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FINE GAEL MEP Jim Higgins has urged people to ensure that they are on the electoral register for next year’s European and local elections.
Speaking to Karen Coleman for EP Radio, the MEP said “if you’ve got no vote, you’ve got no voice” and encouraged people to register and go to the polls this summer.
Higgins continued:
Whether it’s the local county council office, the local Post Office, the local garda station, get your name on the register ad at least participate in the democratic process, that’s what it’s all about. We fought long and hard for our democracy, for our freedom so participate in it.
The elections are due to be held this summer and the competition for European seats is likely to be fierce with the parliament approving a plan to cut our MEP numbers from 12 to 11 earlier this year.
A survey last week revealed that more than 90 per cent of people in Dublin can’t name any one of their three MEPs. One person surveyed answered sincerely that they believed German chancellor Angela Merkel was an MEP.
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People fought long and hard for our right to vote. It’s a pity that the party political system ensures that the same self interested parties get into power regardless of what lies they tell to do so. It’s a real shame.
When smaller parties form they are usually run out of town.
Many micro-parties are done before they even get a chance to be heard.
This is only the fault of the electorate.
All the fault of the electorate. If the decent majority in this country got off their bums and did something then we would not be were we are and their kids would not be in Australia.
“sure there all the same, and nothing will change, what difference could i make”
Is it cowardice, low self esteem, no self respect or self belief, probably all of them.
“We fought long and hard for our democracy, for our freedom so participate in it.”. Only for FG/FF and Lab to sell it out. When the German Parliament gets our budget before ours and the Bank of England knows that there is going to be a bank bailout before our government does it begs the question as to why we should even vote?
Agree 100%. Total sellout. And what’s this ” we fought ” from Higgins? His lot only fought for salary and privileges , jobs for the boys, and otherwise are classic “surrender monkeys”
it’s an illusion of democracy, we vote for who we want to put into power but get a say on nothing then. we have a vote on gay marraige, which shouldn’t even be an issue. the bank bailout no vote?
“if you’ve got no vote, you’ve got no voice””
– we have no voice anyway . People did not vote in last election to be robbed to pay off failed bankers – yet that is what happened and will continue now to happen .
The politicians are good liars – there is no Democracy – ie For the people – .
The politician’s are blatantly puppets of the Rich .
Voting has changed little – we were always ruled by the rich – so stop voting for their puppets .
When Government follow Vietnams example and execute corrupt bankers and politicians – the we can again take this thing seriously-
–until then voting remains a farce .
Its disgraceful that people don’t vote,
As a citizen of Ireland you have only some basic responsibilities, One of them is to inform yourself and vote and most lazy people can’t even do that.
If you don’t vote and your not involved in the process that can change this country then you have no right to bitch and moan
Spot on
So Martin, Hitler or Stalin and you have to vote for one of them which one do you vote for???? Voting is a right and a privilege and was fought hard for by our ancestors but you can’t make people vote for someone they don’t believe in.
If you don’t vote can you really call yourself a citizen of your country?more like a bystander.
You can vote for ‘none of the above’ Voting should be compulsary and fines issued for not voting like in Australia. People died for this simple right.
I agree Paul. Voting for none of the above is a vote. I vote myself. It’s the narrow minded people who still vote for the parties who never change there tune and help the communities grow
But if you do then you are a puppet, so now you have two choices “puppet” or “Bystander”. Which one do you vote for?
Yes Mr. FG TD. We fought long and hard for our democracy only for FG to sh1t all over it by lying to the people who used their democratic right to vote to support your party.
You’ll be another one that can’t name a MEP then. Since you don’t know the difference between a TD and an MEP.
If you do not give them your vote, they get no big salary, and no big pension. If you want to go along with the charade register your vote now, and be a participant in helping more fat cats on to the E.U. gravy train.
Patricia,
I wouldn’t call Paul Murphy a fat cat and I think he’s deserving of a vote next June.
http://www.paulmurphymep.eu/
Whats the alternative Patricia?
People did fight long and hard for the right to vote. It’s a pity that the current party political system ensures that its the same old self- interested shower get into government regardless of the lies they tell to get there. It’s a real shame
Whats the point. Doesn’t make a difference who gets elected.
poor you, go back to bed and feel sorry for yourself.
In the grown up world we have to see change because we have no choice.
If you have a vote you have a voice.But it will be drowned out in the clamour of fools trying to get their man in who hands out the most goodies for their own greed.
To those muppetts that keep saying you should vote is a democratic duty and all that rubbish. I leave you with the words of
As democracy is perfected, the office of president represents, more and more closely, the inner soul of the people. On some great and glorious day the plain folks of the land will reach their heart’s desire at last and the White House will be adorned by a downright moron.”
― H.L. Mencken
We have achived that many and all the time here in Ireland.
Voting for the lesser of two evils is still voting for evil. Next time, go all out and write in Lucifer on the ballot.
”
― Jarod Kintz, 99 Cents For Some Nonsense
The voters have us in this mess, well done, give yourselves a big round of applause, I was an innocent bystander minding my own business
thats ok if your allowed to vote in elections , we have lived in ireland for the last 15 yrs, worked here and paid our way, yet dispite being enrolled on the electional register we can not vote on european elections, general elections, or referendums, we can vote in local authority elections but thats it ! the law needs to change, giving the right to all people living in the country, for say 5 yrs or more, the right to vote in all elections and referendums, after all the state is happy enough to take our money in taxes and stelth tax’s. also ALL european citizens should have the right to vote in e.u elections in which ever country they redide in, matter which country they come from.
European citizens can vote in european elections and local.
Apply for citizenship, problem solved.
@ Eric
You should be able to vote in both local and european elections. Check with your local council.
My husband and I, and our son, each received letters from the council telling us that we were now allowed to vote in general elections as well as local and european elections.
We are still not permitted to vote in any referenda or presidential elections.
We have now been resident here this time round for just over 6 years. The first time we lived here we stayed on for almost 9 and a half years.
why should i have to apply and pay to become a citizen ? i have already paid tax’s, have a prsi number, a bank account, perminant address etc, to apply for a citizenship i would have to fork out another few hundred quid just to suit some pen pushing burocrat .
You’re not a citizen so no, you should not have a right to vote and decide the government.
You are a EU citizen however so, yes, you should and do have a right to vote and decide who represents you in Europe.
It’s not about paying income tax, otherwise the unemployed wouldn’t have a vote.
So basically it doesn’t matter who you vote for because the government always gets in!
Move to Somalia if you don’t like governments…
Why bother voting in the EU elections? It’s like voting in East German elections. There you had a choice between 1 commie and another commie. In Ireland’s EU elections, you’ve a choice between 1 Europhile and another Europhile.
Now if we’d some honest to god eurosceptics running, it’d be a different story.
Joe Higgins / Declan Ganley being the exceptions…(not that they’re eurosceptics).
For God’s sake and your own DON’T VOTE. It is your most powerful weapon against the contrived ‘democracy’ the powers that be have used against the people. We need a new system Bring back Brehon Law!
me thinks mr higgins must be worried about retaining his seat……it would make more sense that only those who reach the required quota for election are elected….too many tds get in without reaching a quota and if only those with a quota are elected you would find more people would vote ,also holding elections on a saturday so that students who are living away from home can actually vote unlike the normal thursday/friday voting
Probably hitler
Are my comments being blocked for any particular reason or is it my iPhone acting up?
Sorry they just appeared! DOH!
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