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A GOVERNMENT TENDER has finally been issued for a polling company to source the people who will sit on the promised Citizens’ Assembly.
Taoiseach Enda Kenny told the Dáil in June that a polling company would decide the makeup of the assembly.
The Fine Gael-led government committed to setting up a Citizen’s Assembly which would discuss the Eighth Amendment – which guarantees the right to life of the unborn, equating it with the mother’s right to life – in the first six months of its term.
Other issues the assembly will discuss include how we best respond to the challenges and opportunities of an ageing population; fixed term parliaments; the manner in which referenda are held; and how the State can make Ireland a leader in tackling climate change.
The tender published on the government E-Tenders website states the company will be tasked with selecting 99 members of the public plus 99 substitutes who are willing to act as members of the assembly.
First meeting in October
The first meeting is due to be held in October, and meetings will be held over 10 weekends, sitting all-day Saturday and until mid-afternoon on Sunday.
The proceedings will be broadcast online.
The tender specifies that the assembly will publish a report based on its recommendations within one year from the date of the first meeting.
The Department of An Taoiseach, which issued the tender, specifies that members of the assembly should be chosen at random and be representative of society as regards age, gender, social class, and regional spread.
The members of the public should also be on the electoral register to vote in a referendum.
A tender has also been issued for suitable hotels to provide weekend accommodation and conference facilities for approximately 120 people. The government intends to create a panel of hotels within a 20 kilometre radius of Dublin that can host the meetings.
Despite promises of diversity on the assembly, a number of TDs have already voiced their doubts over how it will function effectively.
Transparency of the assembly
Anti-Austerity Alliance/People Before Profit’s Brid Smith and Ruth Coppinger have said there are no guarantees that there will be complete transparency around the establishment of the assembly or that members will not be subject to lobbying.
Smith said she did not know how a polling company, which will be tasked with selecting the members, could ensure the assembly is balanced.
“How do you vet someone who may have a strong Catholic ethos or anti-choice position? asked Smith.
Due to the divisive nature of the issue, concerns have also been raised about the publication of the names of those that will sit on the assembly.
There were similar concerns raised when the Constitutional Convention was set up in 2012. It dealt with a number of issues including voting age and blasphemy, but the one that attracted most attention was same-sex marriage.
At the time, chairman Tom Arnold said the convention was keen to engage with interest groups who may wish to offer input but that there were fears among some members that they could be bombarded by unwanted contact.
Arnold said some members had expressed concerns that they might be on the receiving end of intensive lobbying from interest groups hoping to influence their decisions.
Publishing names
On that occasion, personal details were kept to a minimum. The names of the members were published with a general indication given as to where they were from.
The same framework will most likely be used to establish the Citizens’ Assembly.
The issue of repealing the Eighth Amendment of the Constitution has been divisive in Irish society as well as in political circles.
Some critics of the idea believe that the Citizens’ Assembly is merely an exercise in ‘kicking the can down the road’ to avoid dealing directly with an issue which has been described by some political figures as a political hand grenade.
Amending the Protection of Life During Pregnancy Act to allow pregnant women who have been given diagnoses of fatal foetal abnormalities to have a termination in Ireland already created a split in Cabinet in June this year when members of the Independent Alliance said they wanted to back the Bill.
Fine Gael has come under further pressure to tackle the issue following a UN ruling that Ireland is obliged to provide compensation to a woman who was forced to travel abroad to have an abortion.
A committee of experts from the UN’s Human Rights Commission found that Ireland’s laws on abortion have had a “chilling effect” on healthcare and contributed to “negative experiences”.
The closing date for the polling company tender is 19 August, while the hotel accommodation tender closing date is 26 August.
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This guy is clearly going for Darwin award
In NK they call it the Kim award, as he invented evolution
€50 on North Korea @ 6/1
I went for North Korea at Half Time & South Korea Full Time.
Don’t waste your money Loremolis!
“The moment of explosion is approaching fast” according to the NK army – well if they attempt to launch a strike first his prediction will no doubt come true, but not in the way he means….
China vs Russia in the other semi final.
Can we blame Terry Henri because we are not in it?
