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.
Sign in. It’s quick, free and it’s up to you.
An account is an optional way to support the work we do. Find out more.
By continuing, you are indicating that you accept our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy.
A GOVERNMENT SENATOR has said that he voted against the abolition of the Seanad, despite being in favour of the referendum.
Michael D’Arcy told TheJournal.ie that he had been in favour of the abolition of the upper house prior to the General Election, but had wavered due to the referendum campaign.
“I took a position before the General Election that I was in favour of abolition.
“I didn’t campaign in the referendum out of respect for the people that I serve in the Seanad with.
But, when it came to it, I voted No. I was just very disappointed with the campaign. I felt it was disrespectful to this and previous Seanads.
D’Arcy said that despite being in favour of abolition at the outset of the 2011 General Election, where he lost his seat in Wexford, he took his place in the Seanad to stay involved in politics.
“I was offered an opportunity to contribute to political life and the Seanad was the last avenue.
I’m very upfront about the fact that I’m using the Seanad for my political agenda. And there are people in there who are doing the same.
Responding to a suggestion by Labour senator Mary Moran that senators who supported abolition should “do some soul-searching”, D’Arcy was unequivocal.
Moran had said:
“For those senators who advocated a Yes vote–they have some serious soul searching to do. If I did not believe my job was worthwhile or the Seanad was useful I would not continue to stay on and draw a salary from the Irish people. I would have never taken my seat if I believed my job was any number of the things claimed in the campaign on the Yes side. The senators that advocated the Yes vote must now decide whether they can in good conscience remain in a position which they have declared has no worth.”
D’Arcy responded:
Consider my soul searched. I will be finishing this term.
To embed this post, copy the code below on your site
Never trust politicians.
One day a florist went to a barber for a haircut. After the cut, heasked about his bill, and the barber replied, ‘I cannot accept moneyfrom you, I’m doing community service this week.’The florist was pleased and left the shop.When the barber went to open his shop the next morning, there was a’thank you’ card and a dozen roses waiting for him at his door.Later, a cop comes in for a haircut, and when he tries to pay his bill,the barber again replied, ‘I cannot accept money from you, I’m doingcommunity service this week.’ The cop was happy and left the shop.The next morning when the barber went to open up, there was a ‘thankyou’ card and a dozen doughnuts waiting for him at his door.Then a Member of Congress came in for a haircut, and when he went topay his bill, the barber again replied, ‘I cannot accept money fromyou. I’m doing community service this week.’ The Member of Congresswas very happy and left the shop.The next morning, when the barber went to open up, there were a dozenMembers of Congress lined up waiting for a free haircut.And that, my friends, illustrates the fundamental difference betweenthe citizens of our country and the politicians who run it.
Mr Darcy voted no to save his career…….honesty please ,we are not stupid people
Rejoice and let’s all vote for florists and police next time round. The missing bit of the story – a journal.ie reader also went for a haircut. They went home and told all their friends that barbers were getting off jail sentences by doing community service…and the politicians were to blame. For everything.
Funny
I find it difficult to believe that the guards from the local station didn’t all arrive at his door after the cop got his free hair cut.
They also love getting things for free – like entry to All Ireland finals by showing their badges for example.
Well Mr. D’Arcy be careful you don’t get a splinter in your arse from sitting on the fence.
If you’ve never seen a man speak from both sides of his mouth, keep your eyes on D’Arsey.
His flip flops are amazing.
This is a perfect example of one of the waisters we need to get out of the Seanad. If a private company was full of waisters that resulted in poor performance of the business, they would not close the company, they would just replace all the poor performing staff. All senators representing parties who were pro seanad abolition should resign, end of.
Diarmuid Ferriter made a good point on the radio on Sunday. He pretty much said that the Seanad continues to be a half way house for people on their way in and out of the Dail. It’s been both a safety net for existing politicians that lose their seat and the runner up prize for those that can’t get elected by the people. Now that the Seanad is going to be retained I think this should be one of the first things to be changed.
I believe the Seanad is an intollerable anachronism in its current form yet I voted for retention. Now Senators should do the honorable thing and vote themselves out of existance to make way for proper democratic reform overnight.
Gaucho
Two Waisters are more than the equal of you and they seem to multiply under your hand!
Richie, I gave you a thumb up for being an egg head :)
A turkey doesn’t vote for Christmas.
Who did you say won? the No crowd? Jaysus hold on a minute I’ve just remembered I voted no all along
It’s always after something never before.
Let’s wait and see what the majority is 1st and I’ll go with that like .
For god sake can’t we not a government to think on their own . No vision .
Ship sinking jump
He voted no so he could continue to ride the gravy train. End of story.
I was offered the opportunity to contribute… the arrogance is just hanging out.
Vote for the issue not the campaign
I’ve said it before but the best way of keepin failed TDs out of the Seanad is to have both elections on the same day
And finished in the Fine Gael party too, I hope.
What an idiot.
So why would he not say which way he was voting and why before the referendum?
Would that have anything to do with the wanting to stay in Edna’s good books and so has the opportunity to run again for the Dáil, where he admits is where he wants to be?
I wonder if he is going to be expelled from Fine Gael for voting against the party.
Find this weird so many people want to get rid of useless pollys and we had a chance to get rid of sixty but we voted to keep them. I can’t believe many no voters are complaining and looking for resignations you had a chance to kick them out but you didn’t take it. Abolition is reform, radicle reform.
D’Arcy is a typical example of what happens to those who lose in elections. There is always the Seanad to fall back on when they lose. If you are not elected by the people there should not be an option to get in the “back door”. Typical “cronyism” !!
I’m from M D’Arcy’s constituency and have had first hand experience of his contribution to date. Many of the comments are to say the least ignorant. His help locally has been invaluable over the last few years. In my community alone he has and continues to help the local development groups local sports clubs local schools etc and has been far more effective than other political professionals in our area.
The article states he won’t be returning to the Seanad after the next election and therefore his no vote was not motivated by such. He tells the truth for his reason for being in the Seanad and folk castigate him for it and yet we all know several senators are there for the same reason. Seems like some folk prefer the lies. Remember it was us the electorate (I voted yes btw) who choose to keep the Seanad so maybe at times we need to take a pinch of responsibility for the political system we have.
People can’t complain if they voted no. The opportunity was there. To make further real change now they are saying another referendum will be required. Lost opportunity.
What won the referendum was the Micheal Martin motivated the Fianna Fáil vote to come out and Kenny and Gilmore did not motivate their bases to do so.
have your say