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File photo of referendum ballot papers. RollingNews.ie

Opinion Have we reached the end of the age of Irish referendums?

Following the dramatic failure of the 2024 Family and Care referendums, political momentum for change seems stalled, writes Reidín Doyle.

CONSTITUTIONAL REFORM HAS been included in every Programme for Government in the twenty-first century. There have been 21 referendums in that time. 

Despite this prolific history, the Programme for Government for the new Fianna Fáil/Fine Gael-led coalition does not commit to any constitutional change during the upcoming term. 

Two key reforms promised in the 2020 Programme – a right to housing and the extension of the presidential franchise — were left unresolved and now appear completely off the agenda. In fact, the Constitution is barely mentioned at all. 

Of course, this is not to say a referendum cannot happen outside this planned programme. However, almost every referendum delivered can be connected to a Programme for Government commitment. 

Is the absence of any new referendum in the Programme for Government a simple oversight? Or does it result from the fallout from the embarrassing defeat of the Family and Care Referendums in 2024? 

Ireland’s liberalising referendum history 

Since the 1990s, Ireland’s political climate has been marked by the regular occurrence of referendums on the large social issues of our time, such as divorce, same-sex marriage and abortion. 

Alongside these major referendums have been more symbolic liberalising referendums e.g. the blasphemy and family and care referendums. 

These reforms were not strictly necessary for any legislative reason. Rather, they hold a symbolic value in creating a constitution which reflects contemporary values. 

The 2024 referendums 

The Family and Care referendums were expected to continue the trend towards constitutional liberalisation. Instead, they suffered some of the largest defeats in Irish referendum history. 

The fallout from the Family and Care referendums was stark. In the days afterwards, political rows emerged within the Government about how the referendums were managed.

Opposition parties that had promised to rerun the referendums with different wording rolled back on those commitments. A month later the previously announced patent court referendum was postponed.

In the space of one campaign for two symbolic changes, the Irish referendum moved from shiny success to poisoned chalice. 

Why do politicians hold referendums? 

The strategic use of referendums for political impact is well-researched. While the primary reason to hold a referendum is usually to decide an issue, secondary motivations may also be at play. For example, referendums may be used to break political disagreements within parties, to take a particular issue off the electoral agenda or to legitimise the government by proxy. 

Orchestrating a successful referendum boosts government legitimacy by demonstrating an understanding of the public mood and the trust of citizens. The inverse is true of a failed campaign. 

Symbolic referendums are more likely to be motivated by politics, lacking a clear legislative rationale. The Family and Care referendums may be an example of Leo Varadkar’s government looking to make a political impact and going badly wrong. 

While Leo Varadkar was careful to say there is no particular boost for a government that wins a referendum, he described the loss as ‘two wallops’ for the coalition.

Why no more referendums? 

Thus, the question is: does this government no longer care to extend the presidential franchise or enshrine a right to housing? If constitutional reform can so easily fall off the agenda, we must ask how committed the Government ever were to their referendum proposals. 

Is it the case that the motivation for holding the recent referendums was always about something other than the policy initiative? More about the political capital that comes with winning it? If it is not an easy win, then a referendum is not of interest. 

In addition, there may be a breakdown in consensus around constitutional liberalisation in the Government parties. Following the referendum, backbenchers mentioned that the government should return to ‘core values’ rather than continue to focus on ‘social issues.’ This revised ethos is reflected in other commitments of the new Programme for Government, such as increasing Garda numbers and support for business. 

We are presented with an opportunity to reflect on the purpose of constitutional change in Irish society. We should examine the motivations of the politicians who call for and introduce referendums.

We should question why the Government was so intent on holding the referendums, considering the obvious lack of consensus within and outside the Government as to content and wording. 

Internationally, referendums are commonly accused of being elite-dominated, with governments often substantially controlling the agenda and campaign. What the Family and Care referendums may have demonstrated, is that Irish referendums cannot be easily controlled by politicians for their own political purposes. 

In the absence of garnering such influence and control, has constitutional reform gone out of style for Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael?

Reidín Doyle is a PHD student at Trinity College Dublin.

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    Mute Killian Ryan
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    Sep 28th 2018, 3:59 PM

    Will he only visit cities with an Irish Embassy?

