FG to push for Waterford by election

[Digout]

Cant wait to see the Greens vote against democracy again :)

http://www.independent.ie/national-news/fg-pile-byelection-pressure-on-cowen-2181323.html

[C. Flower]

(http://www.independent.ie/topics/Fine+Gael)Fine Gael (http://www.independent.ie/topics/Fine+Gael) leader (http://www.independent.ie/topics/Fine+Gael)Enda Kenny (http://www.independent.ie/topics/Enda+Kenny) last night revealed his party would force the Government to vote on the issue of the (http://www.independent.ie/topics/Fine+Gael)Waterford (http://www.independent.ie/topics/Waterford+Constituency) by-election in the Dail next week.
"You have three pending by-elections and the Government has no intention of holding any of them. If Mr Cowen has courage to defend Martin Cullen's seat, it was a (http://www.independent.ie/topics/Fine+Gael)Fianna Fail (http://www.independent.ie/topics/Fianna+Fail) seat, let them do it," he told the (http://www.independent.ie/topics/Fine+Gael)Irish Independent (http://www.independent.ie/topics/Irish+Independent).
Speaking in (http://www.independent.ie/topics/Fine+Gael)Cork (http://www.independent.ie/topics/County+Cork), Mr Kenny said of the Taoiseach: "He hasn't the courage to come out and say: 'Yes, I made a mistake. I apologise to the Irish people.' The best thing he can do is to have his by-elections or else have a general election and let the people have their mandate."
(http://www.independent.ie/topics/Fine+Gael)

If Biffo announces a GE date, Enda's face will be a picture.

[Baron von Biffo]

There's much speculation that Donegal will go to SF and Dublin to Lab, what's the call on Waterford?

[Gruffalo]

The fact that these elections have not been called says everything about the low quality opposition that we have in this country. People are being denied their democratic right to full representation and yet the opposition cannot mobilise them enought to demand it.

[DCon]

Just heard BIFFO on Mewstalk saying it is a "matter for the Dail" when the by-elections happen.

[Stendec]

Fg is in worse bother than ff with the 3 bye elections and the dublin mayor if they win none of them. Kennys a goner if that happens!

[Sidewinder]

The fact that these elections have not been called says everything about the low quality opposition that we have in this country. People are being denied their democratic right to full representation and yet the opposition cannot mobilise them enought to demand it.

Eh? Clowen and Gormless have a majority in the Dáil. There's little FG and Lab can do to "force" the byelections to happen, if the FF backbenchers and Greens hold firm.

People in this country are a bit feckin mad if you ask me.

[disability student]

Eh? Clowen and Gormless have a majority in the Dáil. There's little FG and Lab can do to "force" the byelections to happen, if the FF backbenchers and Greens hold firm.

People in this country are a bit feckin mad if you ask me.

Extactly.:mad:

[Bertie Basher]

is this motion for waterford bye-election happening tomorrow and are LAB putting through a motion on the delayed children's referendum this week too ?

[C. Flower]

Fine Gael National Press Office
Press Statement by Senator Paudie Coffey
Waterford

Wednesday September 8th 2010

Waterford has now gone exactly 6 months since Dáil seat was vacated – Coffey


It is exactly six months today (Wednesday) that a Dáil seat was vacated in Waterford and Fine Gael Waterford bye-election candidate Senator Paudie Coffey has noted that never before has Waterford been so underrepresented for so long.

“In Waterford’s history, since the foundation of the state there have been three previous vacancies in the Dáil, in 1947, 1952 and 1966. All of which were filled with six months. In fact the length of the three vacancies, ranged between 44 days and 173 days.

“We have now reached uncharted territories in Waterford as we have now been underrepresented in the Dáil for an unprecedented 185th day with no sign of this cowardly Government setting a date for a bye-election. We have been told that they will not hold a bye-election due to economic reasons. However that did not stop Eamonn De Valera holding a bye-election in the middle of ‘The Emergency’ when food and resources and services were being rationed to general public.

“It is clear that this Government is intent on denying the people of Waterford their democratic entitlement to equal representation in Dáil Eireann. The sole purpose of doing this is to keep a grip on power. There is an extremely tough Budget due to put through the Dail in the coming months. I want to see a Budget that doesn’t cut back on frontline staff but instead one that tries to ensure that cutbacks are fair and that are do not attack the vulnerable in society.

“It is clear that Fianna Fáil and the Greens are planning on passing this Budget based on a reduced majority in the Dáil, where the people of Waterford will not have their full voice heard.

“Fine Gael believes that all vacancies in the Dáil should be filled within six months, something that was rejected by Fianna Fáil and the Greens earlier this year. We have now reached this point and still there is no commitment from Government on setting a date. This once again shows the people of Waterford the complete contempt in which Fianna Fáil and the Greens hold them. This constituency has never been so underrepresented for so long. I am calling on the Taoiseach to set a date, so that the people of Waterford can start to say so long and farewell to the worst government since the foundation of State.”

[Baron von Biffo]

Fine Gael believes that all vacancies in the Dáil should be filled within six months

This is probably the best proposal to emerge from FG in years.