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IT SEEMS TO be a matter of when, rather than if, we have a general election.
The confidence and supply agreement with Fianna Fáil underpinning Fine Gael’s minority government appears dead in the water with an election the inevitable result.
While efforts to resolve the crisis are ongoing, this may only delay the inevitable until the new year.
That delay may make for a long campaign, but it would be good news for the Oireachtas Committee on the Eighth Amendment.
So what happens if an election is called?
Plainly, if the Dáil is dissolved the committee also dissolves with it. It would mean the committee’s work ends about a month out from when it’s scheduled to finish.
If you’ve been following the committee’s work (and if you are you should sign up to our email round-up) you’ll know that the members have gone through many long hours to get to this point.
After nine weeks of hearings, it’s planned they’ll have two more meetings next week before starting to put a report together. This is what the government will use to scope out the wording of a referendum
The report is to be completed before Christmas and its chairperson Catherine Noone told TheJournal.ie today that it remains on schedule.
“We’re all on schedule to report on 20 December, to think that we won’t be given that opportunity because of this political dynamic, no matter what side of the argument you’re on, it just seems to me absurd,” she said.
To think that it us took is this long to address this issue in the houses of the Oireachtas. I mean obviously it’s not the only priority, at the moment, but it is a major priority.
The committee has already decided against retaining the Eighth Amendment as it currently stands, but crucial votes on other issues still remain to be taken.
It’s planned that these nuts and bolts decisions will be tackled from 6 December but all this comes to a grinding halt if the Dáil is dissolved.
Firstly, the actual make-up of the 22 person committee is thrown into flux because they will all have to seek re-election.
That includes 16 TD and six senators, with the election to the Seanad taking even longer than the lower house. A Seanad election must take place 90 days after the dissolution of the Dáil, meaning that the process is set back at least three months.
It’s likely to be longer than that though because the membership of the committee would have to be finalised (again). This takes us to perhaps late spring 2018 and would of course mean that the planned summer referendum would be out the window.
What’s more, setting up the committee again may not be the immediate priority of any new incoming government, something that’s a concern for committee member Senator Lynn Ruane.
The likelihood is the (election) result will be much the same, but a new government is starting again, it doesn’t have to pick up where it left off with the referendum, it doesn’t have to take on anything from the Citizens’ Assembly, or the committee because we wouldn’t have had their deliberations. Of course we fear that we may have to start again.
Ruane adds, however, that there would be significant pressure on any new government to make sure the work of the committee, and of course the Citizens’ Assembly, is not let go to waste. She also says the repeal movement is strong and that the Eighth Amendment would be an election issue if there is one.
In fact, the Abortion Rights Campaign released a statement yesterday saying that both “human effort” and “considerable financial resources” have already been invested in the process.
“We will not let the referendum to Repeal the Eighth to be held hostage in a bid to get votes for political parties,” said spokesperson Linda Kavanagh.
Is there a best case scenario?
From the point of view of the work of the committee, no election at all would be preferable. But failing that, a stay of execution until Christmas to make sure the report is completed would be the next best option.
That would at least mean that any new government would have an agreed document to work off and that the referendum would not be delayed further.
According to Ruane, getting the report done and dusted would be “crucial”:
If the government were to fall next week, we’ve heard all this evidence but we still don’t know where everyone stands. We’d have nothing solid next year to go to a new government and say ‘okay, this was the outcome of a process’. Right now we’ll have nothing to say what the outcome of the process was.
What about the worst case scenario?
If the Dáil is dissolved in the coming week, no report would be completed and it would be a major setback to those who want a referendum sooner rather than later.
Then, presuming the drive was there from a new government to complete the committee’s work, an Oireachtas resolution would likely be passed setting a new end date and obliging a new committee to consider the evidence of the previous committee.
This would at least mean that all those hours of evidence would not be wasted, but it would be far from ideal.
Reflecting on this, Noone says she is hopeful that this will not happen but that it is nonetheless disheartening that politics may continue to scupper progress.
“This is a very big issue and it’s one we’ve avoided for far too long and it’s a difficult one for politicians to deal with, and we’re actually dealing with it. And to think that matters outside of our control would affect it, it’s very frustrating.”
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Profit before lives! Horrendous company.
@Rúraíocht: the greatest company to come out of this country ,
For those of us old enough to know the cost of flying to London 500 Irish pound return , you now can get a return for a pittance and your complaining,
@Rúraíocht: completely hideous. Never again will i use this fookers airline.
@Paddy Dunne: Ridiculous comment
@Rúraíocht: what a st3p1d comment. Tell me of 1 person who lost their life because of a well run Ryan Air. U don’t have to fly with them and the 1000s of people who work there are not slaves they can look for work elsewhere. But I have never heard them complain that they cannot get good staff so they must be doing something great
@Dixieblue: he is completely correct.
@Dixieblue: good for you. That is the beauty of choice. Just like the 1000s of staff they can move elsewhere but they don’t
@john s: Sorry, but I think it’s you who has won the st¥pid comment of the day. Are you a shareholder by any chance? Only someone with a vested interest could come out with a comment like that.