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    Mute Greg Blake
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    Sep 28th 2018, 4:47 PM

    @Killian Ryan: and maybe the Ambassador can give him his room move into the 3k hotel for the night.

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    Mute Conor Thorne
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    Sep 28th 2018, 4:50 PM

    @Killian Ryan: no. Why make a mockery of a perfectly reasonable suggestion,

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    Mute TheHeathen
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    Sep 28th 2018, 5:10 PM

    @Conor Thorne: It’s not reasonable. Loads of countries don’t have an Irish embassy. Consulates, little offices instead… He loves the army, I’m sure he has a good camp bed, sleeping bag and stove.

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    Mute GClare
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    Sep 28th 2018, 5:47 PM

    @Conor Thorne: most embassies don’t include the residence of Ambassadors!!! And their residences are often not large enough to allow for visitors. Just shows lack of knowledge of our foreign presence in other countries

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    Mute hyippy
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    Sep 28th 2018, 6:34 PM

    @GClare: exactly, and it could end up costing more. Say for example its an event over a few days and the embassy is way across town, the cost of security to safely transport the President and of securing the embassy might be far in excess of using a local hotel with experience of hosting dignitaries. The reason why certain high end hotels are chosen over and over again for dignitaries of many different countries is because they have the experience, staff and infrastructure to deal with the situation. The Shelbourne would have loads of procedures and experience of dealing with foreign security teams, VIP’s and political staffs etc. The holiday inn simply wouldn’t be able to cope.

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    Mute Charliegrl80
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    Sep 28th 2018, 7:05 PM

    @Killian Ryan: The President of Ireland does not arrange his own accommodation abroad this is done by the Department of Foreign Affairs and he has/she would have no say as to what hotel stay in. I heard him on the six news and asking a young girl about voting she asked him why she should vote for him, and he then asked her what kind of Ireland she’d like to see for the future. Firstly, the President cannot change anything in Ireland the position is for the protection of the Constitution and representing the Irish people at home and abroad.

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    Mute Liam Byrne
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    Sep 28th 2018, 4:23 PM

    Wouldn’t worry about it Seán, you won’t be staying in any embassies.

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    Mute Tim Oconnell
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    Sep 28th 2018, 3:56 PM

    Well isn’t he the great fella,

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    Mute prop joe
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    Sep 28th 2018, 5:28 PM

    @Tim Oconnell: i can imagine the staff coming to work in the morning and having some old fella sleeping on their desk. I dont mind if someone travelling on business gets a hotel room. Its not unreasonable.

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    Mute Henry Porter
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    Sep 28th 2018, 6:05 PM

    @Tim Oconnell: no time for this gimmicky stuff. The presidency casts money full stop. If we are going to scrimp and save, we should scrap the office. If these guys really want to make a difference they should become TDs.

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    Mute Seamus Murphy
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    Sep 28th 2018, 8:43 PM

    @Henry Porter: I believe Michael D was a TD for years

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    Mute Tom Cullen
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    Sep 28th 2018, 4:42 PM

    SmartHomes made a combined loss of €1.2 million in 2007 and 2008. Sean Gallagher paid himself a remuneration of 420k in this time, despite having €830,000 of outstanding Irish State Agency grants (tax payer’s money) hanging over his head. If he couldn’t rein in his personal expenses when his company was on it’s knees, how can he be trusted with a 7 year term and nobody to answer to except himself. It’s like the guy wakes up everyday and pretends like his past never happened, deluded to say the least.

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    Mute prop joe
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    Sep 28th 2018, 5:32 PM

    @Tom Cullen: but he’s wears a suit. He must be some important big businessman.

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    Mute eastsmer
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    Sep 28th 2018, 3:59 PM

    So – have we any advance on that, anyone at all willing to stay in a B&B ?
    The race to the bottom

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    Mute Sean Murphy
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    Sep 28th 2018, 4:05 PM

    @eastsmer: Elect me as president. I’m the only candidate willing to sleep on the streets and swim to foreign countries.

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    Mute Brianán McBride
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    Sep 28th 2018, 4:10 PM

    @eastsmer: Mrs Higgins did when she visited Dundalk.

