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THE NEXT 24 to 36 hours will be critical for a Pakistani schoolgirl shot in the head by the Taliban, the military said today, calling on the nation to pray for her recovery.
The shooting of 14-year-old Malala Yousafzai, who campaigned for the right to an education, has been denounced worldwide and by the Pakistani authorities, who have offered a reward of more than $100,000 for the capture of her attackers.
She is being treated at the country’s top military hospital in the city of Rawalpindi, where she is still on a ventilator.
Critical
Military spokesman Major General Asim Saleem Bajwa told a media briefing:
Malala’s condition is satisfactory, praise be to God, but the next 24 to 36 hours are critical,.
Today is the sacred day of Friday and the entire nation is praying for her health. I pray to Allah that He bestows her with good health very soon.
Bajwa said two foreign doctors were being consulted, but that for the moment no decision had been made on sending her abroad for further treatment.
Schools opened with prayers for Malala this morning, and special prayers will be offered after Friday weekly prayers at mosques, officials said.
Malala won international prominence after highlighting Taliban atrocities in Swat with a blog for the BBC three years ago, when the Islamist militants burned girls’ schools and terrorised the valley before the army intervened.
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This shouldn’t even be a question. In any other job where you blatantly went against the rules you would be called in to explain yourself and be held to account. Above the law and makes them even more polarised from the general population as they’ve ever been
@Robert Grant: absolutely they should. While we can do nothing they can do anything. It’s wrong.
@Robert Grant: but the minister is now resigned? He is now just a standard to. In general no normal td is made stand in front of the dail and especially when not convicted of a crime.
@Robert Grant: M. Martin says its not up to him but a decision for the whole government. But who is the leader of that Government and could/should be calling them together?
@guineon: he’s resigned from his agricultural position, not as a TD. So he’s still lurking in the background with all his privileges
@guineon: He wasn’t there alone.
@Robbie Curran: Are you suggesting that anyone who has broken COVID guidelines should resign from their jobs? There’d be a big queue down at the dole office in that case. He’s a public representative so he does need to be held to a higher standard – his punishment was to lose his job as minister.
@Conall: it’s not just about one single politician!
The Dáil should have never been on holidays in the first place. It’s the middle of a pandemic and we’re about to undertake the massive challenge of opening schools, there should also be debate on the LC predictive grade system considering the same system was just shown to be a horrible failure in the UK.
@Rochelle: also other issues, such as debating how the hell the country is going to pay for this pandemic, the budget is due in October and the information on the hole in the finances need to be made public
@Rochelle: If they did predictive grading in the LC i would have been Fuc..d for my honours tech-drawing exam, I got 4% in my mocks but a C1 on the actual exam, some serious cramming went into my last month of school.
Absolutely.
@Peter ‘Nocky’ Naughnane: Correct. Public confidence in the government has been shattered and the consequences for that on adherence to the public health advice could be catastrophic.
The government need to get their act together quickly and one way to ensure that is to have the Dáil back to provide the necessary oversight of government as we prepare for the next few vital weeks of re-starting schools and all the baggage that will come with that.
There are important questions to be answered in the Dáil regarding why only a select number of Parties were invited to Galway along with Bankers, Judges and the media. An “Oireachtas” society that was only open to you if you are the right sort of politician.
Motions of confidence, though non binding could be tabled on Hogan and Woulfe…
@Peter ‘Nocky’ Naughnane: but what will it achieve other than an opportunity for people to grandstand? Honestly i think everyone in the dail is game playing. I’ve yet to any of them refer the spirit if covid regulations. Instead minutely picking over the letter of the regs. Even listening to owner of the bar in Dublin. Nothing but hiding behind the letter of the law not the intent. Where is patriotism?
@Peter ‘Nocky’ Naughnane: Should the Dáil be recalled in the wake of golf-gate? Well that would happen if politics in Ireland had a shred of decency . ethics or morals but then again golfgate was because politicians were partying it up with bankers, lobbyists, judges, EU commissioner in the middle of a pandemic under restrictions that they themselves implemented . so if its recalled its only to save face and pretend they actually give a hoots when in reality they don’t.
Not just because of the golf but because of everything that’s going on !
@Ciara De Burca Putt: With a name like that you’d be a great addition to any golf society.
@Ciara De Burca Putt: And the possibility that some ‘members’ may be abroad, despite the ‘advice’ to rest of us not to travel, and would require 2 weeks of quarantine on their return. Now that would stop a recall like never before. This is not a conspiracy theory like others because we now see clearly the possible has become the probable.
@Gerry Ryan deG: They should know by now how to use Skype for a conference.
