This morning.
Further to a letter yesterday from President Michael D Higgins to the Ceann Comhairle expressing concerns over the volume of legislation being sent for his signature…
…via RTÉ
In response, the Ceann Comhairle and the Cathaoirleach of the Seanad told the President they understand and appreciate his concerns.
They were convening a meeting of the Dáil’s Business Committee and the Seanad’s Committee on Procedure at 2pm today.
Duncan Smith, who will attend that meeting for the Labour Party, said he welcomed the President’s intervention and that the issue of condensing legislation must be addressed.
Cian O’Callaghan of the Social Democrats said it should not take an intervention from the President to realise that ramming through legislation at the last minute is no way to treat the democratic process.
Politicians consider President’s legislation concerns (RTÉ)
Meanwhile…
I am delighted to see @PresidentIRL @MichaelDHiggins speak out on abuse of Parliament by the current Government. How many last minute sign offs took place at yesterday’s cabinet meeting. I’m hearing the #SAR tender possible €1 billion came up under AOB https://t.co/nboxUMnsym
— Senator G Craughwell (@GCraughwell) July 29, 2021
cowardice from miggledy.
he has the right to refer bills to the supreme court and yet hasnt referred a single one. instead he writes a letter rather than using his powers
Playing victim.
…the water legislation which was the most controversial and devisive bill ever to cross his desk was rubber stamped without comment and with undue haste…he demonstrated early that he was a mere factotum and that his role is ceremonial…he should stick to issuing plaudits and obsequies…
“controversial and devisive bill ” is irrelevant to the President.
All they can do is decide if they may break the constitution – and, if so, send them to the Supreme Court.
+1
…that’s what I said…he’s an irrelevance…a mere factotem in the process of government decision making…
Once a bill is referred to the Supreme Court and they find that it’s not unconstitutional, it can never again be legally challenged. By signing these into law, the President is actually leaving it open for people to bring cases themselves.
Has he copped that there was something wrong with what he’s signed off recently, and getting the excuses ready in case there’s a pushback?
He should have referred these bills, he knows this and is trying to save his as*. Pathetic #notmypresident
Are you not an Irish citizen?
+1
The facade is slipping.
There is still a swathe of people who think he’s “adorable” and are defending him.
#notourpresident
#isyourpresident
Stop copycatting stupid American hashtags that have no relevance in this country.
Lol
From the person calling protests rallies..
Let the ass covering begin.
especially the ones on the ground ? ( as it were )
Funnily enough, Arleen Foster said the the other day that a lot of this mess is caused by the fact that politicians are well aware that this Covid thing will have many inquiries and tribunals coming down the line and politicians just want to be able to put their hands in the air and say “we were just following medical advice, it’s not our fault”
Perhaps it’s the reason that Tony Holohan and Pip Nolan now seem to be communicating their wishes directly to the public, via the front of national newspapers, rather than going through government.
Fall guys – the lot of em ;)
If the pieces of legislation are indeed as complex as Miggeldy states then surely he is correct in bringing to attention the fact that trying to rush so many prices of legislation through in a short space of time is irresponsible.
Surely this is more of a reflection on the pressures the govt are bringing on him to pass rushed legislation, and more than that, an indication of how little the government made any plans or provisions for reopening, despite ample notice.
Or something more sinister.
Or, y’know, not.
It depends on what legislation they are talking about.
Higgins seems to talking about new Acts.
Most (all?) of the Covid-related legislation has been done using Statutory instruments – which don’t (as far as i can tell) need presidential approval. So it isn’t related to Covid legislation.
A lie-infested distracting, diversionary post.
https://www.irishtimes.com/news/politics/oireachtas/president-asked-to-sign-draconian-emergency-covid-19-bill-early-1.4584345