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    Mute Honeybee
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    Sep 28th 2018, 4:15 PM

    @eastsmer: He did mention that he would stay in a tent but how would he show up in a crumpled suit, unshowered and the smell of a breakfast roll after his state car pulls in at the local garage on the way, no, the next contender must be willing to sleep on a park bench or in a doorway,but better hurry, the doorways are in high demand.

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    Mute Fiona Fitzgerald
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    Sep 28th 2018, 8:27 PM

    @Sean Murphy: Thanks for the laugh, I got looks on the bus, crying laughing at that.

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    Mute Michael Wynne
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    Sep 28th 2018, 4:45 PM

    Anyone voting for this Fianna Fáil bagman needs to have a good hard look at themselves. Michael D is an honourable man and does this country proud EVERY time

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    Mute Jay Coleman
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    Sep 28th 2018, 5:04 PM

    @Michael Wynne: you must be joking. Higgins is nothing but a pig sucking at the taxpayers test while lying out of the side of his mouth. A common trait among Labour TDs.

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    Mute sean o'dhubhghaill
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    Sep 28th 2018, 5:16 PM

    @Jay Coleman: lying? When?

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    SC
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    Mute SC
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    Sep 28th 2018, 5:45 PM

    He has that Fianna Fail neck.

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    Mute hyippy
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    Sep 28th 2018, 6:56 PM

    @Jay Coleman: I’d love to know what you think Michael D has done thats so bad. My guess, you think he had the power to have done something that he actually had no power to do. Or maybe theres some massive Michael D scandal no-onebut you has heard of.

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    Mute EillieEs
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    Sep 29th 2018, 12:09 AM

    @Jay Coleman: are you not going to share with us in what way President Higgins has lied to us?

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    Mute bmul
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    Sep 29th 2018, 2:14 AM

    @EillieEs: said he would not seek a second term

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    Mute Peter Coen
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    Sep 28th 2018, 3:59 PM

    I suppose its cheaper to stay in Irish embassies than hotels,must remember that the next time i go on holidays.

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    Mute Gulliver Foyle
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    Sep 28th 2018, 4:54 PM

    @Peter Coen: Exactly – does he know the costs associated with a dignitary staying in an embassy? Does he think embassies are airBnBs?

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    Mute Fiona Fitzgerald
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    Sep 28th 2018, 8:30 PM

    He must do. Most Irish people tend to wait for an invitation before announcing that someone is going to put them up.

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    Mute Oscar Traynor
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    Sep 28th 2018, 4:17 PM

    You’d swear little Mickey D is there on travago booking his trips and rooms etc. This is all done by some public servant and details sent on to his office. Itinerary done up and in all fairness he’s probably the last to know the details. Given his substantial payout etc let’s see him take on the role with average industrial wage and minimum pension afterwards then there might be a story.

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    Mute Eon Cocker
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    Sep 28th 2018, 4:21 PM

    Even if I’d never heard of or seen this man before, one look at him is enough for me to deem him untrustworthy. Some people just have a look about them. He looks like a shyster. I mean, who is voting for these types of people time and again?

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    Mute Seamus Murphy
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    Sep 28th 2018, 8:47 PM

    @Eon Cocker: Ah, the good old Journal. Just post your “comment “ and no matter how thick you sound they’ll print it for all to see. Pity they don’t give prizes for it. You’d probably make your living at it!

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    Mute Martin Meyler
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    Sep 28th 2018, 5:08 PM

    And sleep on mattresses stuffed with brown envelopes.

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    Mute Conor Thorne
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    Sep 28th 2018, 5:25 PM

    @Martin Meyler: just clarify the corruption allegations instead of cheap shots

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    Mute Martin Meyler
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    Sep 28th 2018, 10:47 PM

    @Conor Thorne: bagman for Bertie? Self admitted FF fixer. Also, being associated in ANY way, as he was, with FF, he can’t be anything other than corrupt.

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    Mute Martin Woods
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    Sep 28th 2018, 4:06 PM

    Woow not all heroes wear capes

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    Mute Margate
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    Sep 28th 2018, 4:17 PM

    “Its important to lead by example…..to ensure the use of Public funds is minimised”..So why didnt he hand back the ” substantial settlement” he got from Rte – after all WHO pays for our State broadcaster????????? Utter hypocrisy from this guy ….again..

