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I don’t know how anyone could be so cruel as to take my daughter’s life. What I do know is that Sarah will never be forgotten and is remembered with boundless love. I cling on to memories of Sarah, I hold them tight to keep them safe. The other night, I dreamt that Sarah appeared at home. In my dream I held her and could feel her physically. Jeremy was there, we were comforting her, saying, “It’s alright Sarah, it’s alright.” I would give anything to hold her once more; I hope I dream that dream again.
An extract from the victim impact statement given the mother of Sarah Everard, Susan, after the sentencing of a police officer for her murder.
This winter and the subsequent winters are going to be difficult.
Minister Eamon Ryan on the challenges faced by Ireland’s electricity network over the coming years.
I want to go through with this, it’s part of my reconstruction effort. I want to face these people, I want them to see who their victims were – what happened to us, and to those who are gone.
31-year old Marko, who lost his friend Victor in the 2015 Paris attacks, on why he decided to share his experience of that night at the trial of those accused.
It’s just insolence to think that migrants are like a tap which you can open and close when needed.
HGV driver Tomasz Orynski on the shortage of truck drivers in Britain.
To be honest with you, I wish people wouldn’t leak from Cabinet, of course I do. However, I was asked to investigate that, I haven’t been able to find out who did. I’m not optimistic.
The secretary general at the Department of the Taoiseach, Martin Fraser, on his attempts to find who leaked details from the Mother and Baby Homes report.
I don’t blame the players as much as I blame that we live in a country that has no culture of public health, scant culture of solidarity, and we’re suffering for it. We have already been suffering for it, but now it’s going to be writ large on one of the most important pop cultural institutions we have.
Dave Zirin, sports editor of The Nation, on potential trouble ahead with a vaccine mandate for players in the NBA basketball league.
The country has been burnt on reopening before, easing curbs prematurely late last year which triggered a surge in cases. Ireland—and Europe’s—continued success will depend on widespread vaccination severing the link between easing curbs and virus spread.
A word of warning from Bloomberg after place Ireland #1 in its Covid Resilience Ranking.
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If it’s a no-no, then an election needs to be called next week. The final nail in the FFG disgraceful spell in government.
@JaSE Productions: i honestly can’t remember a worse referendum campaign. The government and especially the Taoiseach have made a complete balls of it
@Brian Dunne: it’s shows contempt for the electorate. The wording was wishy washy and vague.
@JaSE Productions: why ? Were they all not pushing for a Yes vote all except Peadar Toibin party get real
@Sheila McNulty: ‘Pushing’ is a bit of a stretch to be fair.. barely heard a peep out of opposition parties.. I believe the only reason they advocated a yes vote is they were scared of their lives to get caught up in the what is ‘durable relationship’ minefield and afraid of ‘offending’ people not included in their proposed definition. Huge trick missed by opposition parties.. especially SF in not going up against the government on this. But ultimately it’s seems,from early indications, that this will be a mixture of genuine disdain at the pathetic attempt to ammend our constitution and a protest vote against the government and their ‘ performance ‘. So its not entirely unreasonable to call fora GE after another shambolic handling of something from this government. But Unlikely to happen.
@brian madden: I think you’ll find the wording was exactly what they intended it to be…
@Brian: So the opposition parties had no opinion?
@JaSE Productions: Great point.
@Bert Carolan: I didn’t say that. In fact I gave the main reason why I believe they chose to advocate a yes vote.This referendum centered on and ultimately failed because of the replacement language that was being proposed. Government hadn’t the balls to define it and opposition parties hadn’t the balls either to go up against them ,for fear of getting dragged into a sexist/discriminatory and probable racist debate.None of them wanted to rock the boat and risk their vote ahead of a GE that is looming. I’m certainly not letting them off the hook by any stretch. Norma foley said ‘as soon as you define what a durable relationship the race is in on to find those not included’, which is correct.. but thats why you need strong leadership and decision making.. which this government sorely lacks.
@brian madden: agree with you. Just watching bacik on tv blaming the government for not adequately explaining the changes proposed. What an arrogant comment. The common people could not of course look at the wording and make a judgement of their own accord. I think like you that people looked at the wooly wording and said no.
@Brian Dunne: this morning Regina Doherty, tried to use the Citizens Assembly as an excuse. She needs to be reminded her party didn’t take any of the assemblies recommendations. None of the 45 that were made. The assembly recognised family, and also 100% vote that care in society was the government’s responsibility. Remember this when the European elections are running, she doesn’t stand for care.
@JaSE Productions: The government are totally out of touch, Minister for Justice and Minister for Children need to go also for all the recent debacles, Sad part is the leading opposition don’t look any better
@JaSE Productions: I’d imagine if it is a resounding no the government will not call an election this year because they know they’re fcked and will want to keep the snouts in the trough for a little bit longer.
@JaSE Productions: I seem to recall that the main opposition party also called for a Yes, Yes vote so nobody emerges from this with much to celebrate?
@Brian Dunne: Agree 100%.Even when Varadkar was given an unopposed free government sell on the referendum on Virgin TV. He still F..ked it up. The opposition parties who supported the government are also to blame, but the buck stops with Varadkar, Martin, O’Gorman who from the Start in the wording , ambiguity of both papers was a disaster in the making. A complete failure by the government.
@JaSE Productions: yes the people have spoken. We will do the same in the election.
@Brian Dunne: I agree. Whatever about the wording of the current version being sexist, which it clearly is, there was no clear benefits or negatives clearly explained. I walked to the polls with two elderly neighbours who never miss casting their vote and they said they had no idea what this was all about and therefore would vote no. Normally we’re pretty good at referendums, and things are explained clearly. But this was more like Lisbon. So it’s a slight on the government for sure. But for the poster above saying that as a result of the no votes we should have an immediate election, what’s the point? You know as well as I do if there was a general election next week we’d end up with the same government. There needs to be a proper campaign.
