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A NUMBER OF Labour senators will actively canvass for the retention of the Seanad this week with the Democracy Matters group.
The group set up to campaign for the retention and reform of the upper house says that Labour senators John Whelan and John Kelly will join former Fianna Fáil minister Mary O’Rourke on a canvass in Athlone this Wednesday.
It is understood that James Heffernan, who is outside the Labour parliamentary party, and other Labour senators including Denis Landy and Ivana Bacik, who is the party’s leader in the Seanad, will also be getting involved with Democracy Matters in the coming weeks.
Whelan said he initiated contact with the group because he shares “a common view”.
The group, whose membership includes former Tánaiste Michael McDowell, hopes that more Labour senators will join the group to actively campaign for the Seanad to be saved in the 4 October referendum.
All 11 Labour senators have indicated they will vote against abolition next month but some have decided not to actively campaign for a No vote.
“I won’t be out on the doorsteps and I don’t think the Democracy Matters are active in Donegal, but good luck to them,” Donegal-based senator Jimmy Harte said today.
Senator Aideen Hayden said she would not be going door-to-door and was “conscious of the fact that Labour has a position as part of government”.
The party’s chief whip in the Dáil Emmet Stagg told TheJournal.ie last month that there is a 50-50 split within the Labour parliamentary party between those in favour of abolition and those who want the upper house retained.
Labour TD Joanna Tuffy is one deputy who has and said today she will continue to openly campaign against the government position. Clare TD Michael McNamara is believed to be another.
A Labour Party spokesperson said the party was “quite relaxed” about TDs and Senators campaigning against party position:
“It’s not a huge issue,” they added.
The party plans to launch its official campaign for the abolition of the Seanad on Wednesday and will be producing 50,000 leaflets.
On one side will be information about the Seanad referendum while information about the Court of Appeal will be on the other side of the leaflet.
Minister of State Alex White was confirmed as the party’s director of elections last week.
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Excellent! I have family in France that wants to join me in Kerry after seeing Ireland on the telly. And I have to say that where I live is magical.
Total bolloxology. The gathering is nothing short of a disgrace. Thousands of Irish forced to leave this island every year and the government have the cheek to ask ex-pats / people of Irish descent to come back and get ripped off while spending money they and their family earned yonder due to Irish governments past failing them, the arrogance. Banana Republic
David, f*** off! This article is about tourism ireland winning a award. It’s great news!!!
David when do you leave?
The gathering! Ha. I hope it falls flat on it’s stupid face!
Why would you? You are one of the more intelligent commenters on here, What gives?
Thats cool
To many party poopers on here !
Where is this gathering ,what’s the Craig I want to go can I go can I can i I will be good
Come to Ireland, Most expensive and wettest country in Europe, but full of positive people who will love to mug you as much as they do there own. Hows that for a bit of reality? Can I have my award now.
So what’s the alternative? Tell people to stay away from Ireland, don’t bother coming or spending your money here? Give it to another country instead? Get behind your country and be proud of the good things we have to offer. There’s plenty if you care to look without cynicism.
Your so far off the mark it isn’t even funny. Dublin is ranked number 72 in world rankings of expensive cities. Behind a quite a few European cities http://www.finfacts.ie/costofliving.htm
Seriously, if you hate living here so much just leave. The place will brighten up after you have taken your negativity with you.
why would anyone come here on holiday when the weather is crap and its just so expensive I just dint get it
have your say