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    Mute Declan Joseph Deasy
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    Sep 28th 2018, 9:08 PM

    @Margate: waiting impatiently for the answer how much compensation did the bagman get?

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    Mute Baron Adams TD
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    Sep 28th 2018, 5:11 PM

    Where will security and his Aide De Camp stay?

    What happens when he visits a country we don’t have an embassy in?

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    Mute Quentin Moriarty
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    Sep 28th 2018, 9:45 PM

    @Baron Adams TD: Aldi selling off summer stock. Tents , sleeping bags ,mini bar b q and pool floats
    Throw in a Bear Grylls DVD
    This chap will save the taxpayer a fortune

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    Mute Justin Dawson
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    Sep 29th 2018, 2:02 AM

    @Baron Adams TD: Xont worry about him he just proved that he is an idiot with a new set of teeth.

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    Mute George Vladisavljevic
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    Sep 28th 2018, 4:00 PM

    Did we not have a minister who stayed in the Waldorf Astoria instead of staying in the then Irish-owned Fitzpatrick Hotel in New York.

    Some people really are generous with other peoples money.

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    Mute GClare
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    Sep 28th 2018, 5:54 PM

    @George Vladisavljevic: why should he stay there? Are we to only ever use Irish products anywhere in the world?

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    Mute John O'Leary
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    Sep 28th 2018, 5:45 PM

    Just get the feeling that this guy would see it as an incredible personal achievement rather than an opportunity to serve his fellow country men/women. Plus he has a head like the big paper mache yokes you see in the dublin paddy’s day parade. Can’t be votin for that.

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    Mute Gerry O Sullivan
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    Sep 28th 2018, 5:30 PM

    He is acting like a BIG CHILD.

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    Mute ☘
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    Sep 28th 2018, 4:36 PM

    You don’t have to keep promises you make looking for votes, P.rabbit TD lp

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    Mute Scottyal
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    Sep 28th 2018, 6:30 PM

    This fella is part of Bertie’s gang. This is enough of a reason not to vote for him.

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    Mute Niall Power
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    Sep 28th 2018, 3:57 PM

    Read between the lines of his Wikipedia page,

    https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Se%C3%A1n_Gallagher

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    Mute danny
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    Sep 28th 2018, 4:08 PM

    @Niall Power:Jaysus, a fair amount of fails, to be honest

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    Mute maurice healy
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    Sep 28th 2018, 5:50 PM

    Michael D should carry his own fold up cot with him next term save a fortune

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    Mute Scottyal
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    Sep 28th 2018, 6:34 PM

    @maurice healy: Stick the cot in a corner Mickie D will fit into it . Jobs a good one.

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    Mute Kieran OKeeffe
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    Sep 28th 2018, 5:47 PM

    He wants to stay in embassies..Ferraro rocher will be delighted

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    Mute Hans Vos
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    Sep 28th 2018, 9:40 PM

    @Kieran OKeeffe: he want satay in embassies. But only in the East I presume.

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    Mute Alison Kenny
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    Sep 28th 2018, 5:15 PM

    Go away Sean. You’re deluded. I suppose you have to admire his confidence in himself.

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    Mute
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    Sep 28th 2018, 5:05 PM

    Pathetic cheap shot at the office of the President.

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    Mute Paddy Downey
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    Sep 28th 2018, 6:38 PM

    Why are these guys demeaning the office by not wanting to spend money to stay in hotels, or giving away the salary?
    It cheapens politics into a plaything for the rich. Being a politician is a job, it has a pay packet. It’s not a vocation.

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    Mute Johnny Merren
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    Sep 28th 2018, 7:57 PM

    Sean Gallagher as Ireland’s yellow pack President
    you could save a bit more by going Airbnb
    and maybe a big mac for breakfast at McDonalds

    For transport you could avail of the Cycle to Work Scheme
    the added value here you will save on gym membership

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    Mute Aidan Murray
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    Sep 28th 2018, 6:28 PM

    Who cares … was our president supposed to stay in a Premier in . Just trying to make something out of nothing

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    Mute Seamus Ryan
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    Sep 28th 2018, 8:02 PM

    @Aidan Murray: how can it ever be justified to pay €3000 for a night anywhere? Nobody is saying he has to stay in a dump but surely there has to be a limit to the cost of where he stays.