@JaSE Productions: I believe this was as much an anti government vote a it was on the issues put forward. The government need to realise that the general public do not trust them to “have our back”. The Ireland we know is being dismantled by a government who couldn’t care less.
@Michael Garvey: its great that Bacik has someone to blame the people said no to the lot of you Does she think people are that stupid U all went for a yes vote & got caught out only Peadar Toibin & Michael Mc Dowell & he knew & spelled it out So No U all can take the hit
@Michael Garvey:If people had read the wording, only the most misogynistic and those who believed that children of unmarried families would have voted no.
@Harry Callahan:
And yet Mary Loo still blames the government.I don’t believe she has ever given them credit for anything.
The people made their choice,regardless of the wording.
Dress it up whatever way they want to .It failed .
Give the people some credit.
@Bert Carolan: The real opposition, Aontu, opposed the referendum.
@Pelagius Asturias: if you are referring to SF, they look worse.
@JaSE Productions: Absolutely Absolutely your dead right Country is crying for change
@Brian Dunne: Thank.god they’ve done something RIGHT
@Brian Dunne: it was the worst one ever. It was so badly managed. The arrogance of this government was breathtaking.
@JaSE Productions: It was just Lazy IMO. Advertise it and they will vote YES. No lesson learned from Lisbon1
@JaSE Productions: All Political parties backed a Yes Yes vote in the referendum… except for the PBP individuals…. Who do you propose to the general public to vote for ??
@Bert Carolan: they did but this is not politics
@Blue Moon: Aontu, the only real opposition and the only real alternative, campaigned for NO/NO. They also have the best leader of all parties in Dáil Éireann. Peadar Toibin’s well thought out and calmly presented arguments played a major role in securing a NO NO victory. He always researches issues thoroughly and presents his arguments in an intelligent and articulate manner which is n stark contrast to McDonald whose forte is hysterical outbursts and snide remarks- but that probably appeals to many SF supporters.
@Frank McGlynn: Aontú are too small and appeal to too few people to be a ‘real opposition’. Maybe Peadar is able to research topics and present a convincing argument but the worldview through which he sees and understands topics is not something that most people can relate to or that appeals to many.
@Frank McGlynn: peadar seems to be on a similar page to ronan mullins and the iona institure. They are still back in the 1950s Catholic ireland. We don’t want to go back there. We all know how it ends.
@Stiles: it was exactly what they intended, but it didn’t need to be worded that way. Constitutional law is heavily challenged. It should have been worded much simpler.
@Bert Carolan: Opposition supported yes on both counts except Aontu!
@JaSE Productions: lol
@Patrick MC Dermott: I will never vote FFG but I didn’t vote no as an anti government protest and I don’t think the majority of people treat referendums like that. I voted no because the proposed changes were extremely poorly written and provided zero clarity. Added to that the government guillotined Dail debate on the discussion where the electorate could have heard issues with the text being teased out and debated. I don’t treat referendums as party politics and I think most people are the same.
@Brian Dunne: And I suppose the fact that the opposition were calling for yes yes doesn’t mean anything??Amazing interpretations!
@Gearoid MacEachaidh: You would have to living under a big stone not to have seen the plethora of TV, Radio and Newspaper information and debate. People complaining that they did not understand the ussues either didn’t want to hear or had already made their mind up. Shades of the Brexit Referendum……
@Michael Garvey: Bacik flip flopped, it was No first, then Yes, even after their Amendment being thrashed in a vote. This is the leader who wants even more Immigration & is going to miraculously build 1 Million homes. Bacik & Labour don’t represent the Irish people, virtue signallers.
The media in the country were saying last week that the yes vote was way out in front according to their polls. Surely people can now see that they are part of the problem. They are driven by government policies which is disgraceful, no independence whatsoever. I really hope this will open up a lot of people’s eyes.
@Derek Poutch: 100%
@Derek Poutch: the analysis will be just as tone deaf I can assure you. They all think alike and will blame this on social media and ultimately the ignorant people.
@Derek Poutch: No, they were saying that a large proportion of people were undecided.
@Derek Poutch: A lot of people coul see during covid how much the media and government were in bed together, but this mess has really shown how utterly shameful they are
@Derek Poutch: That would be the mainstream media? Please support and read independent and local publications who offer a different viewpoint.
@Derek Poutch: Corruption at it’s finest.
@Derek Poutch: What polls?
@Derek Poutch: I’ve always said polls should not be taken notice of, especially those in the government’s favour
@Brendan O’Brien: they were saying the yes vote would swing it
@Derek Poutch: to what ???. Every political party backed a Yes Yes vote except for the PBP ….
@Derek Poutch: All liars and shills, basically.
Two standout people in the referendum, Peadar Tóibín and Michael McDowell supported by other right thinking campaigners. Well done.
@Patrick Presley: Wouldn’t it be nice to have disclosed all the advice etc given to the government by legal professionals etc and then this advice to be compared with the government’s published opinions on the matter?
@Athena: The government has little credibility and the opposition needs to reflect on the fact that they appear to be not dissimilar.
@Patrick Presley: Two low grade individuals, in my opinion.
But that doesn’t mean the people can’t think for themselves.
@Patrick Presley: u would actually listen to Michael McDowell speak all day.always comes across very well
@morgan crowe: A man with vast experience and a great intellect.
@ItWasLikeThatWhenIGotHere: I feel the Government, by getting the opposition on board, thought they had covered all options.True the people can make up their own mind, but they can also be misled.
@Patrick Presley: Right thinking is now classified as “right wing” thinking. Didn’t you get the memo?
@Patrick Presley: I can’t understand why the government didn’t consider the advice of Michael McDowell. He spoke authoritatively about the failings in the Amendments. Peadar Tobin also did Trojan work in explaining the obvious pitfalls.
