Jim McDaid Has Resigned from the Dail - Resignation Letter Calls for General Election Now

[C. Flower]

Jim McDaid, has resigned from the Dail - his formal resignation has been handed in.

(Newstalk report)

RTE -

http://www.rte.ie/news/2010/1102/mcdaid.html

His resignation letter to Brian Cowen ( copied below ) says that Fianna Fail should have called a General Election in October.

Dr. James McDaid T.D.
Constituency Office, Pearse Rd
Letterkenny, Co. Donegal
27th October 2010
Taoiseach Brian Cowen
Government Buildings
Dublin 2

Dear Taoiseach,
For quite some time now, I have been advocating need for a General Election prior to
the current Dáil running its full term. Indeed, it is my view that the current Dáil should
have been dissolved in October 2010 and certainly prior to Budget 2011.
I believe this is in the best interests of the country, and in the best interests of Fianna
Fáil.
Since making that call over a year ago, nothing has happened to change my mind. It is
true that some courageous and difficult decisions have been made, and that the
Government has identified clear targets that need to be achieved.
But after two years, we have failed to make any significant progress in relation to
reducing our structural budget deficit, which remains as our most pressing and
potentially damaging economic challenge. Month after month we are informed of
further challenging figures from the Department of Finance.

This will continue for as long as the current Dáil arithmetic prevents decisive action
being undertaken by a sitting Government. The continuing, and deepening, absence of
certainty in relation to Government support in the Dáil has resulted in necessary
decisions being postponed in the hope that future events will make those decisions
unnecessary. In such circumstances the political decision making ability atrophies and
spin becomes the significant tool.
Where decisions have been made, they have invariably pursued the path of least
resistance, focusing on what is politically possible rather than what is economically
necessary.
Why should we have to abandon major infrastructure projects and cut frontline
services in our hospitals just to keep public sector pay numbers at grossly inflated
levels. Why? Because it is the option that is least likely to de-stabilise the
Government.

Why have we the second highest minimum wage in Europe, and 14% unemployment?
Why is our debt to GDP ratio 14.4%? Why, after two years, haven't we implemented to
any significant degree the recommendations of the much vaunted An Bord Snip Nua
report? Why? Because our primary focus is the survival of the Government instead of
the health of the economy.
I do not believe we have the confidence of the E.C.B., European Commission, I.M.F.,
or the International Bond markets as is borne out by our massive interest rate
repayment. That's because they see this government as a temporary little
arrangement, that another is waiting in the wings and they await to see the colour of
their eyes.
I am a citizen first and a member of Fianna Fail second.
At this point, I believe that it is in the best interests of the people of Ireland that the
Government of Ireland has a working majority in the Dáil of at least 20 seats, even if
that Government is compromised of parties who have traditionally stood
in opposition to Fianna Fail. And I hope that government will have the strength to
take on their obvious responsibilities, free from the shackles of social partnership and
political Dutch auctions.
A majority of this magnitude, supported by a popular mandate, will provide for the
type of decision making that is desperately needed at this time, and which will never
be available to the current Government.
Unless we act now, we will be paralysed by the political uncertainty/instability that
awaits us in the spring of 2011.
Yours sincerely,
___________________________________
Dr James McDaid T.D.

[Rich]

http://tvrecappersanonymous.files.wordpress.com/2010/05/surprised-face1.jpg

Wow, things really must be baaaadddd!!!

[Rich]

RTE Report here (http://www.rte.ie/news/2010/1102/mcdaid.html)



The resignation brings the number of vacancies in the Dáil to four.

[C. Flower]

Jim McDaid had already resigned from the FF Parliamentary Party over the cervical cancer jab.

There are now 4 vacant Dail seats.

http://www.google.ie/url?sa=t&source=web&cd=18&sqi=2&ved=0CE0QFjAR&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.politicsinireland.com%2Fcateg ory%2Ftd%2Fjim-mcdaid%2F&ei=Nt_PTIfkH8fGswas59GWAg&usg=AFQjCNE9ImvSLhixkHc1sCACS5eQFT8MqQ

[C. Flower]

Any more to come before the budget, do you think ?

[Rich]

Any more to come before the budget, do you think ?

Local polling will show where the members are going. I don't think many will resign, but many will decide not to run again whenever the election comes.

