Need topics for debate with PG

DeVore

I'm not looking for formal debating motions like "this house thinks XYZ". I'm just looking for topics of conversation.

Obviously NAMA will be one.

Anyone want to suggest others?

This is not a thread requesting *questions*... there will be another thread shortly for that, so dont post "ask Mr Gogarty why he is propping up an unpopular government" but rather you should post "The Greens Support for the current government", as a suggested topic.

We'll pick the best and most recurring topics, probably 3-5 of them.

DeV.

Skrynesaver

The abandonment of the wider Green agenda, (Rendition flights, Rossport, M3 etc...) in return for paltry gains for the outer fringes of the movement.

Nijmegen

Transparency and accountability in politics and in government.

It's a topic the Greens have pushed on for a long time, and we've seen some movement on it for example with their pushing to get rid of corporate donations in politics.

But they have even let that fall a bit quiet, and I don't see any other raging push from them to give the Dail more teeth, to make Freedom of Information an easier (and cheaper) thing to access, and so on and so forth.

I'd like to hear more about their thoughts on this, and what they're going to be doing about it in government.

murphaph

The abolition of the Seanad as a retirement home for politicians who have been rejected by the electorate already/ Politicians expenses, what should constitute a fair wage for a politician/ The overhauling of the electoral system (ie, introduction of party lists) to reduce the parish pump influence in Irish politics.

Amhran Nua

The advancement of the Green agenda and whether or not that takes precedence over the demonstrable damage to the national good in every other area.

whatawaster

The continued viability of the current government

Liam Byrne

^^ Above re their supporting of unethical politicians and NAMA, and the toxic bank bailout, also :

The damage done to the Green agenda by associating the Green agenda with nothing more than additional taxes without taking into account the fact that people were being green already where possible, thereby ensuring that people are taxed on the double.

The abandoning of the "polluter pays" principle (whereby, for example, people whose septic tanks pollute would be strongly fined, creating a revenue-neutral inspection system) instead of charging ordinary people more.

An explanation why green electricity, etc, has such hassle connecting to the grid, and why electricity has gone up in the meantime.

An explanation why public transport is non-existent and overpriced; what about the "if you build it, they will come" philosophy ?

Finally, why do they insist on hitting people on the double ? People who bought houses have paid stamp duty, and now are being hit with extra taxes; people who paid the illegal VRT on cars are now hit with additional road/motor tax, fuel charges and tolls, etc.

If we were taxed once then fine. But we're being hit as an easy ride everyplace we look.

mgmt

"The complete uselessness of wind power and the extortionate demands on the taxpayer to fund this 'feel good' folly."

Wolfe Tone

Personally I would be very interested to hear his thoughts on the GFA and both his, the greens and the govts opinion on the threat posed by the dissidents and how he thinks they should be dealt with.

EDIT: More in keeping with the OP, The dissidents and the peace process.

DeVore

mgmt wrote: »

"The complete uselessness of wind power and the extortionate demands on the taxpayer to fund this 'feel good' folly."

As the french would say: Le sigh.... *facepalm*


Do you think that might fall under the realms of a presumption in the topic? (along the lines of "Do you still beat your wife??".

Let me try:

"The return on investment of alternate fuels for the taxpayer".

There, that wasnt too hard was it...:)

DeV.

DeVore

TOPICS, NOT QUESTIONS PLEASE!!

There is a thread here for questions: http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=2056054160

DeV.

zootroid

"The achievements of the Green Party since entering a coalition government with Fianna Fail"

By the way, I'm not saying they have/haven't achieved anything, I just want to hear his view on how far they've gone to delivering on their manifesto

mgmt

DeVore wrote: »

As the french would say: Le sigh.... *facepalm*


Do you think that might fall under the realms of a presumption in the topic? (along the lines of "Do you still beat your wife??".

Let me try:

"The return on investment of alternate fuels for the taxpayer".

There, that wasnt too hard was it...:)

DeV.

My understanding is that would be a suitable phrase for a debate. One party supports the motion, one party opposes.

jmayo

Trying to save the planet versus actually saving the economy.
i.e. green taxes

spider guardian

Nuclear Power: Time to reconsider?

Newff

Minister Ryans failure to address issues surrounding the CER and the unwillingness of the GPP to address Minister Ryans breach of Green Policy

mgmt

Green politics and the rise of big government

jmayo

Sorry but actual question as well as topic of debate.

What is the green party's definiton of high speed broadband ?

I would recommend that politics mod and broadband provider oscarbravo could question him on this.

Anonymous1987

spider guardian wrote: »

Nuclear Power: Time to reconsider?

+ 1, nuclear is not even under consideration in Ireland with no cost benefit study as far as I know.

I would also add sustainable water management in Ireland and Europe and the challenges and opportunities of water as a resource in Ireland for industry.

Topic:
The need for accountability for illegal/unethical actions from member of the dail, seanad and civil servants.

I have more, but would like to research more. Also pending this from my phone, so the formatting may be off. Sorry bout that!

DeVore

Just a reminder: Specific questions can be posed here: http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=2056054160

DeV.

dan_d

The form of Government? ie, should we look at a system whereby a candidate for a Government office is elected by the whole country, rather than by a majority in their local area? Thereby pushing politicians to take an interest in the entire country, rather than only their local area - it's a failing of the current system, which sees a parish pump politics dominate and motivate a politicians decisions, rather than decisions being made for the good of the country.

I'm aware this is not something that would happen overnight. However I would ask the current politicians should we look at this form of voting, as it's becoming increasingly evident that the current system just doesn't work.

DeVore

DF... I managed to bugger the questions thread sideways for an hour.... its back now. I've moved your post there. Sorry about that!


DeV.

Sparks

The state of the political system, as opposed to any specific political policy. For example:

• Attendance levels in the Dail;
• The low standard of domain knowledge by those debating policy in technically intricate areas of policy;
• The 'foregone conclusion' nature of all debates undertaken in the Dail and Seanad;
• The uncivil and dismissive attitudes (body language, tone of voice, etc) and statements (verbal and written) of Ministers when engaging in debate/discussion with any member of the opposition;
• The prevalance of special interests in unmonitored lobbying activities;
• The lack of proportionate consequences for unethical or illegal acts by members of the oireachtas;
• The constant use of the Party Whip mechanism, ensuring that all debates are decided upon according to party size and confidential political agreements between parties and with independents, rather than on the merit of the policy under debate;
• and so on...

oppenheimer1

Given the green party has a specific environmental and sustainability outlook, what does he think will be the greatest environmental legacy of the current administration?

Legacy in a broader context should be a section of its own - encompassing all of the challenges the administration face.

Darsad

I would like to know how given the current situatuion we find ourselves in the Greens can stand over the soon to be introduced 5% ESB levy that they have imposed on struggling households.

johngalway

People living in the countryside and how the greens are trying to destroy our way of life.

Fuel tax, zero "public transport", hunting, farming, etc.

Dirk Gently

I think we could give him a "home" topic, i.e Green issues. In particular energy independence or energy potential on this island. Is wave or tidal feasible and if the answer is inconclusive is funding available for research into it. What have the greens done to advance green issues and jobs in green industries.

I'd also like another topic on Future proofing.
i.e the global financial system and what needs to change. What regulation is needed to wind down the debt industry and create sustainable economies. How do we protect ourselves from market dictatorships. This topic could cover "what happens next" as opposed to what already happened. Budgets, Nama etc could be given other topics of their own. This future proofing topic is really for what happens when our deficit is back under 3% and we have growth again. What kind of financial system should we have nationally and internationally at that stage.