Next Election: CC impact

Cookie_Monster

With Sean Barret named CC just there that means in the next election Dun Laoghaire becomes effectively a 3 seat constituency, correct? Since Barret will be guaranteed his seat.

What happens if he retires before the next election, does the seat become open once more, or does it remain held in any form?

Degag

Cookie_Monster wrote: »

With Sean Barret named CC just there that means in the next election Dun Laoghaire becomes effectively a 3 seat constituency, correct? Since Barret will be guaranteed his seat.

What happens if he retires before the next election, does the seat become open once more, or does it remain held in any form?

AFAIK, yes.

sceptre

Cookie_Monster wrote: »

With Sean Barret named CC just there that means in the next election Dun Laoghaire becomes effectively a 3 seat constituency, correct? Since Barret will be guaranteed his seat.

What happens if he retires before the next election, does the seat become open once more, or does it remain held in any form?

The right to automatic re-election is extended only to the outgoing CC immediately before a general election. So if Barrett is the outgoing CC when the next general election is called, then he has the right to be automatically returned and there is one seat fewer available in his constituency in the next general election. If he isn't the outgoing CC at the time of the next general election and someone else is, that right is extended to the person who is and their constituency has one seat fewer available in the next general election.

Cookie_Monster

That's what I thought, thanks.

Seems like a waste of people votes to me tbh, all those people who voted for SB now won't have him as a counted representative as he's CC now.

What's the logic behind the automatic return in the next election, a form of thanks for taking the job?

ArmaniJeanss

Cookie_Monster wrote: »

What's the logic behind the automatic return in the next election, a form of thanks for taking the job?

Well, he won't have voted on any legislation, nor given his opinion on any substantive matter, so he won't have a record to present to the people.

loldog

Cookie_Monster wrote: »

What's the logic behind the automatic return in the next election, a form of thanks for taking the job?

I think also the the reasoning is that he can discharge his duties in the Dæil without fear or favour.

Cookie_Monster

loldog wrote: »

I think also the the reasoning is that he can discharge his duties in the Dæil without fear or favour.

Given the obvious conflict of interest then, why do they not simply make it a un-elected standard position?

Seems fairer to both the TD themselves and the electorate that voted them in.
For example I'm sure the electorate would not have wanted Seamus Kirk back in given the obvious dislike for FF around...

ArmaniJeanss

Cookie_Monster wrote: »

Given the obvious conflict of interest then, why do they not simply make it a un-elected standard position?

Well, in theory its a hugely powerful position*, so giving it to someone who has never stood for election at all doesn't sound ideal either.
The current practise of giving it to a senior elected politician seems moderately better than giving it to some career civil servant.



* From wiki.

The Ceann Comhairle does not vote except in the event of a tie. In this event he generally votes in accordance with the parliamentary conventions relating to the Speaker of the British House of Commons, which tend to amount to voting against motions.

The Ceann Comhairle is the sole judge of order in the house and has a number of special functions. Specifically, the Ceann Comhairle:

Calls on members to speak. All speeches must be addressed to the Ceann Comhairle.
Puts such questions to the house and supervises and declares the results of divisions.
Has authority to suppress disorder. To ensure obedience to his rulings the Ceann Comhairle may order members to withdraw from the Dáil or suspend an individual from the House for a period. In the case of great disorder the Ceann Comhairle can suspend or adjourn the house.