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IRELAND IS GOING through one of the toughest tests it has ever experienced. The problems of job losses, debt, emigration and the visible scars of empty shops on the streets continue to dominate daily life for people. We have to question the institutions that let us down. At the very heart of those questions is the political system and the way we organise our politics in this country. The challenge of this crisis is to learn the lessons of the past decade and build a new way of doing politics that will deliver for ordinary citizens.
Disappointingly all we have seen from this government is the behaviour of two political parties that said they wanted change, but in reality all they wanted was their turn. Voting No in the upcoming referendum is a chance for citizens to say that they expect far better.
Abolishing the Seanad is the latest part of the government agenda of stunts masquerading as real reform. Behind the spin and heavily financed campaign gimmickry is the dark reality of a government that has concentrated power into the hands of a four-man economic council, undermined the role of the Dáil and is now seeking to remove the constitutional checks and balances provided by the Seanad. It simply is a crude power grab based on the most cynical sort of politics.
The government wants to make over 40 amendments to the constitution, the fundamental protection for our citizens. It wants to strip a layer of democracy designed to keep a close eye on the workings of the government. Further hidden in these changes is the removal of Article 27, the right of the President to refer controversial bills directly to the people for a referendum if petitioned by a majority of the Seanad and not less than a third of the Dáil.
Like all fire escapes, just because it is not used does not mean it is not needed. Yet this additional check on government power is also being removed. The government justifies taking an axe to the constitution by claiming it will save €20 million but the independent Houses of the Oireachtas Commission that actually runs the Dáil and Seanad has completely rejected the assertion.
These changes and cynical campaigning comes on the back on a series of failings by the government to address the shortcomings of the political system. Instead of reform all we have witnessed is guillotined bills and legislation rammed through the Dáil.
The facts are striking:
The latest raft of changes do not mark a “New Politics”; they are simply tinkering around the edges without addressing the fundamental issue of the complete and utter control exercised by the government over the parliament. Ultimately, abolishing the Seanad is a matter of whether or not you trust Ministers like James Reilly, Phil Hogan and Alan Shatter with even more power and even less accountability. Based on their record to date, I don’t.
Those who have seen the Government operating at close quarters agree with this analysis. Lucinda Creighton was as minister on Enda Kenny’s team before she was kicked out of the party and her offices for voicing dissent. She, alongside other former Fine Gael colleagues, have expressed very eloquently her deep opposition to this power grab.
The real matter at stake is whether or not this country will get the real reform it needs. Fianna Fáil has outlined comprehensive proposals for overhauling the entire political system across both the Dáil and Seanad. We believe the Seanad should be elected by all citizens and have a broadened representation of Irish life. It must be empowered to keep a close eye on both government and EU legislation which shapes all of our lives. The lessons from the crisis are that we need more dissenting voices, deeper scrutiny of decisions and greater government accountability not less.
This is the real reform Ireland needs to build a new way of doing things that is fit for purpose, not a cynical power grab that will mutilate the constitution. Only a No vote on Friday will send out the message loud and clear that what people want is real and meaningful reform.
Niall Collins TD is the Director of Elections for Fianna Fail
This must be true, it’s written by a senior Fianna Failer and they’re experts on cynical power grabs! They never reformed the Seanad in any way in all the years they were in power yet now they say ‘it needs reform’ because someone’s threatening to abolish it, pretty cynical there really.
Abolish and you create the biggest political power grab since the British occupation of this country.
Dont know why your red thumbing Alan . That is factually correct . The irish president also loses any power to oppose implimenting laws from the EU only the Dail will now be required to pass them
Abolish and you get rid of a talking shop with no power or teeth. Good riddance.
Whats cynical is that political parties are using the referendum as a political point scoring exercise and a leader who is more interested in photo bombing than debating . And lets not forget his lies in the dail last week €20 million to be saved !
How can you grab power from an institution that never had it I’m the first place…?
It’s not all about you, O’Reilly.
From that response you obviously haven’t a clue on whats at stake. I suggest reilly who trot back to bed wake up a read up on this important referendum. Or fall in line with the rest of the ill informed FG group.
Not a clue? Like those asking that this ludicrous joke be kept?!
Way to ignore all those calling for reform there enola. :D
I hear the bell a ringin’,
It’s coming to an end,
And I ain’t been this happy since,
I don’t know when.
It’s the end of Seanad Eireann,
Crumble and down she’ll fall,
But that bell will keep a tollin’,
Till they reform the Dáil.
AlanH, what are the Seanad currently gate-keeping that renders its abolition a significant cause of concern?
Agree. Vote NO in the forthcoming referendum to stave off political vandalism. If the Seanad is perceived to be ineffective who do we think might be responsible for that? No less a person than our esteemed Taoiseach stated in a radio interview a week or so ago that the “Seanad had been hijacked by the Dail”. There you have it. Clear as crystal – The Seanad has been hijacked by the Dail. If its broken fix it.
Regardless buddy I have a medical kit in my press. I have not opened it at all in the two years ive had it , so far it has served me no purpose at all and it taking up space in the press. But maybe im just mad thinking its best to have something and not need it than need something and not have it
Speaking of power my only piece of power hasn’t arrived in the letter box yet, my voting card!!!
You don’t need your voting card. Just bring ID to your usual polling station.
Cool man thanks for the heads up
No problem Marc
Cynical in that the money being saved is already ear marked for a new court of appeal
That’s also a bad idea, Shay.
the Seanad is a joke , given the EU and European courts etc there is much more oversight then could be imagined when it was setup originally. Everything about this issue is token though , why don’t we get asked about serious issues???? I want a referendum that a future treacherous government wont have the power to bailout private banks and be more concerned about the interest of foreign hedge funds over its own citizens.
It’s a bit rich for Fianna Fail to lecture us on power grabs. Just two Fianna Fail politicians, Brian Cowen and Brian Lenihan, decided on the blanket bank guarantee in September 2008. The rest of the cabinet wasn’t even consulted, never mind Dail Eireann, never mind the Senate.
Paul the Cabinet were in different locations on the night of Sept 30th 08….they had a conference call meeting and all who couldn’t be contacted were consulted for their voted…it is illegal to make government decision without the consent of the cabinet…this government arguably are behaving unconstitutionally by virtually running the country through the 4 man EMC ( economy management council ) made up of Msrs Howlin , Noonan Kenny and Gilmore…
What was Niall Collins saying when Fianna Fáil was preventing by-elections to the Dáil in order to preserve its artificial majority? The fundamental protection of citizens is through the right to vote. A right that was denied them too long by Fianna Fáil who know what a real power grab looks like. Where were you then, Niall?
It looks like FG are trying to do all that is necessary to reduce the possibility of FF or anybody standing on FG’s heads again..FG don’t give a toss about the Seanad or anybody else…This is an exercise in self-preservation.
Now theres a surprise a politician asking us not to shut down there handy part time number that they can rely on even if the ordinary citizens dont elect them.
No medical cards for children with special needs but theres unlimited funds for the political elite !
Whats your point MK..??
I’m loath to agree with Fianna Fáil on much these days, but, they’re right to oppose this referendum. It’s bad – very bad – for our democracy. See the reasons why I’ll be voting no here: http://wp.me/pJEMW-cQ
Finna fukoff…
How did FF deny people their voting rights Colin..??
Wouldnt listen to a word out of a FF polititian, and the way things have transpired over the past few years i wont be listening to any FG or LAB clowns either
The only way forward is reform of the senad. It’s a crèche for failed politicians and appointments. Elect them like in the Dail but ban all teachers from applying.
have your say