@Patrick Presley: I think you will.find that Tom Clonan and Catherine Connolly convinced more people, to switch from yes to No, and Ruth coppinger and Co. The other two have a whole different agenda. I think many that listened to these people know they are honest and hard working, no tricks, just facts.
@colette byrne: it was Michael Mc Dowell & Peadar Toibin who spoke out with the true facts
Excellent news!!
I’m not surprised people now have little to no trust in the current government and couldn’t trust them as far as they could throw them.
@John Dennehy: they all pushed for a yes vote except Peadar Toibin
@Sheila McNulty: Yes, but it seems even the people who support the parties in government couldn’t even support them with a yes vote in this referendum, says a lot about trust even with their supporters who vote them into power election after election.
@Sheila McNulty: people owe the like of Peadar Tobin and Michael McDowell. Only like minded representatives. Proves all mainstream political parties are not aligned with the people.
@Sheila McNulty: which should have been enough reason to vote yes… But there ya go
@John Dennehy: People (should) vote on referendums on the basis of their understanding what they will mean in the constitution not on a party basis and most definitely should not be used as a protest against current government parties.
@Jon Doesn’t: People did understand and they voted NO, it’s great to see free and fair democracy in action.
@Jon Doesn’t: clearly the majority of the electorate disagree with your assertion but thankfully we live in a democracy.
@Mike 100: Never in my life could I ever see myself agreeing with Michael McDowell , but in fairness to himself and Peader Tobin their views on the referendum certainly influenced my vote…And I would not be a fan of both men.
@John Dennehy: but I guarantee you that if there was a GE tomorrow we’d end up with the same government. Most people haven’t the balls to rock the status quo.
@John Dennehy: your
@Donal Desmond: I agree, but they spoke common sense & the truth & represented the views of the majority. Mary Lou has lost touch with the people of Ireland on the main issues, including her voter base, it leaves SF now as being no different than FFG, now no alternatives left in Dail Eirinn or Fail Eirinn as it should be now called. The Irish people will have to start all over again.
@SV3tN8M4: Agree SF dropped the ball and deservedly will be held to account. In stating that the government who decided to go ahead with this referendum have run for the hills concerning the result. O’ Gorman should resign .The advice from the Attorney General was completely ignored and not made public. To my mind it was his duty to include the advice from the AG in the yes campaign. O Gorman received this advice on 3/12/2023. The Thatcherite comment by Varadkar on his free TV spot certainly didn’t help yes vote. Delighted the electorate vote against the shamble that was interduced by government.
What an absolute waste of money that would have gone a long way to support people with disabilities and carer’s in this country. A wake up call for the EU puppets that we call our government. They will be running for cover the next few days.
@Aidan Long: there never is a wake up call though, is there. Change a word here is there, give it time and go again, eventually they’ll get their result.
@Aidan Long: absolutely… what a waste of money, time, resources, paper, airtime that should have been channelled towards the very people they are apparently going to STRIVE to look after. Such a load of BS.
@Donna Fallon: there’s no such thing as a waste of money on the democratic process. You may disagree with the result or how it was presented but the waste of money argument is pointless.
@Aidan Long: no it was a waste of money, the public didnt ask for this. It was driven by the lunatic NGO’s and the usual virtue signallers when the only thing the majority of voters want in this country is a GE so these numpties in the dail can get their P45′s
Whatever about a general election, Roderic O’Gorman and other ministers need to be called out for misinformation (flat out lying) about the AG advice.
@James Groden: agree with this. Blatant lying to the public is becoming the norm. Politicians doing this should be removed from their seat.
Looking good for a no – no, a great start to a Saturday morning and hopefully it pans out that way as the day evolves. SF/SocDems and Labour were only half hearted in their yes campaigns and the government ran a dreadful campaign. When they are putting Foley and McEntee on the last TV debate the other night, you know things are GRIM. As others on this thread have said, election now … Varadkar has no popular mandate to be Taoiseach.
@John Manahan: what are you on about
Mary lou said she would rerun the referendum if it was defeated .
Sf are wolfs in sheep clothing another wef puppet.
@Richie Whelan: wef puppet, do you even know what it is.
Ivan Bacik and Paul Murphy also have some cheek in criticising it and blaming government, they happily campaigned for a yes/yes and would’ve happily accepted the result. If they felt the wording and other aspects around it were so poor why they didn’t they advocate for a no vote based on their views? Get off the stage.
@Dave Murray: eh? They’ve criticised the government’s campaign for yes/yes and accepted the result. Although naturally politicians will attempt to mitigate any damage in situations like this
Great news people are fed up of this government and been told what to do while they all live the high life
The disregard for Irish people is palpable on RTE. They’re desperately trying to purport the idea that people were simply confused and that’s why they voted no.
@J Cronin: What else do you expect from the Government’s Mouthpiece?
Ooops! I’m sorry – the Public Service Broadcaster I should have said.
@J Cronin: I’ll never listen to Irish main stream media again. At least you get the truth from Gript AND you can comment on everything.
You can fool some of the people some of the time, but you can’t fool all of the people all of the time.
You can shove your durable relationships where the sun doesn’t shine.
Hopefully it will be no/no. Now time for a one on immigration. Government betrayed us Irish.Time for them to run to the hills.
Thats what happens when you have teachers in ministerial jobs talking down to the public like they are still in a primary school
But but RTE told us last weekend it was 72% yes 28 no according to their polls and independent research.RTE.They wouldn’t lie would they?
@Morgan Duggan: OK… So you’re suggesting that they just made up the poll results. For what reason? If they wanted yes to win then that’s hardly a sensible thing to do because it would galvanise the no voters and also create an apathy amongst yes voters who might stay at home because they believed it to be a “sure thing” – when you’re accusing media organisations of lying (which they all do including Gript) then maybe use some critical thinking to understand what the benefit of lying is. In this case, there is no benefit so it’s likely they just managed to pull in some yes voters from affluent areas
@Morgan Duggan: maybe in D4
@Morgan Duggan: it’s not unusual for there to be big swings in referendums. Unlike party politics where peoples views can be entrenched when it comes to referendums many people only make up their minds when they read the material at voting time. The lack of honest political or Dail debate also made people think twice.
