Amended motion of confidence passed

[aodh_rua]

I was just watching the live Oireachtas stream, and both the amendment and the amended motion were carried without dissent from the Government benches.

However, neither Bertie or Brian Cowen appeared to be in the chamber and no votes were recorded from their seats. Can this be read as a deliberate snub? If so, then it must undermine the result and shows that the holder of the office of the Taoiseach is unwilling to recognise that the Tribunal is legitimate and that it is working in the public interest - even if not his.

[greengoose]

I was just watching the live Oireachtas stream, and both the amendment and the amended motion were carried without dissent from the Government benches.

However, neither Bertie or Brian Cowen appeared to be in the chamber and no votes were recorded from their seats. Can this be read as a deliberate snub? If so, then it must undermine the result and shows that the holder of the office of the Taoiseach is unwilling to recognise that the Tribunal is legitimate and that it is working in the public interest - even if not his.

Maybe he learned that from the Greens.

[pfkf1]

good to know that the government supports the tribunal with clauses, that they don't think the tribunal is working independently without bias and within its remit.

[Compound Fracture]

How could votes be recorded for them if they weren't in their seats??

[Abaddon]

How could votes be recorded for them if they weren't in their seats??

By not being present for the vote, were they not abstaining?

[Compound Fracture]

How could votes be recorded for them if they weren't in their seats??

By not being present for the vote, were they not abstaining?

Sorry! I completely misread what was said above.....

Off to specsavers for me!

[The OD]

I was just watching the live Oireachtas stream, and both the amendment and the amended motion were carried without dissent from the Government benches.

However, neither Bertie or Brian Cowen appeared to be in the chamber and no votes were recorded from their seats. Can this be read as a deliberate snub? If so, then it must undermine the result and shows that the holder of the office of the Taoiseach is unwilling to recognise that the Tribunal is legitimate and that it is working in the public interest - even if not his.

As ROC has rightly pointed out so many times, the tribunals are a farce and Berties 'opposition' to them is sheer theatre.

[aodh_rua]

How could votes be recorded for them if they weren't in their seats??

Exactly - they abstained by not being present. The division was done electronically and the Oireachtas Live stream puts a realtime chart of all the seats when a vote is called - they turn green for a Tá and red for a Níl. From the camera it was obvious their seats were left vacant and the vote display confirmed it. Cowardly really unless they have a good excuse. Cowen should have been around as the Finance Act was presented today. Where was Bertie?

[quote=aodh_rua]

How could votes be recorded for them if they weren't in their seats??

Exactly - they abstained by not being present. The division was done electronically and the Oireachtas Live stream puts a realtime chart of all the seats when a vote is called - they turn green for a Tá and red for a Níl. From the camera it was obvious their seats were left vacant and the vote display confirmed it. Cowardly really unless they have a good excuse. Cowen should have been around as the Finance Act was presented today. Where was Bertie?[/quotem615h9k]

Perhaps he took Enda's criticism to heart and did some more work on the economy.

[aodh_rua]

[quote=ZhouEnlai]

How could votes be recorded for them if they weren't in their seats??

Exactly - they abstained by not being present. The division was done electronically and the Oireachtas Live stream puts a realtime chart of all the seats when a vote is called - they turn green for a Tá and red for a Níl. From the camera it was obvious their seats were left vacant and the vote display confirmed it. Cowardly really unless they have a good excuse. Cowen should have been around as the Finance Act was presented today. Where was Bertie?

Perhaps he took Enda's criticism to heart and did some more work on the economy.[/quote:cy9fduer]

Hopefully - although God love him, he seems to be struggling with facts and figures lately. The reports say he was in Dublin today - but not where.