Gov. to use our money to deny us our right to vote!!

skelliser

The FF/Green gov is going to use 100,000 of taxpayers money, mine and yours, to fight a court case to deny the people of Donegal the right to vote in the outstanding bye-election.

TAOISEACH Brian Cowen is ready to blow €100,000 of taxpayers money on a High Court battle to try and stop the Government being forced to name a date for a by-election.

Fianna Fail is virtually certain to lose the Donegal South West by-election and is determined to try and put the contest off for as long as possible.

The Government confirmed yesterday it would be contesting the case being brought by Sinn Fein's Senator Pearse Doherty, who is attempting to force it to name a date.

A judge ordered the case could go ahead on October 18 in a row over the delay in filling Pat 'The Cope' Gallagher's vacant Dail seat.

Under-represented

The former Fianna Fail junior minister's election to the European Parliament last June has left the Donegal South West constituency under-represented in the Dail for more than a year.

But Taoiseach Brian Cowen would not be drawn on a date for the by-election after the option to avoid the court costs was pointed out to him.

"We'll deal with that on another occasion. We're opening a road today," he said, at the opening of the final section of the Belfast to Dublin motorway outside Newry.

A legal source has estimated a two-day hearing of the case in the High Court would cost in the region of €100,000 when the legal fees of both sides are included.

The State has hired senior counsel Brian Murphy, who is regarded as one of the best constitutional lawyers in the country.

However, there will be no need for the case to go ahead as scheduled if Mr Cowen names a date for the by-election when the Dail returns at the end of September.

At the High Court yesterday, Mr Doherty, who is hoping to take the seat in any by-election, continued his legal challenge in an attempt to force the Government to "move the writ" for a by-election.

The High Court president, Justice Nicholas Kearns, said the hearing would be able to go ahead on October 18 if a judge was available on that day.

The Government has repeatedly denied opposition claims that it is delaying the by-election due to fears that its slim voting majority would be further weakened by an opposition victory.

Sinn Fein president Gerry Adams yesterday accused the Government of "running scared from the people" and also said it was an abuse of power.

"It is a disgrace that the Government had to be forced into court today to answer for their behaviour.

"And it is an even bigger disgrace that they are going to waste taxpayers' money and time fighting this case in an attempt to postpone the inevitable," he said.

Mr Doherty said the Government's decision to fight the case has delayed the by-election even further.

"If the Government had any sense of decency it would have used the opportunity today to set a date for an election rather than a court case," he said outside the High Court.

Resigned

Two other seats remain empty in the Dail after ex-Fine Gael Dublin South TD George Lee resigned in February and former Fianna Fail minister Martin Cullen stepped down as Waterford TD in March.

I think its time we take our country back!!

Remember the parties that are doing this, Fianna Fail and the greens, at the next election!!

Saab Ed

skelliser wrote: »

I think its time we take our country back!!

Did we ever have it in the first place !!!!

smash

It's just more Sinn Fein hype. It's not a big deal really, as mentioned there's other empty seats... we have bigger fish to fry!

Donkey Oaty

skelliser wrote: »

bye-election

That's what it'll be all right.

Slydice

I'm not sure... cos being Irish... I tend to wait for several years and roughly 90,000 of negative equity after I'm warned to actually give a toss

Sure what more could happen? Things are hardly gonna get worse in the next few years ... budget after budget... Are they?

mathie

steve06 wrote: »

It's just more Sinn Fein hype. It's not a big deal really, as mentioned there's other empty seats... we have bigger fish to fry!

Not since the Spanish fishermen started taking them.
:pac::pac::pac:

skelliser

steve06 wrote: »

It's just more Sinn Fein hype. It's not a big deal really, as mentioned there's other empty seats... we have bigger fish to fry!

Its actually a master stroke from the shinners, serious pressure on the gov now.

smash

skelliser wrote: »

Its actually a master stroke from the shinners, serious pressure on the gov now.

I find that only idiots listen to them though. they prey on the weak!

skelliser

im no fan of the shinners and know what there up to here, such insights are obviously not large enough for you!

MrMatisse

Who cares?

The shinners think they will take the seat so they are pushing for an election.

One less shinner in the Dail if it doesnt happen then.......WOO HOOO

smash

skelliser wrote: »

im no fan of the shinners and know what there up to here, such insights are obviously to subtle for you!

What they're up to is that they're kicking up a fuss, FF tell them to f*ck off, they say no and cause a 100k law suite and then say the FF are wasting money. So who's really wasting the money then?

