Seanad received in expenses last year

04/02/12 5,869 Views 45 Comments

The figures for Senators’ expenses for December allow us to build a full picture of the payments made to each member last year.

# seanad - Wednesday 1 February, 2012

Referendum

Independent TDs seek to force referendum on EU fiscal compact

01/02/12 2,202 Views 60 Comments

The Dáil Technical Group hopes the President can help force a referendum on the EU treaty if the government is advised against holding one.

# seanad - Sunday 22 January, 2012

Jobs

57 ways to create jobs according to the Seanad

22/01/12 8,336 Views 104 Comments

The upper house of the Oireachtas had a ‘think tank’ session this week and these are the suggestions they came up with to get Ireland working. What do you think?

# seanad - Friday 20 January, 2012

Fracking

Senator says we should allow fracking – to create jobs

20/01/12 5,050 Views 118 Comments

Feargal Quinn suggests that companies could be asked to put up a bond equal to the clean-up cost of any possible environmental damage.

# seanad - Friday 13 January, 2012

Oireachtas

Independent TD defends €42,000 ‘party leader’ payments

13/01/12 3,027 Views 26 Comments

Finian McGrath says he spends his €42,000 payment on extra staff wages and “research and development”.

# seanad - Wednesday 11 January, 2012

The Law

26 bills – but no referendums – on government’s list of Spring bills

11/01/12 2,162 Views 20 Comments

The government’s draft agenda for the Dáil’s spring term includes 26 bills to be published, and another 25 currently in draft.

Dáil

Dáil returns for new year with wages on the agenda

11/01/12 2,186 Views 20 Comments

A controversial bill on agency workers is on the table today – but one TD has warned his peers to keep things in perspective…

Opinion

Column: Abolish the Seanad? Here’s a better idea to fix our political system

11/01/12 4,754 Views 54 Comments

Parish-pump politics is crippling our democracy – so Simon Tuohy offers a radical new proposal to fix the system.

1 2 3

referendum

fiscal compact

NTMA: No access to ESM would mean no access to markets either

Patricia McKenna and Thomas Pringle are both seeking a referendum on the ESM treaty.
Referendum
Large majority of voters in favour of referendum on ESM treaty
Opinion
Vote No: The Treaty will bring the EU together – in economic stagnation
The credit union: an Irish institution
Opinion
Vote Yes: EU funds are like our credit union. Let’s not go to the loan sharks.
your questions
What do YOU want to know about the referendum?

Your say

View more polls
Poll: Are you satisfied with your quality of life?

Poll: Are you satisfied with your quality of life?

A NEW REPORT from the OECD has suggested people living in Ireland have some of the best lives in the world, with Ireland among the top countries in its Better Life Index.

The index finds that life expectancy, low pollution, positive experiences and a healthy work-life balance are among the factors that contribute to happy lives in Ireland.

It did note, however, that the gap between the rich and poor is wider in Ireland than elsewhere, while the gender gap in educational performance is also larger than average.

Today we’re simply wondering whether (assuming you live in Ireland) you’re satisfied with your quality of life.


Poll Results:





Read: How good is life in Ireland?


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Read Me

Selected opinions from around the web
Kate Katharina Ferguson
Column: Sludgy and outdated: Why our education system is like a septic tank
By Kate Katharina Ferguson - @KateKatharina

Tests, tests and more tests – but schools and colleges aren’t giving us the creativity we need in this crisis, writes Kate Katharina Ferguson.

David Hall
Column: The mortgage crisis is stoked by mistrust. Here’s how we might fix it.
By David Hall - @davidhall75

Aggressive banks are making mortgage resolution impossible, writes David Hall of New Beginning – and suggests a way to restore trust between lenders and borrowers.

Jim Clarken
Column: ‘Women are digging up anthills for the tiny grains inside’
By Jim Clarken

Children mine for gold in home-made pits, while parents risk their lives for food – Jim Clarken describes the harrowing scenes as a crisis unfolds in west Africa.

Michael Taft
Vote No: The Treaty will bring the EU together – in economic stagnation
By Michael Taft - @notesonthefront

Confidence and stability will be the last things to emerge from this dangerous experiment, writes Michael Taft.

Naoise Nunn
Vote Yes: EU funds are like our credit union. Let’s not go to the loan sharks.
By Naoise Nunn - @naoisen

A Yes to the Stability Treaty will give Ireland access to the ESM, writes Naoise Nunn – and keep us out of a potentially lethal game of chicken.

Seamus Breslin
Column: Parents bringing their children to be kneecapped. Yes, this is Ireland.
By Seamus Breslin

Self-styled republican vigilantes are terrorising a city, writes Seamus Breslin – and perceived neglect by authorities is fuelling the fire.

Mike Morris
Column: Another Priory Hall is coming down the tracks. Here’s why.
By Mike Morris - @nyderoleary

Phil Hogan is planning to introduce new regulations which are meant to make for better buildings. He’s making a major mistake, writes Mike Morris.

Jane Suiter
Column: Who are the winners and losers in the referendum campaign right now?
By Jane Suiter - @JaneSuit

With nine days to go before referendum day, Dr Jane Suiter of UCC analyses the parties and the latest polls to see how the campaign is playing out.

Micheál Martin
Column: Job creation is too important for party politics. Let’s work together.
By Micheál Martin

Writing for TheJournal.ie, Micheál Martin explains why Fianna Fáil’s new plan to tackle youth unemployment should be seriously considered.

Lisa McInerney
Column: National pride or bald-faced bigotry? Maybe neither, or both.
By Lisa McInerney - @SwearyLady

Being proud to be Irish is sometime looked on as a social gaffe, writes Lisa McInerney, but that’s not always fair… and it’s not always the best way to figure out who really is racist…

From BusinessEtc

‘Considerable challenge’ for Nama to break even – official report NAMA

‘Considerable challenge’ for Nama to break even – official report

Merkel now accepts need for growth measures, claim opposition
Eurozone
Merkel now accepts need for growth measures, claim opposition
Stocks open mixed as Europe summit disappoints
Markets
Stocks open mixed as Europe summit disappoints

From The Daily Edge

Minister Blending in on Set Pic of the Day pic of the day

Minister Blending in on Set Pic of the Day

Weatherwatch: temperatures over 20°C, sunshine staying for the weekend
Weather
Weatherwatch: temperatures over 20°C, sunshine staying for the weekend
VIDEO: iPhone’s Siri explains the meaning of life to John Malkovich
Work Can Wait
VIDEO: iPhone’s Siri explains the meaning of life to John Malkovich
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From The Score

McShane will ‘probably’ make squad for training camp – Trap Decision time

McShane will ‘probably’ make squad for training camp – Trap

I’ll play it cool at the Euros, Mario Balotelli warns Ireland
Euro 2012
I’ll play it cool at the Euros, Mario Balotelli warns Ireland
Rushe: Dubs don’t have discipline problem
Capital Account
Rushe: Dubs don’t have discipline problem

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News in Photos

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News in Video

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  • VIDEO: How to… get the last bit of ketchup out of the bottle
  • VIDEO: iPhone’s Siri explains the meaning of life to John Malkovich
  • VIDEO: Phew, that was a close one…
  • Mental health services inadequate, prisons below standards – Amnesty
  • Referendum roundup: 8 days to go
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Poll: Are you satisfied with your quality of life?
How good is life in Ireland?

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