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    Mute Con Cunningham
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    Sep 28th 2018, 8:37 PM

    @Seamus Ryan: So you would be happy if the president of our country was reported staying in a hotel , in a double room, while Conor McGregor
    Or his Ilk booked the “Presidential” suite, in the same hotel. This man is serving an elected role representing our country on the world stage. There are norms befitting this. I don’t think that this is wrong.

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    Mute Fiona Fitzgerald
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    Sep 28th 2018, 8:39 PM

    @Seamus Ryan: How many people did the bill cover, though? There’s not much point in promising not to sleep in hotels if that means that you are personally looked after and your staff can scramble for the nearest B&B, all the same.

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    Mute GerryCummins
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    Sep 28th 2018, 9:17 PM

    @Aidan Murray: if it’s a State visit, the other side pays for President + an agreed number of delegation.

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    Mute Margate
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    Sep 29th 2018, 1:42 AM

    @Seamus Ryan: Horse manure, ill informed, non- contextual point, sorry….

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    Mute Hello DAVE!
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    Sep 28th 2018, 5:21 PM

    Will he still gather infinity stones as he goes?

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    Mute Niamh
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    Sep 28th 2018, 10:33 PM

    He can sleep under the rock he has been hiding under for the last few years

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    Mute Brendan
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    Sep 28th 2018, 6:53 PM

    Go away Sean, just go away.

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    Mute Sean Conway
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    Sep 28th 2018, 7:27 PM

    And will he be having breakfast in mcdonalds ;^)

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    Mute Pat Mooney
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    Sep 29th 2018, 12:20 AM

    @Sean Conway:
    Better quality food in the travel lodge

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    Mute Mary McCaffrey
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    Sep 28th 2018, 9:30 PM

    Shows how much he knows!!! Don’t think many embassies have guest rooms

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    Mute Cormac Bracken
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    Sep 29th 2018, 12:20 AM

    @Mary McCaffrey: Absolutely. A typical Irish embassy is some rented office space on the nth floor of a commercial building. A couple of offices, 2-3 diplomatic staff including the ambassador, and a few local staff. Toilets shared with other businesses on the same floor. And of course closed at night.

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    Mute Big Red
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    Sep 28th 2018, 7:25 PM

    Who cares? Why is he trying to negotiate with us? I couldn’t car if he stayed in a hot air ballon.

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    Mute Michael Kavanagh
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    Sep 28th 2018, 8:05 PM

    @Big Red:
    He could fill it by just talking to it!

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    Mute FartyTowels
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    Sep 28th 2018, 8:53 PM

    I don’t get it, the president of our country stays in an expensive hotel, okay it was a bit excessive but where do we expect him to stay, in a Travel Lodge?

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    Mute Pat Mooney
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    Sep 29th 2018, 12:22 AM

    @FartyTowels:
    He’d get a great breakfast in the travel lodge
    Big irish fry up

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    Mute Brendan
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    Sep 28th 2018, 6:54 PM

    Go away SG, just go away.

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    Mute Bobbybrownshoes
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    Sep 28th 2018, 6:19 PM

    So he wont be staying in Irish Embassies so

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    Mute Des Doran
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    Sep 28th 2018, 5:58 PM

    Maybe he will bring the Ferrero Rocher,
    For the ambassador

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    Mute Liam Meade
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    Sep 28th 2018, 5:27 PM

    ahhhhhh!
    more fake tan tv wannabes spouting inane dribble in the deluded hope of seeming like a concerned everyday Joe soap and achieving the status of joe dope

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    Mute Cathal O'Donoghue
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    Sep 28th 2018, 8:55 PM

    Look at him there, isn’t he great all the same.

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    Mute Michael Maher
    Favourite Michael Maher
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    Sep 28th 2018, 7:53 PM

    No need for an Irish President the country is so small its just another burden on taxpayers

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    Mute DeFonz
    Favourite DeFonz
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    Sep 28th 2018, 5:30 PM

    ridiculous

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    Mute Dotty Dunleary
    Favourite Dotty Dunleary
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    Sep 28th 2018, 6:48 PM

    I’d rather vote for Trump than this clown Gallagher!

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    Mute EillieEs
    Favourite EillieEs
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    Sep 29th 2018, 12:12 AM

    @Dotty Dunleary: well now I wouldn’t go quite that far.

