Sinn Fein oppose referendum Bill

[ibis]

RTE:

The Dáil has passed the Bill that allows for the referendum on the Lisbon Treaty.

Only five (sic*) Sinn Féin members opposed the bill, which was passed without a vote.

The No campaign is already under way, while the Government's formal Yes campaign begins on 12 May.

I have to laugh. After all the fuss about the EP amendment, Sinn Fein oppose the bill to have a referendum entirely! Feel free to explain yourselves, or whatever.

* A bit of inaccurate reportage by RTE, but that's not new - it's actually 4 SF TDs and Tony Gregory

[FutureTaoiseach]

Only five Sinn Féin members opposed the bill, which was passed without a vote.

I wonder who the fifth was considering SF only has 4 TDs? Is there something you're not telling us.

[PaintingMedium]

Well, what was in the bill?

Are they opposing to us voting? Or are they opposing the changing of the constitution to allow for a referendum or what?

[PaintingMedium]

Only five Sinn Féin members opposed the bill, which was passed without a vote.

I wonder who the fifth was considering SF only has 4 TDs? Is there something you're not telling us.

That is really funny, how did RTE mess that up? How can they invent a SF TD?

[Wednesday]

The fifth TD was Tony Gregory, who hasn't joined SF as far as I'm aware.

And Ibis obviously hasn't read the bill, or it would be obvious to him why we opposed it.

[PaintingMedium]

The fifth TD was Tony Gregory, who hasn't joined SF as far as I'm aware.

And Ibis obviously hasn't read the bill, or it would be obvious to him why we opposed it.

Well, can you really expect that much if they are inventing SF TDs to make SF sound more dastardly?

[Wednesday]

Forgot to say that Finian McGrath spoke (mildly) against the bill during the debate, but didn't bother his arse to turn up for either of the votes on it.

I think Ibis just fundamentally misunderstands the function of this part of the amendment process. The purpose of it isn't merely to "allow for a referendum", albeit that's how it's tended to work out under the party whip system. According to the Constitution an amendment must be approved by both Houses of the Oireachtas and then by the popular vote - thus a party that doesn't support the amendment is obviously not going to vote in favour of the bill that calls for the amendment to be made. Check the Dáil record for every referendum bill that's ever been taken, and you'll find that the parties who opposed the amendment quite logically also opposed the bill.

[Leveller on the Liffey]

Forgot to say that Finian McGrath spoke (mildly) against the bill during the debate, but didn't bother his arse to turn up for either of the votes on it.

I think Ibis just fundamentally misunderstands the function of this part of the amendment process. The purpose of it isn't merely to "allow for a referendum", albeit that's how it's tended to work out under the party whip system. According to the Constitution an amendment must be approved by both Houses of the Oireachtas and then by the popular vote - thus a party that doesn't support the amendment is obviously not going to vote in favour of the bill that calls for the amendment to be made. Check the Dáil record for every referendum bill that's ever been taken, and you'll find that the parties who opposed the amendment quite logically also opposed the bill.

Thanks, Wednesday, for a thoughtful post that was much needed.

[rockofcashel]

Forgot to say that Finian McGrath spoke (mildly) against the bill during the debate, but didn't bother his arse to turn up for either of the votes on it.

I think Ibis just fundamentally misunderstands the function of this part of the amendment process. The purpose of it isn't merely to "allow for a referendum", albeit that's how it's tended to work out under the party whip system. According to the Constitution an amendment must be approved by both Houses of the Oireachtas and then by the popular vote - thus a party that doesn't support the amendment is obviously not going to vote in favour of the bill that calls for the amendment to be made. Check the Dáil record for every referendum bill that's ever been taken, and you'll find that the parties who opposed the amendment quite logically also opposed the bill.

Sssshhhh Wednesday.. stop explaining the legislative process to the good burghers on the Yes side... they know more than us.. we're the loolahs and lunatics, remember

So much for the likes of some castigating me for my stance on other threads in relation to this, telling me that this Treaty will change nothing... when they don't even know the processes for its enactment in the first place

[ibis]

Ibis just fundamentally misunderstands the function of this part of the amendment process...it's technical...good reasons...quite logically also opposed the bill....etc

Ah no, lads, come on and explain why you really hate democracy?