[Andrew49]

http://tvrecappersanonymous.files.wordpress.com/2010/05/surprised-face1.jpg

Wow, things really must be baaaadddd!!!

http://i26.photobucket.com/albums/c135/theknitter/Cushionshocked.jpg

[C. Flower]

Local polling will show where the members are going. I don't think many will resign, but many will decide not to run again whenever the election comes.

Those in pensionable positions ;)

[C. Flower]

Perhaps that's why Ogra FF is said to be surprisingly active - they may scent blood ?

[Rich]

Those in pensionable positions ;)

If I could have written just "+1" I would have done so :)

[C. Flower]

Noted -

Of course, Jim McDaid did not want to give up his pension.

http://www.google.ie/url?sa=t&source=web&cd=18&sqi=2&ved=0CE0QFjAR&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.politicsinireland.com%2Fcateg ory%2Ftd%2Fjim-mcdaid%2F&ei=Nt_PTIfkH8fGswas59GWAg&usg=AFQjCNE9ImvSLhixkHc1sCACS5eQFT8MqQ

[C. Flower]

His resignation has been accepted by the Clerk of the Dail and can't be revoked.

[C. Flower]

Terry McEnniff, his Director of Elections says that McDaid decided not to run again a year ago (N'talk)

[doctor ned]

why did he resign, will we have 2 by elections in county donegal now.

[Andrew49]

Mr McDaid recently threatened to vote against the forthcoming budget unless his local Letterkenny General Hospital was protected from health cuts.

Instead of voting he decides to run away.

[Rich]

why did he resign, will we have 2 by elections in county donegal now.

Yep, but it should be noted that they are two different constituencies.

[C. Flower]

Mr McDaid recently threatened to vote against the forthcoming budget unless his local Letterkenny General Hospital was protected from health cuts.

Instead of voting he decides to run away.

Maybe he plans to go back to the quiet life of a County Councillor :)

[C. Flower]

why did he resign, will we have 2 by elections in county donegal now.

The Court is expected to give a verdict on the By-election case tomorrow.

Welcome, by the way. :)

[Andrew49]

Maybe he plans to go back to the quiet life of a County Councillor :)

Is he the same Jim from the Jim and Tonic story ?

Free Library (http://www.thefreelibrary.com/JIM+AND+TONIC%3B+Shamed+TD+quits+the+booze+and+sip s+Club+Orange+at+a...-a0132029125)

I expected a GE next May ... I think it's gonna happen a lot sooner.

[C. Flower]

Is he a straw in the wind ?

The weakest link ?

[charley]

Expect some very barbed comments from McDaid in the coming days. Cowen will not be happy

[antiestablishmentarian]

This is another stroke in the death-by-a-thousand-cuts this government is going through. There's a real possibility it could fall now before the budget and we could face a general election, especially in the (unlikely) event that those 3 by-elections are put forward by the High Court tomorrow. Another cut that could undo them is the continuing broughaha over college registration fees.

[jmcc]

At this rate, they'll be lucky to last the week, never mind until next May.

Regards...jmcc

[Sam Lord]

Is he a straw in the wind ?

The weakest link ?

Perhaps the paint job on Harney yesterday had an effect and they are starting to bottle...:)

[charley]

Manager of the Donegal Hospice in Letterkenny announced on Highland Radio this morning that the hospice will have to close before Christmas due to HSE cuts putting it in breach of regulations. The hospice is a very important facility in Donegal and the community provide millions in donations each year to its upkeep. Its closure will be a huge blow and McDaid would have been unable to defend its closure so this may part of the reason for his resignation

[C. Flower]

The end of REPS4 will hit the farmers, too
http://www.donegalmatters.com/article_info.php?products_id=591


http://ourmaninstickens.com/blog/?p=136



The 30th Dáil as of 2 Nov 2010
Posted on November 2, 2010 by Conor
Today Jim McDaid resigned his Dáil seat which he held in the Donegal North East constituency. He lost the Fianna Fáil party whip in November 2008, however, since then he has often voted with the Government. This resignation reduces the Government’s lead to 3 seats, not including that there are now 4 vacant seats. Should the 4 by-elections be held and the Government lose all four, then the Ceann Comhairle’s vote will be crucial to ensuring the Government does not fall. The Ceann Comhairle’s vote never brings down a Government.

