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Opinion Priests should break the seal of confession when someone admits to child abuse

The most sacred thing in any civilised society should be the protection of children.

THE RECENTLY PUBLISHED Children First Bill will make it mandatory for numerous professionals to report suspected child abuse: gardaí, teachers, clergy, medical practitioners, social workers, and child protection officers. The Bill was originally recommended in 1999 and its intended goals are outlined in the Ryan Commission Implementation Plan 2009.

“The Children First national guidelines emphasise that the needs of children and families must be at the centre of child care and child protection activity, and that a partnership approach must inform the delivery of services. They also highlight the importance of consistency between policies and procedures across statutory and voluntary organisations. The key message of Children First is that responsibility for protecting children must be shared by all adults. Anyone who works with, has responsibility for or comes into contact with children should be aware of the signs of abuse, be alert to the possibility of abuse and be familiar with the basic procedures to report their concerns.”

The Bill, however, has propelled the Government on a collision course with the Catholic Church, which has refused to obey the law if it requires priests to break the seal of confession. According to canon law “the sacramental seal is inviolable; therefore it is absolutely forbidden for a confessor to betray in any way a penitent in words or in any manner and for any reason.”

What has been learned?

Seemingly the Church has not learned a thing from the abuse scandal. It still believes canon law supersedes both civil law and the protection of children. Much of the condemnation directed towards the Church is not due to the sexual abuse of children carried out by individual priests but the continued prioritisation of the Catholic Church by the Catholic Church over and above all other considerations, even children. The fact the Church refuses to break the seal of confession to aid abused children illustrates that this immoral precedence is still extant.

Defenders of the inviolability of the seal of confession, such as Fr Chris Hayden, argue that the promise of confidentiality will permit priests to “be in a position of encouraging people to take a step towards healing, or to contact the authorities.” The seal of confession will empower survivors of abuse to make initial steps that might eventually lead to full disclosure, he says. He worries that “mandatory reporting may compromise the possibility of small, initial steps.”

However, this argument is predicated on an unproven assumption. There is no evidence, empirical or even anecdotal, that demonstrates that the seal of confession has indeed encouraged initial first steps in survivors or perpetrators of abuse. In fact, it could easily be argued that the act of confession may have the adverse effect. Abusers may get a sense of absolution by making amends with a higher power and therefore deem it unnecessary to report their crimes and apologise to their victims. If the Church wants their canon law to trump civil law then it must prove that it is more beneficial to children for it do so. In this instance it simply cannot.

A culture of secrecy and deference

Conversely it could be argued that it has not been proven that breaking the seal of confession will protect children. However, we will never know as long as it remains unbroken. What we do know, and we learned it at great cost, is that a culture of secrecy and deference to canon law instead of civil law within the Catholic Church is detrimental to the well-being of children. The refusal to break the seal of confession to protect children is simply an extension of that culture.

There are very few, if any, moral reasons not to report child abuse, the least of which is the internal rules of any one religion. The Catholic Church may believe that the seal of confession is sacrosanct; however, the most sacred aspect in any civilised society is the protection of children.

Peter Ferguson is a sceptic and a writer, he is a contributing author in the upcoming book 13 Reasons to Doubt, and he blogs at SkepticInk.com. Twitter @humanisticus

Read: Children First bill published, 15 years after it was first mooted

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164 Comments
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    Mute common sense
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    Jan 30th 2025, 8:37 AM

    Good to see. He was impressive during he referendum last year.

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    Mute Darran Macken
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    Jan 30th 2025, 11:21 AM

    @common sense: he also spoke common sence during the covid charade, he’s not one track minded he’s not power hungry he has rational.

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    Mute Jason Memail
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    Jan 30th 2025, 11:28 AM

    @common sense: His opinion and yours managed to coincidentally align on one single anti-immigration topic and now you think he’s a great fella. That anti-elite and anti-establishment stance you had didn’t last long, did it?

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    Mute Brian Hunt
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    Jan 30th 2025, 12:50 PM

    @common sense: We badly need more politicians of the calibre of Michael McDowell, a man of integrity, which is more than can be said of the majority of politicians!

