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If you haven’t heard there is a vote in The Dáil on Tuesday, A No Confidence Vote against the Fianna Fáil Government. But listening to RTE and the Newspapers, you would only hear about Fine Gael frontbenchers ousting Kenny . What? No! We are voting AGAINST Fianna Fáil ! Where did all the kerfuffle about Kenny come about. In a word Fianna Fáil! It’s a ploy augmented by the gullible and lazy press to deflect attention away from the Tuesday No Confidence Vote. A lame attempt to displace attention away from their criminal activities which created the Irish Banking Crisis and to make a mockery of the Vote....

While I was away last week John Handelaar announced his new project, kildarestreet.com. It’s a site dedicated to reporting all the goings on in the Irish Parliament, from the horses mouth so to speak. It makes available to the general public everything that TDs (our members of parliament) say in session. This information is available on the official Government websites but it’s not easy to find. I live in Blarney, in Cork North Central. I checked the list of TDs and found those that represent me, my family, my neighbours: Noel O’Flynn Bernard Allen Billy Kelleher Kathleen Lynch Interesting stats on each of their pages, and I really like the “most recent appearances”. I wonder if TDs will watch more closely what they say come the general election to...

relies on an informed electorate. Now you can be informed. What John Handelaar has done over at kildarestreet.com with the help of some other great people is deeply important. Quite simply, the Dáil record is now properly accessible rather than just available. The site enables you to do the following: Read a dramatically-more-legible version of the Dáil Record going back to January 2004 Search that record by speeches or written questions, or by speaker, or by date or date range Sign up for email alerts for when a search query you’re interested changes Sign up for email alerts whenever a TD of your choosing says something or asks a question which generated a written reply Subscribe to RSS feeds for individual TDs or for search queries This isn’t just important for the...

Yesterday, the Dáil had its fifth day of debate on the Second reading of the Twenty-eighth Amendment of the Constitution Bill 2008. Some selected contributions. Deputy Jimmy Deenihan (Fine Gael): The Lisbon treaty is the outcome of an extensive and open process that has gone on since December 2001. The process included a convention on the future of Europe that included not only national...

Seanad Éireann to be addressed by Habs Gert PotteringSeanad Éireann resumes after its recess tomorrow and according to the Order of Business Hans Gert Pottering is to address Seanad Éireann at 10.30am. Mr Pottering is the former leader of the European Peoples Party in the European Parliament and is currently President of the European Parliament. I will attempt to live blog his speech which will be availible on Oirechtas Live. I assume there will be a question and answer session or a sos (break for non Irish speakers), but it is not scheduled before the start of ordinary business. If I do not live blog it, I will post highlights from it.Seanad Éireann will also see statements on the Reform Treaty after the Order of Business.Dáil to resume debating the Reform TreatyMeanwhile the Dáil...

Remember I recently highlighted Ruairí Quinns questioning? Well here are some of the responses.Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and FoodMinister for Arts, Sport and TourismMinister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources,Minister for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht AffairsMinister for DefenceMinister for Education and ScienceMinister for Enterprise, Trade and EmploymentMinister for Justice, Equality and Law ReformTánaiste and Minister for FinanceMinister for Foreign Affairs Minister for Health and ChildrenMinister for Justice, Equality and Law ReformMinister for Social and Family Affairs (Not answered Yet)Minister for TransportI havent posted the answers as they are in different formats. Some are in Tables which look terrible in Blogger. Anyway if someone can connect the...

The debate resumed today at 1 o'clockMinister of State at the Department of the Taoiseach, Deputy Dick Roche (Fianna Fáil):The main aims of the Lisbon reform treaty, as spelled out in its preamble, are to enhance the efficiency and the democratic legitimacy of the Union. This treaty is different from those that went before it. It was not produced behind closed doors, rather it was crafted in public. The reform treaty is not, as some would have us believe, the work of fevered minds with no mandate.A second and equally important point is that this is a balanced treaty that represents a particularly good deal for the small and medium-sized member states. The latter point should be bourne in mind by those who mindlessly sloganise about voting “no” to get a better “yes”. There is no...