What an embarrassing mess for a campaign for the government, terrible TV and radio interviews by ministers advocating for a yes, terrible wording and confusion a-plenty and even the AG getting involved about the legalities of it. How much did this cost? Over €20 million, I think? Shameful.
TV news, main Irish channel, blaming the working classes. Anyone see that? It’s unbelievable, truly is. The inference is they are too thick. This is a republic folks. Keep firing them.
@downburst1: How was anyone *blaming* the working classes? Can you give a direct quote?
@Brendan O’Brien: rte radio 1 just stated the working class areas of Dublin look like giving a resounding no buy the more affluent suburbs look 50-50
@downburst1: That is not ‘blame’ It is factual reporting, which many people now hate: they want the media to share their biases.
@downburst1: Then they wouldn’t have framed it that way, would they Brendan?
@Brendan O’Brien: holy christ brenda, is there anything you’re not an authority on.
Every single day. Quite sad really.
@downburst1: Sorry to trouble you with facts.
@jason dawson: don’t be too hard on poor Brendan. He was looking forward to a day’s gloating about the yes result and telling the mythical far right that they were out of touch with the people.
@Brendan O’Brien: would you do yourself a favour and get help.
@downburst1: It has been reported already that it was the Far Right that influenced the vote, 67% of the Irish people now deemed Far Right. Keep labelling, it’s only helping to mobilize people on the ground. Another disclosure on RTE with Bakhurst & Terence O Rourke & yet RTE spouting about how 67% of the Irish people are confused & Far Right. The country is on the point of implosion.
About time the people start to set the agenda and not a cabal of politicians with their like minded journalist backers aping the so called liberal utopia that comes out of American think tanks. We have problems we need addressed in this society, problems that poor wording in the constitution don’t stem from. Now get back to actual result driven policies or call an election next week. Fire them all folks and keep firing them until we get back to people with brains. Imagine cabbage head won’t take any notice of course.
I STRIVE to understand how the yes side got any votes at all. The waffle and platitudes that came from the government mouths have yielded their just rewards. They didn’t listen to the people, the citizens assembly, the AG or any other sensible voices and the got their just rewards.
So, back to Durable and Strive nonsense for the FFG Green and the other parties who got it all wrong.
Take a bow, Peadar and a few independents.
@h5kFhdYI: some people are genuinely lost causes. They watch RTE, they read the news, they listen to the government. They’re told to vote yes so they vote yes – regardless of their understanding of what a yes vote means. Sheep. Virtue signalling sheep.
@Ceann Cac: Yes! Yes! Yes! Most people voted: “No No.
Well done, people.
Had to be the far rights fault or maybe climate change
@Kelechi Ademola: it was covid. And of course Trump.
@Kelechi Ademola: i blame robbing other peoples tweets that weren’t even good in the first place.
Twenty million euros wasted.
That could’ve paid for a lot of much needed respite care for hard pressed carers. What a waste of all our hard earned taxes. Politicians should take a pay cut until it’s all paid back.
Great to hear NO NO
Everything about this is so frustrating and reeks of arrogance from the government. Arrogance to reject the citizen’s assembly wording, arrogance to not publish the attorney general’s advice, arrogance on debates to dismiss legitimate concerns as “red herrings”, arrogance to hold his on International Women’s Day to grandstand for progressive change when everything about this campaign was phoned in and poorly thought out.
Not to mention the disconnect given all the problems in the country to try and haul people in to vote on these relatively meaningless changes, they haven’t a clue what’s going on or how the people are feeling at the moment.
Yet all the minister’s involved will remain unaccountable, no resignations and no lessons learned as per usual with this government. At least the end is near.
@Rochelle Hart: I agree with you Rochelle but your last sentence is a bit worrying. Try to look on the bright side!
@Rochelle Hart: If you want arrogance try the truly despicable JenniferCarrollMacNeill.
“I’ve just voted yes yes and now I’m off on 2 weeks holidays to the US and Mexico, 9 days early for St Patricks Day, vote yes yes like I did and I’ll see you in two weeks”
https://twitter.com/CarrollJennifer/status/1766019603065352620
@Paddy Short: Almost as arrogant as Mary Lou blaming the government for the defeat after SF supported the referendum but went into hiding when they saw which way the wind was blowing.
@Rochelle Hart: Very well said indeed, thanks.
This was never needed only for the out of touch politicos who masquerade as TD in our country. Common sense has prevailed.
If it’s a no, the government should call a general election, but they won’t. This deplorable government has no shame, only hubris and arrogance!
@Brian Hunt: who would u put in ? All the parties called for a yes vote only Peadar Toibin so your text is not worthy
Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael who have been in a cosy durable relationship for the last number of years should have strived better to get this across the line.
@John Dennehy: ha ha love it ;) Would that be considered a “durable relationship”? Lol
@Dave Murray: Who knows, I don’t think anyone including FF and FG can answer that accurately.
These politicians will now come out with lots of excuses as usual. I bet not one of them will take any responsibility for this shambles. Democracy is a joke in this country.
@Derek Poutch:
Democracy did work…we said No
@Derek Poutch: DEMOCRACY IS A JOKE says person responding to democracy stopping the government from doing what they want. Christ almighty
So much for the polls. I truly hope this is a wake up call for all of our politicians.The country has real problems on the ground. Health and housing. Get on with the job we voted you in to do and no more with this ridiculous pandering to a tiny minority of our population who have issues with traditionalist norms.
This is a resounding kick in the teeth for the government parties and SF and shows how out of step they are with what really matters to it’s citizens.
Believe it reflects the mood of the country . Government, sit up and take notice . Before the misinformed and the far right take over ..
