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Lisbon 2

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  • 23-07-2008 1:28pm
    #1
    Closed Accounts Posts: 31


    Hi all

    As it is looking likely that we will have a second referendum on Lisbon I would like to invite interested parties to voice their opinion on the following topic:

    Is our democracy working if we need second referendums on the same issues (Nice, Lisbon)

    All are welcome to, Yes and No voters, but please can we keep this thread sensible and respectful.

    Thanks all

    Brendan


«1

Comments

  • Registered Users Posts: 33,440 ✭✭✭✭Princess Consuela Bananahammock


    Brendan777 wrote: »
    Hi all

    As it is looking likely that we will have a second referendum on Lisbon I would like to invite interested parties to voice their opinion on the following topic:

    Is our democracy working if we need second referendums on the same issues (Nice, Lisbon)

    All are welcome to, Yes and No voters, but please can we keep this thread sensible and respectful.

    Thanks all

    Brendan

    Be interesting to see how the Yes camp markets itself this time.

    Personally, I don't think we're anywhere near as important as we think we are - I'm surprised Europe hasn't tried to amend laws or bring in legislation to carry on without us.

    Everything I don't like is either woke or fascist - possibly both - pick one.



  • Registered Users Posts: 32,136 ✭✭✭✭is_that_so


    Brendan777 wrote: »
    Hi all

    As it is looking likely that we will have a second referendum on Lisbon I would like to invite interested parties to voice their opinion on the following topic:

    Is our democracy working if we need second referendums on the same issues (Nice, Lisbon)

    All are welcome to, Yes and No voters, but please can we keep this thread sensible and respectful.

    Thanks all

    Brendan
    What do you think yourself?
    One of the problems I have with this question is how narrowly people focus it, only on the two EU referenda. There are other issues we've also been forced to address more than once and none suggests a problem with democracy. If there is a need or demand for a referendum then one should be held.


  • Registered Users Posts: 6,721 ✭✭✭Otacon


    is_that_so wrote: »
    If there is a need or demand for a referendum then one should be held.

    If the need and demand is coming from external sources like other European leaders?

    I have always agreed that if the treaty was amended to qwell the legitimate concerns of the 'No' camp, then I would see no issue in another referendum, as a 'No' vote should mean, 'Try harder', not 'No way no how!'

    But if it is going to be a case of the same treaty being put to us, I can't see how anyone would be surprised with the same outcome.


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 31 Brendan777


    Is that so

    yes referendums on the same issues happened more than once before. But were they almost immediately after each other? What was the time span between the referendums? This is an extremely important point.


  • Registered Users Posts: 32,136 ✭✭✭✭is_that_so


    Brendan777 wrote: »
    Is that so

    yes referendums on the same issues happened more than once before. But were they almost immediately after each other? What was the time span between the referendums? This is an extremely important point.

    My point on this is that it is often conveniently ignored that we have had to address issues and will continue to do so. I see absolutely no problem with this. Why is the timeframe so important to you?


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  • Closed Accounts Posts: 31 Brendan777


    Here is the list of successful amendmants by referendum:

    Third Amendment (8 June 1972): Permitted the state to join the European Communities.
    Fourth Amendment (5 January 1973): Reduced minimum voting age from 21 to 18.
    Fifth Amendment (5 January 1973): Removed reference to "special position" of the Roman Catholic Church and to certain other named denominations.
    Sixth Amendment (3 August 1979): Provided that orders made by the Adoption Board could not be declared unconstitutional because they were not made by a court.
    Seventh Amendment (3 August 1979): Allowed the state to determine by law which institutions of higher education would be entitled to elect members of the Senate.
    Eighth Amendment (7 October 1983): Introduced the constitutional prohibition of abortion.
    Ninth Amendment (2 August 1984): Extended the right to vote to certain non-nationals.
    Tenth Amendment (22 June 1987): Permitted the state to ratify the Single European Act.
    Eleventh Amendment (16 July 1992): Permitted the state to ratify the Maastricht Treaty.
    Thirteenth Amendment (23 December 1992): Specified that the prohibition of abortion would not limit freedom of travel in and out of the state.
    Fourteenth Amendment (23 December 1992): Specified that the prohibition of abortion would not limit the right to distribute information about abortion services in foreign countries.
    Fifteenth Amendment (17 June 1996): Removed the constitutional prohibition of divorce, but retained certain restrictions on its occurrence.
    Sixteenth Amendment (12 December 1996): Allowed a court to refuse someone bail if it suspected they would commit a criminal offence while at liberty.
    Seventeenth Amendment (14 November 1997): Introduced provisions related to the confidentiality of cabinet meetings. This became protected unless, in certain circumstances, the High Court orders otherwise.
    Eighteenth Amendment (3 June 1998): Allowed the state to ratify the Amsterdam Treaty.
    Nineteenth Amendment (3 June 1998): Provided for the amendment of Articles 2 and 3 as required by the Belfast Agreement.
    Twentieth Amendment (23 June 1999): Provided that local government elections must occur every five years.
    Twenty-first Amendment (27 March 2002): Introduced the constitutional prohibition of the death penalty, and also removed all incidental references to the death penalty from the text.
    Twenty-third Amendment (27 March 2002): Allowed the state to ratify the Statute of the International Criminal Court.
    Twenty-sixth Amendment (7 November 2002): Allowed the state to ratify the Nice Treaty.
    Twenty-seventh Amendment (24 June 2004): Restricted the right to Irish citizenship.

    And here is the list of unsuccessful amendments by referendum, you can compare the dates

    Third Amendment Bill (1958): This was a proposal to alter the electoral system for elections to Dáil Éireann from proportional representation under the Single Transferable Vote to the British 'First Past the Post' system. It also proposed to establish an independent commission for the drawing of constituency boundaries on a constitutional basis. It was put to a referendum on 17 June 1959 but was defeated.
    Third Amendment Bill (1968): This proposed to specify more precisely the system of apportionment in the drawing of constituency boundaries. It would have permitted rural constituencies to elect a disproportionate number of TDs (see malapportionment). The proposal was put to a referendum on 16 October 1968 but was rejected.
    Fourth Amendment Bill (1968): This was a second attempt to alter the electoral system by abolishing proportional representation in favour of 'First Past the Post'. It was submitted to a referendum on the same day as the Third Amendment Bill (1968) and was defeated.
    Tenth Amendment Bill (1986): This proposed to remove the constitutional ban on divorce. It was put to a referendum on 26 June 1986 but was defeated. The ban on divorce was eventually lifted by the Fifteenth Amendment in 1996.
    Twelfth Amendment Bill (1992): This proposed to strengthen the constitutional ban on abortion by stating that an abortion could not be procured to protect the health, rather than the life, of the mother, and that risk to the life of the mother from suicide could not be grounds for an abortion. This was put to a referendum on 25 November 1992 but was defeated.
    Twenty-second Amendment Bill (2001): This proposed to establish a body for the investigation of judges and to amend the procedure for the removal of judges. It was not passed by the houses of the Oireachtas.
    Twenty-fourth Amendment Bill (2001): This would have allowed the state to ratify the Treaty of Nice. This was rejected in a referendum on 7 June 2001. Voters reversed this decision when they adopted the Twenty-sixth Amendment in 2002.
    Twenty-fifth Amendment Bill (2002): This was a second attempt to strengthen the constitutional ban on abortion and to prevent risk of suicide being invoked as grounds for an abortion. It was submitted to a referendum on 6 March 2002 but was defeated.
    Twenty-eighth Amendment Bill (2008): This would have allowed the state to ratify the Treaty of Lisbon. This was rejected in a referendum on 12 June 2008.


  • Registered Users Posts: 32,136 ✭✭✭✭is_that_so


    Otacon wrote: »
    If the need and demand is coming from external sources like other European leaders?