It’s “not for him to recall the Dail”. It’s not Donnelly’s place to say if he has confidence in Hogan. It’s not anybody’s place to do anything it seems if it involves integrity or accountability
Having watched the Caitriona Perry, Mehole”interview” on last nights Six One news and the heavily edited version on the 9 o’clock news it’s easy to see why RTE staff both present and former are invited to dip their bibs in the punch bowl at FF/FG pi*s up’s.
RTE no fit for purpose.
@joe oneill: you have hit the nail on the head, if the watchdog doesn’t bark it’s a waste of time..rte is a state controlled media organ it’s true purpose is to watch the backs of the establishment and spin everything to suit, and also make sure any opposition is constantly hammered..if rte was fit for purpose the political shenanigans would have been ironed out long ago.
They’ll do everything in their power to avoid it. They won’t want to have to stand up and answer questions that will put them into an even more unfavourable light. I wouldn’t be surprised if there was more revelations in the Sunday papers tomorrow.
Are they afraid cause many TDS are away on foreign holidays in non green list zones
@dublinsnap: but there is no rule against them doing that, so long as they quarantine upon their return. Travel isn’t banned
@D Mems: not banned but surely they should be leading by example? They ask us to do one thing and then they go and do the other. They are effectively telling us to eat cake.
@D Mems: essential travel ?
@King B: why ? Don’t for one millisecond think that TDs leading by example will remotely affect the decisions of thousands of plebs who are ignoring the rules . You only have to the nonsense that’s going on in the pubs that are open or the beaches during the short period of good weather .
@dublinsnap: exactly -the fear that the opposition will outnumber them!
@King B: They ask us to restrict our movements on return. As they have 6 weeks off they can afford to do that, while the rest of us couldn’t. The problem for me isn’t TD’S going abroad while on holidays, its the fact they took the bloody holidays in the first place!
@Angela McCarthy: the opposition are a joke
@Christy Dolan: so are you pal, nothing can be worse than this bunch, we voted for change an I have seen zero change, The Coalition of Cabbages as I see them are riding this country
@dublinsnap: ruining
@Christy Dolan: Or perhaps you are a Joke Christy!
@dublinsnap: who is this “we” ? .
What change ? The election results say different ! A majority of the public did NOT vote Sinn Fein or any left wing run government
You probably one of those “slow learners” who mistake inflated vote share in 4- 5 counties that got 40-45% vote share in their areas . Mostly border counties and one kip that is Dublin 8. Hardy ever a representation of the country as a whole . 1 seat obtained on first count with a 20% surplus in a populous Dublin 8 has the same value as a seat won on the last count in Sligo-Leitrim , a less populous spot
People finally woke up to the nonsense that was SF election manifesto at the dawn of the Covid our break . It had more holes than a tramp’s vest
Sit down before you remove the mystery as to the depth of your stupidity
@dublinsnap: voted for change lol! And yet FG and Ff combined got more seats than SF and the nutters known as People before Progress . Some change that . Thankfully enough people saw the Lunacy and spoofery of SF manifesto , or at least they did once Covid broke
When you learn that number of seats as oppose to vote share is what wins power , come back to me. Till then, pick up a book on democracy for fools and how elections are run. You’re bound to find a good copy in SF shop in Parnell St along with “Jarry’s” cool books and revisionist historical novels
Change ? Lol. The party that had no serious policies and still links itself to the IRA
Recent polls have been kind to FG and Leo
Change ? Yet Mary Lou ignored that by running away from forming a coalition
@Christy Dolan: FF and FG went into the General Election as separate political parties and it’s a fact that SF won more seats in the GE! Another fact is both FF and FG refused to even hold Government formation talks with SF.
As for SF’s GE Manifesto that you call “lunacy and spoofery’, several proposals were brought in as emergency measures in response to Coronavirus pandemic!!But of course you know that but ignore the facts!
@Christy Dolan: Maybe when your passing an Easons or any other reputable bookshop drop in and buy a book on manners. If you are going to go on a rant at least let it be an educated and intelligent one.
@Christy Dolan: Before the election both FG and FF were claiming to be the sole majority and SF were irrelevant, but now FFG are sharing the bed together and are making a complete mess of it, enjoy the last time they will be in power…. the change is coming whether you like it or not, I’m not a SF voter either btw but I can see the voting trends changing and can at least use my eyes, id advise you to do the same
@Angela McCarthy: back into your box ! The fact that you seem to Deny reality highlights what you know about politics in this country would just about fill the back of a match box
YES. But it shouldn’t have to be put to a vote the Muppets should do it automatically.