Spoke to a family friend living in South Korea who said its all a load of hype NK do this stuff all the time prob to get sanctions lifted and its western media making a mountain out of a mole hill, he said he got a little worried as he listened to news talk on the web bit the South Koreans don’t care and its business as usual!!
trouble is mohamad,
the little snot who is now in charge seems to believe he is a god, and he is reading western media too. He sees the coverage he is getting and ups the ante. At some point he has to do something or he will lose face…
This can only end badly
Just hear the only people worried are South Koreans who lived near the boarder, worried they will be hit by American bombs by mistake!! Russia and china call for both sides to calm.
Beckham to sign for NK, six month contract
You are properly right Dave let’s just hope if he does anything stupid they just shoot it down and not risk the innocent people of NK by dropping a nuc in retaliation!
The Russians said the same thing when Hitler stuck a million soldiers on the border
He invented the iPad and he can cure cancer.it’s true,I read it on his personal blog! Sheesh, people are sooooo judgemental.
While a serious situation there full of it. Why attack kmowing your going to be destroyed.
I notice when North Korea do something it “increases tensions”.
When America moves destroyers into the region or flies bombers over their country, diddly sqwat. A little impartiality please, at the end of the day, this a country (albeit incredibly aggressively) defending their borders.
Because they are not goin to attack.
All NK wants is a peace treaty wit America. Rt news will give ye both sides story…
North Korea are the instigators though. Their actions will decide how the U.S, South Korea, Japan etc. respond. Their threats will most likely amount to nothing, and their ‘long range missiles’ will most likely fall incredibly short, but what they’re threatening can’t be overlooked. They’re essentially the baddies!
@James
Funny to hear you talk about ‘defending their borders’ – NK is the aggressor here, as it was when the Korean war broke out.
Over the past few years it has launched several attacks on SK, which has shown incredible restraint under the circumstances.
Louise – how are they “essentially the baddies”? They don’t want US bombers flying over their land and are standing up to them with bizarre, un-actionable threats.
Are you for real?
Leonard – I just read the latest RT article on this issue. A few things are worth noting about that article: the article explicitly says that the US has repeatedly turned down offers of a treaty. That’s simply not true. North Korea stepped away from its international obligations over and over again and walked out of negotiations more times than I can count. US/South Korean militarism on the peninsula has led to a handful of accidents in the last six decades. North Korean attacks have led to a large number of deaths following unprovoked attacks. But the main thrust of the article, that the US simply wants to encircle China and North Korea is the next natural foothold, is also bogus. Why go through an extremely costly conflict to get not much further than you already are? There are US bases all over the Pacific including S Korea, Japan and the Philippines. They already have encircled China and gaining control of a piece of land that is about the same size as Ireland isn’t going to further that strategic advantage.
Yes rt news is little more informative ..
This guy is young and clueless pay no attention to him.His track record of stupidity on the Journal has nearly reached Legendary status.
RT news is the Russian equivalent of the US Fox or Iranian pressTV. Yes they report some stuff that Western media will sweep under the carpet but their reports need to come with a major bias warning.
I think you may have misinterpreted some of the information surrounding NK. They are a one-party totalitarian government whose people essentially rely on international food aid to survive. They pump huge amounts of resources into their military/missile development.
A lot of their aid has been cut because they continue to develop nuclear weapons and illegally test them. So now they’re having a major hissy fit and trying to show the world they mean serious business. They’re undoubtedly the aggressors.
Is there anything to be said for another mass??
James, you really don’t get it – do you? I think they card people like you appeasers in the 30s. You’re not related to Chmaberlajn by any chance?
@Richard… All Media should come with a bias warning, all are owned by people, boards, or governments with their own agenda’s.
We should question the origin of all our conclusions and beliefs.
But can you see where there coming from? If some one blanket bombed Ireland for 5 years leaving no buildings or infrastructure left id be pretty angry too. I think NK are afraid of same happening again. Yes they seem a bit crazy but i honestly don’t think their suicidal. I really hope this does not escalate from either side. Make love not war.
Leonard, that was 60 years ago! The US bombed Germany and Japan into submission in WW2. Now they are all allies. NK has no excuse for its actions! Learn some history will you.
no stephen, I think we all know what we need to do here…….. we put the brick on the accelerator!
That’s just crazy enough to work…
”but their reports need to come with a major bias warning.”
