Parallels between Westminster and Kildare Street – starting with a vacuum at the top
In the order of importance of the world of real politics, the greatest priorities for England’s two largest parties are their respective leadership struggles. Everything must take second place until it is seen whether Theresa or Andrea emerges as leader of the Tories and until it is seen whether Jeremy or anybody else will emerge […]
Polls, wallops and political messaging as Brexit campaign reaches the home straight
The Brexit campaign, in horse racing terms, has rounded the last turn and is on the run in to the winning post. It is a two horse race. “Stay” and “Leave” are matching each other stride for stride, if the polls are to be believed. Which horse has the greater reserves of energy and which […]
Seanad Bill 2016 initiated 15/06/16
I was delighted to today initiate the Seanad Bill 2016, which was co-sponsored by a number of colleagues in Seanad Éireann, please see link below to a pdf of the full document Seanad Bill 2016 BILL (as initiated) SeanadBill2016 An Act to implement reforms proposed in the Report of the Working Group on Seanad Reform […]
An update for NUI Seanad voters
Dear NUI voter, The voting process for the NUI Panel of Seanad Éireann is underway, and I want to take this opportunity to give voters a quick update as to where things stand. This information is particularly relevant to those who are yet to vote. Each registered voter receives a ballot paper (to be marked 1, […]
Democracy, for all its difficulties, is in need of being cherished
The savage slaying of Jo Cox, by all accounts a really great emerging politician, at the hands of a deranged loner came at a time when the Brexit referendum campaign was about to reach its climactic last weekend. And the awfulness of her death led to a temporary cessation of hostilities in that campaign. Terrible […]
100 years ago the fuse was lit – now we owe it to ourselves to deliver a true democracy
On Monday, my friend and former Progressive Democrat colleague Jason O’Mahony argued in The Times (Ireland Edition) that the Seanad was an “offensive monstrosity” and criticised the manner in which it is elected. He was, as usual, perceptive and pithy on the real shortcomings of the upper house as presently elected, but the real issue […]