    I have always agreed that if the treaty was amended to qwell the legitimate concerns of the 'No' camp, then I would see no issue in another referendum, as a 'No' vote should mean, 'Try harder', not 'No way no how!'

    But if it is going to be a case of the same treaty being put to us, I can't see how anyone would be surprised with the same outcome.

    I don't think that it is however much some people want to wish it. We require a constitutional amendment that affects our membership of the EU. I have seen comments that suggested that we did not really need it and that in fact it should have gone through legislation, not politically wise in my view, and been tested by the Supreme Court. In retrospect maybe it should have been referred.


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 31 Brendan777


    Timeframe is very important. If a society rejects a particular amendment it is quite reasonable to assume that there is a possibility that after one two or three decades there has bees a significant enough change in make up of our society to warrant another referendum on the issue. Changes in Ireland such as the demise of religion, new communities, gae demographics etc often warranted referendum re-runs after a number of years.

    Only in EU treatys are we asked to vote on an issue, and then asked to vote again on the same issue a year or two later.

    Does this mean that our democracy is faulty?


  • Registered Users Posts: 32,136 ✭✭✭✭is_that_so


    Brendan777 wrote: »
    Here is the list of successful amendmants by referendum:

    Third Amendment (8 June 1972): Permitted the state to join the European Communities.
    Fourth Amendment (5 January 1973): Reduced minimum voting age from 21 to 18.
    Fifth Amendment (5 January 1973): Removed reference to "special position" of the Roman Catholic Church and to certain other named denominations.
    Sixth Amendment (3 August 1979): Provided that orders made by the Adoption Board could not be declared unconstitutional because they were not made by a court.
    Seventh Amendment (3 August 1979): Allowed the state to determine by law which institutions of higher education would be entitled to elect members of the Senate.
    Eighth Amendment (7 October 1983): Introduced the constitutional prohibition of abortion.
    Ninth Amendment (2 August 1984): Extended the right to vote to certain non-nationals.
    Tenth Amendment (22 June 1987): Permitted the state to ratify the Single European Act.
    Eleventh Amendment (16 July 1992): Permitted the state to ratify the Maastricht Treaty.
    Thirteenth Amendment (23 December 1992): Specified that the prohibition of abortion would not limit freedom of travel in and out of the state.
    Fourteenth Amendment (23 December 1992): Specified that the prohibition of abortion would not limit the right to distribute information about abortion services in foreign countries.
    Fifteenth Amendment (17 June 1996): Removed the constitutional prohibition of divorce, but retained certain restrictions on its occurrence.
    Sixteenth Amendment (12 December 1996): Allowed a court to refuse someone bail if it suspected they would commit a criminal offence while at liberty.
    Seventeenth Amendment (14 November 1997): Introduced provisions related to the confidentiality of cabinet meetings. This became protected unless, in certain circumstances, the High Court orders otherwise.
    Eighteenth Amendment (3 June 1998): Allowed the state to ratify the Amsterdam Treaty.
    Nineteenth Amendment (3 June 1998): Provided for the amendment of Articles 2 and 3 as required by the Belfast Agreement.
    Twentieth Amendment (23 June 1999): Provided that local government elections must occur every five years.
    Twenty-first Amendment (27 March 2002): Introduced the constitutional prohibition of the death penalty, and also removed all incidental references to the death penalty from the text.
    Twenty-third Amendment (27 March 2002): Allowed the state to ratify the Statute of the International Criminal Court.
    Twenty-sixth Amendment (7 November 2002): Allowed the state to ratify the Nice Treaty.
    Twenty-seventh Amendment (24 June 2004): Restricted the right to Irish citizenship.

