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AS THE BROADCAST moratorium comes into effect, the Yes and No camps in the Fiscal Compact referendum are engaged in some last ditch efforts to make themselves heard ahead of the polls opening tomorrow.
Fine Gael leader Enda Kenny has been canvassing in Dublin today, while Sinn Féin president Gerry Adams has appeared on Sky News in the past hour in the wake of the High Court’s ruling in Pearse Doherty’s complaint against the Referendum Commission.
Enda Kenny canvasses Denise Neary from Mayo for a yes vote in tomorrows Fiscal Treaty Referendum outside Caffe di Napoli on Westland Row, Dublin today. Photo: Laura Hutton/Photocall Ireland
Gerry Adams at Government Buildings
Sinn Féin president Gerry Adams speaks to Sky News this afternoon. Image: Sky News
Mick Wallace says vote No
Mick Wallace TD erected a sign in Dublin's Italian Quarter where he is asking the public to Vote No in the Fiscal Treaty Referendum. Photo: Photocall Ireland
Nigel Farage
British MEP and leader of the UK Independence Party (UKIP), Nigel Farage pictured at the Europe for Freedom and Democracy press conference in the Shelbourne Hotel in Dublin, where they urged a NO vote in the upcoming referendum. Photo: Laura Hutton/Photocall Ireland
Yes camp
(LtoR) Campaigners for a Yes vote in the Treaty, Minister for Jobs, Richard Bruton, Leader of Fianna Fail Micheal Martin and CEO of 11890 Nicola Byrne pictured as they take part in a live referendum debate on 'The Last Word' in the Irish Life Centre in Dublin on 17 May. Photo: Laura Hutton/Photocall Ireland
Labour talk a walk
The Labour party launched a referendum poster campaign on 25 May, which they claim highlights Sinn Feins track record of getting it wrong when it comes to major decisions. They launched the campaign outside the Sinn Féin shop on Parnell Sq Photo: Sam Boal / Photocall Ireland
Keeping it casual
Sinn Fein President Gerry Adams (centre) keeps it casual as he arrived at the High Court this morning with Eoin O Broin (left) and Vice President Mary Lou McDonald Photo: Laura Hutton/Photocall Ireland
Poster wars
People walk past a defaced sign against the European Fiscal Treaty in Dublin, ahead of tomorrows referendum. Niall Carson/PA Wire
Poster wars
A poster supporting the EU fiscal treaty is defaced by anti-EU stickers AP Photo/Shawn Pogatchnik
What's so funny, Enda?
Enda Kenny pictured as he canvasses for a yes vote in tomorrows Fiscal Treaty Referendum outside Pearse St DART Station. Photo: Laura Hutton/Photocall Ireland
The sky is falling down?
Toirleach O Murchu (3) dressed as a chicken, stood outside goverment buildings to demonstrate that the " Sky Wont Fall In " if the electorate vote No in the European Fiscal Stability Treaty Referendum. Photo: Sam Boal /photocall Ireland
Sorry to interrupt....
Labour TD Kevin Humphreys, right, talks to Des Redmond while campaigning for a yes vote for the Fiscal Treaty Referendum Photo Mark Stedman/Photocall Ireland
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@Brian Molloy: They can’t be ‘illegal’ until they’re vetted. They can’t be vetted until they’re here. Deportations were up in 2024 on the previous year. Laws and compassion are not always mutually exclusive.
@Brian Molloy: You lot had your chance during the election. “People are waking up”, we were told. “People have had enough”, we were told. “We speak for the silent majority”, we were told. In the end, the only people that were actually told anything were those spreading hate – they were told where to go.
@Maire Hicks: Unfortunately, these unvetted migrants (85% destroyed docunentation before arriving at Dublin Airport in 2023) will keep flooding in when we have our multi billion euro taxpayer funded woke NGOs like the Irish Refugee Council with stuff like this on their website:
”You can collect your PPS Number 4 working days after you applied for asylum at the IPO.
When you collect your PPSN, you can apply for a weekly payment of 113 euro.
You should also be able to apply for an additional needs payment of 100 euro”
3 months later after processing, when they are granted refugee status or leave to remain, they’re entitled to council housing/HAP and family reunification to bring the rest of the family, all paid for from start to finish by the Irish taxpayer.
Now that revenue from cigarettes has fallen sharply, we need to find a way to recoup that money. Slap tax and excise duty fees on vapes and E-liquid and make sure the only vapes and E-liquid sold in the state are the ones we get a massive cut out of. Never mind the health benefits for smokers who switch to vapes, we need to spin this as vapes that do not include warnings “as gaeilge” are dangerous and only sold by crime gangs.
@Paul Bannon: Exactly. Imagine trying to get the off cancer sticks, and you’re now being told you’re as good as dead anyway. With no science to back it up. Mad Ted..
@Paul Gorry: Not to mention all the hard drugs getting in to the country but then what does one expect from a country that puts the Irish version of a navy out to sea to patrol our waters with their guns not working.
@normally go through toll twice a day (M50), that will stop!!: the producers of ineffective nicotine patches and gums certainly are. HSE wastes a ton of tax payer money on them.
The Journal’s manic anti vape campaign continues. Inadvertently keeping smokers smoking. Shameful. (PS to sub Ed- you can’t “smoke an “e cigarette” but you probably know that already.) Vaping saves lives. Anyone involved in this campaign should be ashamed.
I’m not a huge fan of vapes myself but these boneheaded regulations are only going to make the situation worse. Multiple studies have shown that vaping 95% safer than smoking. Strict regulations make it harder for smokers to switch, keeping more people addicted to combustible cigarettes, which are far more harmful. Countries with relaxed vaping laws have seen declines in smoking rates, while places with bans or heavy restrictions have seen increases in cigarette sales. When legal products are banned or overregulated, black markets thrive. Bootleg vapes and unregulated e-liquids are more dangerous than legal, quality-controlled products. Adults should have the right to choose less harmful alternatives to smoking without excessive government interference. Let’s lift these restrictions now.
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