Sign in. It’s quick, free and it’s up to you.
An account is an optional way to support the work we do. Find out more.
THE TAOISEACH DID not release documents compiled by a unit in his department that was set up to deal with the Seanad abolition proposal, despite pledging to do so nearly two weeks ago.
Answering oral questions in the Dáil chamber 12 days ago Enda Kenny told Micheál Martin he had “no difficulty” in making available information compiled by the special unit and even promised to forward it to the Fianna Fáil leader.
But he did not do this prior to Fridays referendum, which was defeated, resulting in Martin’s office sending a letter to the Taoiseach’s department asking for the information to be released, as had been promised.
On 24 September, Kenny explained to the Dáil that a small unit was established in his Department to handle the legislation for the referendum and related matters, consisting of two full-time staff.
This was in line with normal procedures where a government department is tasked with formulating legislation and information for a referendum. In this case, it was the Department of the Taoiseach.
Kenny said that the bulk of the documentation compiled by this unit related to the preparation of the legislative proposal and material for Oireachtas debates and said “all the information Deputy Martin has looked for is available under freedom of information and I do not have a problem in supplying it”.
Martin asked that the information be made available without him having to go through the process of freedom of information which requires an application letter, a cheque for €15 and a delay of up to four weeks.
The Taoiseach responded: “I have no difficulty in making available information that is available anyway. In fact, I will forward it to the Deputy.”
But this did not happen by the end of last week and prior to Friday’s vote.
Several queries made by TheJournal.ie to the Department of the Taoiseach about whether the information would be forwarded to Martin or made publicly available on the Department’s website or elsewhere were not responded to.
During the heated Dáil debate, Martin called on the Taoiseach to withdraw his claim that €20 million will be saved if the Seanad is abolished given the view of the Oireachtas Commission that while it costs €20 million to run the Seanad it is not possible to estimate the actual net savings that would be achieved.
Kenny said during the Dáil debate that he would not withdraw the claim, insisting: “These figures stand up. They are the figures set out by the Houses of the Oireachtas Commission and I do not intend to reverse that.”
In his letter to the Taoiseach last week, Martin focussed on the €20 million saving figure – which caused considerable controversy throughout the campaign – and pointed out that the Taoiseach had said he would supply “information to me about the €20 million savings without going through a freedom of information request”.
“I have not received any such information and I would be grateful if your office could supply it as agreed,” he said.
Wow. Enda Kenny said he’d do something and then didn’t do it? I’m shocked.
It’s high time that little runt of a dictator is made walk the plank. The power is gone to his head. We’ve all been lied to & he is clearly not fit for purpose and is surplus to requirements. He has lost all confidence in the electorate and is no longer wanted. Refusing to debate issues of national importance, an embarrassment to Ireland, getting patted in the head by the ex French president.
So no so called 20 million saved and a further 14 million wasted on the referendum. Some advise your getting there Kenny. It’s an awful pity you don’t have to pay for your mistakes yourself like us mere mortgaged mortals. I’ll tell my kids they now have to cover this one also or would you like to tell them yourself. Oh sorry you don’t do the talking bit!!!!
How can Enda survive as leader of Fine Gael? He has lost two principle planks of his parliamentary reform strategy, Parliamentary enquiries and abolition of the Seanad.
In addition he is leaking TD’s through hamfisted application of the whip. He has to go.
I voted against the abolition of the Seanad even though I think its a waste of money. I voted no because Kenny and Co were trying to fool us into thinking this was real political reform. We didn’t fall for it.
So.
You didn’t use your vote to to register your ‘actual’ inclination to abolish the Seanad. Instead, you voted against your personal belief in order to ‘send a message’ to Enda!
I reckon you’re not alone, unfortunately.
What a classically Irish misuse of democracy!
Enda should have presented a fully costed package of reform. Not just part of it of it. FG pushed for and then couldn’t sell it in a professional manner. Didn’t take long to build huge mistrust.
You lie…
You need to change your name to glass half empty..
That’s very good Siobhan! I see what you did there!
