I don’t often get embroiled in political debate but this latest referendum just has me stumped to be honest.
For those outside our wonderful green island, we are being asked to vote on Friday on two topics – one whether we should abolish our Seanad (Senate), and the second question we are being asked is should we create a Court of Appeal?
There are a couple of things that bother me about this referendum.
If for the moment we cast aside the ‘governance’ issues, the financial figures they are throwing out as a good reason to get rid of the Seanad just don’t make sense to me.
Let me explain. The current expenditure on salaries and expenses for 64 people (!!!) is €8.8 million. There is a amount of €2 million being quoted for pensions. A princely sum of €10.8 million.
And then the figure of €9.3 million is being bandied about for non-pay and indirect pay???? What the hell are those???? There is no explanation that I’ve come across for that second figure – has anyone seen one?
The plan is to relieve 64 people of their jobs – will they be paid a severance package? I’m sure they will, they always do. They will also immediately be on a pension – and as far as I am aware generally those pensions would be around 75% of their current salary. So if we take 75% of – let’s be cautious here – say, €9 million (yes, I’m allowing the €1.8 million for expenses). So that means the 64 senators will still cost us €6.75 million!!
Then the setting up of the new Court of Appeal – which INITIALLY will have 10 judges – is going to cost us €3 million. Not sure how long ‘initially’ is, and what the ultimate cost will be.
Are you getting my drift? Yep, €6.75 + €3 = €9.75 million. We are going through all this to save €250,000!!!!
I know I am ignoring the €9 million figure – the best I can find out about this figure is it is to provide heat and maintenance in one room within government buildings – now come on???? The whole complex should not be costing that much to run.
And we haven’t even talked about the costs of running the referendum!!!!!
So let’s think about the governance side of things.
Who is going to keep a ‘checks and balances’ watch on our government? We are told we, as individuals or groups, can ‘appeal’ decisions to this new Court of Appeal – who is going to be able to afford to take a case to court because we think it is not the right decision for the country???? How long will that process take?
And, perhaps the worst fact of all, is that our Taoiseach (Prime Minister) is refusing to enter into a televised debate…… does this not smack of dictatorship????
ho ho about time you got mad…
A slow starter 🙂
A slow starter 🙂
I’ve not been around for the debate, so I have no idea what’s been said or not said at home. The senate always struck me as being the pasture where old politicians were turned loose to live out their days, with the notion that the “select few” ie graduates from TCD and NUI could elect a few more just to make it seem like a working parliament, and to give orators like David Norris (who I greatly admire) a place to hone their technique. In a country where money is short, it doesn’t seem to justify its existence, but maybe there have been occasions where it provided “checks and balances” that I’m not aware of.
I agree with you that the figures provided do not add up. €9m for expenses, using free post and maintaining one room in government buildings? Preposterous.
As for the court of appeal, no, I don’t get it. I thought we had an appeals process.
Yes, I agree with you… it is what I would have thought too. However, then when you stop and think of the issues raised by David Norris, Mary Robinson and so many others that finally got passed into legislation. It definitely needs reform, but not abolition.
I for one shall be voting” no”…on both of these issues. The arrogance of Enda Kenny is unbearable.
I am stunned that he refused to do the debate. If he believes it is right, explain to us why
M
catching up with my reading and very late, but happy with result of the vote, totally agree with your points here. I always get suspicious (might be my latin American upbringing) about abolishing governmental bodies… that’s how dictatorships are started down my neck of the woods!
Love it Lily…. see I was probably right!
I think I should have gone to the Guinness storehouse welcome party! From all the pictures that I saw , I can easily tell that it was a great party. Oh well, next time!!
Thanks for stopping by the blog, Luana…. and yes, you should have come along take a look here http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A4ENzXn-R5U 🙂