@Seamus McKenzie.: What does far right have to do with this referendum Seamus? Jesus people love that term nowadays. Disagree with government, you’re far right.. nonsense
He said ballymun 80 : 20 tally, working class etc etc and then said in more affluent areas “of course” it’s 50 : 50.
@downburst1: That is not ‘blame’.
@Brendan O’Brien: it’s suggestive of cause
@downburst1: It’s highly condescending at the very least.
@ItWasLikeThatWhenIGotHere: If it matches the fact is it condescending? Didn’t see it so don’t know the tone.
@Brendan O’Brien: A microcosm of Irish society, just like RTE. Two different Ireland’s being run, those of us working & paying taxes have had enough, failure to listen is going to see the people wrest control back very soon, you & your ilk have led the country to the point of implosion, the game is up, the end game is coming very very fast.
What a huge waste of time and money when there are real problems in the country that need fixing.
No it must be!!
The arrogance of Varadker Martin andNorma Foley on last interviews was
Love to see liberals crying.
@Dan Breen: And that is the problem: the government has emboldened far-right types like yourself with this fiasco. It has messed up royally.
@Brendan O’Brien: I would suggest that the problem is people like you, who call anyone who doesn’t support government policies or your own opinion ‘far right’.
You’ve totally diluted the term ‘far right’ with the ease and frequency with which you throw the term around. The government and the media are guilty of this too.
People will now blame the ‘far right’ for this result which will mean the majority of the country is now somehow ‘far right’. It’s unhinged childish thinking and people are sick of it.
The vast majority of people who voted ‘no’ are not far right, but I know from Dan’s previous comments on this site that he is (like his namesake).
@JedBartlett: the only people i see giving out about it are people who align themselves with every far right cause. If you don’t feel you are far right the label shouldn’t offend you. Aren’t the right in this country always the ones banging on about freedom of speech, and the perpetually offended? Maybe some of them should invest in a mirror.
@Brendan O’Brien: this is a far right government
@Dan Breen: No, it is a centre-right government.
@Setanta O’Toole: Absolute tripe.
@JedBartlett: Far-tripe?
@Brendan O’Brien You’d have been an informer for the Tans.
@Brendan O’Brien: I would class it as a right wing government.
No far-right.
And there is definitely little that could be classed as center about it.
But we must not confuse ‘Liberal’ with economics.
Liberal groups have traditionally been right wing economically.
@Dan Breen: Of course: everyone who disagrees with your far-right views ‘would have been an informer for the Tans’. That makes perfect sense.
@Brendan O’Brien: ‘stop labelling us unfairly because our views differ!’
*someone even slightly disagrees with ‘em* ‘
‘YOU DIRTY TOUT!”
@Brendan O’Brien: so if I don’t agree with the government I’m far right ?
@ItWasLikeThatWhenIGotHere: The terms ‘far right’, ‘right wing’ and ‘left wing’ are meaningless and trying to classify political parties on this imaginary left/right axis is futile. The terms left wing and right wing should only be used when talking about football.
@Frank McGlynn: tis all inverted fascists and false communists these days.
@Brendan O’Brien: Keep labelling, 67% of the Irish people now Far Right, your in denial. The labelling of people who disagree with how our country has been failed is leading to massive societal breakdown & it’s old fashioned party hacks like yourself that are responsible. Just like RTE, you can’t do accountability, sad
Great news, they had every political party in the Dail except peadar Tobin behind it as well as the whole Irish media including the pro government rte and virgin media, sinn Fein would want to do some soul searching this morning as well, hopefully this is the start of the pushback against these pompous idiots
@Liam o Connor: Fully agree Liam but you may add The Journal to your Pro Government media list, as a matter of fact,I’d put them as the front runner.
@Liam o Connor: Nobody answers for anything, these guys are THE top civil servants in the country. They are responsible for every department fiasco in the at this moment in time. Yet here we are, a shockingly badly put together referendum and equally bad campaigning. All at tax payers expense.
But guess what, enough people will vote them in again. How stoopid are the people of this country?
@Liam o Connor: The Tonight Show on TV3 has to be the biggest Pro Govt news outlet outside of RTE, they don’t allow debate, cut across people & their biased views is all they allow. It needs two new presenters as the two that are there don’t represent free speech or the views of the majority of the Irish people. The Ditch & Gript the only investigative journalism left in Ireland. TV 3 or Virgin obviously RTE part 2, licking the wholes of our political class.
Don’t forget Mary lou now wants to run it again
Be carefull if voting sf
Wolf in sheep’s clothing worse than the shower now in government .
Worse opposition party I remember.
@Richie Whelan: Agreed, but will people ever wake up to the truth about Sinn Fein. When will traditional SF voters wake up to the fact that Sinn Fein has been hijacked by the ultra- woke wing.
@Frank McGlynn: Suppose your happy with the Thatcherite comment from Varadkar?.
20 million, down the drain! Ah well.
You’re not going to be hearing much out of Helen or Leo Varadkar. Brief and belligerent as ever, no doubt
@Sean oSuilleabhain: A lot more than 20 million. All theNGOs that were using their resources to campaign for a yes vote are financed by taxpayer.
Thankfully Eamon Ryan won’t be a td for much longer
Wonder which ones gonna come out to throw the other under a bus first…..FG or FF cos someones gonna have to answer for this
@Tom Newell: Tom nobody will take blame for this. Just like nobody takes blame for rte or the health service. Do u not know Tom. It’s the people’s fault. There the thickies.
@Tom Newell: Of course sure we don’t know anything like….silly me
@Tom Newell: They wont want to discuss this at all. They’ll want it brushed under the carpet and forgot about as quickly as possible.
They will be hoping for some crisis or other major event to take the ‘front pages’.
Can we now see the citizens assembly advice to the wording, and the taxpayers monies used by various NGO to push their agendas, out of touch with the people, a waste of resources and the scramble by all parties who advocated yes is sickening. Advice to them think twice before committing to a rerun.