Reform will never happen so great job guys
“Reform will never happen” sounds an awful lot like “This referendum will clearly pass”.
“Misusing democracy” – excellent. Using *your* vote how *you* decide for *whatever* reason is certainly misusing democracy. Well said.
We’ll find out in time.
Time for Edna to get rid of his overpaid advisors and get rid of that granny haircut. It’s time for real change!!
I was out walking in the woods and I found someone’s spine. I wonder if he could tell the truth and claim it
Were there a pair of balls attached to it ?
Its okay. The fact that he has a neck like a jockeys bollocks that will help keep him upright without the need for a backbone. The lack of balls means he can kowtow that little bit lower into Merkles lap.
If this was any other country he’d be long gone!!!
Anna this sort of inane commentary adds nothing. There are plenty of other countries where political leaders stay on and on and on. Look at the US Congress where it seems the more dishonest and corrupt and self serving you are the more likely you get reelected. Or look at Japan whose PM led one of the most incompetent Governments 10 years ago and is back. Or look at Finland where some leaders seem to be able to do anything they want and still manage to stay. So saying this would not happen in any other country is plain wrong. It does happen in other countries. And I challenge everyone here to get out the programme for Government and list exactly what EK has not done which the programme said would be done. And remember too this Government did not create the mess. It is still cleaning up the mess. Yes there are things that could have been done differently, yes we are all suffering, yes the power behind the throne that are special advisers has to be made at least as accountable as senior civil servants.. but the economy is on the up, things are getting better, and all you whingers are getting ready to vote FF back in on the basis of the promises they will break or to choose SF and their voodoo economics, political baggage and promises they will break.
I stopped reading your reply at Anna….
You my dear are seriously deluded, if you believe what you just spewed.
Anna……
If you stopped reading at Anna, then how to you know what he spewed?
By getting dizzy while scrolling down to ‘reply’
Well said Sean.
FG aka EK sat in the opposite side of the dail and with his and other parties voted with FG ona Friday lot if austerity packages, they and other parties vote with the government to relax the controls on the financial sector. Yes FF where at the controls for far too long and allowed the bubble to well and truly burst but don’t be fooled by FG collaboration in these times , they were party to this mess aswell.
Inheritance of a portfolio is not an excuse for failure to follow through on election promises.
Yet this seemed to be the ruling coalitions only thing in common that is lying to their respective parties , supporters and the rest of us.
What was well said?? Kenny should be gone! his tactics of do as I say, not as I do have come to bite him in the arse. Most people have eventually woken up to his bs. His party may not have started the ruination of this Country but they are doing a hell of a job finishing it.
Sorry some wicked typo errors above!
“Voted with FF on a lot of the austerity measures”
Shinzo Abe was not PM in Japan 10 years ago, but don’t let facts like these get in the way of your argument right… :/
Alan lets not be fooled by the FG lies of we didn’t know the full extent of the crisis. We know Kenny was talking to the banks and we also know that FF opened the books to all the Parties. So FG knew the country was fooked but still lied in their manifesto.
@Sean Coates: I apologise Sean, you are of course right. Shinzo Abe was PM of Japan 6 years ago. Its just that the time since 2007 feels much longer…
He said no promised he would do everything to KEEP Roscommon hospital open and not do anything that would change it that is how Frank Feighen got voted in as he promised the same now because of these two lying gobshytes people in Roscommon have to travel over an hour to get to an A-E as they broke their promise and closed the A-E giving lies as for the reason to close it .So why the hell should i believe this liar and traitor to the irish people he has sold us out to Germany and the E U he is the joke of Europe pat the lap dog on the head ..
no im not going to vote FG again or LAB because of all the lies they have told to stay in office they are just traitors to the Irish people. They have done nothing for the Irish except rob them to keep German banks going .Im waiting for a party to knock on my door and say WE WILL TAKE IRELAND OUT OF THE EURO AND OUT OF THE GERMAN SUPERSTATE CALLED THE EU,i know ill be waiting a long time as not one of them have the balls to do it.