@Derek Anderson: is that not a bit of a catch 22? Having to recall the Dail to have a vote on recalling the Dail
@Derek Anderson: it’s not put to a vote. The Taoiseach has the authority to do it.
The Dail shouldnt even be suspended its not like there is a national and global crisis to deal with. Hello !!!!!
That the Taoiseach is trying to sit it out as he has no leg to stand on.
They shouldn’t of been on break and who is going to stop them doing what they want. 2 of the biggest partys in power together was not what the country voted for. Time for a GE
@kieran flanagan™: just had one & SF fked it. Had your chance
@kieran flanagan™: shouldn’t *have
@Côte D’oherty: i dont have a favourite party as far as i can see they are all as bad as each other. You can’t have 2 opposite partys in government together just because they didn’t want change.
Recalled!? Dissolved!
If they had any conscience then they wouldn’t have went on “Holidays”. They may well be doing some work in their localities but that does not mean that we should not have a working Dail at this time. It’s unprecedented times
@Gerard Kellett: government of the day runs the country and makes executive decisions not Parliament . The Health Minister is clearly not on holidays . You just have to look over the years and see how empty the opposition side of the house is during Dail session when they are discussion matters of business, key legislation and voting ! Mary Lou and Chums ain’t anywhere to be seen.
When Mary Lou was in Europe she missed a lot of EU Parliament days blaming it lol on being a mother of young kids (yet was seen around Ireland campaigning with the boys for national elections ) .
Recalling the Dail achieves nothing and she knows it . It’s only 15 days away . Grand standing stuff . She also had he chance to form a government or be part of one under FF . She decided to sit on the ditch as usual
@Gerard Kellett: key government ministers are clearly not on holiday ! Besides , due to Covid the Dail could not sit in full capacity ; that in itself is very very rare to see . Keep your eye out in the future to see that Mary Lou and AK and all members of their respective parties are attending every Dail session .
@Christy Dolan: only problem wrong with that, as you well know, is Mary Lou is the one calling for the Dail to resume, so she and her members clearly are available.
Your comments are clearly meant as a diversion away from the real point – that the public feel very strongly about reconvening the Dail.
@Angela McCarthy: oh are they ? Let’s see how many are available when they open up in September and right through the year so . She only mouthing off because AK did it first ! You certain that if they recall the Dail , all 36 members of SF would sit in every Dail session “going forward” ? How many will stand and make a statement of value ?
@Christy Dolan: No Christy – as you would know if you have seriously being following events – with social distancing, not all TD’s are allowed to sit at same time, only so many from each party. But they first have to show up and sign in before that can happen.
Now off you go and make up another excuse to take the heat off your party!
@Christy Dolan: the only place Mary Lou took of to was a terrorist funeral during lockdown
@Christy Dolan: They spent thousands of taxpayers money on the convention centre. Any amount of room to have all Dail members there. If you seriously want to debate politics take the big S.F chip of your shoulder. It rather boring. It just shows appalling arrogance and narrow mindedness.
@Christy Dolan: Well we certainly know where a certain know where the minister for Agriculture was.
I’d imagine they’ll make a decision based on the outcome of this poll.
@Theportobello: lol. You might be surprised.
This self entitled bunch. The penny just hasnt dropped that they are beholden to their electorate not the other way round. My heart goes out to all those families who had to watch their loved ones dying through a window. This lot of senators and tds have just given them all the two fingered salute whilst quaffing down their bittles of petrus. Shame on them
@saoirse janneau: actually , that’s hilarious. Their “electorate” ie their Constituency are ALWAYS whinging that their Senator or TD is NOT attending their clinics to listen to parish pump politics . It doesn’t interest them that said members are too busy in Leinster House . Hence why there’s a thing called summer recess and that time is used to be available and be seen in said Constituency
The government and not the opposition is who makes the executive decisions anyway . It’s not like many members of the opposition have anything close to excellent attendance records for run of the mill Dail sessions. Some don’t even attend for voting . Next time you watch RTe footage of a minister standing up to read out their speech. Have a look at all the empty seats on both sides of the house
@Christy Dolan: what’s you argument exactly man? Because of social distances in the Dail and because of so many empty seats, people shouldn’t ask for a recall of the members?
Perhaps the logical follow on from that in your mind, is the dissolution of the Dail altogether. or maybe you are just talking a load of nonsense to take the heat off your party in their hour of disaster.
@Christy Dolan: youre looking at a subset of the electorate. Im referring to the fact that a self entitled amadan who kicked up a fuss he wasnt included in the first round td assignments proceeds to behave like this . Not interested in parish pump politics. When youve been given the privilege to be assigned a td , the whole country is looking at you.
