Has democracy taken a back seat in Ireland?

[Disillusioned democrat]

Apologies for the multiple, somewhat overlapping, threads, but one theme that just came up on another thread got me thinking.

Does anyone else get the sense that there's a big political chess game going on in Ireland, largely at our expense - or is that just giving too much credit to our gombeen politicians?

What came up on the other thread was that (a) it's probably in FF's best long term interest to call a GE immediately and sit in the Opposition benches for 5 years while FG/Lab is forced to cut public service pay and increase taxes year-on-year but that (b) the main opposition parties are all talk at the moment, but knowing (a), the last thing they actually want is a chance of getting into Government.

If this is the case do we have a functioning democracy?

[An Bodach]

Apologies for the multiple, somewhat overlapping, threads, but one theme that just came up on another thread got me thinking.

Does anyone else get the sense that there's a big political chess game going on in Ireland, largely at our expense - or is that just giving too much credit to our gombeen politicians?

What came up on the other thread was that (a) it's probably in FF's best long term interest to call a GE immediately and sit in the Opposition benches for 5 years while FG/Lab is forced to cut public service pay and increase taxes year-on-year but that (b) the main opposition parties are all talk at the moment, but knowing (a), the last thing they actually want is a chance of getting into Government.

If this is the case do we have a functioning democracy?

We have a constitution that lays out our democratic system. It is functioning. What is your question?

[Disillusioned democrat]

We have a constitution that lays out our democratic system. It is functioning. What is your question?

The question is - what if no one actually wants to run the country?

[Rocky]

I'm a bit lost at your argument, but I don't think your presumptions stand up.

Fianna Fail are doing everything in their power to remain in power including denying people their democratic right to full representation. On the other hand Fine Gael and Labour are doing everything they can to put the government under pressure and force an election, but due to the fact that the government have a 6 seat majority there isn't much they can do. So I don't think the facts come even close to supporting your argument that parties don't want power, I think it's the complete opposite.

[consultant]

How can we have a functioning democracy when the government fails to hold bye-elections? When the Greens campaign on policies and commitments that they renage on immediately after a general election?

Add those to your questions regarding the non-performances og FF,FG and Labour and it is apparent that 'democracy' is not an operating system recognisable here.

Mind you, who was it who questioned the principle of democracy when it comes to a discussion between two wolves and a sheep about who should be eaten for dinner?

[An Bodach]

The question is - what if no one actually wants to run the country?

That would be a hypothetical question Ted. Obviously FF and Greens want to run the country, they are running the country, the opposition say they want to run the country (they would, wouldn't they) and they will fight their election when the time comes.

And Im sure if they all bow out, Eirigi, SWP and PbP will step up to the plate. So we'll be fine.

[An Bodach]

How can we have a functioning democracy when the government fails to hold bye-elections? When the Greens campaign on policies and commitments that they renage on immediately after a general election?

Add those to your questions regarding the non-performances og FF,FG and Labour and it is apparent that 'democracy' is not an operating system recognisable here.

Mind you, who was it who questioned the principle of democracy when it comes to a discussion between two wolves and a sheep about who should be eaten for dinner?

This is hilarious. You don't make a very compelling case I'm afraid. Our democracy is functioning very well. We have televised parliament, a free press, proportional representation and a senate and a president. Which part of it isnt working for you?

And by the way, I am not democracy's greatest fan myself and I think a better version of the above if it was 2 sheep and a wolf...would the majority matter?

[consultant]

This is hilarious. You don't make a very compelling case I'm afraid. Our democracy is functioning very well. We have televised parliament, a free press, proportional representation and a senate and a president. Which part of it isnt working for you?

And by the way, I am not democracy's greatest fan myself and I think a better version of the above if it was 2 sheep and a wolf...would the majority matter?

Let me ask, then, are there or are there not three constituencies without their quotas of representatives (my own included)?

Did the greens, or did they not, present to the electorate an agenda that excluded them entering coalition with Fianna Fail?

This televised parliament is fantastic alright. And, yes, we have a president, PR, a wonderfully effective senate, a free - nay, INDEPENDENT press even.

Hell, come to think of it, the two sheep and a wolf DOES bring to mind some institution or other quite near to here.

An Bodach, thank you for that enlightenment. On balance, the positives far outweigh the negatives. Disregard my questions.

[An Bodach]

Let me ask, then, are there or are there not three constituencies without their quotas of representatives (my own included)?

Did the greens, or did they not, present to the electorate an agenda that excluded them entering coalition with Fianna Fail?

This televised parliament is fantastic alright. And, yes, we have a president, PR, a wonderfully effective senate, a free - nay, INDEPENDENT press even.

Hell, come to think of it, the two sheep and a wolf DOES bring to mind some institution or other quite near to here.

An Bodach, thank you for that enlightenment. On balance, the positives far outweigh the negatives. Disregard my questions.

The point is that you can vote these people out because they have disappointed you. That is democracy.

[Maximus Cynicus]

The government REFUSES to hold by-elections, leaving citizens of this country unrepresented in the national parliament. Whenever the government gets a result of a referendum it doesn't like, it RESTAGES the referendum. That's Democracy - Irish style