The Taoiseach has told the Dáil that he is prepared to shelve the proposed referendum on child protection until after the Election if he cannot get all-party support.
The Cabinet today agreed the terms of the poll and the Minister of State with responsibility for Children, Brian Lenihan, is due to consult with the parties. RTE News
I think he also realises that there simply isn't enough time for it to be held prior to the election. Howlin on News at One was saying that Constitutionally it would have to be held before Easter and most realisticly before St. Patrick's Day which falls on a Saturday this year.
Apart from Ireland, Denmark and Switzerland have constitutions which prescribe that there must be a referendum when a certain number of citizens petition for one or a certain number of MP`s so demand.
It is a question of opinion whether such a system is good but in my opinion in a representative democracy the people`s elected representatives should have the guts to make decisions, even the unpleasant ones, concerning their people. Referendums are like hiding behind the back of the citizens.
Then again one might think otherwise.
That's not what's happening here. This is a referendum to actually change the constitution, rather than a referendum to decide on some arbitrary policy. All of our referendums have been for that purpose, so it's a pretty serious matter.Originally Posted by THR
I see where he's coming from. Unfortunately a referendum on such a sensitive issue could prove all too tempting a target for political-pointscoring by Opposition parties less concerned with the good of the nation than seizing power.
Seizing power? Are you concerned we're planning a coup?I see where he's coming from. Unfortunately a referendum on such a sensitive issue could prove all too tempting a target for political-pointscoring by Opposition parties less concerned with the good of the nation than seizing power.
Fact is the referendum itself was announced at a party Ard Fheis which was a deliberate attempt to politicise the welfare of children.
Dan Sullivan. I was back but we still couldn't all have a vote.
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ROFL!I see where he's coming from. Unfortunately a referendum on such a sensitive issue could prove all too tempting a target for political-pointscoring by Opposition parties less concerned with the good of the nation than seizing power.
Do we need to dig out the links to Mickey Mac's speech when he was AG saying that this was a crisis, and then his speech how it wasn't when he was MoJ? Or was he too busy climbing up poles at the time? It'll take a long ladder to save his skin next time!
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what nonsense are you spouting FT ?
Do you expect FG to oppose a referendum enshrining Childrens Rights ?
Personally Bertie Ahern is trying to be too smart by half here.. he doesn't give a tuppeny damn about Childrens rights, because if he did, he's had 10 years to hold this referendum.
He's trying to push this through, because he knows its an absolute sure thing, and wants to bask in the victorious afterglow by saying FF - For Children.
If FG, or anyone else get in his way.. he'll simply paint them as Anti-Children..
Well, how about this for a compromise .. let Bertie should his concern for Childrens welfare by not unecessarily removing them from schools and more than they already have to, and have the referendum on the same day as the election.
Why isn't someone highlighting the potential waste of taxpayers money, by bringing us all to the polls, twice in 6 weeks, for a referendum that will have a 95% + Yes vote. It's ridiculous.
1,197 people agree with me.. how many agree with you ?
Good, it was a bad idea anyway.
Let this be done by legislation.
If a change to the Constitution is really needed let it be a specific one and not a case of the Irish people handing over yet more power to LH, never to be consulted again.
Also the People Traders are watching what we do now. We don't need or want a repeat of 1998!
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