@Angela McCarthy: the argument is rather clear and simple for most people , even of average intelligence !!
Take Covid out of the equation; the attendance at the Dail sessions by your average TD is terrible ! Many of them miss key votes. Key debates on important legislation is done to half empty chambers .
Mary Lou ought to look at her own attendance record (which is decent but could be better) and her party members before demanding early recall
Now with Covid, many of them won’t be allowed to attend Dail sessions anyway . What’s the point ?
And for what ? Grand standing , telling the house that things are awful, but offer ZERO solutions , while the government pretend to listen anyway . The later have far more important things to be doing at their Departments .
@saoirse janneau: the vast majority of TDs are elected based on parish pump politics and what they can bring to their county !
Mary Lou has a chance to form or be part of a government and made a total fool of herself , as usual
There are no travel restrictions in place ! Plenty of Irish people have gone off to the other side of the country for their holidays .
He went down to Galway , from his base in Mayo (hardly worlds apart) No Gardai came in to stop the dinner , it’s not like it was held in secret
Yet the typical pleb commenting here , has been going to the pubs (just because they are open, doesn’t mean that it’s a good idea to go) or the beach in big numbers
@Christy Dolan: Average intelligence? Then you suggest taking Covid out of the argument? Surely the ARGUMENT is all about Covid.
Wake up man and stop trying to use Mary Lou as a diversion, and your Shoot the Messenger style politics!
@Christy Dolan: your argument is baseless. The man was a minister not just a td with national responsibilities towards his Ministry. This is not about parish pump politics.
Regardless of the golf incident, we are in the middle of a pandemic, it should be recalled for this reason alone. We need leadership now more than ever.
@Aisling: that’s what government is for. Opposition only grand stand . There’s little to debate on what needs doing and the Dail committees which are available to all can do that . Sure they don’t even attend most Dail sessions anyway . You’d be surprised how empty the Dail chambers were on key debates on key legislation over the years . Even key votes ie number of abstentions .
Besides Covid rules, you can’t have a full house as social distance is needed
The Poll question is wrong it should be should the Circus be recalled.
Still happy you voted for ffg & g??.
@Michael Clinton: No alternative really.
@Tim Quigley: There were lots of alternatives. Have some integrity and admit you shouldn’t have voted for them.
@Tomas O’Connor: no still happy I did not vote for the alternate presented to us.
Golfgate is only the latest reason to recall the Dail. The country is in crisis with the pandemic, along with an economic crisis, along with Brexit, along with the climate crisis. Last week, the government said the Gardai would have additional powers to enforce new restrictions which are in place until Sept 13th. The Dail is due to reconvene on Sept 15th, which is the earliest they can pass emergency legislation to give the Gardai the power to enforce new restrictions….. which will have expired two days previously?? WTF?
@Paul Cantwell: eh, the relevant government minister already has executive powers to give those rights under parenting legislation . Very little need to require the whole house to rubber stamp them
@Christy Dolan: well that’s ok then… the other crises can wait..
@Paul Cantwell: yep .
Relevant Ministers are still working
Other crisis like Brexit is left to Boris for now until they came back to talk with the EU as a whole
Global warming has taken a back seat everywhere for now . Don’t hear much from the shrilling child from Sweden . No harm
@Paul Cantwell: Ah yes powers to stop more than 6 people gathering in a private home. Yet ignore a golf party in a hotel considering according to the “all knowing” Christy Dolan it wasn’t a secret. So now maybe the question should be why did the gardai not intervene. Only 50 people allowed to attend gatherings. Questions need to be asked as to why gardai ignored it.
With hindsight a unity government including every party was what this country needs. Recalling the Dail now will not happen. What minister wants to cut their holidays short to answer questions. Better to allow government department to issue conflicting statements. Drawing public anger away from decision makers who’s holiday expenses are state secrets.
Any credibility they had has been shattered
Sure some of them are probably abroad on holidays so couldn’t come back. Would it surprise anyone?
Mask of the red death springs to mind when it comes to this, pardon my language but you almost wish that story was true to wipe all of them out of their positions of power.
These Guys should be in the Dáil for longer periods. Too many breaks and for too long.
They have it as good as Teachers.
@James Keogh: You and the likes of you would be whinging that they have aren’t spending enough time at their Clinics in their county .
@Christy Dolan: Wrong, clinics to the public are a local councillors job, not a TD
@Adam J: I agree completely, unfortunately many of the electorate do not and expect their TD to be available at all times to his constituents.