    And here is the list of unsuccessful amendments by referendum, you can compare the dates

    Third Amendment Bill (1958): This was a proposal to alter the electoral system for elections to Dáil Éireann from proportional representation under the Single Transferable Vote to the British 'First Past the Post' system. It also proposed to establish an independent commission for the drawing of constituency boundaries on a constitutional basis. It was put to a referendum on 17 June 1959 but was defeated.
    Third Amendment Bill (1968): This proposed to specify more precisely the system of apportionment in the drawing of constituency boundaries. It would have permitted rural constituencies to elect a disproportionate number of TDs (see malapportionment). The proposal was put to a referendum on 16 October 1968 but was rejected.
    Fourth Amendment Bill (1968): This was a second attempt to alter the electoral system by abolishing proportional representation in favour of 'First Past the Post'. It was submitted to a referendum on the same day as the Third Amendment Bill (1968) and was defeated.
    Tenth Amendment Bill (1986): This proposed to remove the constitutional ban on divorce. It was put to a referendum on 26 June 1986 but was defeated. The ban on divorce was eventually lifted by the Fifteenth Amendment in 1996.
    Twelfth Amendment Bill (1992): This proposed to strengthen the constitutional ban on abortion by stating that an abortion could not be procured to protect the health, rather than the life, of the mother, and that risk to the life of the mother from suicide could not be grounds for an abortion. This was put to a referendum on 25 November 1992 but was defeated.
    Twenty-second Amendment Bill (2001): This proposed to establish a body for the investigation of judges and to amend the procedure for the removal of judges. It was not passed by the houses of the Oireachtas.
    Twenty-fourth Amendment Bill (2001): This would have allowed the state to ratify the Treaty of Nice. This was rejected in a referendum on 7 June 2001. Voters reversed this decision when they adopted the Twenty-sixth Amendment in 2002.
    Twenty-fifth Amendment Bill (2002): This was a second attempt to strengthen the constitutional ban on abortion and to prevent risk of suicide being invoked as grounds for an abortion. It was submitted to a referendum on 6 March 2002 but was defeated.
    Twenty-eighth Amendment Bill (2008): This would have allowed the state to ratify the Treaty of Lisbon. This was rejected in a referendum on 12 June 2008.

    Is there a point to this list?


  • Registered Users Posts: 32,136 ✭✭✭✭is_that_so


    Brendan777 wrote: »
    Timeframe is very important. If a society rejects a particular amendment it is quite reasonable to assume that there is a possibility that after one two or three decades there has bees a significant enough change in make up of our society to warrant another referendum on the issue. Changes in Ireland such as the demise of religion, new communities, gae demographics etc often warranted referendum re-runs after a number of years.

    Only in EU treatys are we asked to vote on an issue, and then asked to vote again on the same issue a year or two later.

    Does this mean that our democracy is faulty?

    I don't think so. What do you think?


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  • Closed Accounts Posts: 31 Brendan777


    The point to the list is to illustrate the timeframe issue that YOU brought up.


  • Registered Users Posts: 512 ✭✭✭lmtduffy


    Its not the same issue if it altered to suit us better,

    which it probably will.

    and there is no problem with democracy,

    as you can still vote no.


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 3,362 ✭✭✭Hitman Actual


    Brendan777 wrote: »
    Hi all

    As it is looking likely that we will have a second referendum on Lisbon I would like to invite interested parties to voice their opinion on the following topic:

    Interesting wording. Out of curiosity, are you affiliated with anyone in particular, or doing specific research, or something along those lines?

    Anyway, if there is enough evidence to suggest that the electorate did not vote knowledgeably in the original referendum, is the No vote to Lisbon a sound democratic decision?


  • Registered Users Posts: 14,339 ✭✭✭✭jimmycrackcorm


    people are free to reject a second lisbon treaty so there is no harm done in having another. We also had two divorce referendums.


