Our politicians are so bad, they are unique. These 5 seater constituencies - the result is predictable in normal conditions - FF 2, FG 2, Lab 1. Usually, FF and FG would have one bright spark who gets in easily and drags a dope colleague in on their transfers. The dope is deliberately chosen, so that he will never be a threat to the poll topper.
I can't think of any other country in the west that has multi - seat constituencies - but I am open to correction.
Jerry Buttimer bollixed now. Cork SC losing Bishopstown, Wilton and city centre wards to Cork North Central.
No need for this to be done at all. Of all the "promises" this government made this is the lowest priority but curiously is the one they will trumpet that they delivered on.
It's not the number of the TDs or the Seanad which is the problem but rather the calibre of the public representatives and the mindset of our Oireachtas.
Curious also the constituencies which are changing and how. FG will gain most from these revisions. SF will be the biggest loser, followed by FF.
The Committee had two meetings in December 2003 and at the second meeting, on December 18th, the Department and the Vendor were unable to answer questions about the operation of the system, were unable to provide details of the problems they had with their trials, and were generally unhelpful.
The outcome of the morning session was that the Minister should not purchase the machines until all the problems that had been identified had been resolved
That afternoon, without warning, Fianna Fail and the PDs voted on a motion, proposed by John Cregan TD, to authorise the Minister to go ahead with the purchase. This course of action was objected to by FG, Lab and the Greens. The vote was strictly on Party lines.
The Minister placed the order for the machines the following day - but made one important change to the contract. The new contract specifically stated that the acceptance of the machines could not be rejected on the basis that they were not capable of doing the job they were purchased for.
Corruption is the problem
__________________ Wisdom of the PROC
Quote:
The wasp is our most dangerous animal, unless you're allergic to bees.
No need for this to be done at all. Of all the "promises" this government made this is the lowest priority but curiously is the one they will trumpet that they delivered on.
It's not the number of the TDs or the Seanad which is the problem but rather the calibre of the public representatives and the mindset of our Oireachtas.
Curious also the constituencies which are changing and how. FG will gain most from these revisions. SF will be the biggest loser, followed by FF.
It's not the number of the TDs or the Seanad which is the problem but rather the calibre of the public representatives and the mindset of our Oireachtas.
There is a link between quantity and quality. As long as an effective constituency workers can cobble together enough votes to become one of the many TDs with nothing to offer at a national level then the Oireachtas will remain ineffective at its primary task which is supposed to be holding the government to account.
If we had just 100 TDs they would inevitably be of a higher quality with bigger mandates. They would be less likely to be cowed by the whip system and be better able to understand both legislation and the economic circumstances of the time.
The current system gives us TDs obsessed with local issues and governments happy with bovine lobby-fodder.
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