Unlike RTE and BBC etc . Fox is bad – it is nearly a benifiet to those it attacks .
Yes its history now. But how would you feel if your parents were killed in them carpet bombings?
Who?
Leonard, how did the Japanese and Germans feel?! But everyone has moved on! They are all allies!
WW2 is over! The Korean War is over 60 years now. Stop making excuses for NK!
RT news is as biased on one side as Fox is on the other. So I wouldn’t be inclined to use them as independent portrayers of the news.
Lay off whatever you are smokin…
Im not making excuses for them declan. Im tryin to comprehend why this is going on. Obviously NK are not suicidal because if they do launch an attack its signing their own death warrant.
Leonard, well your not doing a good job at comprehending at what’s going on if you are looking back so far. It’s in the history books. NK should have no beef with SK or the US. It’s needs to take its proper place among the countries of this world.
The bombers didn’t fly over their land, they flew over South Koreas land
When did the US fly bombers over North Koreas borders?
Well, if NK doesn’t want to get bombed to oblivion then maybe they should … calm down?
Lol The baddies really ? I think you v been watching to much American pr
Any chance they might hit PSY, so we don’t have to hear Gangnam Style again.
HEEEEEEEEEEEEEEYYYY SEXY LADY
Do you prefer the cranky car version on 2fm?
http://www.abc.net.au/7.30/content/2013/s3727471.htm
Nothing will happen. I live close to the border. Nobody is cowering in fear. This is par for the course just a little louder than usual.
My son lives in Seoul and this is how he sees it, too.
Very interesting article, thanks.
If they are not technologically advanced enough to launch how come I seen a picture of Kim dum sung with an iMac and iPad mini at the same time! Answer me that!
Kim mini
iKim mini
Hoo flung dung
@michael – while banning everyone else from using them. Typical tinpot despot. No different to those Taliban clowns.
Not too many mad dictators left in the world thankfully. Once Kim is gone only other dictator is Kenny and his FG death squad.
They have been exchanged for corporate dictators instead.
Not since Bush
The little body is trying to fit in daddy’s shoes
just get on with it
Nothing little about his waist line.
It would make for great tv if he started firing rockets. The yanks would annihilate him!!!
If they could just drop the bombs on Kim’s head that’d be great.
All those people will die just because he is an egotistical twit
I’m sure they could just attack Kim, this is America we are talking about, couldn’t they just assassinate him if they really wanted to?
This guy is more than lonely- he’s got separation anxiety! Like a puppy ripping up a couch when no ones Home
Just do it….. Nk should be sponsored by Nike…
Kim got 6 hole in ones today at the nuclear missile golf course
Somehow I think that Kim dum one will be deposed by his military before they will allow the total destruction of their country
The stumpy lad is at it again
I must admit these Koreans got balls. I thought they would have stood down by now but they look to be going the distance. I see a knew conflict here the US have not started. They will however end. NK as a state is coming to a close.
Is he just pissed off that the follow up single to ‘Gangnam Style’ failed to hit the charts? Bit of a slight over reaction Psy.
Gel Mini Kim’s hair back and there maybe a PSY. Tin foil hat conspiracy – beware!
Id say China are going to take this one on and show the region all there new shiny toys.They have sent there troops to the boarder and will probably use NK as an example in the region as they have numerous boarder land and sea disputes on going.This would be a good chance to claen house and at the same time a show of force.
I say go for it, starting a war with the states would look great on his C V.
AMERICANS MUST STOP ALL PROVOCATIONS AND GET OUT OF THE REGION IMMEDIATELY! YANKEES GO HOME! OR RUSSIA WILL INTERVENE OR CHINA
I think so too
So the US isn’t allowed to park a few pieces of military equipment in ally countries JUST because Kim dum fuk doesn’t like it? I think the United States is great in doing so. Protect the investments.
Someone just needs to pop his head like a grape… In front of 15,000 NK’s. Maybe then the North Koreans can start accepting that he isn’t a god.
Duh boy!
Nice pic man.
He’s a bluffer , he knows he wil b wiped out . 50% of their income comes from abroad . He’s taken on the world now . What a joker of a man and country
Anonymous invade North Korea’s Twitter and Flickr accounts. Hilarity ensued! http://www.newstiller.com/technology/619-anonymous-strike-again-operation-north-korea
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