Click on this link to see a table of the current Dáil standings:-

State of the 30th Dail at 2 Nov 2010.

http://ourmaninstickens.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2010/11/State-of-the-30th-Dail-at-2-Nov-2010-2.pdf



Update: thanks to Dermot Frost and Ken Curtin for pointing out that Tommy Broughan regained the Labour whip sometime before the Dáil reconvened after the summer reces

[Rich]

McDaid has said that the Government should have gone to the country in advance of the next budget.

Breaking News (http://breakingnews.ie/ireland/mcdaid-cowen-should-have-gone-to-the-country-480104.html#ixzz1481WlEx8)

Said same to Cowen in resignation letter

Cowardice or the only hope for the saving of FF?


“At this point I believe that it is in the best interests of the people of Ireland that the Government of Ireland has a working majority in the Dáil of at least 20 seats, even if that Government is compromised of parties who have traditionally stood in opposition to Fianna Fáil,” Mr McDaid said.

Read more: http://breakingnews.ie/ireland/mcdaid-cowen-should-have-gone-to-the-country-480104.html#ixzz1482qeuGu

[Rich]

Is this an "in the national interest" type of statement.


“And I hope that Government will have the strength to take on their obvious responsibilities, free from the shackles of social partnership and political Dutch auctions.”

Mr McDaid said the country would be gripped by instability and uncertainty in the spring unless a new Government was brought in.

[C. Flower]

http://www.rte.ie/news/2010/1102/mcdaid.pdf


Dr. James McDaid T.D.
Constituency Office, Pearse Rd
Letterkenny, Co. Donegal
27th October 2010
Taoiseach Brian Cowen
Government Buildings
Dublin 2
Dear Taoiseach,
For quite some time now, I have been advocating need for a General Election prior to
the current Dáil running its full term. Indeed, it is my view that the current Dáil should
have been dissolved in October 2010 and certainly prior to Budget 2011.
I believe this is in the best interests of the country, and in the best interests of Fianna
Fáil.
Since making that call over a year ago, nothing has happened to change my mind. It is
true that some courageous and difficult decisions have been made, and that the
Government has identified clear targets that need to be achieved.
But after two years, we have failed to make any significant progress in relation to
reducing our structural budget deficit, which remains as our most pressing and
potentially damaging economic challenge. Month after month we are informed of
further challenging figures from the Department of Finance.
This will continue for as long as the current Dáil arithmetic prevents decisive action
being undertaken by a sitting Government. The continuing, and deepening, absence of
certainty in relation to Government support in the Dáil has resulted in necessary
decisions being postponed in the hope that future events will make those decisions
unnecessary. In such circumstances the political decision making ability atrophies and
spin becomes the significant tool.
Where decisions have been made, they have invariably pursued the path of least
resistance, focusing on what is politically possible rather than what is economically
necessary.
Why should we have to abandon major infrastructure projects and cut frontline
services in our hospitals just to keep public sector pay numbers at grossly inflated
levels. Why? Because it is the option that is least likely to de-stabilise the
Government.
Why have we the second highest minimum wage in Europe, and 14% unemployment?
Why is our debt to GDP ratio 14.4%? Why, after two years, haven't we implemented to
any significant degree the recommendations of the much vaunted An Bord Snip Nua
report? Why? Because our primary focus is the survival of the Government instead of
the health of the economy.
I do not believe we have the confidence of the E.C.B., European Commission, I.M.F.,
or the International Bond markets as is borne out by our massive interest rate
repayment. That's because they see this government as a temporary little
arrangement, that another is waiting in the wings and they await to see the colour of
their eyes.
I am a citizen first and a member of Fianna Fail second.
At this point, I believe that it is in the best interests of the people of Ireland that the
Government of Ireland has a working majority in the Dáil of at least 20 seats, even if
that Government is compromised of parties who have traditionally stood
in opposition to Fianna Fail. And I hope that government will have the strength to
take on their obvious responsibilities, free from the shackles of social partnership and
political Dutch auctions.
A majority of this magnitude, supported by a popular mandate, will provide for the
type of decision making that is desperately needed at this time, and which will never
be available to the current Government.
Unless we act now, we will be paralysed by the political uncertainty/instability that
awaits us in the spring of 2011.
Yours sincerely,
___________________________________
Dr James McDaid T.D.

[Sam Lord]

Ouch ...

[C. Flower]

Apparently this letter was received by Cowen last Thursday and McDaid hasn't received a reply.

