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THERE HAVE BEEN widespread reports that ballot papers in the two referendums held yesterday caused confusion for some voters.
Voters were given two ballot papers when they went to their polling stations yesterday with green for the Court of Appeal referendum and white for the Seanad abolition vote.
Speaking on Morning Ireland, the Fine Gael chairman Charlie Flanagan, a TD for Laois Offaly, said that many constituents reported to him that they were confused by the papers.
On Morning Ireland, Flanagan said: “We’ve really got to go back to the drawing board.”
“There was an element of confusion and I think the element of confusion is borne out in the wording of the ballot paper, ” he said noting the inclusion of Irish on the paper was not helpful.
It is a legal requirement that the wording of the actual amendment to the Constitution that is being proposed must appear on the ballot paper:
Pic: Photocall Ireland
“We don’t really simplify things that are straight-forward,” Flanagan said calling for the establishment of a permanent Referendum Commission.
He also said that he would now be reconsidering his call for a ‘Constitution Day’ where several referendums would be held on the one day given the holding of two yesterday caused confusion.
On the same programme Sinn Féin senator David Cullinane said the government’s campaign had been “a shambles”.
Environment Minister Phil Hogan said this week he hopes to bring about the establishment of a permanent Referendum Commission at some point in this government’s term.
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Great to see President Clinton looking so well at 71 after all the stories about I’ll health in recent years.
@Donal Hanley: just heard him on the radio, he doesn’t sound that well
@Donal Hanley: He looks ghastly.
Why was Denis O’Brien at the event?
@Michael Lang: well, there goes the “comment closed” train if anyone answers that!
@Gulliver Foyle: FG supporters always go very quiet and slightly menacing if I raise Denis O’Brien in polite company.
@Michael Lang: O’Brien is good friends with the Clintons.
@Daniel Donovan: and did Denis O’Brien play a role in the Good Friday Agreement?
@Michael Lang: No! Try Haiti. The Clinton Foundation. Donations. Contracts. The lack of rebuilding in Haiti despite millions pouring in is sickening. Bill Clinton was appointed to spearhead the re development. Not a lot has been done.
@Michael Lang: Quiet and menacing account tje same time? That’s quote a feat.
@John Campbell: And lowry still has his seat. what’s wrong with the voters in tipperary north?
@Michael Lang: he sorted the boys out with mobile phones
3 items with Billy Clinton in the journal in the one day! Is he thinking of running for Micheal D’s job
All this back slapping is vomit enducing, there maybe peace “of sorts” but the inherent despising of both communicaties of each other is palpable. The cost of maintaining this farcical truce has been obscene, either through outrageous subsidising or schemes that earn trouble makers vast sums to behave themselves. Interesting also, Clinton and Ahern taking all the credit, both of dubious and flawed character.
@Joseph Dempsey: ask the people who weren’t murdered over the last 20 years if they think it was worth it.
@Joseph Dempsey: I was sceptical at the time and I voted against it. I grew up in the border region and wasn’t happy that men who had murdered people I knew were going to be freed from prison after serving very little time. But while that still bothers me I am happy to say that I was wrong for voting no because the positives have far outweighed the negatives and peace has lasted. I didn’t think it would.
The right politicians were in power at the right time. No way would Trump, May, Leo, O’Neill and Foster have had the balls or the know-how to do what those guys did. The current crop would never even have gotten around a table.
Yea it was a fantastic agreement but something new is needed, the shower up the road care more for Language Acts, Flags and Parades than governing. The Bomb maybe out of politics up there but the two communities still have major issues with each other.
We need the middle ground to rise again up there or a party that is not stuck in the past and can attract voters from both sides.
@Philip Morgan: The middle ground is knowing how better Ireland would be as one sovereign nation, recognising the diversity of cultures and working hard to make Ireland a better place for everyone. One hundred years on from partition we must count the cost of division and look to a better future. No point in celebrating anything until we recognise the mistakes made by earlier generations and make an effort to fix Ireland.
Tells a terrible analogy & manages to spoil black panther at the same time. Keep on trucking bill
This is what my college fees are going towards? Joke…
tiresome back slapping pike of self congratulatory nonsense, however bill at least managed to stay awake. Just curious has anyone noticed, nothing has actually REALLY changed. Bertie has some neck all the same, at least clinton was gracious enough to mention both John Major and Albert Reynolds, both of whom actually started the process, mean while outside, bigoted Peter Robinson couldn’t contain his hatred “how’s the missus Peter? still got a large small on her face??
I don’t watch many films, can anyone expand on the why bill is like a panther who’s specific colour is blank, unlike all the other panthers I’ve seen :-/
have your say