@Paddy Dunne: The airline has been brilliant for consumer value but there is cost to everything, they treat staff and customers terribly. Sneaky charges, bullying tactics and very duplicitous in the media. BTW it never cost £500 to go to London, I think the on the day business class was £350 ish…. still a mad price though
@Paddy Dunne: The airline has been brilliant for consumer value but there is cost to everything, they treat staff and customers terribly. Sneaky charges, bullying tactics and very duplicitous in the media. BTW it never cost £500 to go to London, I think the on the day business class was £350 ish…. still a mad price though
@Dixieblue: you will though €9.99
@Paddy Dunne: This attitude is ridiculous. So they should be immune to valid criticism cos of something they did like 30 years ago that someone else would have done anyway?
@Paddy Dunne: yeah, but offering cheap flights doesn’t allow them to treat their staff like dirt.
@Gav: People always crib and moan about sneaky charges. There are no sneaky charges. You pay for what you book. People who arrive at the airport with extra kilos, bigger bags etc. and then aren’t happy when they’re pulled on it, are either chancing their arm or can’t comprehend basic English while booking.
@Paddy Dunne: company treats staff terribly, staff treat customers the same way. They actually took their buisness model from southwest air in the states, all polices were taken accept for treatment of staff, southwest love their staff but o leary prefers to treat staff like dirt.
@Paddy Dunne: Ah yeah Paddy sure feck the staffs health and recent pay & condition issues as long as you can get a cheap flight Me Fein much?
@Paddy Dunne: Paddy I remember when the flights were mad expensive due to the duopoly of Aerlingus and BA, This was the same across Europe due to regulation of the industry.
When the EU deregulated the industry the likes of Ryanair and Easyjet started up amongst other carriers, Which would lead to lower tickets costs.
@john s: sure what’s the point in any employment rights then, sure if employees aren’t happy they can leave. What a ridiculous comment. Employers are legally bound to provide a safe working environment, if what is alleged in this article is true, it is a failure on Ryanair’s part to do so and they should be sanctioned accordingly. Those infected should consider civil cases against their employer on these failings. Nothing to do with any service offered by the employer, just the working conditions provided.
@john s: you’ve a very short memory, flights were cancelled for 400,000 passengers in 2018 because of staff shortages and mass exodus of pilots to other airlines.
@EillieEs: yes was not good and lots of pilots left as is their right. This is the key point. They chose to leave. Ryan Air had no problem in replacing them. Which is surprising when people say they are the devil.
@In fairness now…: someone with logic and facts. But you can make something up if it helps. Sorry u already did .
@john s: “Tell me of 1 person who lost their life because of a well run Ryan Air”…… Eh, the virus didn’t walk to Ireland on its own.
@Paddy Dunne: London was never 500 pounds. I’ll give you a couple of reasons why Ryanair was successful. Not the only ones though. Deregulation and the government rescue of Ryanair from financial collapse in 1989. Ironically they were given exclusive rights by the Irish government to Ireland/Stansted, Ireland/Gatwick, Dublin/Liverpool & Dublin/Munich routes. If that happened now to any other company MOL would be the first person to kick up, which he has already about Lufthansa. I think MOL has a short memory.
@Paddy Dunne: Jaysus Paddy you’re right they’re the greatest. Great idea sacrificing staff for cheaper flights. After all they’re only numbers and easily replaceable. I think maybe €20 reduction on all return flights as each member of staff is of no use any longer to Mick. But then there are Mexican cartels with with better job prospects. And Paddy as soon as you think of these people as humans you know you’re going soft…
@Fr. Fintan Stack: they took an aerlingus flight as Ryan Air don’t fly to China
@john s: Ah yes, another expert medical scientist just like your mentor, Professor O’Leary. It couldn’t have come in via Italy, UK, Germany or any other destination you care to mention.
@Fr. Fintan Stack: you are the one blaming Ryan Air and I am pointing to the fact that they don’t fly to China. But I apologise as far as the media have reported this virus came from China.
@john s: Where did I blame Ryanair? The fact is we don’t know how it got in to Ireland. I do blame MOL however for blurting out irresponsible populist rubbish that he knows nothing about for the sole reason of bringing in more profit for himself and his company, irrespective of the consequences for the general population.
Who would thought that Ryanair and the Bullying MOL would cut corners and pressure staff.
@Fred the Muss…: ahh the defense of making stuff up because u Don’t like them. Sounds like bullying form behind a keyboard. Keep it up mr O Leary you are a credit to this country.
@john s: you must be joking, the only thing the man is good at is profiteering from tragedy! 9/11 was proof of that and you can be sure he has something similar with the MAX at the moment. Don’t you worry, he will turn the pandemic into something he can profit from too
@john s: the article is literally about Ryanair staff working in an apparently unhealthy environment being bullied but your problem is with people calling management out?
@Joe_X: wow thats a stretch 9/11??? It is horrendous that someone that employees 1000s of employees wants the business to be successful. Mr oleary should be ashamed of himself that .
