Why is the Dail always half empty?

Augmerson

Exhibit A -
http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/breaking/images/2009/0120/222300_1.jpg

That picture was taken of one of the first sessions of the Dail. Usually whenever I watch the news I notice how few people are actually in it. What's going on like? Why does everyone not take a seat? Aren't they getting paid to be there?

Mushy

Holiday homes in West Cork need looking after.

Biggins

Mushy wrote: »

Holiday homes in West Cork need looking after.

...and dog walking too don't forget. :pac:

Mr. Presentable

Actually, I am surprised it's half full!

mikom

Augmerson wrote: »

Why is the Dail always half empty?

Harney left the room for a minute.

Biggins

nipplenuts wrote: »

Actually, I am surprised it's half full!

Same here, its rarely even that.

Coriolanus

They should get paid based on their attendance at the Dail and committee meetings.
They're legislators, not local fcuking councillors, they shouldn't be at home looking after the potholes and prefabs ffs.

Gone Drinking

Its always full... of idiots

Cheap Thrills!

I think as long as you come in and show your Boat race for a few mins you can qualify for the allowances etc

They probably spend the rest of the day getting massaged by Brazilian models and fed cherries by angels.

Diabhal Beag

We need more fat people in the Dail so

Biggins

Mayoegian wrote: »

They're all busy spending the taxpayers' money on expensive flights to fashion shows in Milan, helicopter rides to Kerry and getting $400 manicures in the States.....

...With the occasional trip to Cannes for the film festivals, Cheltenham for the racing, London to get to one of their homes, New Zealand for the fruit and the USA for the clinics!

Biggins

Diabhal Beag wrote: »

We need more fat people in the Dail so

For what?
To match their fat wallets?

PeterIanStaker

Nevore wrote: »

They should get paid based on their attendance at the Dail

Jasus don't encourage them to show up, they'll only screw things up even worse!! :eek:

Banned Account

My thoughts:

I work, if i want a day away from the office, I ask my boss for a holiday (of which I have a finite amount) If I have enough holiday's left and if there isn't too much work, he grants it. I spend this time doing things other than my paid job.

A TD "works" if he wants time away from the office, he just goes where and when he wants, asks no-one. Despite the fact that hi/her office is closed for long periods of time anyway, s/he can still feck off at the drop of a hat.

Solution - have a boss in the Dail - you have to turn up at the office or you get fired. Your holidays are when the Dail is closed - do your constituency work then and take a normal 5 weeks per year off, you are paid well enough - don't like it? - Fcuk off.

Coriolanus

PeterIanStaker wrote: »

Jasus don't encourage them to show up, they'll only screw things up even worse!! :eek:

I think most of them would quit if they were forced to attend tbh.

Cheap Thrills!

I think they should have to wear those leg tags, you know the ones crims on probation wear.

That way we could track 'em all the time. a member of the opposition could be given the right to stalk his opposite with a paintball gun and shoot him if he spends too long in Buswells.

If he refuses to go back to work truss him up like a kipper and bring him off to the paintballing range to be used as target practice!

consultech

Pessimistic OP is pessimistic.

PeterIanStaker

Nevore wrote: »

I think most of them would quit if they were forced to attend tbh.

Good, let the useless c*nts quit. Not like anyone would notice.

blubloblu

It's funny watching a shouting match when they'res literaaly 5 TDs in attendance.

brianthebard

The less sensationalist answer is that most of what goes on in the Dail doesn't apply to the majority of TDs at any one time. This is especially true in a system such as ours where people are elected on local issues. Say for instance the issue of hospital relocation comes up, the Sligo TDs will be present. Will the Wicklow representatives be though? Does it even matter if they are or not?

piby

brianthebard wrote: »

The less sensationalist answer is that most of what goes on in the Dail doesn't apply to the majority of TDs at any one time. This is especially true in a system such as ours where people are elected on local issues. Say for instance the issue of hospital relocation comes up, the Sligo TDs will be present. Will the Wicklow representatives be though? Does it even matter if they are or not?

I understand that but when you look at the House of Commons that's nearly always full. For me it's a matter of respect and cohesion. Hospitals in Sligo may well be of a little interest to a Wicklow TD but, while they may be elected on local issues, they're still a part of a national government. They have staff to implement out most of their roles. As a TD their job is, or should be, both representative and theoretical (by that I mean debating and drawing up new ideas and policies on a broader scale).

brianthebard

It might be nearly full on pm questions day but if you turn on the parliament channel (if you're lucky enough to have it) on a day when an important national issue is not being debated you'll see its not always full. In any case I don't see the point in comparing the Dail to another countries parliament, there's too many differences to make it worthwhile.

Seloth

Right did work experiance with a TD((Who was a jnr Minister)) and a Minister.

The main reason they arent all in the Dail is because not every issue concerns them,when I was up there the guy I was with wasnt present in the Chamber as it concerd the internet((Somthing about skoool.ie)) when he was a Minister of Inovation((Its like he Minister of Enviro being in a talk about social reforms for deprived area)).While they may not be in the chamber they are certain up in dublin 4 days a week,the rest of the week is spent in their area,where they organise stuff and sort out local problems.

They do most of their work behind closed doors,so just because you dont see it dosent mean nothing is happening.

Leftyflip

Although when you think about it, it does explain all the half baked ideas.

starbelgrade

They should move the canteen to the Dail Chambers... have a buffet on the front benches & leave their wages and expenses in brown envelopes under the seats - you'd soon see it fill up.

Wazdakka

Augmerson wrote: »

Why is the Dail always half empty?

nipplenuts wrote: »

Actually, I am surprised it's half full!

It's obviously twice as big as it needs to be.

pickarooney

Wouldn't ye complain if they weren't busy in their offices answering your emails?

upandcumming

All the work is done in the various committee meetings, not in the Dail.

Indubitable

Why do you see it as half empty rather than half full?

Ostrom

Augmerson wrote: »

Exhibit A -
http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/breaking/images/2009/0120/222300_1.jpg

That picture was taken of one of the first sessions of the Dail. Usually whenever I watch the news I notice how few people are actually in it. What's going on like? Why does everyone not take a seat? Aren't they getting paid to be there?

What would you do? As a public representative whose only obligations toward the electorate are the constituency favours you can pull to retain your seat, no accountability for non-attendance and a generous pillow of benefits if you do something especially stupid. Why would you even get out of bed?

ldxo15wus6fpgm

piby wrote: »

I understand that but when you look at the House of Commons that's nearly always full. For me it's a matter of respect and cohesion. Hospitals in Sligo may well be of a little interest to a Wicklow TD but, while they may be elected on local issues, they're still a part of a national government. They have staff to implement out most of their roles. As a TD their job is, or should be, both representative and theoretical (by that I mean debating and drawing up new ideas and policies on a broader scale).

But then they'd be raiding the coffers for more expenses - car, driver, petrol etc.
It would also be a massive waste of time.

PeterIanStaker

Are there days when all TD's are required to be in attendance?







(because that day we can chain the gates of the place and toss in some napalm)