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A MORATORIUM ON broadcasters covering the Fiscal Compact referendum will come into effect from 2pm today.
The moratorium remains in effect until 10pm tomorrow when polling stations close.
It means that during this moratorium period radio and television broadcasts that are regulated in the Republic of Ireland will not be permitted to carry any content that relates to issues in the referendum.
It also applies to any person appearing on radio or television.
Michael O’Keeffe, Chief Executive of the Broadcasting Authority of Ireland (BAI), explained: “The moratorium is not intended to preclude coverage during this period of legitimate news and current affairs stories that are unrelated to the referendum.
“However, broadcasters should avoid airing content that it believes is intended and/or likely to influence or manipulate voters’ decisions during the moratorium period.”
Explanatory guidance on the moratorium has been published on the BAI website.
Counting votes in the referendum will begin at 9am on Friday at various count centres around the country with results being returned to the Central Count Centre at Dublin Castle.
Early tallies from count centres across the country’s 43 constituencies on Friday morning should indicate which way the referendum is likely to go.
Genuinely, does FFG feck ups and deliberate scew ups surprise anyone anymore. Children’s hospital, the tunnel project, e voting. Then you have the Moriarty and Mahon Tribunals. Bank bailouts. They have a long list to justify why they should not be there, yet they control the media and tell us there is no alternative.
@Cal Mooney: let’s not forget “Frankfurt’s Way or Labour’s Way” – Eamon Gilmore. The biggest and most costly broken election promise of them all.
If the State continues to put its own administrative convenience above the legal rights of its citizens, it risks losing their trust and confidence.
Bit late there with latest polls…
Ffg decline is in free fall..
Suitably identify themselves = State owned and issued passport. Who do I call to get paid??
The PSC is nothing else but a Biometric National ID card by the back door.
Wait until 3 million people have to pay more tax to cover the cost of compensating themselves, plus legal fees of course
@Frank Martin: wrong, there will be one test case then a class action suit can be taken.
@Susan Adair Farrelly: Aah Susan. Who do you think will be paying the bill then? Maybe you missed the point.
@Susan Adair Farrelly: we don’t have class action suits in Ireland. The legal profession will make money on each case.
Public consultation probably would have helped and I for one have no issues with this card, but like everything our government does is to force a foolish idea that there own party come up with without getting a full insight into the pro’s and con’s and the repercussions, and yet again no one will be held accountable.
@Gavin R: hold a\c at elections only way to solve this deliberate incompetence
@Gerard Heery: they are all incompetent…only good at feathering their own nest. The model needs to change…politicians should never be allowed to get close to our tax money…
@Gerard Heery: genuine question, how do we do that with what’s on the table, I understand fully what you are saying but that’s not going to happen, as there is no party I would pick out of the one’s on offer, they’ll all sell you the sun, moon and star’s until their in.
What? Even more expensive that the e-voting fiasco??
@Stephen Duffy: Paragraph 1.
@Stephen Duffy: I was even more shocked that 300m paid out to army personal because someone behind a desk decided ear protectors weren’t needed …when firing a gun resting beside your ear.
@Orla Smith: much obliged. Missed that. Only €55 m plus storage costs..!! Simon Harris would go through that in a week..!!!
@Stephen Duffy: only a smidgen more expensive than the €50m field that was bought at Thornton Hall for a prison. I’m sure somebody will be held accountable and heads will roll. Ha, as if!
It’s effectively an anti-fraud measure, designed to protect our taxes and ensure that they go where they’re supposed to go. I fail to see how anyone could have a problem with that.
If you want services or money from the state, get a card. If you don’t want to get a card, that’s your choice and your right. What’s the problem?
@John Mulligan: was it not shown that social welfare fraud was actually miniscule after Leo’s big pr campaign to rat ppl out. I remember there being a bit of a backlash by the public and interest groups at the time that it seemed to be impinging on ppls rights and they pushed on anyway without any delay. You then had to sign up online to submit more information. It was v much pushed on ppl. Another example of FG being arrogant pr!cks.
@John Mulligan: Read up about the Indian Aadhaar Card and it’s intended purpose. The very same as given by the Irish government. See the reality of what such a card can do. The Aadhaar card is made by the same company that makes the PSC.
I think and i hope FF and FG’s days are numbered. They are pure political disasters, totally unfit to run the country.
The article talks continuously of citizens. My wife is not a citizen of Ireland but has a PSC. Will she be excluded?
The Daily does not sit on Mondays and Fridays. Only mugs work every day
@Toby Fish: So it doesn’t sit daily
@Frank Martin: no
As much as I try, I cannot understand the problem with having this ID card!
@Mary Lyons: why is it required to apply for and sit driver theory test?
@Susan Adair Farrelly: Eh, so no one else can sit it for you?
@Mary Lyons: There is a need to correlate the different state administrations to ensure overall efficient operation, not least to prevent evasion & criminality.
For example, co- ordinating driving licence issuance with revenue, social services, vehicle & property ownership would enable the state to reduce tax evasion & welfare abuse.
The justice system needs to have every tool in the state data bank to combat modern criminality, subject to lawful access, & it is proper that our law provides that access. Repeat, only the state data bank, not the private data bank of citizens, except where court warrant is justified in pursuance of criminal investigation. These court warrants are specific, not general.
Electoral voting machines anyone?
Our idiot politicians thankfully don’t have enough power to destroy the planet but they sure do have enough power to destroy Ireland, and its one of the very few things they’re doing a pretty good job of.
What is actually the problem with the PSC. The only people who have any reasonable reason to fear this card are the scammers.
@Peter Buchanan: Exactly, there is absolutely no new information ‘on’ this card. Don’t want to get one for your pension or dole? Fine, don’t get one. See where that gets you.
So, a card we created (via our public representatives) has infringed our own rights and we must compensate ourselves with our own money? Any lawyers involved in this scheme by any chance?
I find it disgusting that what was created to stop welfare fraud and help provide public services is now perceived as a easy money making venture by lawyers and claimants. The GDPR was brought in to stop exploitation of data for private gain and was primarily aimed at the private industries. Also it was brought in May last year well after the card was introduced. And its presented as an opt in card, a person doesn’t have to apply but you they wont get free public services. What is wrong with that.
This is proof that a large percentage of Irish people are little better than scammers……a national ID card that protects taxpayers against social welfare fraud etc is what any intelligent society should have.
@IRL77: It seems yourself and Pat have both entirely missed the point of the article. A biometric ID card must comply with all applicable data protection laws. The PSC doesn’t do this and the government is carrying on regardless.
If there’s a right way and a wrong way to do something, our government invariably pick the wrong way and it always seems to end up costing the beleaguered taxpayers of this pretend republic.
@Will: it is NOT a “biometric ID card”
@Peter Buchanan: You do realise that a photo, such as that found on every PSC card, IS biometric data? Therefore the PSC card IS a biometric ID card.
This article is disingenuous. An investigation is ongoing with the Data Protection Commission. Of course DEASP are not going to release their submission until after the investigation is completed. Neither would Simon McGarr if it was one of his clients who was accused of wrongdoing. Surely ICCL should have put in the FOI request to the Data Protection Commission, not the Department.
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