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Friday 27 November 2020
UCC students Adam Hallissey and Charlie Power argue that the Seanad has become a place for failed TDs to wait for election, and it has the capacity for so much more.
The issue raised in a case against the State no longer remains, but the court said it “could arise again” in the future.
The party has 11 female candidates running for election in the Seanad.
Here’s what you need to know.
Minister Sean Canney was also asked to provide more information on €3,258 in “policy formulation” expenses that were spent in a string of restaurants around the country.
For the first time ever, the Department of Public Expenditure has refused access to individual pensions for former ministers and officeholders
The first Dáil met at the Mansion House on 21 January 1919 following the 1918 General Election.
A number of people have argued that the move by the PAC is unconstitutional.
A new report on the future of the national anthem was launched today.
Norris himself ran against Michael D Higgins in the 2011 presidential election.
A major study found 31% of Irish women have experienced some form of psychological violence by a partner.
Immediate structural works are needed at Leinster House, beginning with the senator’s chamber.
Flanagan didn’t hold back in his criticism.
Some Irish emigrants can already vote in the election of representatives in Ireland… so long as they have the right degree, of course, write David Burns and Conor O’Neill.
St Vincents are calling on Senator Crown to pass on whatever information he has relating to alleged fraud at the institution.
The Government has been burned twice in apparently straightforward attempts to reform the political system due to a misguided, blanket rejection of all politicians by the public, writes Colm Ó Broin.
From the Justice Minister’s laughing fit, to Jim Walsh’s controversial comments on abortion. Say what you like about the chamber’s effectiveness; so far the current crop of senators have been anything but boring.
Do you want the Seanad saved or abolished?
“The constitution did not make it a retirement home for failed politicians and a creche for aspiring ones – the political class did.”
Fine Gael’s Director of Elections for the Seanad Referendum on why he believes “undemocratic institution” has no place in modern Ireland.
Professor John Crown, independent senator, answers the question with a timeline of a typical day in the life for him.
With some in the Seanad behaving like they at auditions for the Muppet Show, before the public gets to vote on its future, senators did little to encourage us to save their bacon, writes Paul Allen.
Two male politicians showed how sexism can come in many forms – post-modern with an ironic twist and just plain old-fashioned, writes Maura Adshead.
What’s on Leinster House today? Well, as you asked…
It’s going to be a long evening with the vote on the Protection of Life During Pregnancy Bill. Who will vote for and against – and potentially lose their party whip?
Fianna Fáil want limits on how often – and how – financial institutions can contact indebted mortgage holders while CAP reform debate is sure to rile the agricultural community.
Pat Rabbitte will be shooting the breeze with senators on the sustainability of the postal service and post offices around Ireland. Abortion is still up for debate in committees and will the financial regulator get some teeth?
Remember David Norris’s impassioned speech on possible Seanad abolition last week? Guess what’s back on the cards today…
With the Anglo Tapes still in the headlines, all eyes are on the final stage of legislation that might provide the means to hold an inquiry into Ireland’s banking fiasco. There is also the matter of a certain first vote on the Protection of Life During Pregnancy Bill…
No major votes today though, as Thursday means Eamon Gilmore takes Leaders’ Questions
The Taoiseach told senators today that abolishing the upper house is the biggest package of reform since the passing of the Constitution in 1937.
Lar Bradshaw – a former Anglo director and director of the Dublin Docklands Development Authority – is at the PAC today.
The final Dáil vote on whether to proceed with a constitutional referendum will be held just after 10:30pm this evening.
The fate of one house will be in the fate of the other today, before debate begins on the divisive abortion legislation.
Shane Ross has tabled an unusual motion – seeking a vote trying to delay Seanad abolition until reform is introduced first.
The Government says it was aware of allegations against Coláiste na bhFíann founder Domhnall Ó Lubhlaí.
The Red C poll for Paddy Power also shows a four-point boost for Fine Gael in the last few weeks.
The Europinions poll for TV3, with a margin of error of 3pc, cites the cost of the chamber as the main reason to close it.
The Referendum Commission will be chaired by Justice Elizabeth Dunne, whenever the Oireachtas passes the referendum bill.
THE GREYHOUND RACING industry has been put in the spotlight again this week, the Social Democrats put forward a motion proposing to end State funding of the sector.
Writing for TheJournal.ie this week, TD Holly Cairns explained that greyhound racing in Ireland will receive €19.2m in public funding next year – an increase of €2.4m on 2020.
Last year, an RTÉ investigation claimed that almost 6,000 greyhounds were killed for not racing fast enough in 2017.
But advocates for the sector have claimed it supports thousands of jobs and that annual Government funding represents an economic investment.
So, today we’re asking: Should the Government stop funding greyhound racing?
Poll Results:
Share your story: voices@thejournal.ie
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