Is it time for a Presidential address

martinn123

Hi,

reading various threads over the past weeks, a call for an address by Brian Cowan to the nation featured.

Personally given the statments issued over the past week, I would not believe a word that man said.

However we need clarity on the current position, not statments stating issues are RED LINE, or Non Negotiable.

My suggestion is that the President step in and address the nation along the following lines.

A. Request the opposition parties support the Budget which must pass at this time.

B. Request the Dail sit 12 hrs per day, every day to pass the necessary follow on legislation, the Finance Bill, Social Welfare Bill etc, to put in place any necessary legislation by Dec 31st.

C. That the Govt resign on 31st Dec, and a General Election be called on a suitable date.

Any thoughts?

snollup

I really do not think the Budget should be passed by the opposition. The current government are the ones responsible for this mess so why should they be the ones budgeting to get up out of it. They have already proved they do not have the ability to manage the economy.

martinn123 wrote: »

Hi,

reading various threads over the past weeks, a call for an address by Brian Cowan to the nation featured.

Personally given the statments issued over the past week, I would not believe a word that man said.

However we need clarity on the current position, not statments stating issues are RED LINE, or Non Negotiable.

My suggestion is that the President step in and address the nation along the following lines.

A. Request the opposition parties support the Budget which must pass at this time.

B. Request the Dail sit 12 hrs per day, every day to pass the necessary follow on legislation, the Finance Bill, Social Welfare Bill etc, to put in place any necessary legislation by Dec 31st.

C. That the Govt resign on 31st Dec, and a General Election be called on a suitable date.

Any thoughts?

Uriel.

Personally, I don't see what a Preseidential address would achieve. With all due respect to our current President (and past President) it's an essentially defunct position.


Brian Cowen should have been doing a "State of the Union" style public address at some stage (or on regular intervals) in the past 12 months. It never happened. Even if you leave aside the lies, mistakes, cover ups etc... of his Government - the one thing he failed to do was lead the nation, inspire the nation etc... As the most powerful policy maker, decision maker, leadership, inspirational position in the country, Mr. Cowen has failed miserably to stand up to the requirements of that position. The Galway episode was just another example of that. He doesn't even seem passionate about his job to be honest.

Jesus, even C.J. put himself on tv.

P. Breathnach

martinn123 wrote: »

...
My suggestion is that the President step in and address the nation along the following lines.

A. Request the opposition parties support the Budget which must pass at this time.

B. Request the Dail sit 12 hrs per day, every day to pass the necessary follow on legislation, the Finance Bill, Social Welfare Bill etc, to put in place any necessary legislation by Dec 31st.

C. That the Govt resign on 31st Dec, and a General Election be called on a suitable date.

Any thoughts?

My suggestion is that if the president tried anything like that she should resign immediately.

It's not a likely scenario, because Mary McAleese knows where the boundaries are.

spank_inferno

What would Mammy Mary looking pensive in front of a camera achieve anyway?

Lest we forget she is also part of the same FF machine that got us into the mes we are in.

martinn123

P. Breathnach wrote: »

My suggestion is that if the president tried anything like that she should resign immediately.

It's not a likely scenario, because Mary McAleese knows where the boundaries are.

You are probably right, pity though as she is about the only one left the people trust, listening to Cowan this morning more waffle.

If its as bad as it looks maybe the ''boundaries'' should be put on ice for the good of the country.

Labour are calling for a dissolution of Dail and an election in 2nd week of Dec, which means no one to negotiate with IMF and no Budget till Jan, don't think they will hang around the Merrion Hotel till then.

Leiva

...I would settle for a hug right now .

martinn123

martinn123 wrote: »

My suggestion is that the President step in and address the nation along the following lines.

Any thoughts?

"Brian Cowen, your fired!!"

martinn123

martinn123 wrote: »

Hi,

reading various threads over the past weeks, a call for an address by Brian Cowan to the nation featured.

Personally given the statments issued over the past week, I would not believe a word that man said.

However we need clarity on the current position, not statments stating issues are RED LINE, or Non Negotiable.

My suggestion is that the President step in and address the nation along the following lines.

