Republic of Ireland referendums to decide the fate of the Irish Senate

[amateur51]

Do look at that clip. One of Norris's key objections is what he describes as a power-grab and, in the detail of the thing, I'm led to believe that, there's much divillry in there.

Latest indications are that it is looking like a close vote. Currently the NO campaign may have a small lead but there's a fair bit of counting still to be done.

His passion and outrage is wonderful to behold, and I particularly enjoyed his reference to 'these bamboozlers'. The voice of the true independent :biggrin:

[ahinton]

Unicameralism: a brand of governmental practice predicated upon the fact that only a Cameron can be in charge of the government at any time.

[MrGongGong]

It's deliberate Mr Pee, why do you always fall for it? :Lol!

because he is a .............. (insert as you like) ?

[Stillhomewardbound]

His passion and outrage is wonderful to behold, and I particularly enjoyed his reference to 'these bamboozlers'. The voice of the true independent :biggrin:

Senate Chairman: "The chair is loathed to intervene, Senator ...

Senator: "Well then DON"T!"

That had me in hysterics. What a great put down.

[Stillhomewardbound]

The final result is in and the proposal for the abolition of the Seanad has been defeated. Narrowly, but defeated still.

http://www.irishtimes.com/news/politics/seanad-to-be-retained-after-government-loses-referendum-1.1551657

[Padraig]

I had no idea that this was going on in an EU member state and UK's closest trading partner

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-24404157

... and all in the name of cutting costs!:yikes:

I hope that Padraig can give us the run-down on this :ok:

Just caught this thread amateur. Sorry for not giving you my unique take on all the political antics of my near neighbours. Here is the latest:

http://www.rte.ie/news/

Shwb has got in before me - but he's right all the same.

Edit 2: ah, does bicameralism mean they will now have two Camerons in charge?

[amateur51]

Senate Chairman: "The chair is loathed to intervene, Senator ...

Senator: "Well then DON"T!"

That had me in hysterics. What a great put down.

:biggrin:

[amateur51]

The final result is in and the proposal for the abolition of the Seanad has been defeated. Narrowly, but defeated still.

http://www.irishtimes.com/news/polit...ndum-1.1551657

Many thanks shb. Almost too close for comfort.

http://www.irishtimes.com/news/politics/senator-calls-on-taoiseach-to-resign-over-20m-ego-trip-1.1551731

[amateur51]

Just caught this thread amateur. Sorry for not giving you my unique take on all the political antics of my near neighbours. Here is the latest:

http://www.rte.ie/news/

Shwb has got in before me - but he's right all the same.

Edit 2: ah, does bicameralism mean they will now have two Camerons in charge?

I had such fun corresponding with you over the Presidency, Padraig

[ahinton]

Edit 2: ah, does bicameralism mean they will now have two Camerons in charge?

I don't know, but if the other one happened to be the ever-delightful Samantha, one might be prepared to put up with such a system at least for long enough to see how it worked; it would perhaps only be if one got to a state of dodecameralism that we might need to worry....

[Stillhomewardbound]

Looking forward to seeing Padraig's input, but for now ... It seems to me that while we have a clear result, it now opens a crisis for Kenny's government. Without looking like total eejits, they can't simply drop the ball and go and play elsewhere. They now have to propose how they would reform the Seanad, but that's where they should have started out in the first place.

Because something isn't working is not sufficient reason to disband it. It was not so broke it couldn't be fixed. It's all of a mess and one they probably deserve. There was much more in this bill that was not made clear. As Norris said, 'a power grab'.

[amateur51]

Looking forward to seeing Padraig's input, but for now ... It seems to me that while we have a clear result, it now opens a crisis for Kenny's government. Without looking like total eejits, they can't simply drop the ball and go and play elsewhere. They now have to propose how they would reform the Seanad, but that's where they should have started out in the first place.

Because something isn't working is not sufficient reason to disband it. It was not so broke it couldn't be fixed. It's all of a mess and one they probably deserve. There was much more in this bill that was not made clear. As Norris said, 'a power grab'.

I'm sure that Senator Norris feels that this couldn't have happened to a nicer chap

[Serial_Apologist]

Unicameralism: a brand of governmental practice predicated upon the fact that only a Cameron can be in charge of the government at any time.

I thought it meant that, contrary to quantum physics, a camel can only go through the eye of one needle at a time.

[Padraig]

Looking forward to seeing Padraig's input

Not much to add Shwb. I'm glad the people decided to keep the Senate. It always had the potential to improve political performance, and in addition provided some input from Northern interests. There were some remarkable Senators from the north over the years - I'm thinking of John Robb in particular and there were others. They were the reminder that the politics of persuasion was alive and well, though not as gaudy as the bullying strategy of violence. Which reminds me, Mr G. Adams asked for a Yes vote. He didn't get it, which is a bonus result as far as I am concerned. What was the implicit threat to the people of violent republicanism? "If you're not for us, you're agin us." Amen to that.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-northern-ireland-24355393

[Padraig]

the ever-delightful Samantha

I hate to be the one to tell you, ah, but that delightful lady was but a figment of the ever- mischievous Humphrey Lyttelton's imagination. She is not real, ah!