Just add it to the list of untruths & unkept promises made by Mr Kenny. Why not release this information? Possibly because the truth of why his euro masters will now be admonishing him for his failed stifling of Irish democracy is contained within. Or perhaps his ‘special’ advisors said no! Whatever the reason it’s clear that this govt is not to be trusted at all. I hope the wallop he received stings him for a very long time to come.
Kenny is wounded deeply after this loss. He made Seanad abolition his own personal goal and the electorate came out against him. It’s a show of no confidence in Kenny and his Govt.
This has to have been the worst campaign ran by a govt in power. None of their points were convincing and the no side just tore them apart. I think a large chunk of his Govt didn’t back this.
Only one way for Edna to go now and that’s out of politics…
Bye bye Edna face it you are a busted flush…
So much for transparent government. Just goes to show we were right not to trust Kenny on the Senate referendum.
We know not to trust Kenny full stop. If he thinks this is a wollop wait until the general election. :) Democracy is gonna bite him right back. Tick tock Enda.
Enda is as false as his hair coulour!-wouldn’t trust any bloke in his mid 60′s that dyes his hair pure blonde!- FF/FG/Lab can all forget about even a preference in the next local/EU election! Labour in particular are going to be battered for what they have done to struggling families with children when promising to protect us- we are waiting Eamon, waiting in the long grass, can you hear it rustling?
It is probably true to say that the Seanad was retained because of a calamity of errors in the YES campaign.
Secondly, many voters were doubtful of Fine Gael’s integrity and their willingness or ability to govern democratically in the event of Seanad abolition.
I think the GIF of Enda Kenny almost falling on his face with the IVORY COAST flag [Orange, White and Green!] jigsaw piece in his hand pretty much sums up Fine Gael’s YES campaign for me.
Friday will be remembered as a great day for democracy in Ireland.
Will those senators who voted for abolition join Kenny and resign?
I very much doubt it ! Honourable & Politicians don’t mix well. They will all turn up to the senad with a prepared croc of shit
Enda, Ever hear of three strikes and your out . Well the vote to keep the upper house is your first strike. Next year the local elections are on.Please god your party and labour will be wiped out(strike two) and then after that it will be time to sharpen the knifes when it comes to election time(strike three)
Pagan,
Perhaps the problem will not be who we vote out but rather who we vote in.
I totally agree with you. FF are going on like saints. SF haven’t a clue.So who do we put in?
A depressing but alas very true comment you have made. Is there anyone in any party displaying leadership skills. I don’t think so. I don’t think FF should attempt to bask in any glory on back of yesterday’s result, it was not of their making.
Proposed Seanad abolition was an attempt at political vandalism plain and simple. Why leave a potential bill delaying mechanism (thorn in your side) around if you can get away with killing it off under the guise of political reform and cost savings and then claim that you have kept a political promise. Why the Seanad? What about all the other political promises which were made by this arrogant administration and reneged upon the moment they were secure in power? In this context the Seanad was low hanging fruit and was targeted in a cynical way in the belief that the electorate would not be sophisticated enough to see the ploy for what it really was i.e. an attack on our Democracy via a blatant power grab.
There’s an extensive list of quangos which could have been removed, saved a lot more than abolishing the Seanad and wouldn’t have required a costly referendum. Why hasn’t this been done yet if reform is so important to FG?
this is where michael martin asked him in july for the same information http://www.kildarestreet.com/debates/?id=2013-07-02a.132&s=special+unit+speaker%3A172#g140.q and enda kenny said he’d give him that infor then too http://www.kildarestreet.com/debates/?id=2013-07-02a.132#g190
Any chance the journal could run a poll on how many people think that Enda Kenny should stay in office? I think the stats would be alarming to say the least
Instead of wasting money on the referendum’ why didn’t they just call for an election…. Kenny went back on his word to many times and is a yes man for the European bigwigs” we need a proper Irish government… Give Sinn Fein the job…
Jesus.. Don’t give Sinn Fein anything!
No way, Enda Kenny, lying… That’s a shock!!
have your say