Einhard

steve06 wrote: »

It's just more Sinn Fein hype. It's not a big deal really, as mentioned there's other empty seats... we have bigger fish to fry!

steve06 wrote: »

I find that only idiots listen to them though. they prey on the weak!

It's actually a serious constitutional issue, and shouldn't be bogged down by partisan politicing such as the above. I'm not a FF-hater, but I think it's outrageous that the current administration have gone so long without holding a by-election, and now propose to spend €100k in a further effort to deny people a basic democratic right.

thetonynator

OP sounds like one of the joe duffy briagade . .. ''lets take our country back!!!'' :rolleyes:

smash

Einhard wrote: »

II think it's outrageous that the current administration have gone so long without holding a by-election

It's ok, sure I think it's outrageous that SF are considered a political party. Each to their own.

jordan..

steve06 wrote: »

It's ok, sure I think it's outrageous that SF are considered a political party. Each to their own.

Ow and fianna fail are an outstanding political representation! They are a disgrace!

Princess Consuela Bananahammock

they're going to lose a lot more that Sth Donegal in 2012 (accouring to the polls, anyway)

Biggins

Einhard wrote: »

...I think it's outrageous that the current administration have gone so long without holding a by-election, and now propose to spend €100k in a further effort to deny people a basic democratic right.

Couldn't agree more but sadly some don't get that more important point - or just don't want to see it.

steve06 wrote: »

It's ok, sure I think it's outrageous that SF are considered a political party. Each to their own.

You do realise that if you want/support a democratic system that its a double edged sword!
You might not like who's voicing their peaceful opinions and asking for your vote - but it is their legal right to do so.
...and absolute "NO" - I'm not a SF supporter.

Einhard

steve06 wrote: »

It's ok, sure I think it's outrageous that SF are considered a political party. Each to their own.

You obviously believe constitutional democracy to be an outrageous system so...

Overheal

Look, I don't give a **** about your Parties. Shinners this, Failbots that. But trying to block a Democratic Process like this is Just Plain Wrong.

Why would you even entertain the idea of allowing ANYONE to set this precedent? It may suit some of you very well and good Right Now because you happen to support the current gov't - thats your business. But in 5, 10 years, Who's in charge? And they'll be able to do the same thing back to you.

ejmaztec

I'm waiting for the feckers to announce that the next General Election is going to be postponed until 2030.

I wish people would stop voting for FF.

There a shower of no good mugs. Give FG a chance and see what they can do for us.

Biggins

Mak_United wrote: »

I wish people would stop voting for FF.

There a shower of no good mugs. Give FG a chance and see what they can do for us.

Bring their NAMA golf buddies?

Haha!

Honestly tho I hate reading all these story's in the papers or listening to it on the news for years and people giving out about them.

Only for them to be re elected again and again.

Biggins

Mak_United wrote: »

Honestly tho I hate reading all these story's in the papers or listening to it on the news for years and people giving out about them.

Only for them to be re elected again and again.

You will get no argument from a lot of folk here on that one.

mikemac

Interesting case anyway, I look forward to learning more on the constitution and how rights might be infringed if you don't have your TD to represent you.

I would have thought there would be a time limit to call a by election, even 6 months is a long time.

But now we have three areas without full representation, that are entitled to that

brianthebard

Really-Stressed wrote: »

Who cares?

The shinners think they will take the seat so they are pushing for an election.

One less shinner in the Dail if it doesnt happen then.......WOO HOOO

Um no it would just mean the exact same number of shinners in the dail as there is now....counting fail tbh.

closer to the actual topic, SF are standing up for people's democratic rights, there would be no one questioning this if another party did it. There are several by-elections that have been put on the long finger for far too long to artificially secure a larger FF majority that should actually exist.

mysons

ejmaztec wrote: »

I'm waiting for the feckers to announce that the next General Election is going to be postponed until 2030.

Would you be surprised if that happened.

Mr Benevolent

Whatever Gerry Adams thinks, I think the opposite. I don't care who gets into government as long it's not the war mongering, AK47 waving, beard growing, balaclava wearing antiquities that call themselves Sinn Fein.

Overheal

Confab wrote: »

Whatever Gerry Adams thinks, I think the opposite. I don't care who gets into government as long it's not the war mongering, AK47 waving, beard growing, balaclava wearing antiquities that call themselves Sinn Fein.

Would they sling the Ak-47 under their arm or behind their shoulder while they are being sworn in?

Don't be ridiculous.

Mr Benevolent

Overheal wrote: »

Would they sling the Ak-47 under their arm or behind their shoulder while they are being sworn in?

Don't be ridiculous.