Carers organisation promotion of yes was absolutely appalling easy know the Cox ladies salary was more important to her
@Tim Brennan: She should resign, the stories from Carers around the country who have being failed for decades & who voted No, it was heartbreaking listening to their stories. Many of these CEO,’ s hoping to be brought on board by Govt on some other gravy train.
Am I right in saying this referendum cost €23 million? What an absolute waste of tax payers money. Services all across the land crying out for extra funding and this government spends this amount on a referendum nobody asked for.
Every one knew that the No vote was going to win , everyone except for the government,so out of touch with reality
I do not think the current ffg government know the level of disconnect and discontent between themselves and the electorate. The squeezed to the bare bone middle, who are most likely to vote them out, are sick of the endless taxes/cost of living working 60hour weeks while the elite and the lazy get a far better deal
This has just been a fire blanket for the government, no mention of the refugee crisis the last few weeks, it has taking the heat off them for a short while, Same with Palestinian war now, Putin is delighted he is barely mentioned anymore.
Can’t trust a government who can’t even explain in simple terms the word “Durable” means. It was always going to be a NO vote.
Well politicians and the media lapdogs failed to count on an intelligent electorate. The carers organisation leader should resign
@Tim Brennan: Agree, an embarrassment.
Fishy wording was never going to get them over the line.
@Mick Hanna: yea you need a hook on the line to get the fishies
Nice one.That’s a very justified message of contempt from the people to an inept,completely out of touch government.What a wishy washy,vague,waste of time,utter mess of a referendum campaign from the politicians of this country
The question that needs to be asked and answered is who pushed this referendum forward in the first place? I don’t know of anyone who considered these constitutional changes to be urgent priorities. The government refused to address the obvious questions and issues arising from very poorly written constitutional amendments and insisted on pushing forward with a referendum. After the marriage and abortion referendums I think referendums are seen as a great way to boost government popularity. All the parties were misguided and misinformed about public priorities and the opposition parties screaming for elections and resignations were pushing a yes vote as hard as the government. Waste of money and insulting to citizens intelligence.
The government wants heads to roll in RTE over the waste of €2m on a RTE musical, whose heads in government will roll with the decision to waste of €20m+ on a referendum nobody wanted.
The people have spoken , they have no belief in this so called government, get out of leinster House now you muppets this is a vote of no confidence by the people of eire, go go go
@Paddy Connolly: what about all the other parties all pushing for a yes vote
Well done the electorate. Proud day for the people of Ireland. May I use this opportunity to ask you sensible people to avoid FF, FG, SF, Green and Labour at the next GE. There are great independents out there with our interests at heart, research their policies and manifesto closely. Think carefully. Aontú as well deserve a shout. We can not let these arrogant globalist flood the country biggots control the agenda anymore. They are making colossal decisions for Irish society behind our backs without any consent or referendums hiding behind the EU and international obligations. I’ve lived and worked in 5 EU countries and I know their laws and requirements and I can tell you the Irish government are utter liars who hate indigenous Irish people. Bringing in laws the Chinese and Russians would be embarrassed to do. Jailing people who don’t give their phone PIN numbers. There are no words.
It is hard to believe how the media, the majority of political parties, and the government are so out of touch with the voters of this country, only a day ago we were told it would be a comprehensive Yes/Yes vote, how did they get it so wrong or is it we are just being fed the voices of the few and not the opinions of the many.
Government will blame social media misinformation and so on an so forth for the defeat of their word salad trickery.
Truth is social media is how people get their facts,from multiple sources,they arm themselves with the truth an then see clearly who and where the lies were coming from.
Irish people are intelligent,they saw the trickery from the government,its guillotining of debate in the Dail was a sure signal of underhand tactics,referendum change was being shoved into the constitution by the government without proper debate.
I believe the defeat of this shows how unhappy voters are with the sitting government,it points to the decimation of the government parties in the next GE.
Take citizens for fools and pay the price.
Proposed changes are not the direction our country wants to go in.
@Wakeupkerrycoco Wakeupkerrycoco: They opposition all wanted a yes vote so they are as much to blame
It’s up to the Irish people to stop this government from doing harm. People know in their gut that something is wrong . Long may it continue .
Many now have the of thumb that if it’s something the government are promoting then it can’t be good and The public vote the opposite way. And it’s been proven time again that voting and democracy in this country is a joke so it’s time that people in this country start voting for the obscure parties just to send a message that we are not happy with the main parties
@Fintan Stack: That depends on the nature of the ‘obscure’ parties. The cure could be much worse than the disease.
@Brendan O’Brien: probably brief. It would be worth trying though we’re not happy with FFG and Greens. And the longer they’re in power the more entitled and corrupt they become. Why reward them with a vote just because we’re afraid of trying the alternative.
It would at the very least tell us if there is an alternative or if political parties should be scrapped.
@Fintan Stack: the other parties are no different all pushed for a yes vote Get real
@Fintan Stack: Nobody in Dail Eirinn representing working Irish taxpayers. We will have to start all over again 100 years on & take back control of our country.
@Sheila McNulty: so basically why should anyone waste their time voting. Ultimately it’s a pointless exercise. When there’s no alternative and we get the same outcome over and over again.
Sure look, the govt were “striving” for a Yes vote but it turns out that “striving” doesn’t amount to much in practical terms!
The inbreeding of the National media with all political parties has got one good kicking today. Tom Clonan, Tobin and Michael McDougal did some work on calling out the attempt to hoodwink us.