It should be dissolved as it’s not fit for purpose
S###BAGS
Should be recalled immediately however it won’t as there will be tds and ministers conspicuous by their absence as they would have to fly in from holidays abroad….
@Martin Smith: 100%
@Martin Smith: i would be far more concerned about the absences of the majority of TDs including Mary Lou’s flock when the Dail sessions are normally open , not to mention during key sessions dealing with votes and debate on key legislation . Td’s are on recess from the Dail. They aren’t banned from travelling . Most will be stuck in their counties playing parish pump politics listening to whingers like you complain about the state of the roads and not being able to have a pint in the pub
@Christy Dolan: Bring back Joe Dolan. He sounded far better and made more sense. he even had a song about Trolls!
@Christy Dolan: You’re spouting some spin&spoof in your comments eg I checked SF’s Dail attendence record for 2019 and it doesn’t reflect your spoof comments.
As you know since Coronavirus pandemic, attendance at ‘Dail’ was greatly restricted!
By the way alot of TDs including SF on Oireachtas Committees and they always take a break when there’s a Dail vote.
Plus SF has brought forwards numerous legislation to tackle important crises and emergencies in housing,homelessness, health,insurance,etc.Also it is a fact,as Exit Poll done after people voted the way they did,that the main reasons why people voted the way they did was because of the health, housing and homelessness emergencies!
@Nuala Mc Namara: I wouldnt mind Christy, hes a die hard anti SF’er that spits out all kinds of drivel on here, he needs to take that massive chip off his shoulder and move on with his life because he’s looking a complete tool at times
What is the point of voting in this country if people keep voting in the same corrupt b#stards time and time again and then complain about how bad they are.
@Damien Leahy: It is called democracy. Unfortunately the alternatives are limited!
@For Goodness Sake: b#llshit plenty of others on the ballot. My point is people need to wake up stop voting for the same people and expecting a different result. Politicians have absolutely no incentive to change of they know they will be back in power anyway.
@Damien Leahy: Who do you think you would vote for? I’m not impressed with any of them “on the ballot” in my area.
The fact that you start your reply with “b#llshit” does not add any facts or depth to your argument!
@For Goodness Sake: you come across as part of the problem….Oh who else is there? Plenty other names on the ballot in every constituency. If you’re looking for insurance do you shop around or go with the first qoute? Same principle. Politicians will continue to screw the people because they know they’ll get back in. If they don’t do there job don’t vote for them it’s that simple. Anything else I can do for you?
They need to make sure everyone is in the country before recalling the Dáil, some of them are probably enjoying a sun holiday
Has the time come for a National Government for two to three years? As an Oireachtas we seem to be clueless. We are heading towards financial ruin in this country. It’s time for all of the elected representatives to earn their keep.
And yes recall the Dail. No one begrudges anyone a break but 6 weeks is far too much. Let them have the remainder when we are on top of things.
Jesus no, it’s a disaster but can’t be letting Ronald MacDonald add the opinions of her central council to the mix too much. Gonna have to ride this out despite not having a single TD we can have faith in
@Côte D’oherty: SF got the most votes of any party last go around exactly because of this sort of behavior by the establishment. To many people in Ireland, they are just fed up with this carry on.
@Côte D’oherty: so the Dail shouldn’t sit again in case they have to answer questions from Mary Lou? Ridiculous comment.
@Côte D’oherty: Exactly. What’s the point.
@Patrick Agnew: yes for SF to take any standing here would be massively hypocritical after their multiple violations. Every party making a show of themselves.
@Patrick Agnew: How the hell did you manage to read that from Cote D’oherty’s comment?
@Paul Cunningham: that vote share is heavily inflated by how well they did in 3-4 counties compared to the other counties that they did well in. 40% of vote share in a handful of border counties that barely make up the population of Tallaght. They also got 45% of shares in one Populous Dublin area (Dublin 8 area) .
Vote share doesn’t translate to more seats . 1 seat won by 40% of the vote in Tallaght is no different to a seat won on the 10th count in Leitrim
Oh so run more Candidates ? Lol. They tried that in Donegal in 2016 and split their vote and needlessly lost a TD instead
Mother of god , despite nearly 100 years of Dail existence and the results themselves . This elementary nonsense still has to be spelt out to the likes of you. Seamus Mallon was right , SF are “slow learners”
Micheal isn’t recalling the Dail because there are members of Fianna Fail and Fine Gael currently on holiday abroad. He doesn’t want the media to start reporting on that as well.
@Wade Wilson: No different to the opposition I assure you
They need to make sure everyone is in the country before recalling the Dáil, some of them are probably enjoying a sun holiday
It took the 4 months to form a government, then ran for enough time to give themselves pay rises followed by 6 weeks holidays… You couldn’t make it up….