I'm not. They're barely reformed terrorists. Would you trust them?

orourkeda

Why do Irish people continue to lay 100% of the blame for the nations problems at the feet of the nations elected representatives.

They are by no means blame free but if the general population think they have had no part to play in bollixing up the country then they are sorely mistaken.

sligopark

skelliser wrote: »

I think its time we take our country back!!

I only wish Irish people had the balls

time for tea mammy's boys

Celly Smunt

perhaps we need a revolution,the french seemed to get on pretty well after theirs

amacachi

sligopark wrote: »

I only wish Irish people had the balls

time for tea mammy's boys

Aye, let's go burn our stuff.

johnmcdnl

steve06 wrote: »

It's just more Sinn Fein hype. It's not a big deal really, as mentioned there's other empty seats... we have bigger fish to fry!

sinn fein hype - of course.. once sinn fein is involved it's only a publicity stunt :rolleyes::rolleyes:

are you saying you agree with the government on this one - that they shouldn't have a bye election because they're not going to win the seat??? is that what your saying

Overheal

Confab wrote: »

I'm not. They're barely reformed terrorists. Would you trust them?

I don't give a **** about the particulars of the Irish Political Parties. Did I not send out that memo?

The only thing I know is there is a party in office that has been in office a god damn long time for no god damn plausible reason except that apparently the People of Ireland are more scared of the possible alternatives than the existing problem.

K-9

FFS, yes SF are doing this for political gain, fair chance they might get a seat, FF are holding it back for political gain or well, less loss!

Celly Smunt

K-9 wrote: »

FFS, yes SF are doing this for political gain, fair chance they might get a seat, FF are holding it back for political gain or well, less loss!

thats politics for ya

120_Minutes

Answer me this: who do you vote for when you distrust them all equally? They're all a shower of corrupt ***** who don't deserve my vote, but you have to vote for someone...

Terry

120_Minutes wrote: »

Answer me this: who do you vote for when you distrust them all equally? They're all a shower of corrupt ***** who don't deserve my vote, but you have to vote for someone...

Vote for the person you believe will do the best job.

The complete ignorance of some of the people in this thread astounded me at first. Then I remembered that FF are still in power.
I would like to take this opportunity to place the blame squarely at the feet of the people who ignore the actions of FF just because they disagree with the politics of other political parties (all other political parties, and not just SF).

It kills me to agree with an American because I think their presidential election system is a complete joke, but Overheal hit the nail on the head.

If you think that FF are right in blocking a by-election just because SF have called for one, then you do not deserve the right to vote ever again.
I would actually ask that you not vote ever again, because you are most likely the type of person who will vote for someone who has been found both politically and morally corrupt in the past.

120_Minutes

Terry wrote: »

Vote for the person you believe will do the best job.

Right now I don't believe any of them can do it, it saddens me that my right to vote, won by my forebears is next to useless in 21st century Ireland. I believe this country cannot progress until nepotism, cronyism and incompetence has been eliminated from government.


Not in my lifetime methinks

VinnyTGM

I can't understand how FF are still in power.
They should be thrown out straight away for denying people their right to vote.

Celly Smunt

VinnyTGM wrote: »

I can't understand how FF are still in power.
They should be thrown out straight away for denying people their right to vote.

ah but we don't really want to bother them at work like :rolleyes:

K-9

Terry wrote: »

Vote for the person you believe will do the best job.

The complete ignorance of some of the people in this thread astounded me at first. Then I remembered that FF are still in power.
I would like to take this opportunity to place the blame squarely at the feet of the people who ignore the actions of FF just because they disagree with the politics of other political parties (all other political parties, and not just SF).

It kills me to agree with an American because I think their presidential election system is a complete joke, but Overheal hit the nail on the head.

If you think that FF are right in blocking a by-election just because SF have called for one, then you do not deserve the right to vote ever again.
I would actually ask that you not vote ever again, because you are most likely the type of person who will vote for someone who has been found both politically and morally corrupt in the past.

This is it, I'm no fan of SF, my views on that are well known, but it doesn't matter if it's FG, Labour or the Monster Raving Looney party are taking the case.

Overheal

Terry wrote:

It kills me to agree with an American because I think their presidential election system is a complete joke, but Overheal hit the nail on the head.

...We've come a long way, haven't we

/wipes tear

Princess Consuela Bananahammock

120_Minutes wrote: »

Answer me this: who do you vote for when you distrust them all equally? They're all a shower of corrupt ***** who don't deserve my vote, but you have to vote for someone...

I tend to vote for independent candidates in that situation. But let me as you this: do you tell them this when they call to your door canvassing?