Advertisement

We need your help now

Support from readers like you keeps The Journal open.

You are visiting us because we have something you value. Independent, unbiased news that tells the truth. Advertising revenue goes some way to support our mission, but this year it has not been enough.

If you've seen value in our reporting, please contribute what you can, so we can continue to produce accurate and meaningful journalism. For everyone who needs it.

Enda Kenny speaking to Micheál Martin in the Dáil twelve days ago. Screengrab

Taoiseach had 'no difficulty' releasing Seanad referendum documents - but he didn't

Enda Kenny told Micheál Martin he would forward information about the Seanad referendum compiled by a unit in his department to the Fianna Fáil leader but this didn’t happen before Friday’s vote.

THE TAOISEACH DID not release documents compiled by a unit in his department that was set up to deal with the Seanad abolition proposal, despite pledging to do so nearly two weeks ago.

Answering oral questions in the Dáil chamber 12 days ago Enda Kenny told Micheál Martin he had “no difficulty” in making available information compiled by the special unit and even promised to forward it to the Fianna Fáil leader.

But he did not do this prior to Fridays referendum, which was defeated, resulting in Martin’s office sending a letter to the Taoiseach’s department asking for the information to be released, as had been promised.

On 24 September, Kenny explained to the Dáil that a small unit was established in his Department to handle the legislation for the referendum and related matters, consisting of two full-time staff.

This was in line with normal procedures where a government department is tasked with formulating legislation and information for a referendum. In this case, it was the Department of the Taoiseach.

Kenny said that the bulk of the documentation compiled by this unit related to the preparation of the legislative proposal and material for Oireachtas debates and said “all the information Deputy Martin has looked for is available under freedom of information and I do not have a problem in supplying it”.

Martin asked that the information be made available without him having to go through the process of freedom of information which requires an application letter, a cheque for €15 and a delay of up to four weeks.

The Taoiseach responded: “I have no difficulty in making available information that is available anyway. In fact, I will forward it to the Deputy.”

But this did not happen by the end of last week and prior to Friday’s vote.

Several queries made by TheJournal.ie to the Department of the Taoiseach about whether the information would be forwarded to Martin or made publicly available on the Department’s website or elsewhere were not responded to.

During the heated Dáil debate, Martin called on the Taoiseach to withdraw his claim that €20 million will be saved if the Seanad is abolished given the view of the Oireachtas Commission that while it costs €20 million to run the Seanad it is not possible to estimate the actual net savings that would be achieved.

Kenny said during the Dáil debate that he would not withdraw the claim, insisting: “These figures stand up. They are the figures set out by the Houses of the Oireachtas Commission and I do not intend to reverse that.”

In his letter to the Taoiseach last week, Martin focussed on the €20 million saving figure – which caused considerable controversy throughout the campaign – and pointed out that the Taoiseach had said he would supply “information to me about the €20 million savings without going through a freedom of information request”.

“I have not received any such information and I would be grateful if your office could supply it as agreed,” he said.

Read all of TheJournal.ie’s Seanad referendum coverage >

‘Reflection’ the buzz word but Taoiseach and Tánaiste appear open to Seanad reform

Readers like you are keeping these stories free for everyone...
A mix of advertising and supporting contributions helps keep paywalls away from valuable information like this article. Over 5,000 readers like you have already stepped up and support us with a monthly payment or a once-off donation.

Close
50 Comments
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Adrian quinn
    Favourite Adrian quinn
    Report
    Dec 5th 2013, 7:40 PM

    Ridiculous sheep shedding all their wool for a fashion item.
    Sent from my IPad.

    518
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Matt
    Favourite Matt
    Report
    Dec 5th 2013, 7:55 PM

    Samsung tab 3 much better :)

    156
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Michael
    Favourite Michael
    Report
    Dec 5th 2013, 8:00 PM

    Has it crashed yet?

    108
    See 16 more replies ▾
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Bee Shop
    Favourite Bee Shop
    Report
    Dec 5th 2013, 8:10 PM

    Yes, everybody buy a smart phone and watch the power elite really take control.

    The world has entered a new era of mass surveillance. In order to keep wealth among the few, we must keep the have nots under our complete control. The ones who think they are wealthy, they are the last if the elites worry. For they keep the wealth within the elitist boundaries.

    People pay extraordinary amounts of local currency to have their private lives documented, willingly.