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    Mute Philip Kennedy
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    Jan 30th 2025, 1:28 PM

    @Brian Hunt: ha ha ha

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    Mute Peter O'Muiri
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    Jan 30th 2025, 8:43 AM

    Congrats, Michael. The man who did more than anyone else to expose the flaws in the ill-judged referendum proposals has his mandate overwhelmingly re-affirmed.

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    Mute and the hit's just keep coming
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    Jan 30th 2025, 10:19 AM

    @Peter O’Muiri: the man was the worst minister for justice in history…. destroy the courts system and the prison system with backward reforms that has left it in the state its in now

    38
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    Mute Philip Kennedy
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    Jan 30th 2025, 11:39 AM

    @and the hit’s just keep coming: don’t forget Thornton Hall.

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    Mute Maurice Frazer
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    Jan 30th 2025, 12:18 PM

    @and the hit’s just keep coming: as someone who had dealings with him as MOJ…. arrogant self serving… are words that come to mind

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    Mute Jim Connolly
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    Jan 30th 2025, 7:25 AM

    The best one for an irrelevant job. Pity he didn’t go forward for the MEP election.

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    Mute David Cotter
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    Jan 30th 2025, 8:07 AM

    @Jim Connolly: he’s privileged irelands Danny Healy Rae ….

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    Mute Gerry Campbell
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    Jan 30th 2025, 8:14 AM

    @Jim Connolly: Next president, hopefully.

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    Mute Fergus O'Donnell
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    Jan 30th 2025, 9:05 AM

    @Gerry Campbell: he’d be good! He’s a very intelligent man

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    Mute micheal duff
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    Jan 30th 2025, 10:11 AM

    @Gerry Campbell: 100%

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    Mute David Cotter
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    Jan 30th 2025, 7:36 AM

    Wow. How uninspiring a choice
    Millionaire barrister with political friends all over Dublin…..start as you mean to go on Ireland insiders

    89
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    Mute Fergus O'Donnell
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    Jan 30th 2025, 9:06 AM

    @David Cotter: a very intelligent and decent man.
    Personally didn’t agree with some of his politics but a very able man and an honest speaker.

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    Mute David Cotter
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    Jan 30th 2025, 10:11 AM

    @Fergus O’Donnell: no one doubts his intelligence ferg..
    We heard the same about Brian Cowan..how’d that go..

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    Mute Philip Kennedy
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    Jan 30th 2025, 11:36 AM

    @Fergus O’Donnell: he authorised the purchase of Thornton Hall. How did that work out? He’s not intelligent.

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    Mute David Field
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    Jan 30th 2025, 7:21 AM

    Hasn’t he bled the taxpayer enough already? Same faces, same trough.

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    Mute Willie Marty
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    Jan 30th 2025, 8:30 AM

    @David Field: different trough.The other one was extended.

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    Mute thomas molloy
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    Jan 30th 2025, 9:16 AM

    @David Field: Your Bitterness uncalled for in this case.

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    Mute Keith P
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    Jan 30th 2025, 9:55 AM

    @David Field: The job is there for anyone who wants to put themselves forward for it.

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    Mute pete sake
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    Jan 30th 2025, 10:06 AM

    @Keith P: is that the 11 free unelected positions or the select University & Union club.

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    Mute Rian O’Callaghan
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    Jan 30th 2025, 8:19 AM

    In more important news delighted to see President Trumps plans for Guantanamo Bay. We need something just like that.

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    Mute David Cotter
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    Jan 30th 2025, 8:35 AM

    @Rian O’Callaghan: we have ..it’s called kilgarvan

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    Mute K O
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    Jan 30th 2025, 10:37 AM

    @David Cotter: n0 your wrong, it’s the s#1t hole called Dublin

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    Mute David Cotter
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    Jan 30th 2025, 7:41 AM

    ….. “The other five panels are designed to give political representation to different groups and sectors within Irish society.”

    Does this sound like democracy……..those different groups seem a fairly privileged lot to me…

    51
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    Mute David Cotter
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    Jan 30th 2025, 10:09 AM

    @Harry Paisley: at least I’ve a job. Buddy. Not like you

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    Mute Mick Duvanny
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    Jan 30th 2025, 12:02 PM

    @David Cotter: They are but the electorate had their chance to get rid of the Seanad and chose not to

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    Mute Darran Macken
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    Jan 30th 2025, 8:52 AM

    One of only a few creditable political figures.