The arrogance of Varadker Norma Foley and the dispicable way Michael Martin conducted himself on primetime and how he spoke to the lady opposite was a sign of a guy who knew his and his governments bluff was exposed. Finally I cannot comprehend how our state attacks people who have no option but to stay at home and care for their sick children or parents and are refused carers allowance on a means test.The carers organisation should hang their heads in shame at being hoodwinked by a government who are terrified of the Nasty vindictive people in the department of finance and social welfare
@Tim Brennan: Ironic on how he spoke about women & then launched a very bitter nasty personalized attack on the woman opposite him, it was a car crash interview. 17 years at Cabinet level in various roles & his legacy will be that he was one of those in power that bankrupted the State & has now led us to the brink again.
Delighted for me hole and leaky leo a right kick in the sack,20 million wasted,we need an election now
All parties who endorsed this charade have once again proven how out of touch with the irish people they are it’s quite depressing and many ngos in this state need to be culled
The nasty inhuman employees in the department of finance and social welfare got their answer in carer referendum. All mainstream politicians and media choir’s get their answer
@Tim Brennan: ‘nasty inhuman employees’ – seriously?
@Tim Brennan: It’s an expression of the disgust we feel in the way the state has abused the people, particularly the most vulnerable.
@Tim Brennan: @Brendan O’Brien: That response was supposed to be to Brendan.
Here is is again:
It’s an expression of the disgust we feel in the way the state has abused the people, particularly the most vulnerable.
For some reason The Journal’s reply is being addressed to the wrong person.
I am finding that too: some glitch.
If you make a sloppy bill than dont say that your explanation wasn’t good enough. The bill wasn’t good so don’t make empty excuses.
The government did not lose. The people won. The government are there to serve the peoples interests not score wins against them. Well done Ireland.
@brendan o Brien, turn on TV open your ears and listen you government cl0wn.
Thank God people spoke. This government are so so arrogant. They all need to get out of government
Apart from a few TV debates very little information, vague wording (Durable?, Tyres are Durable) and a hasty campaign. Still no information delivered from the Independent Commission as advertised.
I’m in favour of the change to incorporate modern families, don’t understand what inserting the word “Strive” in the Carers one will achieve and on this basis I couldn’t vote in favour of both amendments.
Well done to all that VOTED no
They will run the vote again until they get the yes they want
@Paul todd: This will never pass again, re wording or no rewording.
It really is amusing listening to Bacik and McDonald blaming the Government. If the yes side had won they would have been claiming credit for supporting the yes side.
Well that’s 20+ million we won’t see again.
Is it true Leo was canvassing outside the polling station yesterday?
@Katherine Ronan: Of course it isn’t. Why do people say such ridiculous things?
@Brendan O’Brien: No it was around the corner from the polling station, but you know that.
Mary Lou and Labour leader don’t get it your part of the political consensus that tried to fool the Irish electorate
Great day for the Irish voter
We are not fooled by liars
Listening to RTE and the excuses and the media hacks trying to downplay the kicking all political parties have got.
No credit given to the Irish electorate for seeing through the con job
Out of touch government have no clue what the ppl want. Perhaps now they will listen!
A clear slap in the puss for goverment AND so called opposition! now just wait for the quotes of “we respect the peoples decision and vote on this subject” now maybe if they listened more to the electorate on immigration,cost of living and the housing crisis they might get a little respect from the voters but as long as they take the plebs for fools it wont be the first or last slap they get! ..This was clearly a protest vote.
All political parties are responsible for trying to fool the electorate. Yet again the intelligence of the Irish voter is far greater than the arrogance displayed by the promoters of yes.
Those of us refuse carers allowance
By reason of means €10.
Yet care continues you politicians are afraid of those department of finance officials
No chance of a referendum on the rewording of/ amendment of Article 10, I suppose?
Meanwhile our natural resources are being plundered
Election now!
Don’t slam the door on the way out Varadkar
The hypocrisy of Mary Lou and SF they supported the passing of carers referendum which would have absolved the state of its obligations to take care of those in need shocking to think she like Varadker could be Taoiseach. She rides a horse both ways admit it lady you backed the wrong horse you won’t fool an Irish electorate
Senator Tom Clonan made it clear, there must be stronger legislation with supports put in place Now for the Disabled Community and Carers.
This was and is not good enough
Ah shur no problem, we’ll just have another referendum until the vote the ‘right’ way, a la ‘the Lisbon treaty’.
No excuses…every party except Aontu totally and completely out of touch with the people. What else are they out of touch on ? We need to see the back of these spoofers but what’s in opposition is every bit as wretched. Pity poor Ireland.
Why are the comments closed for the article outlining the government response to the no no vote.
I’m delighted. Best Mother’s day present ever. Well done Ireland
The reason are simple
People don’t trust this government
They don’t belive they have their best interests at heart
We need an election
Government set up citizens assembly refused it’s recommendations because the official’s in Department of finance don’t want to pay carers an non means tested allowance.
Up to Supreme court on 11th of April
Some kick in the teeth to the justice of the courts who led the referendum
It’s ironic that women are overwhelmingly the majority of care givers today and should not be airbrushed from the constitution.
One of the most vulnerable groups in society are single parent families , so any new definition of family needs to include all.
Unfortunately now we have just one mess of a party with Sinn Fein indistinguishable from the rest of them . All singing of the same hymn sheet, same disgusting thinking that the people are sheep to be controlled. They all have lost their way and lost touch with their people.. sad but true…
@stephen hynes: hopefully SF supporters will now wake up to the reality about their party.
Would it ever occur to Orla O’Connor and her overpaid colleagues that people are fed up with the Government delegating power and responsibility to the many bloated NGOs like the NWCI who contribute nothing of value to society.
time our so called leaders did what they were elected to do .represent the democratic will of the people who elected them and stopped forwarding their personal agendas.
Middle class woke have had there noses knocked out of joint with this referendum. How wrong have the political establishment been out of touch with the electorate. Where’s the shinners here.??? Another jumping on the bandwagon disaster.
Time kick the fools and have a general election and kick the fools down the road . Just like they have done to the people
Bacek should resign and they should convene a meeting in any disused phone box left to find a new leader, she is an odious person.
