Tag Archives: Senator

Roscommon Fianna Fáil Senator Eugene Murphy

This afternoon.

Oireachtas members sleeping in their cars due to a lack of hotel accommodation in Dublin is not a widespread phenomenon, Taoiseach Micheál Martin has said.

Via RTE News:

It follows a report in a newspaper that an Oireachtas member from the west of Ireland said he slept in his car after he was unable to find a room.

The unnamed politician (since named) told the Irish Daily Mail he slept in his car twice after repeated attempts to find a place to stay failed.

Mr Martin said that there are pressures on accommodation due to a rebound in tourism and efforts to accommodate Ukrainian refugees.

Minister for Housing Darragh O’Brien said he was not aware of the case.

Taoiseach says Oireachtas members sleeping in cars ‘not widespread’ (RTE)

Meanwhile…

Government politicians are given a €120 a night accommodation allowance and Senator Murphy said “out of principal” he would never pay more than €200 a night for a room.

Senator Murphy said has only been able to secure a room for one night in the last three weeks and when he asked if he could book the same for room next week he was told there “was not a chance” as the hotel is fully booked.

Politician forced to sleep in his car due to lack of hotel rooms in Dublin: ‘You end up with three hours’ sleep’ (Independent.ie)

RollingNews

Of the 60 members of the Seanad, three are elected by graduates of the National University of Ireland. These are currently Senator Prof. John Crown, Senator Fergal Quinn and Broadsheet favourite Senator Ronan Mullen (above).

But how do you get to vote? According to the NUI Election website

Every person who is a citizen of Ireland and has received a degree (other than an honorary degree) in the National University of Ireland is entitled to be registered as an elector in the NUI register of electors.

That’s all well and good, but how do you get on the register?

I have  a BSc and MEngSc from NUI and I’ve never received a voting form.

Luckily McGarr Solictors shows us how easy it is:

Fill out this form

Post it to The National University of Ireland, 49 Merrion Square, Dublin 2

The best thing about this vote? It’s postal so you can partake no matter where in the world you are.

Now that’s democracy.

You need to be on the register by February 2013, but sure why not do it today in case the government falls before then?

NUI Seanad Register
Voter Registration Form

Oh.

Senator In Sense Of Entitlement Shocker (Boards.ie)

Senator Fidelma Healy Eames, Fine Gael

Update: Statement from Fine Gael, via Politics.ie:

“Senator Healy Eames boarded the 6.50am train to Dublin in a rush, at Athenry station yesterday morning (Thursday). She did so on the understanding that she would be able to purchase a ticket on board, as she had previously done on recent occasions. She was approached by an officer from the revenue protection unit on board who asked her for ID. She produced her Seanad ID card. She offered to buy a ticket as normal. He told her she could not buy a ticket from him and and fined her €100.
Senator Healy Eames was shocked to learn this as she had purchased two tickets on board just weeks earlier, in June. She showed the RPU officer the counterfoils which proved that they were both purchased on the train. Senator Healy Eames has appealed the fine.”

Thanks Lars Biscuits