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    Mute Elizabeth Doyle
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    Jan 30th 2025, 9:40 AM

    @Darran Macken: Hasn’t he enough pensions already.!!!!!!

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    Mute Philip Kennedy
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    Jan 30th 2025, 11:44 AM

    @Elizabeth Doyle: Correct. He pulled a stroke to get the Tanaiste pension.

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    Mute Darran Macken
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    Jan 30th 2025, 4:18 PM

    @Elizabeth Doyle: he does alot for your rights without you known it, relax have a day off.

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    Mute Andrew Kenny
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    Jan 30th 2025, 8:46 AM

    This man for president plesse!

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    Mute Fergus O'Donnell
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    Jan 30th 2025, 9:08 AM

    @Andrew Kenny: agreed

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    Mute Philip Kennedy
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    Jan 30th 2025, 3:26 PM

    @Fergus O’Donnell: wake up

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    Mute Ronan Mc
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    Jan 30th 2025, 8:15 AM

    Next stop, the Phoenix Park!

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    Mute Darran Macken
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    Jan 30th 2025, 8:52 AM

    @Ronan Mc: he’s to intelligent for that charade

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    Mute Fergus O'Donnell
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    Jan 30th 2025, 9:08 AM

    @Darran Macken: oh Darren. Even by Journal standards, that’s a completely asinine statement.

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    Mute Darran Macken
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    Jan 30th 2025, 11:23 AM

    @Fergus O’Donnell: again he is to intelligent for that charade, that’s a puppets game micheal is possible the most intelligent educated of the lot of them, take care.

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    Mute Jonn
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    Jan 30th 2025, 9:16 AM

    Very intelligent man,and a plain speaker,which is why the woke brigade hate him.He’s wasted in the senate!

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    Mute Brian Hunt
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    Jan 31st 2025, 1:52 AM

    @Jonn: So very true!

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    Mute Dominic Leleu
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    Jan 30th 2025, 7:34 AM

    leeches and job for the boys… and girls

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    Mute Keith P
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    Jan 30th 2025, 9:56 AM

    @Dominic Leleu: You could have gone for it yourself. Anyone is allowed to.

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    Mute Bertie
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    Jan 30th 2025, 8:13 AM

    All the moaners and begrudgers on here seem to forget we had a chance to get rid of the Seanad and we choose no, suck it up buttercups

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    Mute Dave Grant
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    Jan 30th 2025, 10:59 AM

    Great to hear, I didn’t like his politics but he speaks a lot of sense, called out the last two referendums early on and called out the madness of the hate speech bill. Good to see.

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    Mute Lonely Are the Brave.
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    Jan 30th 2025, 7:43 AM

    Is this for real. Change they said.

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    Mute Vincent Alexander
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    Jan 30th 2025, 9:04 AM

    @Lonely Are the Brave.: The only ones preaching change is the opposition and they have no credible policies.

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    Mute Brian
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    Jan 30th 2025, 9:36 AM

    @Vincent Alexander: Like the credible housing policy FG have enacted for 14 years ? Ironic coming from someone who never who never has any credible comments..

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    Mute Vincent Alexander
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    Jan 30th 2025, 10:55 AM

    @Brian: If the opposition had some credible policies and a few credible politicians then they would not be in opposition.

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    Mute Brian
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    Jan 30th 2025, 11:37 AM

    @Vincent Alexander: Now we both know that’s not true.. you wouldn’t vote for ” the opposition” if hell froze over.. regardless of policies. So stop pretending this is a policy issue. As for credibility.. Is it credible our goverment negotiated a programme for government with a convicted criminal. A man our dear leader called on to resign when he was found by the tribunal to have been “profoundly corrupt to a degree that was nothing short of breathtaking” ? The own one with credibility issues here is you ..

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    Mute Vincent Alexander
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    Jan 30th 2025, 12:23 PM

    @Brian: If you are referring to SF you are correct, however there are other opposition parties that I would and have voted for. It is less than ideal to have to deal with Lowry but better than dealing with SF.
    As regards the housing policy you in your wisdom could have predicted the invasion of Ukraine and the subsequent knock on effect on the price of oil and the influx of refugees.