  • Registered Users Posts: 8,051 ✭✭✭BKtje


    I think it will be interesting to see what the reasons for many peoples no vote was. If it turns out that people voted no for mis-informed reasons or people voted no as they felt they didnt have enough knowledge on the matter than i think a 2nd referendum in a short space of time is justified and needed.
    Only in EU treatys are we asked to vote on an issue, and then asked to vote again on the same issue a year or two later.
    Since the Nice treaty passed at the second go, doesn't it show that a second referendum was needed?
    Does this mean that our democracy is faulty?
    I think it means that our democracy is infact a democracy. Even if we are asked to vote 100 times and it was no each time it would still be a democracy. What it would mean is that we are the eejits who keep voting in a government that insist on asking us the same question over and over.


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 31 Brendan777


    Hi

    Great point duffy!

    Hey leonard. No im not affiliated with anyone, im just a regular No voter.

    Some comments: How do you measure if the public had enough evidence or not? I, same as everyone, heard some of the ridicilous reasons why a small minority of people voted no. However would it not be reasonable to assume that a similarly small minority voted yes for equally silly reasons (e.g. we will get kicked out of the EU)

    Also to say that people must be properly informed before they can vote on a referendum doesnt really work, in that case we would probably have to revise almost every referendum in the history of the state as a minority are always badly informed.

    However I believe that the majority on both sides were well informed, just because we disagree doesnt always mean that one person is wrong and the other right: we are a diverse society, we have different view points, we are urban-rural / workingclass-well off / man-woman etc etc...these differences count for a lot.

    it is very obvious that if the result has been a YES that we would not be having these discussions. The Yes voters would say that the people have spoken and the No voters would go and fight thier corner on other issues. Lisbon treaty as a topic for debate would be practically dead.

    Why isnt that the case now? The people have spoken. The majority have voted no. Why are we in a pre referendum position of debating the issues when the referendum is over?

    The answer in my opinion is simple: EU democracy has been lost amidst the enthusiasm for a federal europe. The european project has lost its way, lost its soul, democratic values now belong to the anti-EU side, not the pro. As a european and as a father of young children this is a very sad situation.

    I love Europe. I travel a lot. My wife is from Koln. I love democracy. I love freedom. I love humanities potential to heal the schisims in this world.

    But the self amending anti democratic unaccountable Lisbon Treaty is not the way.


    Brendan


  • Registered Users Posts: 8,998 ✭✭✭Tim Robbins


    Brendan777 wrote: »
    Is that so

    yes referendums on the same issues happened more than once before. But were they almost immediately after each other? What was the time span between the referendums? This is an extremely important point.

    I think you should read some of threads that have been posted about Lisbon over the last couple of Months, a lot of topics that you are interested in have come up before.

    Cheers


  • Registered Users Posts: 32,136 ✭✭✭✭is_that_so


    Brendan777 wrote: »
    Hi


    Some comments: How do you measure if the public had enough evidence or not? I, same as everyone, heard some of the ridicilous reasons why a small minority of people voted no.However would it not be reasonable to assume that a similarly small minority voted yes for equally silly reasons (e.g. we will get kicked out of the EU)
    Stupidity is not exclusive to any choice of vote.
    However I believe that the majority on both sides were well informed, just because we disagree doesnt always mean that one person is wrong and the other right: we are a diverse society, we have different view points, we are urban-rural / workingclass-well off / man-woman etc etc...these differences count for a lot.

    There is currently no actual evidence to support or deny this. Like elections some people have very "uninformed" reasons for the way they vote. I am also starting to feel a sense of deja vu here, pretty sure this has already been covered in some detail.


  • Registered Users Posts: 8,998 ✭✭✭Tim Robbins


    Brendan777 wrote: »
    ...unaccountable Lisbon Treaty
    Brendan,
    This sort of rhetoric gets nobody anywhere. Why is Lisbon "unaccountable"?
    I think it's a ridiculous assertion. Lisbon had provisions which gave more power to national governments. Every EU politician that sits in the parliament is elected. Every politician who sits in the council is. The commission are appointed by democratically elected governments.


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 3,362 ✭✭✭Hitman Actual


    Brendan777 wrote: »
    Hi

    Great point duffy!

    Hey leonard. No im not affiliated with anyone, im just a regular No voter.

