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SINN FÉIN’S finance spokesman Pearse Doherty has been suspended from the Dáil after refusing to obey the orders of the Ceann Comhairle, Seán Barrett.
The dispute arose during this morning’s discussion on the Dáil order of business, when Doherty made comments about the appointment of the new Secretary-General in the Department of Finance, John Moran.
Doherty had queried whether new “fitness and probity legislation”, which was being brought forward to deal with banking appointments, would contain clauses that allowed for scrutiny of civil service appointments as well.
Doherty was ruled out of order after commenting that Moran had previously served as the chief executive officer of Zurich Capital Markets, which which was later censured by the Securities and Exchanges Commission in the United States in 2007.
“When are we going to get a chance to scrutinise the most senior public appointments?”, Doherty had asked, prompting Barrett to comment that the Donegal South-West TD was “abusing the situation of the Dáil”.
“We don’t do character assassinations in this chamber,” the Ceann Comhairle added.
Doherty refused to keep his silence, however, prompting Barrett to ‘name’ him and force a vote on his suspension.
The vote was carried by 80 votes to 36, with Fine Gael and Labour backing his suspension, and Fianna Fáil, Sinn Féin and the other party and independent TDs opposing it.
Doherty’s suspension means he cannot, as planned, introduce legislation which would bring NAMA under the remit of the Freedom of Information Act. That legislation had been due for introduction to the Dáil this morning.
Doherty is the sixth TD to have been suspended from the 31st Dáil since its first sitting 365 days ago.
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Yay Ireland…
A step in the right direction at least
Anyone else notice that it’s one of the most positive stories of the day but only has 3 comments ?
It’s a nothing auction Kieran.. Extremely small potatoes.
Greece & Portugal have been offering short term bills since they went into their programs.
And we as a nation love our negativity !!
This is a wonderful expression of confidence on the long long road we have all travelled together with some suffering more than others. As economic performance is more frequently associated with positive sentiment lets push the usual Journal naysayers and prophets of doom to one side and together say………….YEAHHHHHHHHHHH GO GO GO IRELAND!
Think there need’s to be a counter balance to the supposed euphoria – Thankfully Constantin has plenty to say on this sale of ‘new’ stamps; rather they are of little value to overall effectiveness of any real bond sale and the effects of this are overrated – more spin I’m afraid.
http://trueeconomics.blogspot.ie/2012/07/372012-curb-your-enthusiasms.html
“The people and the economy can only wax fat and prosperous when their government is starved and puny.” – Murray Rothbard
@martincrettinnnPlease just this once..,,be happy a small step in the right direction and not 5 back as usual!!
Its not even a step be real!
Ahem ahem..I was waiting for the cheer-leading on this -
Now, I recall a certain Minister Bruton, 1 week before the Fiscal Treaty Referendum , stating “we don’t want to have to go to the LOAN SHARKS that are the Bond Markets ” !!!!!!!
And now we are supposed to celebrate going to the loan sharks again!?!? Just shows you the Crap that politicians will spin in an attempt to bully/ frighten people!!
I’d like to understand the rational behind the red thumbs!!???? I just highlighted a FACTUAL piece!
The mind boggles
Like his other quote best when referring to the State as – “a gang of thieves writ large” – no truer word said when considering the payment of bondholders over the welfare of the countries inhabitants and the forced nature in bringing about the household charge.
Yes. We should just try surviving on words and fresh air.
It’s the wrong words – uttered by so called intellectuals – that ruined this countries prospects in the first place – so we best watch the ones we use! So really where are you heading with such brief comment
If we had chosen not to honour the debts we have taken on, the welfare of the most vulnerable or our citizens would have been the most severely impacted.
All you have to offer to replace the money we have been lent is words and fresh air.
I’d like to return to the markets with a shrunken senior civil service sector; that way the markets would understand the country has its fiscal priorities in order -and then lend us the dosh!!!
Ahh nice one Ireland back to the markets, what are they selling, fruit & veg, clothes ???, ah sure its probably that cheap booze centra were trying to sell.
Do people want to return to the markets with a bloated public sector? We will still be under savage budgets to keep the lemmings overpaid.
If the government is fully funded until next year why on earth are they making this mickey mouse play?
To prove they can. Until now, they couldn’t. The yields may also change on the day, up or down, depending on sentiment. So it is a useful exercise.
Ireland will make it – I ALWAYS believed it! Irish are amazing in surviving and getting the head up again! YOU GO EIRE!!!!
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