Parts of the Contributions by TD's to yesterdays debate.Minister for Foreign Affairs, Deputy Dermot Ahern (Fianna Fail)The discussion of the Bill by the Oireachtas represents an important phase in our national debate on the treaty, which will be put to a referendum in June. The reform treaty is important for Ireland and Europe and it is a logical step for the European Union in a world of increasing globalisation. Ratification of this treaty is a logical step for Irish men and women who want to express their faith in a political project that has, in the past 35 years, changed our nation for the better.I sincerely believe it would be a profound mistake for us to vote “No”. Such an outcome would cause great uncertainty within the Union. It would damage the Union and cast doubt on our...

I was going through the question paper for the Dáil Ruaire Quinn has tabled the following question for written answer:*47. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Finance the appointments to State boards, bodies or committees made since 3 July 2007 to date in 2008; the names of the persons so appointed; the dates on which the names of those persons were published in Iris Oifigiúil; the State boards, bodies or committees on which vacancies currently exist; the number of vacancies in each case; the State boards, bodies or committees in which vacancies are anticipated to arise up to and including 1 October 2008; and the number of vacancies in each case. — Ruairı´ Quinn. [12529/08]He asked that question to the following Ministers:* Tánaiste and Minister for Finance* Minister for Health...

The Government of Ireland is split into two houses. The first House is the Dail where politicians make important and not so important decisions and talk endlessly on matters of State. The second House is the Seanad. This is a little known and secretive group of people who are elected in a complicated election by a small subset of the Irish public. Who can vote for the Seanad? If you went to University you can, so my wife Jacinta can. She filled in her ballot sheet this morning and while she was wondering who to give her No. 1 vote to I read the newspaper and came across Kathy Foley’s article in the Sunday Times, So what is the Seand for? It’s a very entertaining and cutting look at the Seanad and if you’ve wondered about them you should go read it in full. Here’s a...

An Taoiseach: Bertie Ahern, Fianna Fail, Dublin Central. There was no surprises when he was elected Taoiseach with a comfortable majority, 89 votes to 76. He stays on but more importantly as anointed his successor.An Tánaiste and Minister for Finance: Brain Cowen, Fianna Fail, Laois-Offaly. Cowen continues on in the important ministry and definitely is now seen as Bertie's replacement. If the economy does suffer, the problems will fall at his door though. Stamp Duty reform will be a major project here.Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries & Food: Mary Coughlan, Fianna Fail, Donegal South West. Coughlan stays where she is but also now has to represent fisheries. This will be important as the fisheries industry here is not getting a good deal here in Europe. Maybe with her experience with...

The 30th Dáil will sit at 3.00 p.m. on Thursday 14 June 2007. All media are welcome to access the Plinth via Kildare Street Entrance from 12.30 p.m. on Thursday until the Taoiseach departs Leinster House for Áras an Uachtaráin. It is expected that the Taoiseach will depart from Leinster House for the park via the Kildare Street exit. Full details. blogging blogs dáil ireland irish irishblogs politics...

And we're off...As speculated Bertie Ahern requested that Mary McAleese disolve the 29th dáil today (about 30 mins ago). Jounalists recieved phone calls at 6am to be in position at Áras...... so it's planned.The election for Dáil 30 will be on May 24th 2007.The manifestos are being delivered now... Pity, I woundered if we could have set up the Irish Bloggers Party for the election (no problems getting access to the count if you're a candidate).Take care,Willpolitics, irish, dail,...

Dia Duit!Rinne mé dearmad ar Seachtain na Gaeilge atá ar suil an seachatin seo! Tá dhá bebo agus myspace amhain or an idirlion! SnaG - SeachtainNaGaeilge.bebo.comCeol - SnaGCeol.bebo.com - www.myspace.com/snagceol An nuacht ar an maidin seo!Northern Ireland goes goes to the polls today in a very decisive election. (CNN, Breakingnews, RTÉ, BBC, France 24) The Polls are open until 10pm tonight with the counting begining tomorrow. 250 candidates are contesting 108 seats. The election is by PRSTV, so transfers are critical for the last seats in each constituency, just like down here in the south!Trocaire is to challenge the ban on its advertising (Breakingnews). This will be an interesting challenge, first time id say a charity has been forced to pull its ads!Commonwealth troops...