    5
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    Mute Brian
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    Jan 30th 2025, 12:38 PM

    @Vincent Alexander: ” less than ideal ” ? It’s rank hypocrisy.. call it what it is. As for your list of excuses as to why FG haven’t put in place a credible/ successful housing strategy in 14 years.. you’re just peddling their spin for their failure. I find it remarkable that you talk of credibility yet whilst unable to deliver current housing targets you belive its credible for them to pledge to build 50k a year over next 5 years.. despite the fact the construction industry is telling them these targets are impossible because our grid and water/waste system simply can’t cope with those numbers. Of course the fact that our services infrastructure has been underfunded for decades is lost in you. None of what you are saying is credible.

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    Mute Vincent Alexander
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    Jan 30th 2025, 1:42 PM

    @Brian: So the knock on effect of the Russian invasion is only spin. Ir is fact. Prior to that we had an influx of Northern “refugees” as a result of the terror campaign by the armed wing of SF. There was also a waste of money on extra security.
    You are so good at predicting the future and making provision for the unknown can you predict the effect of Trump’s presidency I’ll have on our economy.

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    Mute Brian
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    Jan 30th 2025, 4:37 PM

    @Vincent Alexander: Unsurprisingly you haven’t addressed anything I’ve said. I’ve no idea why you’re waffling in about the Ukraine war.. or these “northern” refugees?? ( have you a figure for these BTW,? You’re just making stuff up at this stage) Ireland’s population has risen from 3.1 million in 2000 to 5.1 in 2025… these things are forecasted, as is the rise given by the CSO yesterday to a figure of 6.4m by 2042. This is well known Any goverment should be planning for the future based on these projections .FFGs neglect of our critical infrastructure for decades is huge factor in the construction industrys inability to now meet demmand as they play catch up. Complete policy failure has led us here. Sooner you and your ilk realise/admit that the better for everyone in this country.

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    Mute Vincent Alexander
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    Jan 30th 2025, 7:02 PM

    @Brian: Yesterday the CSO did issue a prediction for a population increase but there was no prediction for the increase from 2000 to 2025. As regards the influx from the North figures are not available but they have a significant presence in border counties. The troubles in Sub Sahara Africa and the Ukraine have a significant effect on the housing crisis. The CSO could not have predicted these events and their impact on this country. Hindsight is a great tool for criticism.

    1
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    Mute Owen Mc
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    Jan 30th 2025, 10:03 AM

    I know it’s the wrong article but it has to be asked, why is the comments section closed on the Junior Ministerial appointments, surely The Journal is operating a type of Censorship with that, and aiding the Government.

    17
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    Mute Setanta O'Toole
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    Jan 30th 2025, 8:29 AM

    Remember him and aul’ Gormley going at it back in 2007 in Ranelagh. Halcyon days.

    15
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    Mute Tasty k
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    Jan 30th 2025, 9:58 AM

    @Setanta O’Toole: Yes it was great to see McDowell lose his seat to John Gormley and it is a pity McDowell couldn’t keep the promise he made at the time of his defeat to never seek public office again.

    18
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    Mute liam ward
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    Jan 30th 2025, 9:01 AM

    He ran back to the comfort of his bench when he failed as leader of the terrible pd,s anyone remember the alcoholic mary harney?

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    Mute bruce banner
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    Jan 30th 2025, 9:47 AM

    @liam ward: helicopter trips to the off license yup.

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    Mute Ger Byrne
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    Jan 30th 2025, 8:58 AM

    He was against Luas plans. Luas is one of Irelands biggest transport successes. Tells me he lacks Vision.

    15
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    Mute William Jennings
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    Jan 30th 2025, 11:40 AM

    Congrats to Michael McDowell on getting re-elected. He’s probably the best politician in Ireland right now and his talents are wasted in the Seanad. He would make a great Taoiseach and is miles ahead of the current idiots in power right now. As Minister for Justice, he actually did his job properly and implemented some great reforms. He clamped down on anti-social behaviour with the Intoxicating Liquor Act and stopped the flow of anchor babies in Ireland by wisely ending birthright citizenship. He clamped down on illegal immigration in general and enforced deportation orders like Justice Ministers are supposed to do, with the number of illegal immigrants dropping to record lows under his term. His excellent leadership against the farcical referendums last year helped them get defeated.