A. Request the opposition parties support the Budget which must pass at this time.

B. Request the Dail sit 12 hrs per day, every day to pass the necessary follow on legislation, the Finance Bill, Social Welfare Bill etc, to put in place any necessary legislation by Dec 31st.

C. That the Govt resign on 31st Dec, and a General Election be called on a suitable date.

Any thoughts?

Looks like to answer the question posted elsewhere, '' Where is Enda '' he has been on Boards, and reading my post, anyone know his handle

Butch Cassidy

Garret Fitzgerald wrote in the IT about this - http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/opinion/2010/1123/1224283932931.html

It's not just an easy "no she should stay out". He suggests the president's role be looked at.

thebman

This time in our history will probably go down as one of the worst in our history both for the affects this will have on the country and the utter misleading and non-existing comments from our political leaders.

It seems they only talk to try to pull the wool over our eyes and otherwise don't wish to speak. This is the moment that reforms Irish politics.

Brian Cowens time as Taoiseach will eventually lead to political reform for this country thanks to his massive incompetence and failure to both communicate and act in a time of crisis.

tHE vAGGABOND

Im sure she is just busy doing her vital job, by opening a playground somewhere

Slozer

The president had the chance to step in and put the NAMA bill to a referendum. but she wilted. More likely scaremongered into signing the bill than doing her civic duty.

Red Alert

She's useless, and the office is useless. I wouldn't waste time watching her drivel on TV if she were to make an address.

Nolanger

She's like the politicians. Says things well that sound good but don't actually make sense.

bleg

An irrelevant windbag giving an irrelevant speech? If I was Brian Cowen I'd be in favour of it because it might take the media focus off me for a few minutes.


No thanks.

freyners

even if she wanted to, she can't, its forbidden by the constitution

Article 13.7 of Bunreacht na hEireann
1° The President may, after consultation with the Council of State, communicate with the Houses of the Oireachtas by message or address on any matter of national or public importance.

2° The President may, after consultation with the Council of State, address a message to the Nation at any time on any such matter.

3° Every such message or address must, however, have received the approval of the Government.

i cant imagine Cowen allowing the president to criticise him, can you?

later12

freyners wrote: »

i cant imagine Cowen allowing the president to criticise him, can you?

We've been through this on another thread in politics. Lots of people saying she couldn't give an indirect address or comment - and then a few days later, she did exactly that.

There is no reason to think that Cowen would not allow his own party's presidential nominee, and a former parliamentary candidate for Fianna Fail, to give an address in her capacity as President.

I'm sure even FFers agree that this is a crucial moment for the country and any attempt at solidarity and togetherness from a person who is (nominally) apolitical, would only benefit the Government and the implementation of its fiscal policy. Of coruse, that is if it had any tangible effect whatsoever.

It's not like she's going to go on TV and lose the head or rant about her former colleagues in Fianna Fail.

JMSE

Butch Cassidy wrote: »

Garret Fitzgerald wrote in the IT about this - http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/opinion/2010/1123/1224283932931.html

It's not just an easy "no she should stay out". He suggests the president's role be looked at.

Sure why would the President get involved, she's not even Irish!

With tongue in cheek I say that but on Newstalk last week, didnt Garret say (when asked about Gerry Adams standing in Louth) "sure he's not even Irish, he's from the North".

Oh Garret.

danbohan

JMSE wrote: »

Sure why would the President get involved, she's not even Irish!

With tongue in cheek I say that but on Newstalk last week, didnt Garret say (when asked about Gerry Adams standing in Louth) "sure he's not even Irish, he's from the North".

Oh Garret.

Gerry Adams Irish creditably is a lot less questionable that that old west brits

grinds

martinn123 wrote: »

Hi,

My suggestion is that the President step in and address the nation along the following lines.

Any thoughts?

I certainly think it couldn't do any harm... At the moment all we've got are idiot broadcasters giving their opinion. It could go either way but alot of people would appreciate some clarity on where we stand. If a politician comes out and addresses the nation at this stage it would be pointless but perhaps a presidential address would be an idea or even an interview with the media if something formal was a non runner.

Tim Robbins

It's time for a Presidential address?

More like it's time for a Fianna Fail K O

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wcQmn1XyCJA