Does the passing of this budget rest on the shoulders of 3 people?

The Volt

Mattie McGrath, Jackie Healy-Ray and Michael Lowry.

Would it be fair to say that these three men could bring down this budget and in turn the government if they so chose to? Obviously they're far too concerned with parochial matters to actually give a damn but would getting people to lobby them on the matter make any difference?

Sleepy

Yes it rests on their shoulders.

No, there'll be no convincing them of not voting it through. The political bribes for their constituencies are too useful to them not to go along with it.

Buford T Justice

Don't forget about the donegal by election, they could have another spanner in the works there, and its looking likely

Healey Ray will be busy shouting about his Tralee Bypass and a hospital in Kenmare

http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/breaking/2010/1104/breaking46.html

Where in the name of sweet holy god he thinks the Governement are going to get the money for either of these things is beyond me. They can't even keep the IMF at bay!



Aren't the greens also looking for some transport route in Dublin too? Excuse my ignorance but I can't think of the name of it

johnnyskeleton

It rests on 83 of them. Any bunch of FF backbenchers who oppose the budget can threaten to defect if they want. Likewise the Greens can also hold the government to ransom.

From a broad point of view, the little gifts that the independents want are trivial compared to the gravity of the budget cuts, several million out of billions. But it seems that few politicians in government have enough spine to do this. FF and Green TDs know they are not in for an easy ride in the next election. The indepenets, by contrast, lost nothing by supporting FF and stand to gain everything by getting a big present for their local constituency.

So while there is lots of talk about their negotiations etc, the reality is that their demands are small fry compared to the rest of the budget.

alang184

What about the Greens. They've been very quiet recently over the bailout talks.

If the Greens anticipate an election soon, perhaps they will pull the plug to improve their own party's reputation. Whoever brings down this government will get a boost of public popularity. And there's been a classic Dan Boyle tweet recently showing a lot of discontent.

mgmt

This budget will pass one way or the other. If the independents vote against it, Fine Gael will abstain like how the opposition in Portugal did recently.

the groutch

mgmt wrote: »

Fine Gael will abstain like how the opposition in Portugal did recently.

would it be worth it tho, to guarantee that they wouldnt be leading the next governement, and shift the power to Labour?

Idbatterim

I just read an article in the indo, see below: FF will be hammered in the elections, I reckon they could do some damage limitation by getting rid of Cowen, could FF td's not tell him that they will pass the budget, but the condition is he resigns are party leader early in the new year? I mean he is effectively going to finnish off the party and for what? its only a matter of time before he has to go anyway. He is going to bring alot of people down with him!

http://www.independent.ie/national-news/fianna-fail-meltdown-fears-over-imf-arrival-2428676.html

racso1975

What happens if a budget does not get passed?

Max Power1

racso1975 wrote: »

What happens if a budget does not get passed?

Happened in the 80s. The dail is automatically dissolved and a general election must be called.

ArmaniJeanss

What does it take to pass a budget?

Does it need a) a majority of the Dail, i.e., 84 votes, or
b) a majority purely of those who vote.

If its B, is there any figure of positive votes below which the budget isn't considerd to have passed. For example lets say Labour and FG and a rump of Fianna Fail backbenchers all abstain. Can the Budget get passed by say 27 votes to 20 with ~120 abstainers.

Bob Z

ArmaniJeanss wrote: »

What does it take to pass a budget?

Does it need a) a majority of the Dail, i.e., 84 votes, or
b) a majority purely of those who vote.

If its B, is there any figure of positive votes below which the budget isn't considerd to have passed. For example lets say Labour and FG and a rump of Fianna Fail backbenchers all abstain. Can the Budget get passed by say 27 votes to 20 with ~120 abstainers.

It needs a majority of votes. Even if it comes down to one vote. But i don't how many people are requried to be present for the vote.