No! I’m stressed out enough about what’s going on in the world. Politicians goal scoring and pontificating and generating headlines isn’t going to help anyone. I really hate the angry anxious judgemental person these times are turning me into.
@Ger McDonnell: you’re not on your own there
This confirms what people sustected way to many TD’s with nothing to do and to much time and money on their hands
Yes, it should be recalled. But only to discuss how we reverse our free fall into becoming a nation of whingers, moaners and permanently offended Muppets. I’m sure there are multiple reasons for the overreaction to this golf dinner, ranging from paranoid delusion to political opportunism. Whatever the reasons it’s sad to see. This all started with skiers and has spiralled downwards since. Rugby fans, Chinese, Italians, Iranians, racing fans, kids, pensioners, shoppers, construction workers, holiday home owners, fruit pickers, camper van owners, NI registered car owners, travelling community, people who invite friends round for drink, direct provision dwellers, meat factory owners, etc, ect, and on and on. Any Junior Infant unlucky enough to pick up the virus when schools return better learn to run fast and keep ahead of the pitchfork mob.
@Tommy Roche: As delusional as those in government, the fact you cant see this, speaks volumes…
@Tommy Roche: Excellent analysis!
Currently 16 people say NO. The mind boggles. Anyone that voted No deserves everything they get. Pathetic. CNN Ch4 ITV BBC SKY News all covering this news, the whole world knows about our selfish elected lot. Laughing stock.
@Gavin Mckenna: they know that nothing will be achieved listening to the opposition grand stand. The government and their departments are still operating
Besides, due to Covid , they can’t open the Dail chamber to everyone , not that the opposition of the day are renowned for actually attending it in big numbers
Mary had her chance to form government. She dodged it . The U.K. press and tv are all too familiar with her bluster and all talk no action . She demanded a wasteful Presidential election that no one in the country wanted and squirmed when BBC pointed that out to her
@Gavin Mckenna: Agreed. However, where are the CNN, Ch4, ITV, BBC and Sky News articles which cover this?
Shouldn’t be on holiday, theres a pandemic, health system that is overwhelmed, education system in chaos and they go on a golfing dinner.
Sounds like Trump all over..
BRING LEO BACK!!!!@@
@Eddie Michael: Leo is back. He is in this government. He’s the reason Michael is in power thanks to the deal he made. He’s not helping.
@Eddie Michael: You ain’t the brightest . Leo is in government . Government are still meeting and working as you see with the Minister for Health.
Have the Dail sit seeing a few opposition members with your mentality grand stand in an empty chamber while the government have to waste time pretending to listen to said opposition ,when real work is done at their departments . Mary Lou had her chance to get off the ditch but ran away because no one wanted to play with her
Whats the point…….you have two camps in it, those that have been in power in one shape,form or another for so long ,they think they can do what they like and the other lot who crave power so much that they will promise us any fantasy we care to imagine…..either way we’re f♧♡《€d!!!
@Michael Murray: erm the govt just opened up the cash machine to the tune of 30 billion euro… This was not in the program for government.. Can you imagine the outcry from the establishment if SF did the same
It will hardly make any difference but I’d bring them back anyway just to annoy them.
It’s not as if they are out of the country… is it???
@Padraig Devaney: Skype.com is offering free solutions if that’s an issue
@8-Bit-Relic: That’s not the point. They told us not to take unnecessary travel and don’t leave the country unless it’s important and that we need to ‘staycation’ to help the economy and now members of the very government who told us that are partying abroad.
@Wade Wilson: That’s sadly also true
No it should not be recalled because of the golf issue . all we will get will be the same old arguments and party positions. Golf-gate was wrong , heads have rolled and indeed suggests seats should be vacated . If the Dail is to be recalled it should be to address and monitor the recent confusing messages and strategy on Covid. Should Kildare restrictions continue? How meaningful or enforceable are they? How will school reopening be handled and what will happen if clusters emerge? Have we identified the next “meat plant” type cluster dangers and have we action to deal with them before they become real? Why reduce localised testing centres? How can we keep the messaging simple and the public confidence and compliance strong? We need to keep our focus on Covid and the war .
@Peter Finnegan: so the Dail shouldn’t be recalled because the opposition would ask the same old questions that the public are asking now?
Is that what the were elected to do? Or do you feel we should simply have government in parliament without an opposition?
are you sure your not a government minister yourself?