The Irish People have had enough,and if they don’t address our problems the ordinary people’s who are been devastated in every part of this Country,nothing is working here for us,the only ones scoring are the ones closing down local places,and letting in refugees for millions a year,Our only hope is the independents party runs a lot more candidates and parties who want what’s best for us.that Mary Lou needs to go,she wants men added to the abortion,10s of thousands out for free Palestine,im sick of it,hospitals,housing
The neglect our children are going through,its Palestine,We need SF,PBP and all the opposition need to be got out aswell,that’s like your home is in fire,and there’s another fire 20 miles down the road,u leave your house burn,and go to the other 1,that’s what it feels like
Some folk voted No as a protest against the government. The wording was definitely vague and I think that was on purpose to give their legal cronies some nice long drawn out court cases to fight. Gotta keep them legal guys in pocket money.
Resign and call for general election now !!!
Told you so…
Problem with this country is we are educated now we don’t trust government for anything look at immigration people fed lies from millionaires who don’t give a fig about there country traixxtors
If they were having any decency, they would resign and call for general elections, but they have no honour !!!
I’m sure we can keep on voting on it until we get the yes vote that they want. Given our history, it wouldn’t surprise me.
….but do they not make people use pencil so they can change the result …or something…. lol
Delighted with the results so far, bit disappointed that our victory was not more emphatic.
save Palestinian children from israeli terrorists
Now it’s time for a GE. I want these mugs out. Enough of the FG/FF/RTE
bs. Bunch of gangsters the lot of them. They never gave a crap about the Irish people.
@Stella Charlie: no point in getting that lot out if they are replaced by Sinn Fein.
“The government got it wrong” well there’s a statement you could apply to everything they touch! I think so many people on all sides of politics are fed up with Varadkar and Co.
He is without doubt the most odious politician I’ve ever seen and heard.. a truly despicable politician
A referendum that whatever way the vote went wouldn’t have changed on thing which got extremely pedantic over the semantics of wording with a yes-yes campaigned for by a government that a lot of people are infuriated with since they can’t find a place to live among other things. I’m shocked that it led to a low turnout with most of those that did bother voting no.
When is the re run? Back to the European Masters to see what they have to say about, before they spin us more Shyyyte no doubt
Durable ? I thought they said Gerbil… Sure durable makes no sense at all.
Just another #$&# up to their long list of @#$# ups
It’s not looking good for citizen assemblies. I fully support them, but the amendments put forward by then keep getting defeated.
10 hours later the political parties can’t read the tea leafs. We the Irish are not stupid all political parties tried to get away with lying to us
Sinn Fein wanted a Yes Yes, if you want change, Sinn Fein is not the answer
Now, fix the country you baffoon.
For wasting 20 million all st Patricks day foreign jollies should ALL be cancelled.
With EVERY Political Party recommening a Yes Yes vote except for the individuals in the PBP party… Who should the general public vote for in the next election ??
@Blue Moon: Aontu, the real opposition and the only real alternative, opposed this farcical referendum. I will be voting for them unless something better comes along and there is no sign of that happening at the moment.
@Blue Moon: Nobody in Dail Eirinn has the interests of the Irish people at heart, the battle will have to be brought to the streets to reclaim our country.
The presentation was terrible. IT was a lot of gobbly gook!!
This is to m to the b who commented on my earlier post when I said “ democracy is a joke in this country “For some reason I can’t answer any other posts , I can only post from the bottom of the page. In anyway what I meant was there is absolutely no accountability to these politicians who constantly lie to the public. Along with all the other scandals we have witnessed over the last 10-15 years. I am glad it was a no no vote but I m afraid all these lies and scandals by government will be forgotten. Leo,s statement today is a classic saying he has every confidence in O, Gorman when O, Gorman has lied. So I stand by my statement that democracy is a joke in this country.
Am I the only one who doesn’t care about whatever this referendum is about?
About 70% of those who voted are not served by any major political party in this case and indeed by only a surprising one, Aontu. The wanton hubris on display is magnificent!
Hilarious to see Sinn Fein go for a yes vote and then back pedal and blame the government. As sign of how MLMcD will run things if in power?
Now is a great opportunity for some other political parties to rise up.
Get rid of the incumbent government and replace with with one who is in touch with the will of the people and has their best interests at heart.
Get rid of RTE or at least neuter it to the point of impartiality.
Leo is so depressing that he is going to America for st Patrick day with the money of tax payer
Holly Cairns, silly little girl
Leo looked like a naughty boy who was just caught with his hand in the cookie jar. As chastening an experience as we’re likely to see and truth be told I’m delighted. It’s clear FFG have lost their mandate to govern so it’s high time an election was called. A turkey voting for Christmas would be a likelier scenario than Leo facing the electorate a moment sooner than he needs to.
@Mary Sullivan: Or caught picking his nose
This is whats written in a uk paper this morning
Language drawn up by men born in the 1800s, referencing a woman’s life and duties being in the home? Easy by comparison. No government could mess this one up.
Enter Leo Varadkar and his hapless coalition.
This will be held up for many years as an example of how not to run a referendum campaign. Pay no attention to any international clickbait headlines declaring that on International Women’s Day, the Irish voted to keep women at home.
This wasn’t about the “sexist” language. It was about the government’s shambolic approach to the vote.
A reluctance to commit resources. Rejecting recommended replacement language in favour of vague aspirations that convinced no one. Poor messaging. And a perceived arrogance and complacency toward the electorate.
@6gRrQtLn: I’d expect the New York Times to run an article on how the Irish kept the women at home on International Women’s Day so the men could go out and vote to keep them at home. Then, when such a risible article is demonstrably and comprehensively proven incorrect, for the New York Times to neither recant nor apologise such is their hubris.
A repuls ive government led by 2 repuls ive leaders and a gormless waste of space Green leader.When you lie and have that much distain for the public, who voted for you, you deserve all that you get.
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