    21
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    Mute Philip Kennedy
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    Jan 30th 2025, 12:42 PM

    @William Jennings: he became leader of the Progressive Democrats in 2006. No election. A political stroke. Scuttled out of the RDS after losing his seat and resigned as leader without consulting his colleagues. Tanaistas pension in his very large pocket. Waisted millions of tax payers money on Thornton Hall. Haughty and arrogant.

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    Mute William Jennings
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    Jan 30th 2025, 7:55 PM

    @Philip Kennedy: He lost one election in his entire career by 300 votes. I’d hardly say that’s a personal indictment on him. He donates all of his pension to charity so you’re dead wrong there. When it comes to Thornton Hall, you have to remember that land values fluctuate, and at the time, the purchase price was within market expectations. The decision was made based on expert assessments and the need for a strategically located site. Opponents failed to present viable alternative locations that met the same criteria in terms of size, accessibility, and suitability. The money was only wasted because after McDowell left office, the government decided to cancel the project completely. Considering the overcrowding we have right now, that was an extremely stupid decision by them.

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    Mute offside again
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    Jan 30th 2025, 7:19 AM

    Yawn

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    Mute Tommy
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    Jan 30th 2025, 9:50 AM

    And the Gravy train has its first passenger. If you ask me all politics should be voluntary position because the 3/4’s of the politicians in this country are only their position because of the huge salaries they get and a lot of politicians are political families too.

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    Mute FoxyBoiiYT
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    Jan 30th 2025, 8:12 AM

    A parasite on this country. He’s always around to take a freebie and ensure his Richards are looked after. No wonder the D4 crowd voted for him

    24
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    Mute Fergus O'Donnell
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    Jan 30th 2025, 9:09 AM

    @FoxyBoiiYT: you’re outdoing yourself today with the purple comments.

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    Mute Fergus O'Donnell
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    Jan 30th 2025, 9:11 AM

    @Fergus O’Donnell: puerile not purple.

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    Mute Fergus O'Donnell
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    Jan 30th 2025, 10:58 AM

    @Róisín Flemping Bunt-Himmler Super Junior: lol.

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    Mute Tony McGrath
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    Jan 30th 2025, 11:02 AM

    For president our Michael

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    Mute Darran Macken
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    Jan 30th 2025, 11:24 AM

    @Tony McGrath: I’d rather him where he can make a difference, he’s one of the decent ones we have.

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    Mute Patrick Mellon
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    Jan 30th 2025, 1:54 PM

    Delighted for Michael and hopefully that catherine zappone is kept out of anything on this island. Had enough of her “ideology” and her attempts to be funded by the taxpayer. Let Donald keep her and he is well able to Bury her wokeness.

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    Mute D White
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    Jan 30th 2025, 11:36 AM

    Would be great if he was running the country.

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    Mute Philip Kennedy
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    Jan 30th 2025, 11:45 AM

    @D White: would it?

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    Mute Ian McDonald
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    Jan 30th 2025, 8:40 AM

    And they’re off! Funny how TheJournal only keeps the political articles open for comments. And they want us to pay for all this 5h1te

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    Mute Fergus O'Donnell
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    Jan 30th 2025, 9:11 AM

    @Ian McDonald: unless of course if it mentions Israel. Can’t criticise them here ever.
    Says a lot.

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    Mute Fergus O'Donnell
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    Jan 30th 2025, 11:00 AM

    @Harry Paisley: it is yeah.

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    Mute John Meade
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    Jan 30th 2025, 8:25 PM

    A retirement home for polititians who the electorate no longer trust or want. It’s simply an extension of the Dail trough.

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    Mute Tom Slattery
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    Jan 30th 2025, 3:01 PM

    While I voted for Michael McDowell I realise that Seanad Eireann is no longer fit for purpose. It is an archaic institution out of step with a modern democracy. The question in the previous referendum was obviously wrong as the electorate voted against it. A new referendum to change it to a directly elected chamber is now needed. Some of you may not agree with a second chamber but it is the only means of checks and balances we have.

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    Mute Maurice Frazer
    Favourite Maurice Frazer
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    Jan 30th 2025, 12:16 PM

    Jobs for the boys..

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    Mute Bob Teeling
    Favourite Bob Teeling
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    Jan 30th 2025, 8:19 PM

    Thank God Zappone didn’t get elected..Champagne socialist

    4
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