The Dail should not be recalled over golfgate, which is a storm in a teacup. However, the Dail does need to be recalled to take control of the pandemic, which this cack-handed government seems unable to deal with effectively.
@Richard Barrett: you genuinely believe that the opposition would actually offer constructive proposals on this ? Sure they’d be voted down anyway
Yes and I think that the Dail had some neck to take holidays during the global crisis of Covid that is impacting this country .
This government of Leo , Michael and Ryan will never achieve anything significant in this country .
The dail should be sitting anyway. We are in a Pandemic, the schools are about to open, Leaving Cert results are due on the 7th Sept (look at the shambles they made of results in the UK), the economy is on a knife edge and the health service for non-Covid patients is a mess.
Just not sure what people expected from our supposed “leaders”. Again we voted in the same” entitled” people. Everytime and then we spend 4 years unhappy with them as they do nothing for us nor hold themselves to a standard they expect from us. They should be all fired.
They shouldn’t have gone on recess in the first place. Global pandemic anyone??
Open the pubs…
@Sean Simpson: go to the off licence if you have a problem keeping it together . That would guarantee more spikes
We all should call for a recall of the Dail.
Taoiseach suggests he has to work with the other parties to recall the Dail, Alan Kelly says under SO 26 the Taoiseach can request the Ceann Comhairle to summon the Dail for an earlier sitting. So either Alan Kelly is mistaken of Michael Martin is lying! Has to be one or the other.
Should be an election called
A new government only a few months old that is rapidly losing the confidence of the public with vague and inept public instruction, one minister resigned over non disclosed drink driving offences, one has resigned over this Golf outing business. Corona virus looks to be rearing it’s head again and they’re on summer holidays already. Whatever about recalling the Government, our Taoiseach needs to show his mettle and deal directly with the individuals involved. If ever there was an opportunity to see his leadership qualities it’s now. Unlikely he’ll do anything though. Wrong man for the job in my opinion.
Who paid for the dinner or was it sponsored?
The Dail should never have taken summer break 5weeks after Government formation especially during a worldwide coronavirus pandemic!There should be umost scrutiny of emergency measures Government taking, bringing in any new legislation that’s needed,etc…that is the function of the Dail!We ,the public,were told how the need to form a new Government especially when there’s a coronavirus pandemic affecting lives and livelihoods!
When there’s zero accountability in the Dail for the behaviour of Government politicians &their party members especially breaching Government guidelines then there’s zero democracy and scrutiny!
Love the journal reminds me of Billy Connolly, this is a cloud this is were we live
Biggest pandemic in a hundred years and our government takes a 6 week break what a joke
The Dail and the Seanad have the power under article 35.4 of the Bunreacht to remove that CLoWWn Woulfe from the Supreme Court. https://aji.ie/the-judiciary/removal-from-judicial-office/ . Of course, Martin is a muppet and wants to protect his mates so he is pretending the govt. cannot intervene, no bother on govt. members getting drunk with senior judges though, just cannot be seen to be intervening when it comes to firing the pr1ck.
@Aindriú Purfield: the government and opposition would struggle to successfully impeach the judge ! They could get Brian Curtin for more serious matters ! The judge broke no laws . Stick to things within your grasp
@Christy Dolan: Wrong yet again Christy, you love talking out your rear dont you?
“During the COVID-19 emergency, various regulations have given An Garda Síochána additional powers, including arrest without warrant. These powers have been amended from 29 June 2020 with the introduction of Statutory Instrument 234 of 2020. The amendments reflect the easing of some restrictions in line with Phase 3 of the updated Roadmap for Reopening Society and Business. The amendments were scheduled to apply until 20 July but have been extended to 10 August 2020 by Statutory Instrument 252 of 2020.
It is an offence not to comply with some regulations. These include:
Organising an indoor event for more than 50 people”
It shouldn’t even be in recess given the crisis the country is facing.
No it should not be recalled because ofthe golf gate issue . all we will get will be the same old arguments and party positions. Golfgate was wrong , heads have rolled and indeed suggests seats should be vacated . If the Dail is to be recalled it should be to address and monitor the recent confusing messages and strategy on Covid. Should Kildare restrictions continue? How meaningful or enforceable are they? How will school reopening be handled and what will happen if clusters emerge? Have we identified the next “meat plant” type cluster dangers and have we action to deal with them before they become real? Why reduce localised testing centres? How can we keep the messaging simple and the public confidence and compliance strong? We need to keep our focus on Covid and the war .
And where have they gone for the 6 weeks
Golfgate or not, they shouldn’t be on holidays, ridiculous that they took them considering government was only formed shortly before and we are in the middle of a crisis
No.