    Democracy is at it’s peak.

    75
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Paul Lanigan
    Favourite Paul Lanigan
    Report
    Dec 5th 2013, 8:31 PM

    @Bee – full moon tonight?

    174
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Plucky Duck
    Favourite Plucky Duck
    Report
    Dec 5th 2013, 8:38 PM

    iPhones suck…

    Sent from my Sega Megadrive

    457
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Bee Shop
    Favourite Bee Shop
    Report
    Dec 5th 2013, 9:05 PM

    Full moon every night. The elite just cover it up most of the time.

    86
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute nelll
    Favourite nelll
    Report
    Dec 5th 2013, 9:09 PM

    How do we know your not part of the elite???

    64
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Bee Shop
    Favourite Bee Shop
    Report
    Dec 5th 2013, 9:10 PM

    I’m a bee.

    78
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Jack Russell
    Favourite Jack Russell
    Report
    Dec 5th 2013, 9:26 PM

    Deep guys deep

    49
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute nelll
    Favourite nelll
    Report
    Dec 5th 2013, 9:26 PM

    There’s two e’s in elite and you could bee the elite

    43
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Colm Harpur
    Favourite Colm Harpur
    Report
    Dec 5th 2013, 9:32 PM

    Surveillance isn’t new.. Santa’s been watching people for YEARS…

    268
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Tom Ó Drisceoil
    Favourite Tom Ó Drisceoil
    Report
    Dec 5th 2013, 9:32 PM

    iPhone is amazing.

    Sent from my iPhone. All praise iPhone.

    65
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Joe Harbison
    Favourite Joe Harbison
    Report
    Dec 5th 2013, 9:32 PM

    The moon is a waxing crescent this evening. Very pretty. Kids didn’t see it. Noses stuck in their smart phones. ho hum.

    39
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute nelll
    Favourite nelll
    Report
    Dec 5th 2013, 9:51 PM

    Probably have an app that gives them a close up view of the moon via their smart phone

    39
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute kev
    Favourite kev
    Report
    Dec 6th 2013, 6:56 AM

    Bee fabulous!

    2
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Vril Haarp
    Favourite Vril Haarp
    Report
    Dec 6th 2013, 9:43 AM

    Im watching you

    3
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Declan Conway
    Favourite Declan Conway
    Report
    Dec 6th 2013, 10:47 AM

    @Plucky Duck – one of the funniest comments I’ve read in a while.

    Just sprayed my tea over my keyboard, but no matter.

    (It’s a ZX Spectrum, I’ve just upgraded from the ZX81).

    9
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Catríona Ní Terrett
    Favourite Catríona Ní Terrett
    Report
    Dec 6th 2013, 12:55 PM

    And it a bit creepy that he know when you have been sleeping,knows when you are awake, good and bad…Weird!

    1
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute sluazcanal
    Favourite sluazcanal
    Report
    Dec 5th 2013, 7:45 PM

    Typical Rip off Jordan.

    331
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Gary Jordan
    Favourite Gary Jordan
    Report
    Dec 5th 2013, 8:18 PM

    I resent that comment

    779
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Simon Gregory
    Favourite Simon Gregory
    Report
    Dec 5th 2013, 7:40 PM

    If you pay that kid of money for a product like this you are a fool plain and simple and you deserve to be ripped off

    96
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Ted Carroll
    Favourite Ted Carroll
    Report
    Dec 5th 2013, 9:00 PM

    Or they might have more disposable income than you, each to their own I guess!

    85
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Simon Gregory
    Favourite Simon Gregory
    Report
    Dec 6th 2013, 7:54 AM

    Do you not feel that that kind of disposable income can be better spent on something meaningful or donated to someone in need. I have an iPhone myself but I didn’t pay or it, bill pay free phone. I have disposable income but to say that €500 for a phone is acceptable is foolish, you can but a computer for €300. You pay that so people will see you with one, so that you have the “best” one available, it’s part of our society now to want the best an pay extortionate rates for it. So I stand by the comment it is foolish

    7
    See 2 more replies ▾
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute nocturnal paramedic
    Favourite nocturnal paramedic
    Report
    Dec 6th 2013, 12:28 PM

    Bill pay is basically hire purchase. You are paying for your iPhone throughout your contract instead of making a one off payment for the phone. Each to their own….

