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'The question is carried, isn't it?': The moment the government was defeated in the Seanad

It wasn’t the first time the government has lost a vote in the upper house but it came with the referendum just two days away.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=10t35GAHTMA

YouTube: Hugh O’Connell

THE GOVERNMENT WAS given a warning of what may lie ahead if the people vote to abolish the Seanad tomorrow as it was defeated in a vote on the issue of upward only rent reviews last night.

The 27 to 23 vote against the government came on Private Members’ Bill introduced by the independent Senator Feargal Quinn to ban upward only rent reviews which the government has been unable to address itself because of fears over its compliance with the Constitution.

Even Seanad cathaoirleach Paddy Burke’s casting vote could not save the government from defeat as he, sounding somewhat surprised, remarked: “The question is carried, isn’t it?”

There had been loud cheers in the chamber just moments before that when it became clear that the government had been defeated. (Watch the video above)

The government was defeated largely due to the absence of Labour senators John Kelly, John Whelan, Denis Landy and Jimmy Harte.

Quinn’s bill now returns to the upper house next Tuesday but is unlikely to progress much further because of the government’s majority in the Dáil.

This was not the first time the government has been defeated in the current Seanad with the opposition and independent senators joining forces to defeat the coalition twice on its agenda for the day – the Order of Business – in June 2012.

There was also a near miss last August when Burke had to use his casting vote to ensure that an opposition motion on organ transplant legislation was defeated.

Last night: Government loses Seanad vote on upward only rent reviews

June 2012: Government defeated – twice – in Seanad votes over reform talks

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70 Comments
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    Mute Colm Kane
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    Jun 20th 2023, 4:19 PM

    Remember his promise to abolish USC?!?!

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    Mute Gareth Wogan
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    Jun 20th 2023, 4:20 PM

    You’ve been in power ages. You could have done this at any stage. Jog on

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    Mute john murray
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    Jun 20th 2023, 4:20 PM

    25% off plus 25% off the following year is NOT a 50% reduction. It’s 44% from the initial amount. Does anybody bother with maths anymore?

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    Mute john murray
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    Jun 20th 2023, 4:24 PM

    @john murray: To keep his promise it would require a further 34% decrease in Budget 2024 to follow up on the 25% from Budget 2023 in order for a 2-yr decrease of 50% . I am surprised that these people can manage an economy. Juniour cert kids can manage that calculation.

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    Mute Brendan O'Brien
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    Jun 20th 2023, 4:45 PM

    @john murray: True, but it seems that they did not promise a 25% decrease in the second year: rather that they would try to achieve a 50% decrease over the two years – ‘a further 25% reduction’ appears to be the journalist’s (wrong) interpretation.

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    Mute John Murray
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    Jun 20th 2023, 4:56 PM

    @Brendan O’Brien: it does in fairness. Back to school for the writer in that case.

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    Mute Brendan O'Brien
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    Jun 20th 2023, 4:58 PM

    @John Murray: Yes.

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    Mute Mick Duvanny
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    Jun 20th 2023, 9:02 PM

    @john murray: For bonus points, what annual percentage would lead to a 50% reduction over 2 years?

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    Mute Kenmark
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    Jun 20th 2023, 4:48 PM

    Anybody that thinks Varadkar even remotely cares about them or their children is quite deluded!

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    Mute Hurrly 90
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    Jun 20th 2023, 4:57 PM

    Thats great news for families, now do something about the inability to get kids into creche due to a lack of staff and services.
    My boss has been told by all the places they looked at are booked out till at least next year so has to resort to paying through the nose for a private babysitter.

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    Mute Jim O'Sullivan
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    Jun 20th 2023, 4:45 PM

    Watch the scramble by the usual suspects to get into the childcare business. Next year’s declarations of interest by TDs will make for informative reading..

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    Mute UCD Trinity
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    Jun 20th 2023, 4:29 PM

    What if me Granny looks after the kiddos.
    Is the “cut” applicable” here ?
    “We did it before, and we’ll do it again”
    Aboy Leo.
    My old nan used to say (not babysitter gran, my other nan) that self praise is no praise. So take heed Leo.

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    Mute Abdul Abhaile
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    Jun 20th 2023, 4:36 PM

    @UCD Trinity: Is that you Stephen Ireland, I thought you had 4 grannies?

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    Mute peter lynch
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    Jun 20th 2023, 10:11 PM

    I can’t understand why they won’t just give everybody a little by reducing it getting rid of USC & if you if have children they you can use the saving towards childcare if you wish! It’s really unfair to constantly reward those with children more than those who don’t have or want to have children.

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    Mute john mac
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    Jun 20th 2023, 6:05 PM

    Yawn more untruths

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    Mute Chett Richards
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    Jun 20th 2023, 4:14 PM

    How fitting.

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    Mute Ben Jones
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    Jun 20th 2023, 5:37 PM

    Governments should focus on putting money where it is needed most like Childcare, housing and Health. Please do not reduce income tax as the money is needed elsewhere. Also their should be a wealth tax.

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    Mute Peter
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    Jun 20th 2023, 8:22 PM

    Why do people think any government will abolish USC. For one thing it brings in 4 Billion per year, for another it is hard to avoid paying USC as it collected on all income including rental income
    Everyone pays USC so it ensures everyone is making some contribution, no matter how small. And finally it is a combination of the PRSI and Health Levy

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