    Some comments: How do you measure if the public had enough evidence or not? I, same as everyone, heard some of the ridicilous reasons why a small minority of people voted no. However would it not be reasonable to assume that a similarly small minority voted yes for equally silly reasons (e.g. we will get kicked out of the EU)

    Also to say that people must be properly informed before they can vote on a referendum doesnt really work, in that case we would probably have to revise almost every referendum in the history of the state as a minority are always badly informed.

    However I believe that the majority on both sides were well informed, just because we disagree doesnt always mean that one person is wrong and the other right: we are a diverse society, we have different view points, we are urban-rural / workingclass-well off / man-woman etc etc...these differences count for a lot.

    it is very obvious that if the result has been a YES that we would not be having these discussions. The Yes voters would say that the people have spoken and the No voters would go and fight thier corner on other issues. Lisbon treaty as a topic for debate would be practically dead.

    Why isnt that the case now? The people have spoken. The majority have voted no. Why are we in a pre referendum position of debating the issues when the referendum is over?

    The answer in my opinion is simple: EU democracy has been lost amidst the enthusiasm for a federal europe. The european project has lost its way, lost its soul, democratic values now belong to the anti-EU side, not the pro. As a european and as a father of young children this is a very sad situation.

    I love Europe. I travel a lot. My wife is from Koln. I love democracy. I love freedom. I love humanities potential to heal the schisims in this world.

    But the self amending anti democratic unaccountable Lisbon Treaty is not the way.
    Brendan

    In a rush, so here's a link to the preliminary Eurobarometer poll. I think you'll find from this that the majority of people were not informed of the issues. There's also another poll being conducted at the moment that will be published in September.

    Also, considering your views in the locked thread from yesterday, I'd say you only think that the majority of people were informed because they were in agreement with your views (i.e. mis-informed).


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  • Closed Accounts Posts: 31 Brendan777


    Ok I really gota go.

    First I want to put out an inveite to all (including you Tim) to convince me, educate me that this treaty is good for our country. Show me what to read, watch, who to talk to. Im serious, I am teachable and my mind can be changed. So theres you challange, turn me into a Yes voter, you never know you m,ay succeed. I promise to read etc whatever you suggest!!!

    Heres a few links I threw together, have a look at them, the list is certainly not exhaustive and there is so much more out there. I challenge you all to expose yourself to this material and refute the claims. I will be here tomorrow to check up. And no just because there is a libertas link doesnt mean im a libertas fan I was very impressed by Ganley but the jury is still out, I am also not looney left-they are so funny.

    Bye for now




    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PNpTBm7Xrt4

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_FvTodUBEYY

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QFRl5Bp_HQI

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DbzXrp5AL7c

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lQxxCg5lKG4


    http://www.caeuc.org/index.php?q=node/326

    http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/opinion/2008/0618/1213735259709.html



    http://www.libertas.org/content/view/229/83/

    http://www.indymedia.ie/article/86484


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 3,362 ✭✭✭Hitman Actual


    Lol. I actually hope that post survives and you have to spend time commenting on all those links.

    Are you telling the truth about not being affiliated with anyone? There's something not quite right about your posts.


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 213 ✭✭RDM_83


    B-K-DzR wrote: »
    I think it means that our democracy is infact a democracy. Even if we are asked to vote 100 times and it was no each time it would still be a democracy

    The arguement that if a vote is passed on the 2nd or the 3rd time might not indicate that democracy is working, simply that the electorate care more about how public money is spent than the people in the political establishment (who are some of the best paid in the world and have some nice guaranteed pensions)

    ps I wonder if anybody can help me with this, have a memory of listening to the radio about a year ago where there was a vote passed that allowed a TD (i think) that had not filled out the appropriate forms before he retired to claim his pension. The discussion was about how when petioned by people who had not been able to claim pensions the previous response was that it was an individuals responsibilty (i think this involved a garda).
    this is really bugging me but can't seem to find anything on the net :mad:


  • Registered Users Posts: 23,283 ✭✭✭✭Scofflaw


    Brendan777 wrote: »
    Hi all

    As it is looking likely that we will have a second referendum on Lisbon I would like to invite interested parties to voice their opinion on the following topic:

    Is our democracy working if we need second referendums on the same issues (Nice, Lisbon)

    All are welcome to, Yes and No voters, but please can we keep this thread sensible and respectful.

