29th and 30th Amendments to the Constitution: How did you vote on October 27th 2011? - Inquiries Amendment Defeated

[Baron von Biffo]

The passing of the judges pay referendum is likely to have negative consequences for our courts system that will not be immediately obvious but will be damaging just the same.

It's probably inevitable that a future government will use this measure to punish judges for opposing it but that will be an overt act. Of more concern is the effect the amendment will have on the calibre of those taking up judgeships.

Judges are drawn from the legal profession where earnings can be huge. For all that we rail against the level of judges pay it's the case that some lawyers would earn more if they didn't become judges.

Taking a pay cut to do the job is one thing but the fact that judges will no longer enjoy security of income is quite another.

Top rank legal people looking at a judges job will now have to consider the following -

• If they become judges their income will be dependent on the whim of a politician.
• They will be unable to take other employment to make up a shortfall if their salary is cut.
• If they resign they will be severely restricted in where they can practice their profession.

That must surely mean that some will refuse to serve which will impact on the standard of judges in the future.

[fluffybiscuits]

Apathy and perhaps laziness are undoubtedly factors. We don't take politics seriously enough so the politicians don't take us seriously.



The government definitely didn't want discussion on these referenda which is why they rammed the legislation through the Oireachtas in hours and then held them on the same day as the presidential election. But that doesn't absolve us from the responsibility to be vigilant and to inform ourselves.



The only people who believe that were those who couldn't be arsed looking into the thing for themselves.

I know we have to inform ourselves but as the public are apathetic we need to push them.

[DCon]

Rabbitte wants the Inquiries referendum run again and concedes that changes may need to be made

A SENIOR Minister has called for a rerun of the referendum on parliamentary inquiries to ensure there is a proper investigation into the banking collapse.

Minister for Energy and Communications Pat Rabbitte said yesterday that he would like to see the issue put before the people again in a calm and considered manner.

Mr Rabbitte told The Irish Times that the wording of the amendment rejected by the Irish people last October would probably need to be modified to take account of the concerns that led to the No vote.

http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/...319637589.html

[Baron von Biffo]

Rabbitte wants the Inquiries referendum run again and concedes that changes may need to be made


http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/...319637589.html

We live in a Mrs. Doyle democracy. Ah go on. Go on, go on, go on.