I really don’t see the benefit of recalling the dail for this one instance as all we are going to hear is the bleating of Mary Lou on the issue despite the sudden case of amnesia that she and her party seem to have come down with. I do believe the Dail should be recalled for much larger and important issues that are about to come too ahead in the next couple weeks.
Banana republic!
Ha, now we have the Irish version of THE NIGHT OF THE LONG KNIVES. Curious who gonna win this one?
It is barely 15 days away. Considering the low turn out in the Dail Chambers from the opposition and government during very very important discussions on proposed legislation and low turn outs on voting , the opposition has some nerve . Look at the footage of Dail sessions . Rarely anywhere near half full most of the time . Sure Mary Lou herself is famous for skipping sessions in the Dail and EU Parliament . Knee jerk populace reaction (and as usual Mary Lou jumps into someone else’s band wagon ) make sure he keep an eye on ML and AK’s attendances in the chamber when a Dail Committee is not being held in their rooms
@Christy Dolan: I’d say you are partial to a game of golf yourself. You weren’t around Galway last week, were you?
@Angela McCarthy: love golf . Alas no, working all week
Work, employment , making money for yourself . I’d say that is something that you are adverse . More into scrounging off the State instead, ya?
Got a point ? Like your existence , probably not
What purpose would it serve other than a platform for grandstanding rhetoric by opposition who would be more interested in themselves than effects of Covid on any of us
Then Government would equally grandstand a defence of the indefensible.
Only looser will be us, again
@Philip Howlin: Maybe they could try doing their jobs rather than taking holidays after only forming about a month beforehand, would you rather they wasted the time when they get back from their holiers instead??
Well, the people voted for change…..
As usual, the diddly club in Leinster House banded together to prevent this.
Now it’s business as usual.
One law for the people and another law for politicians.
How is this even up for discussion? If Mehole wants to cling onto what little bit of power he still has, he needs to crack a big whip right now or the whole Dáil will collapse and we’re all back to the polls in the middle of a pandemic. Not what you might call an ideal scenario.
The Dáil should make representation, proper protocol or not, to the EU Commission to have that obnoxious, arrogant bollox, Phil Hogan removed from office.
I think many people confuse the Dail and the Government, The Dail in in recess, but the government is not and continues to meet and the ministers continue to run their departments and the committees may still meet.
The minister in the government settings the rules has resigned and is no longer setting the rules. This was not a government or even Oireachtas event but a private event just like the one in that Dublin bar and many other weddings and functions across the country. The event used the name “Oireachtas” which it should never have been allowed to, just as I cannot call my local junior soccer or GAA club the “Aer Lingus Junior club” as it has nothing to do with Aer Lingus. So the Oireachtas should not be held to account.
Did we get a list of names of those who attended any and every event that was held in breach of the rules, NI funerals, house parties and drinks without meals and did we recall the dail to discuss these? No. Did we ask everyone who may have inadvertently or deliberately breached the rules to resign their jobs? No
There are other issues that could be considered too, when the dail sits we look at 20 or 30 people on TV if we are lucky. The dail is by in large a talking shop so what does it achieve? Forcing the dail to meet and discuss might not be any harm but everyone should consider how rigidly they stuck to the rules, and I know that many did but equally well many did not and some here are even proud of it. The ones that spring to mind are the ones talking of going abroad on a holiday and not quarantining when they get back but there are many more having house parties etc.
And now I ask these question…
if you were invited to a wedding that was to take place tomorrow in a venue and when you arrive at the meal venue you realise that there are 80 people split between 2 rooms or spaces and 10 at each table would you get up and walk away?
if you were invited to your parents and upon arrival you discovered that the neighbours were in having a cuppa and some other family were there too, would you walk away if your entry into the house would break the 6 people from 3 household rules?
I ask because I wonder how many people expressing outrage would have walked away!
Of course this does not make it right or correct but we need to consider truthfully what we would do before we judge others.
The Irish version of THE NIGHT OF THE LONG KNIVES. Curious who gonna win this one?
What logic drove a decision to shut the Dail until 15 September…No more arrogance,we need goverment at Leinster House .. Today!…What a shambles..
Raise VAT immediately
Talk about an overreaction, no covid19 in west, only in dp centers and city’s, get on with opening the country and stop whinging. Masks and hand washing.
Does anyone honestly think this government cares the only thing they care about is they were caught
No
Same old same old. Nothing ever changes, nothing ever will in this Political Heaven.
Yes and all responsible sacked, no pensions or overtime to come back early from holidays. The gardai are looking into this matter so, let’s home action from both gardai and the present shambles of a government.
have your say