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    Mute Anastasia
    Favourite Anastasia
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    Sep 28th 2018, 9:53 PM

    Another after big monies

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    Mute John McCole
    Favourite John McCole
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    Sep 29th 2018, 12:02 AM

    Still a FF bagman

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    Mute Do the Bort man
    Favourite Do the Bort man
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    Sep 28th 2018, 10:43 PM

    Just bring a caravan

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    Mute James Keogh
    Favourite James Keogh
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    Sep 28th 2018, 11:40 PM

    Have we Embassies in the North and South Poles that he would be allowed to go to and “Chill Out” before the Big Campaign.

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    Mute Justin Dawson
    Favourite Justin Dawson
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    Sep 29th 2018, 1:55 AM

    Whst a clown. Maybe he should invest in a tent and a backpack. He is full of what makes the grass grow green in Texas. Vote M .D . Higgins.Slainte

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    Mute All A Big JOKE
    Favourite All A Big JOKE
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    Sep 29th 2018, 9:29 AM

    Wonder who he is going to sue this time for damages when he looses. Hopefully the journal.ie

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    Mute David Quinlan
    Favourite David Quinlan
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    Sep 29th 2018, 9:43 AM

    Just leave Micky at it we don’t want that narcissist representing/misrepresenting us

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    Mute David Hunter
    Favourite David Hunter
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    Sep 28th 2018, 11:59 PM

    Still a c#@t

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    Mute Desmond Lyons
    Favourite Desmond Lyons
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    Sep 29th 2018, 1:35 AM

    What a gobxhite!

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    Mute Pat Mooney
    Favourite Pat Mooney
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    Sep 29th 2018, 12:13 AM

    Michael D
    Loves the luxury needs comfort as he gets older
    Fair play to Sean

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    Mute EillieEs
    Favourite EillieEs
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    Sep 29th 2018, 12:18 AM

    @Pat Mooney: well I’d hardly expect the President to be couch surfing when representing us abroad.

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    Mute Pat Mooney
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    Sep 29th 2018, 12:29 AM

    @EillieEs:
    His one regret was
    That he never got to do santa
    But he promises,
    That lf he’s reelected, that HE will do santa in
    THE SQUARE IN TALLAGHT SHOPPING CENTRE
    ONLY IF HE CAN GET SOMEONE TO
    HOLD HIM DOWN

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    Mute Ricardo Shillyshally
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    Sep 28th 2018, 11:57 PM

    Like
    I
    Am
    Raging

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    Mute Mr Mystery
    Favourite Mr Mystery
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    Sep 28th 2018, 11:57 PM

    Give him a chance, to be fair he deserves one

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    Mute EillieEs
    Favourite EillieEs
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    Sep 29th 2018, 12:16 AM

    @Mr Mystery: why does he deserve more of a chance then any other candidate? What has he been doing over the past number of years that shows he has any interest in serving the public?

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    Mute Philip Kavanagh
    Favourite Philip Kavanagh
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    Sep 28th 2018, 11:25 PM

    Irish people are such hypocrites. We spend most of our time complaining about how public money is wasted yet when someone comes up with a cost saving idea (which also sets a precedence), we belittle that idea. Having the president and his entourage stay in the ambassabor’s residence (where possible) would save money. And more importantly it shows everyone in the civil service/public sector that they are dealing with public money, and if the person at the top takes that seriously then they should also.

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    Mute David Quigley
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    Sep 29th 2018, 6:35 AM

    F off baldy

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    Mute Welk wrangler
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    Sep 29th 2018, 3:45 PM

    He can then pocket the 3 grand, stuff it in a brown envelope for his fellow crooked snakes fianna fail.

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    Mute Tomas O Briain
    Favourite Tomas O Briain
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    Sep 30th 2018, 9:26 AM

    in the words of butch cassidy(who are those guys). what an idiotic bunch of morons, and we have to go and vote for them, no thanks. gallaghers case against rte cost the license payers in this country.i only hope its the lowest turnout of any election that ever was, and that the present president stays in the aras

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    Mute michael gardiner
    Favourite michael gardiner
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    Sep 29th 2018, 1:52 PM

    Big deal

    1
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