Dia Duit!Well between the Govt. delaying the Civil Union Bill 2006 and the Polish President making homophobic remarks in Ireland (RTÉ) I'm really pissed off!The UK are to make an announcement on withdrawal of troops from Iraq (RTÉ) It is thought likely that Mr Blair will make any announcement in an oral statement to the House of Commons following his regular weekly appearance at Prime Minister's Questions. I hope he does pull 'em outAt 5:00pm this evening the Seanad will debate the Mental Capacity and Guardianship Bill 2007, please if you know a senator ask them to vote for it.The Civil Unions Bill 2006 also goes to a vote this evening after the continuation of the debate at 7:00p, tonight.Trocaire has launched an online neworking site called 'Just World'Thats all i can find for...

Minister McDowell,I am writing to you voice my disgust at you comments in the house tonight on the Civil Union Bill. You claimed that the Labour party have done nothing for the LGB community, then what do call the decriminalisation of homosexuality in 1993, which the Progressive Democrats could have dealt with when they were in power pre 1992.You Minister claimed that this bill does nothing for LGB couples, this bill will improve the quality of life and security for LGB couples. This bill will do more for LGB couples then what so far has been suggested.No bill will satisfy everyone in Ireland.I am disgusted that you in the government would table a last minute amendment to postpone the bill. This is unfavourable treatment of this bill and I am appalled at it. I was considering transferring...

On Wednesday evening, the Dail votes on the Labour Party Civil Union Bill, proposed by Brendan Howlin, TD. Based on USI's lobbying to date, we estimate that we have around 70 of the required 83 votes for the bill to pass this stage. The Government will decide at Cabinet tomorrow (Tuesday) its position on the bill. If the Government opposes it, and they likely will, that will mean that unless we can find 15 TDs on the Government benches to support it, the bill will be defeated. USI has identified the following TDs as members who may support the bill if pressure is applied. Between now and Wednesday, we need you to circulate this email to everyone on your mailing list, and ask them to contact these TDs before Wednesday, asking them to switch sides and support the bill. Even if only one or...

Dia Duit!!!First one in awhile I know, but have been busy with campaign stuff!Dáil seats for NI MP's (Breakingnews) I personnally disagree with them having anything to do with the Dáil as they were elected to Westminster not Dáil Eireann.France implements its smoking ban (Breakingnews). Woooo! There are now calls for a European wide ban, which i believe would be a goo idea.Ad causes caos in Boston (BBC)Jaysus, some people take things too far in their reaction! they look harmless like!!Herouxville, Canada has posted on its website what immigrants are not too do (BBC)"We consider it completely outside norms to... kill women by stoning them in public, burning them alive, burning them with acid, circumcising them etc." It points out that women are allowed to drive, vote, dance and own...

Mr. Dermot Ahern: Why is there never a leadership crisis in Sinn Féin? Why is there never a leadership battle? I often wondered that.from HereExcellent one-liner from the Fianna Fail deputy during leaders questions yesterday! It was said why poor old McDowell was being asked about the CIA rendition flights.Early he had refused to answer a question from FG Leader Deputy Enda Kenny due to the shouting down he...

Politics in general is interesting. Professional politics is even more interesting because most of the niceties of public due process is removed. This seems to be the case in University College Cork UCC. Today's Irish Examiner has a front page article about mismanagement and bullying in UCC (The Irish Independent seems to have had in on Monday 25th of September, see the Examiner isn't always Munster focused. Former Professor Michael Mortell has called for Education Minister Mary Hanafin investigation into allegations of mismanagement, bullying and intimidation at the college made by Philosophy department head Prof Des Clarke (who is a member of UCC's governing body) with some allegations being directed towards Professor Gerard Wrixon. As it happens Indymedia Ireland has a detailed...

I suggested that someone create a Dáil visualiser and Keith Gaughan stepped up and did. Rockin. Nice one Keith. Technorati Tags: blogs dail ireland irish irishblogs...

A short while ago the Sunday Times had a story about TDs and Senators not able to get broadband despite wanting to get it. The story covered those who were annoyed at not being able to get it or those who never applied because they knew they were in an area that did not have broadband. ComReg, Dempsey and the other excuse-searchers are now saying lack of demand is the main issue with broadband. People simply don’t want it. Pure bullshit given that so many in the Oireachtas applied for broadband and they wouldn’t be the most astute with technology. The Times story never covered the costs for this project. A quick summary: €20,130 installation costs and no modem with this. €13,000 for project management and install support costs. Total Project cost: €33,000 ex vat...