Referendum on Blasphemy ? Could the Greens put things right and save face?

[slx]

I wonder if the Green Party might be able to force the Government to add a second question to the Lisbon Treaty referendum ballot paper, asking the electorate if they would like to delete the references to blasphemy in the constitution?

This could :

1) Delete this internationally embarrassing, backwards looking piece of free-speech limiting legislation.
2) Show Dermot Ahern & the right wing of FF that the Green's haven't been completely neutered.
3) Restore some faith in the Green Party, as right now you're just looking like a bunch of FF lackies who have sold out all of your principles to stay in Government.

It really wouldn't cost that much extra as we're running a referendum already.

Come on, if there are any senior Greens reading this thread - give it a try!
You know you want to! (unless you really have turned into FFers!)

[The Riddler]

I wonder if the Green Party might be able to force the Government to add a second question to the Lisbon Treaty referendum ballot paper, asking the electorate if they would like to delete the references to blasphemy in the constitution?

This could :

1) Delete this internationally embarrassing, backwards looking piece of free-speech limiting legislation.
2) Show Dermot Ahern & the right wing of FF that the Green's haven't been completely neutered.
3) Restore some faith in the Green Party, as right now you're just looking like a bunch of FF lackies who have sold out all of your principles to stay in Government.

It really wouldn't cost that much extra as we're running a referendum already.

Come on, if there are any senior Greens reading this thread - give it a try!
You know you want to! (unless you really have turned into FFers!)

I agree it could easily be held on the same day as Lisbon

This Has gotten International coverage

which to most people will be an embarasment

The Blasphemy Law has even gotten coverage in the Danish Press

I had to use google translater to read these articles

Opinion - Irsk selvcensur

Netavisen 180Grader.dk - Leder: Irsk blasfemi


The Blasphemy law has gotten coverage on ABC news

The New Blasphemy Law in Ireland - ABC News

[ctr]

I think the later half of point 3 has answered your question.

[slx]

From what I gather, it would also have support from Labour.

I don't think many in the political realm other than a handful of die-hard old school 1950s FFers would not be in favour of removing it.

[Christine Murray]

no l don't think its plausible at the moment. Just indicative of how disconnected the govt is. l don't reckon that another referendum would be held on the same day as Lisbon ll unless its the consistently shelved child protection referendum.

[fergalr]

The Greens can't move a referendum by themselves and justice isn't their brief to run. I'm making repeal of this nonsense a factor in my GE vote but it's not going to happen under a FF government.

[slx]

no l don't think its plausible at the moment. Just indicative of how disconnected the govt is. l don't reckon that another referendum would be held on the same day as Lisbon ll unless its the consistently shelved child protection referendum.

This Blasphemy stuff is a lot less complex than the proposed referendum on the rights of the child. Blasphemy is a pretty simple one-line change and a no-brainer in terms of legislation.

However, if the child protection referendum is ready to roll, perhaps all 3 could be run together.

[marmurr1916]

A referendum to remove the constitutional provisions on blasphemy would be easy and relatively cheap to organise if it was done on October 2nd.

No doubt a lot of die-hard religious zealots and ultra-conservatives would vote to keep it but I think their day is over now and the referendum would pass.

[Christine Murray]

nope , thats two justice ministers in three years putting down legislation that requires an expensive referendum campaign ! God how tedious it all is. The blasphemy amendment is another idiotic FF red herring manouevre that shows disconnection at a cultural level and is complex.

[fergalr]

nope , thats two justice ministers in three years putting down legislation that requires an expensive referendum campaign ! God how tedious it all is.

We're having a fairly drastic number of referendums alright. About one every two years or there abouts. Evidently Dev didn't know what he was doing if it's this flawed or out of date. I think we may have had more amendments to the Constitution than the Americans have. And their state is nearly three times older than ours.