Corrupt politicians' pensions 'can be stopped'

Sykk

The pensions of people found guilty of "misconduct" and "corruption" could be stopped, according to a Minister of State.
Junior Foreign Affairs Minister Joe Costello told RTÉ's The Week in Politics that this would require a constitutional referendum if it is to cover people named in the Mahon Tribunal Report.
He said it is a matter that should be looked at and added that it could be considered by the Constitution Convention that the Government plans to establish.
Fianna Fáil's Seán Ó Fearghaíl said he would have no problem in supporting legislation to back this proposal.
Meanwhile, Fianna Fáil Justice spokesman Dara Calleary said the agenda of next Friday's meeting of the party's National Executive will be unaffected by the announcement by former leader Bertie Ahern that he is to resign from the party.
A vote on expelling Mr Ahern from Fianna Fáil will not now be held, but a recommendation that there should be a root and branch review of the organisation in Dublin Central, Mr Ahern's constituency, will be tabled.
Motions for the expulsion of other members will also be considered at the meeting which was called by party leader Micheál Martin.
Mr Calleary told RTÉ News that the fallout from the Mahon Tribunal report would still be considered and there had been no formal contact from Mr Ahern.
In an article in today's Irish Times, Mr Ahern says resigning from Fianna Fáil had been a "real emotional wrench" because the party had been an integral part of his life for forty years.
He re-iterates his contention, made in yesterday's Sunday Independent, that he never took a corrupt payment and that he told the Mahon Tribunal the truth.
He stressed that his decision to resign was a political decision, and not in any way an admission of wrongdoing.
Mr Ahern also says he appreciates the gesture of all those who have contacted him to wish him well.

Quoted bold for the lol...

Anyway... This should take affect, immediately. Anyone oppose?

Biggins

Sykk wrote: »

Quoted bold for the lol...

Anyway... This should take affect, immediately. Anyone oppose?

Should be done - will it? Sadly no.

booboo88

Sykk wrote: »

Quoted bold for the lol...

Anyway... This should take affect, immediately. Anyone oppose?

But it wont, as there will be some loophole, as Bertie wasnt lying, they just didnt believe him:rolleyes:

Cuddlesworth

Nobody's been found guilty of anything, nor does it look like anybody will.

Susie_Q

*effect

Drumpot

Biggins wrote: »

Should be done - will it? Sadly no.

Great piece of spin by government . .

Even if they bring in the death penalty for politicians who are found to be corrupt, the problem is and always will be catching them in the act! Then theres the problem of politicians willingly going after their own which is quite clearly something they dont do unless they are forced. They simply cannot be trusted to regulate themselves.

There should be strict monitoring systems for any politcians in office. I think that their finances should be made available 5 years previous and after holding office. This includes anything there spouse has. Anything not declared , including "dig outs" will result in expulsion from their position and a 20 year ban from politics (or something like that). Would certainly focus the minds!

seamus

It's one I'd be very wary of because such an amendment would require giving the government power to seize the property of private individuals without trial.

A bit like the investigation referendum, it would be trumpted as a way to bring corrupt politicians to account, but in reality it would open the door for any future government to abuse this power massively and undermine the democratic process.

Unfortunately if all people heard was, "This will make Bertie pay", it'd be voted in.

You can't just take peoples' lawfully-gained private property away without due process, regardless of how angry you are at them. We don't need a referendum, we just need a criminal investigation.

lastlaugh

Is there any way that 50K that Padraig Flynn gave his Mrs to buy a Farm can be taken back, or the Farm seized?

sbsquarepants

They are all as bad as each other.
Take berties pension off him?? Of course they should, but who is going to do it? Enda? He has a dodgy pension of his own, he's not going to start rocking any pension boats, you can be damn sure of that!

Haelium

sbsquarepants wrote: »

They are all as bad as each other.

No, Fianna Fail are a good bit worse than the rest. When will people learn that Irish politicians are corrupt, but Fianna Fail genuinely are in a whole league of their own?

Enda deferred his teachers pension, and has not destroyed the countries economy, so he's still entitled to it.

the purple tin

Unfortunately the Mahon tribunal stopped short of saying Fatty Ahern was corrupt, so even if it becomes law his gravy train will keep rolling

Doc Ruby

seamus wrote: »

You can't just take peoples' lawfully-gained private property away without due process, regardless of how angry you are at them. We don't need a referendum, we just need a criminal investigation.

Is he talking about excluding the courts from this process?

If he wants to give the Mahon Tribunal sharp pointy teeth after the fact, I'm all for it. Politicians set it up to subvert the real courts, they can live with their decision now.

seamus

Doc Ruby wrote: »

Is he talking about excluding the courts from this process?

Well he would have to.

At present the powers are there in reality - get a criminal conviction, impose a fine equal to a % of the pension.

If he wants to give the Mahon Tribunal sharp pointy teeth after the fact, I'm all for it. Politicians set it up to subvert the real courts, they can live with their decision now.

I'm not so much concerned about current politicians, but again much like the last referendum it's what the more hysterical politicians would do with such powers to influence public and judicial opinions and establish an effective dictatorship.