    Well, I'd go with B-K-DzR's point about Nice II. Since the result was different second time round, clearly it would have been wrong to regard the first result as the final position, since it would not actually have reflected the eventual choice of the electorate.

    cordially,
    Scofflaw


  • Registered Users Posts: 3,290 ✭✭✭dresden8


    RDM_83 wrote: »
    The arguement that if a vote is passed on the 2nd or the 3rd time might not indicate that democracy is working, simply that the electorate care more about how public money is spent than the people in the political establishment (who are some of the best paid in the world and have some nice guaranteed pensions)

    ps I wonder if anybody can help me with this, have a memory of listening to the radio about a year ago where there was a vote passed that allowed a TD (i think) that had not filled out the appropriate forms before he retired to claim his pension. The discussion was about how when petioned by people who had not been able to claim pensions the previous response was that it was an individuals responsibilty (i think this involved a garda).
    this is really bugging me but can't seem to find anything on the net :mad:

    That was Michael Woods.

    http://www.rte.ie/news/2007/1030/woodsm.html?rss


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 2,290 ✭✭✭ircoha


    http://uk.news.yahoo.com/tcm_ireland/20080724/tie-dil-to-be-recalled-early-to-address-6c17b45.html

    (typos in original)
    http://uk.news.yahoo.com/tcm_ireland/20080724/tie-dil-to-be-recalled-early-to-address-6c17b45.html

    <<The Taoiseach, Brian Cowen, is reportedly set to recall the Dil for one day in September as part of moves to address the fall-out from the Lisbon Treaty referendum.


    Reports this morning say TDs will be recalled from their summer break in order to put structures in place for a review of the Lisbon 'No' vote, including the establishment of a cross-party committee.

    The recall is reportedly likely to happen on Wednesday, September 3.

    This morning's reports say the move is designed to ensure that the Government is seen to be addressing the Lisbon impasse before the next summit of EU leaders in October.>>

    I wonder will the x party committee include SF?


  • Registered Users Posts: 8,998 ✭✭✭Tim Robbins


    Scofflaw wrote: »
    Well, I'd go with B-K-DzR's point about Nice II. Since the result was different second time round, clearly it would have been wrong to regard the first result as the final position, since it would not actually have reflected the eventual choice of the electorate.

    cordially,
    Scofflaw
    Technically, there is no final position.


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 964 ✭✭✭Boggle


    On topic....

    The main concern with how our democracy is that it appears to be the party politics bit. What I mean is that you elect a representative (a voice if you will) but (s)he no longer has the freedom to speak his/her mind as the party line has to be obeyed.

    It means your local td no longer has to shoulder the responsibility for what he voted for.


    Personally, if I had my way at election time, anyone going for eelection should have to post a cv stating what acts he voted on how he voted so the constituents can decide if he represented their views. I'd also like to see basic numbers such as no days in Dail and expenses etc so you can tell if he's milking it or working...
    (Course that can only be applied to re-election but it would provide some level of accountability)

    (Edit: not really an EU thread this is it??- not unless it just an excuse to complain about lisbon)


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  • Technology & Internet Moderators Posts: 28,804 Mod ✭✭✭✭oscarBravo


    brendan777 wrote:
    Timeframe is very important.
    Why? What, specifically, is undemocratic about asking the same question repeatedly in short succession? There was a time in the 80s when there were three general elections in 18 months; was that undemocratic?

    With my moderator hat on: read the charter, and make sure you understand it, before posting again. That list of video links is bang out of order.


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