    4
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Yusuf Jamal
    Favourite Yusuf Jamal
    Report
    Dec 11th 2013, 11:44 PM

    The s4 will last at least 3 years. Then I will sell it for at least €200 to some kid because I keep my phone in mint condition.

    1
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Liam Hennelly
    Favourite Liam Hennelly
    Report
    Dec 5th 2013, 7:59 PM

    I got the 5C for €0 when I renewed my 24 month contract with O2 & my bill went down in price.

    32GB phone worth €700 for €0.
    I’ll take that.

    76
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute sluazcanal
    Favourite sluazcanal
    Report
    Dec 5th 2013, 8:06 PM

    How much a month?

    37
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Liam Hennelly
    Favourite Liam Hennelly
    Report
    Dec 5th 2013, 8:08 PM

    €55 per month for:
    Unlimited calls, data & texts
    100 international texts & 100 international minutes.

    €1320 over 24 months
    Minus price of phone, €700
    Is €620 for 24 months
    So works out at €26 a month.

    70
    See 8 more replies ▾
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Colm Austin
    Favourite Colm Austin
    Report
    Dec 5th 2013, 8:09 PM

    What is your monthly base bill amount? I would prefer to buy out right and not be tied into an inflated monthly charge.

    59
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Liam Hennelly
    Favourite Liam Hennelly
    Report
    Dec 5th 2013, 8:10 PM

    See above.
    €55.

    27
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute sluazcanal
    Favourite sluazcanal
    Report
    Dec 5th 2013, 8:13 PM

    Rather pay for phone and get emobiles unlimited for €24 a month with out the contract. Much of a muchness really.

    30
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Liam Hennelly
    Favourite Liam Hennelly
    Report
    Dec 5th 2013, 8:14 PM

    Yeah, fair enough.

    Works out very similar,

    They have it all worked out!

    24
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Poppy
    Favourite Poppy
    Report
    Dec 5th 2013, 9:03 PM

    Best phone deal at the moment is prepay Tesco. Top up by €15 each month gives you unlimited calls to landline & mobile & 1GB of data. No contract & you get club card points for everything you spend, top up in store & get double points. No hidden costs or surprised bills.

    26
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Shanners
    Favourite Shanners
    Report
    Dec 5th 2013, 10:01 PM

    I’m due an upgrade in a couple days. I have a 12 month contract with meteor that they no longer offer. They want 450euro off me and 37 a month for 12 months for the s4. Last year they only charged me 230 to upgrade to the s3. I’m not paying that and I don’t want a 24 month contract. Back to pay as you go with my s3 until at least the s5 appears.

    10
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Rúairí O’ Sullivan
    Favourite Rúairí O’ Sullivan
    Report
    Dec 5th 2013, 10:51 PM

    Except your stuck with that you hone for 2 years!……but in 10 months they’re going to launch an iPhone 6c which you’ll want and you will have toy €800 for it………

    3
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Briain de Seadhach
    Favourite Briain de Seadhach
    Report
    Dec 6th 2013, 1:04 PM

    The 5C is a different phone to the 5S.

    1
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Karen Moroney
    Favourite Karen Moroney
    Report
    Dec 5th 2013, 7:51 PM

    But it’s new and shiny and can do things……like….like….eh….like…. What does it do exactly??

    71
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Plucky Duck
    Favourite Plucky Duck
    Report
    Dec 5th 2013, 8:59 PM

    It connects to the Internet…. And has wifi….. So shiny….. Somebody hack out my lung so I can swap it for one…!

    44
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute JD
    Favourite JD
    Report
    Dec 5th 2013, 9:59 PM

    It does everything any other phone can do but perfects it.

    26
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Colin Daly
    Favourite Colin Daly
    Report
    Dec 5th 2013, 11:16 PM

    Always used Iphones and macs,ipads etc………… My whole life then used Samsung S3,then S4.Stupidly thought I’d give the iPhone 5s 64gb another chance,lasted two weeks and sold it on adverts,absolute sh**e.Can do f*ck all on them and Ios7 is pretty for girls.Interface camera processor and general usage is appalling.So I’m back to Samsung galaxy note 3. About 3 years ahead of Apple.Check what people in Mobile Phone stores use,very little Iphones. Boom………..