[antiestablishmentarian]

Apparently this letter was received by Cowen last Thursday and McDaid hasn't received a reply.

He's received an 'acknowledgment'.

[Art]

McDaid is leaving the Dail.....thank god, he won’t be missed! He is a clown. Like Bertie Ahern, he rarely turned up for Dail votes; he missed 4 out of 5 in 2009. The fact that FF actually expelled him shows how bad he was, when you consider the clowns that remain in FF. He lectured the country on safe driving and drove down the wrong side of a motorway four times over the drink drive limit.
McDaid probably thinks that this move will help him get re-elected in the next election, I doubt the people of Donegal would be silly enough to vote him in again.

[eoinmn]

Good riddance to the drunk.

Rotten weather for canvassing though.

[Slim Buddha]

Good riddance to the drunk.

Rotten weather for canvassing though.

Especially if you have a masochistic streak and go canvassing for FF.

[eoinmn]

Were Lowry or Healy Rae to follow him this week, which wouldn't be too surprising, we would be looking at an election within weeks.

[Captain Con O'Sullivan]

I was just wondering which other FF TDs are looking nervously at a wipeout or don't want to be bringing news of hospital cutbacks into their constituency. Given the well-known habit of FF TD's in trouble to go independent for a while only to creep back into the party in the dead of night later on its has to be crossing some minds today.

[eoinmn]

I don't think that craic works any more.

Some local FF councillors in Galway joined a march against health cuts and were nearly lynched. There was a time when people would have swallowed the "that shower up in Dublin" line from local FFers but perhaps we are getting savvy.

[Captain Con O'Sullivan]

Good news ... I couldn't believe O'Donoghue going back to Tralee (is it?) and giving it the FF beal bocht about how them Dublin lads was out to get him and poor Mary Kate and bringing up smear stuff about his vast expenses and limos between Heathrow terminals and important VIP visits to racecourses and so on.

I hope this is coming to an end. Its striking how some rural constituencies in particular swallow this rubbish. Its their constituency they are bringing into disrepute.

[antiestablishmentarian]

Good news ... I couldn't believe O'Donoghue going back to Tralee (is it?) and giving it the FF beal bocht about how them Dublin lads was out to get him and poor Mary Kate and bringing up smear stuff about his vast expenses and limos between Heathrow terminals and important VIP visits to racecourses and so on.

I hope this is coming to an end. Its striking how some rural constituencies in particular swallow this rubbish. Its their constituency they are bringing into disrepute.

I'll second that, at a health march in Galway over the summer, the (FF) mayor had to nearly run down a group of protestors in his merc to be let out of the HSE car park where they'd blocked him. It should be borne in mind that the same fella will be on the FF list come the next general election and will most likely not be elected: the days of gombeens like Frank Fahy or Mattie McGrath getting away with the old 'blame Dublin not me, even though I voted for it' line are long gone.

[Skrimshander]

How long will the behemoth from offaly be allowed to stagger on through its death throes?

[antiestablishmentarian]

How long will the behemoth from offaly be allowed to stagger on through its death throes?

Ah but there's the heart of the question: FG and Lab are terrified of getting into government now the IMF are knocking at the door, so while they'll continue to spout meaningless rhetoric, they know that when they get in and the proverbial starts to hit the fan they'll be lumped with the blame for it, regardless of what went before.

[Ah Well]

they know that when they get in and the proverbial starts to hit the fan they'll be lumped with the blame for it, regardless of what went before.

That's the nub of it

They're onto a loser here ... no winners in this spiral

And they know it too - cue the continual pontificating with inherent dread/apprehension

[Andrew49]

http://i26.photobucket.com/albums/c135/theknitter/cash_smiley1.jpg

McDaid will receive a fairly indecent pension package of €94,000 a year for the rest of his life and a lump sum payment of around €147,000. Even though HE decided on his own to resign, he will also have his snout in the trough sucking up another €60,000. The Oireachtas Commission confirmed said that Mr McDaid would be eligible to receive
termination payments ... He qualifies for the payments because the only grounds for the €16,000 "termination lump sum" are six months' service in the Dail and the only grounds for the monthly "termination payments" worth €43,000 are three years' service in the Dail.

Link (http://www.independent.ie/national-news/what-mcdaid-will-get-2405058.html)