Higgins may have to Consult Supreme Court on FU treaty

[Ulster-Lad]

It is being reported that MDH may have to seek a decision on the constitutionality of the Fiscal Union (FU) treaty. The problem as I see it however is that the Dáil will have to first pass the legislation and then MDH seek the Supreme Court decision. The problem is the government does not want to be seen as being forced into having a referendum prior to passing this in the Dáil.

This appears to confirm that the government is spineless and does not want to stand up to Europe and would rather have the decision to have a referendum forced upon them instead of asking for one.

Irish ministers are keen to avoid a referendum after voters only agreed to the two most recent treaty changes having first rejected them. But a decision not to hold a vote would be open to a supreme court challenge.

The Sunday Business Post said some ministers would rather see Ireland's new president, Michael D. Higgins, refer the matter to the court first and eliminate the risk of the government being seen to be dragged into a vote.

For this to happen, the government would have to first pass legislation to enact the 'fiscal compact' agreement designed to tighten deficit rules across the euro zone and send the bill to the president for signature.

Irish president could ask court on EU referendum - report | Reuters

[bluefirelog]

From the article, it sounds like they are thinking of going down that route i.e. bringing in the legislation and seeing if MDH will sign it.

""The position is very clear. If there is a requirement for a referendum, we'll have one. If there is no requirement, we won't. Any speculation of what the president will do is merely that," the spokesman told Reuters."

[Ulster-Lad]

From the article, it sounds like they are thinking of going down that route i.e. bringing in the legislation and seeing if MDH will sign it.

""The position is very clear. If there is a requirement for a referendum, we'll have one. If there is no requirement, we won't. Any speculation of what the president will do is merely that," the spokesman told Reuters."

You could be right there. It tells me FG don't have the liathróidí for it. They appear willing to pass it without consultation of the people and let Higgins be the man to blame if it is ruled that a referendum is needed by the SC. They save face with their Euro masters.

I do not like having to gamble that MDH will refer it to the SC though.

[Hooch]

The referral of legislation to the SC is done at the president's "absolute discretion", I believe the wording is. The government can't ask him to do it.

[Ulster-Lad]

The referral of legislation to the SC is done at the president's "absolute discretion", I believe the wording is. The government can't ask him to do it.

Agreed, that is why I do not like taking this gamble as I stated above. FF destroyed the country but I do not think anyone would ever forgive FG for selling the country out without the consent of the people.

[He3]

The referral of legislation to the SC is done at the president's "absolute discretion", I believe the wording is. The government can't ask him to do it.

They can however inspire a story in the press, and sit back.

[Picasso Republic]

Everyone involved should have a good think before making any rash decisions on the need for a referendum, and if not referred by MDH, the likes og Ganley etc should hold back from launching a challenge.

Patience is required as I'm certain we could take the Germans for another €100BN before the whole thing unwinds and we finally tell them to f-off.

[hiding behind a poster]

You could be right there. It tells me FG don't have the liathróidí for it. They appear willing to pass it without consultation of the people and let Higgins be the man to blame if it is ruled that a referendum is needed by the SC. They save face with their Euro masters.

I do not like having to gamble that MDH will refer it to the SC though.

Are you seriously saying that if MDH doesn't refer such legislation to the Supreme Court, there won't be a well-funded Eurosceptic challenge in the courts to that? It really is noticeable how laughable one-dimensional your thinking is on so many subjects - just take a thought that suits your prejudices, dress it up as fact, and run like hell with it.

[He3]

Everyone involved should have a good think before making any rash decisions on the need for a referendum, and if not referred by MDH, the likes og Ganley etc should hold back from launching a challenge.

Patience is required as I'm certain we could take the Germans for another €100BN before the whole thing unwinds and we finally tell them to f-off.

And you have it from the horse's mouth 'the Germans' don't see it coming, right?

[Spanner Island]

It is being reported that MDH may have to seek a decision on the constitutionality of the Fiscal Union (FU) treaty. The problem as I see it however is that the Dáil will have to first pass the legislation and then MDH seek the Supreme Court decision. The problem is the government does not want to be seen as being forced into having a referendum prior to passing this in the Dáil.

This appears to confirm that the government is spineless and does not want to stand up to Europe and would rather have the decision to have a referendum forced upon them instead of asking for one.

And this is somehow surprising?

In what way exactly?

Irish Governments rarely show any spine on anything, have if anything become even more spineless in recent years and particularly in relation to all things EU.