@EillieEs: the article is about anonymous people making claims that if true the hsa would close them down. But I bet the hsa would go in and say all is well. Alot of people seem to mistake being told to do your job with being bullied.
@john s: After 9/11, Boeing started going through a rough patch, and Ryanair booked 2 of Boeings lines that built the B737NG in a contract that saved Boeing. If any other airline wanted a B737NG, Boeing directed them to Ryanair, from who they bought the slot from. Any B737NGs off those lines were built to Ryanair requirements, and any airlines who bought the slots from Ryanair, then had to either take the aircraft on those specs, or paid Boeing to modify the aircraft to their own requirements.
@Joe_X: so boeing needed business after 9/11 and Ryan Air stepped up to give them business to survive . Wow I see how they are evil now.
@john s: he profiteered from a tradgedy and doing the same now with the MAX….profiteering from the misfortune of others. The stone in the ditch has better ethics than the man.
@john s: his tactics woild nearly make you ashamed to call yourself Irish, but I suppose wherever you go you will find people like that. Seeing as you seem to admire hime so much, it probably is not beyond you to pull the same kind of stunts!
OLeary should change his to Michael Trump. Top down cultural hierarchy. This has O’Leary written all over it.
@In fairness now…: Funny time for story to come out though…
Someone was sent on a fishing expedition..
O Leary couldn’t give a xxxx about staff. You’re a number that easily replaceable many times over.
@The Irish Bull: most Australians wouldn’t give a castlemaine for anything else either
@The Irish Bull: same as every other profit making company in the world, only difference he’s honest about it.
@Sean Dalton: how many other airlines had to cancel thousands of flights because of a mass exodus of pilots to rival companies?
@EillieEs: yet they were all replaced and Ryan Air continued to thrive. Must be because it is so well run. And can attract 1000s of employees.
I wonder has “Ah, it’s no worse than a cold” Michael O’Leary been vaccinated.
You really do tire of O’Learys rhetoric in these calamitous times. We do not need his arrogance and corporate ambivalence when so many in our sick world are dying.
If they can’t prevent or contain an outbreak in their own office, how can they mabage the fleet of hundreds of aircraft and still say its safe..
I hope Ryanair collapses then we can go back to the good old days of unaffordable flights , no more foreign holidays or trips for the weekend etc ….
@Peter donnelly: and of course not having to sit beside poor people.
@Peter donnelly: cheaper travel happened because of EU open skies policy and the massive fall in oil prices in the early 80s following its peak in 1980.
@EillieEs: and all the extra planes to accommodate demand did not help. How did people fly??? Yes on planes that were provided my companies like Ryan Air do to the good business model . No need to thank mr oleary
I’d much prefer the HSE’s ‘mass hysteria” to O’Leary’s money mania. Ryanair have behaved with a complete lack of honesty and responsibility since the start of the Pandemic.
Their constant denials, opportunistic PR, nauseating ads and their attitude to refunding their customers makes them a national disgrace and embarrassment. Expired cheque refunds is something you would not see from a door to door carpet salesman never mind a ‘respectable’ corporation. They really are beyond a joke.
They only thing they understand is money. They should be fined big for reckless endangerment and gross negligence. They should be warned that their licenses are dependent on behaving responsibly. They bring very little to Ireland’s economy. The state needs to find its teeth to whip them into shape.
And the hit job commences. How dare O’Leary question anything of the last 11 months.
Sounds like the sensible actions of any business clinging to solvency through this madness. The concerned staff member(s) will be safer from the virus on the dole. And good enough for them.
@Barry C: another knuckledragger.
Get a few words from that bell end Eoghan Corry and see what he has to say. If this is how they treat their staff how do customers get on
@Scott Crossfield: have you ever met Mr Curry? Just wondering why you would use such a word to describe him?
And this is the company that wants us to believe that it’s safe to travel and the healthcare industry has it out for them.
I doubt that this is the only company that have had dubious practices during the lock down. Heard something similar but on a smaller scale recently, close contacts were not required to self isolate following a number of positive tests in a tight knit group of employees. The mantra to the staff was “our investigation was thorough and nobody was at risk”. Yet the close contacts continued to mix with the general staff.
Imagine MOL on the radio only a week ago telling us all he knew better than the CMO. O’Leary is a spoofer, a joker and obviously a wannabe medic.
MOL has more liathróidí than any politician
@Paul: He has balls alright but their not crystal
@Paul: more liathroidi for what? His unabashed goal is to make money, nothing else. Politicians,not that I have much gra for them,have to take people’s physical and mental health into consideration and not just chase the airgead at the expense of all humanity which MOL does. He’s a decent business man but you cannot compare him to public servants in any form as his only goal is money not the uplifting of country or fighting for the underprivileged or the economic stability of a country or resolution of conflicts he just wants cash.
Profit before People
As per gov guidelines.. the office should be closed and all staff WFH
No surprise. The man’s a w****r.
The office has been open since June. All staff are to work with in the office nobody allowed work remote.
Anything to keep the limelight away. Like chickens all couped together up there.
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