    60
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Daisy Chainsaw
    Favourite Daisy Chainsaw
    Report
    Dec 5th 2013, 9:19 PM

    Meh. Paid €120 for a Huawei, I buy credit when I need it and it hasn’t given me a day’s bother in around 18 months. Does everything an overhyped, overpriced peice of iTat does without the drama queening about it.

    58
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Sheila Larkin
    Favourite Sheila Larkin
    Report
    Dec 6th 2013, 4:57 AM

    How do you know someone doesn’t have an iPhone? They tell you

    25
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Yusuf Jamal
    Favourite Yusuf Jamal
    Report
    Dec 5th 2013, 8:18 PM

    Get the Samsung Galaxy S4, it’s much better. Get it for less than €500 and join meteor €30 unlimited 4G texts and data until match.

    50
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Johnny Reynolds
    Favourite Johnny Reynolds
    Report
    Dec 5th 2013, 8:43 PM

    And after march, what do you get? One gig a month? And on 4G? No thanks, I’ll stick to 15 gig a month from 3 for €20

    37
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Ted Carroll
    Favourite Ted Carroll
    Report
    Dec 5th 2013, 8:59 PM

    Where did you buy an S4 at that price?

    5
    See 1 more reply ▾
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Yusuf Jamal
    Favourite Yusuf Jamal
    Report
    Dec 11th 2013, 11:42 PM

    Amazon obviously

    1
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Fiachra Ahern
    Favourite Fiachra Ahern
    Report
    Dec 5th 2013, 8:13 PM

    Thank god I don’t have a samsung s3 as they phone has been destroyed by the last android update. Very embarrassing for Samsung again.

    35
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Shanners
    Favourite Shanners
    Report
    Dec 5th 2013, 10:02 PM

    What’s destroyed? Mine is fine

    26
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute P O Leary
    Favourite P O Leary
    Report
    Dec 5th 2013, 11:19 PM

    New update today. Back working 100% again.

    9
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute brian magee
    Favourite brian magee
    Report
    Dec 5th 2013, 7:54 PM

    Do people actually pay for phones? They come free with most contracts

    33
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Ted Carroll
    Favourite Ted Carroll
    Report
    Dec 5th 2013, 8:02 PM

    Greatest myth of all! Price plans are built to include the cost of the phones, it often works out more expensive!

    99
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute brian magee
    Favourite brian magee
    Report
    Dec 5th 2013, 8:05 PM

    Still cheaper, there’s no VAT on a free phone so the mobile operator can afford to get you the phone cheaper than you can, so the recoup cost required is lower

    13
    See 1 more reply ▾
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Ted Carroll
    Favourite Ted Carroll
    Report
    Dec 5th 2013, 9:03 PM

    I’m not sure about that Brian to be honest with you, sounds suspiciously like some gossip you heard somewhere!

    31
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Niall Doheny
    Favourite Niall Doheny
    Report
    Dec 5th 2013, 8:17 PM

    If ya have the money then why not buy one , if ya dont then jus go buy a cheap phone like a samsung or something !!

    32
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Michael Jardine
    Favourite Michael Jardine
    Report
    Dec 5th 2013, 8:40 PM

    HTC one the best of the lot. Wouldnt swap it for any iPhone or Samsung.

    31
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Ted Carroll
    Favourite Ted Carroll
    Report
    Dec 5th 2013, 9:01 PM

    Nobody suggested that you should!

    34
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Michael Jardine
    Favourite Michael Jardine
    Report
    Dec 5th 2013, 9:04 PM

    Your hilarious.

    10
    See 7 more replies ▾
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Darragh Lynch
    Favourite Darragh Lynch
    Report
    Dec 5th 2013, 9:24 PM

    #You’re

    49
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute saltaroo
    Favourite saltaroo
    Report
    Dec 5th 2013, 9:30 PM

    You’ errr eh better not

    10
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Michael Jardine
    Favourite Michael Jardine
    Report
    Dec 5th 2013, 9:52 PM

    Another pedantic p***k

    13
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute saltaroo
    Favourite saltaroo
    Report
    Dec 5th 2013, 10:03 PM

    That’s better

    17
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Benton Oswald
    Favourite Benton Oswald
    Report
    Dec 5th 2013, 11:55 PM

    Nope you don’t get away with that bucko. If you are going to post 2 words on a forum and one of them is incorrect, you deserve what you get.

    32
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Michael Jardine
    Favourite Michael Jardine
    Report
    Dec 6th 2013, 10:31 AM

    Bucko? Away and fling shite at yersel. Yes I spelled that wrong too

    1
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Benton Oswald
    Favourite Benton Oswald
    Report
    Dec 6th 2013, 12:09 PM

    Just saying bing-bong. No need to get abusive and crude. If you’re doing sarcasm then spell correctly. Otherwise you come across as a bit of a tool.

    6
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Stephen Carrick
    Favourite Stephen Carrick
    Report
    Dec 5th 2013, 7:48 PM

    Got mine in the states few weeks back on honeymoon cheap as chips :)

    31
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute 19Ferg
    Favourite 19Ferg
    Report
    Dec 5th 2013, 7:58 PM

    Where do you buy your chips ?

    154
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Stiofán De Priondárgas
    Favourite Stiofán De Priondárgas
    Report
    Dec 5th 2013, 8:17 PM

    China will just make an exact copy of the iPhone anyway for less than half the price, looks the real thing but the software is a tad off!

    15
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Gary Marshall
    Favourite Gary Marshall
    Report
    Dec 5th 2013, 8:33 PM

    Anyone know how much a working saga mega drive with games is worth. Looking to sell it. Perfect condition.

    14
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute savagecabbage
    Favourite savagecabbage
    Report
    Dec 5th 2013, 11:46 PM

    I like my phone and I’m angry about it!!!

    13
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Seany Mc Donagh
    Favourite Seany Mc Donagh
    Report
    Dec 5th 2013, 11:45 PM

    Fair pricy alright . I just buy the old iPhones off my friend when he upgrades :) 64gb iPhone 5 for 150.
    Wish he would change to android . Most I ever paid for a phone was 610 for the HTC Evo 3D . Loved that phone. Pity it couldn’t swim in a toilet though :(

    13
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Michael
    Favourite Michael
    Report
    Dec 5th 2013, 8:03 PM

    Anyone want to buy a brand new unlocked,still in the box 16gb for E600 iPhone 5s I’m home in a week seal intact on the box!

    10
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute paul kelly
    Favourite paul kelly
    Report
    Dec 5th 2013, 8:36 PM

    How much for a sony xperia z1..not joking.

    8
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Brian Gallagher
    Favourite Brian Gallagher
    Report
    Dec 6th 2013, 2:32 AM

    Just buy a phone for $100. I guarantee it’ll last a lot longer than your iphone. Anyway, They all do the same thing right? Call, SMS, email and a bit of browsing whenever you’re feeling anti social.

    6
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Padward
    Favourite Padward
    Report
    Dec 6th 2013, 1:33 AM

    They don’t sell in africa?

    6
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Jay Warner
    Favourite Jay Warner
    Report
    Dec 6th 2013, 9:44 AM

    Apple products are for idiots that can’t be trusted with tech… That’s why they like the comfort blanket of Apple only letting them do what Apple allows them to do. Oh.. And the pretty white box with the fruit logo on it.

    5
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Daddy De La Noche
    Favourite Daddy De La Noche
    Report
    Dec 6th 2013, 11:07 AM

    It’s still cheaper to buy one unlocked from America, and pay the customs fees when it comes to Ireland than it is to buy it from Europe, and that says it all really

    1
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Ger
    Favourite Ger
    Report
    Dec 6th 2013, 4:05 AM

    Got a HTC One mini, best phone i’ve ever had. Fast, great camera and much better screen than the iPhone. Free with a 2 year contract on Vodafone. €35 pm, free VF to VF calls and texts and 100 any network minutes.
    As long as you don’t have to deal with their terrible customer service it’s a really good deal. Only 1g of data but sure there’s WiFi everywhere.

    1
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Paul Lanigan
    Favourite Paul Lanigan
    Report
    Dec 6th 2013, 11:56 AM

    For anyone complaining about your phone…you need to hear this……

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KpUNA2nutbk

    1
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Miss Filed
    Favourite Miss Filed
    Report
    Dec 6th 2013, 8:59 AM

    Um… perhaps either “between…and” or “from…to” ???!!!

    1
Submit a report
Please help us understand how this comment violates our community guidelines.
Thank you for the feedback
Your feedback has been sent to our team for review.
JournalTv
News in 60 seconds