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 Pictured (Back Row) Left – Right: Councillor Michael Smith (Jnr), Councillor Jim O’Shea, Councillor Gerard Fogarty, Senator Mark Daly.
Pictured (Front Row seated) Left – Right: Councillor Michael O’Connell, Councillor Marcus Wilson, MEP Brian Crowley. (Photo courtesy G.Willoughby)
Tipperary Fianna Fáil recently held a public meeting in the Anner Hotel, Thurles, Co Tipperary – its purpose to oppose the abolition of the Seanad. The packed room was addressed by Senator Mark Daly, Dr. Martin Mansergh and Brian Crowley (MEP) raising issues which many of us possibly have given little thought before deciding on marking our card on October 4th next.
Senator Mark Daly, who recently recalled the Seanad to debate Ireland’s organ donation laws, spoke of how the referendum is a cynical power grab and that the message to reduce politicians, undermines politics. He spoke of the irony of when Mary McAleese was running for President that she wasn’t entitled to vote for herself.
800,000 Irish Working Abroad Are Being Refused The Right To Vote In Upcoming Senate Referendum
Senator Daly stated that some 800,000 Irish passport holders currently living abroad also don’t have the right to vote in this Irish referendum. Ireland is one of four countries of the 33 in the Council of Europe who don’t give votes to citizens outside the state. A reformed Seanad could give representation to the people of Northern Ireland and citizens residing abroad, similar to France.
He also stated; “Since the European Communities Act, 1972 Government Ministers are empowered to pass European Union laws into effect in Ireland without debate. Only 2% of laws passed in Ireland are debated. Ministers signed into law 33,000 pages of law compared to 2,000 passed by the Oireachtas. The Seanad should debate EU legislation before Ministers sign it. We must demand real reform for the Seanad.”
Senator Daly also feared that there will be a low turnout and urged everyone to get out and vote.
Civil Servants Debate Our Laws.
Former Senator Dr. Martin Mansergh spoke of his experience as Minister of State and how civil servants just tend to be the ones who debate these laws.
Senator Mansergh stated “The referendum is taking place in the background of the tough upcoming budget and the concerns that same brings to families. The ‘savings’ from the abolition which the Government is promising will not be realised until at least 2016. From 2002 to 2007 there were ten Oireachtas members in Tipperary, presently there are eight. If the referendum passes, from 2016 there will only be five. Six Town Councils and a Borough Council are being abolished.”
Senator Mansergh also highlighted the importance of the 11 of the 60 Senators who represent the Agricultural community for Tipperary: “What value do we place on democracy and on representative government? The crass and offensive tone of the Government campaign treats the Seanad and its former members as useless. Historically the first Seanad gave representation to a minority until later Fianna Fáil reformed it. Liam Cosgrave made the defence of the institutions of the state the defining characteristic of Fine Gael. The current Taoiseach waves the Constitution as a bible, while inviting the people to tear pages out of it.”
Addressing the issue of indirect suffrage of the Seanad and being passed off as undemocratic, Mansergh said that the Government is also elected by indirect suffrage. “The message from the Government that Seanad reform is too difficult insinuates that they believe tackling the economic crisis is an easy one. The current Oireachtas is comprised of the Dáil, the Seanad and the President. A two-legged stool wouldn’t give as much stability as a three-legged one. Only the people can abolish the Seanad and we must think very hard before we do that. The sole purpose of this referendum is Government self perpetuation that we must reject it. We must vote No and shame the Government into reforming the Seanad. Minister Bruton the Director of Elections for the Government has not convinced his own party with many of his party colleagues being quietly apologetic. Enda Kenny will not debate his own proposal; he will not debate anything, which is part of the Fine Gael tradition of being extremely protective of their Taoiseach.”
Should We Give More Power To Fewer People In This Country?
Brian Crowley MEP, a former member of the Seanad stated that if you get rid of an institution, it is much more difficult to return it. Abolishing the Seanad will dramatically change the Constitution, as it is inherently part of it, giving examples of impeaching the President and Judges and highlighting the importance of checks and balances. The Seanad can make the President hold a referendum on a piece of legislation thus ensuring constitutional certainty is not being reduced. “This referendum centralises more power in fewer people. The Courts add an extra layer of certainty. The economic crisis has shown the importance of checks and balances because of failures of institutions. The referendum doesn’t put in more checks, but reduces them. Enda Kenny said there was democratic revolution in this country in 2011. In 1930’s there were other leaders talking of democratic revolutions. Fine Gael and Labour backbenchers now claim that an inner cabinet of four people are making decisions to run the country,” the MEP continued.
MEP Crowley also spoke of the arrogance of the current Government after just two and a half years and questioned how much it would further increase in the future, with less checks and balances now being proposed. Deputy Crowley urged everyone to read all available information on the referendum and to get out and spread the message to family, neighbours and friends. “The bottom line is, should we give more power to fewer people in this country. We know this Government’s supposed respect for democracy reducing the influence of the people and transferring it into vested interests. Sinn Féin say the proposal is getting rid of an elite, however in real terms, if passed, it is now going to create a new super elite.” the MEP stated.
Speakers From The Floor
A speaker from the floor also raised the question of consequences for Irish democracy; “I am frightened about the consequences for our democracy and frankly everyone else should be too. Any country that has a working parliament with only one house e.g. New Zealand, Sweden etc., also has a strong local government. This referendum is all about concentration of power in just one house and one office in that house. Concentrated power always inevitably leads to increased corruption and a worse outcome for people outside the “inner sanctum.”
Another speaker raised the question of the whip system used against 11 TD’s recently, during a vote on Abortion Legislation. “This government is looking to abolish the Seanad, rigidly apply the whip having planned the weakening of local government. Add all that up and it is as clear as my hand that this referendum is simply a power grab. Putting all that power in just one office could in no way be good for this country,” he stated.
“I’m voting “No” because I don’t trust this Government,” one lady stated in the Anner Hotel reception area after the meeting, “I have no intention whatsoever of giving this government a blank cheque, based on vague promises that I don’t believe will be kept in the future and based on promises made being blatantly broken, “without blushing,” by Fine Gael and Labour, over their past two years in office.
For more on this debate Click Here
 The Sinn Féin party held its convention for the party’s nomination to the EU elections here at Cahir House Hotel, Cahir, Co. Tipperary this morning.
The convention attracted delegates from counties Kerry, Cork, Limerick, Tipperary, Laois, Waterford, Carlow, Kilkenny, Wicklow and Wexford.
Sinn Féin’s Irish language development officer, Ms Liadh Ní Riada, daughter of the late composer Sean Ó Riada and wife Ruth, has now been selected as the candidate to contest the next EU elections in the Southern Region, winning the support of the majority of the 316 registered delegates.
Ms Ní Riada and her husband, Nicholas Forde, a native of Ballyvourney, both reside in Cúil-aodha in the Gaeltacht of Múscraí (Muskerry, Co Cork) with their three young daughters.
Ms Ní Riada, a member of Sinn Féin’s national executive, has in the past produced and directed numerous documentaries for RTE and TG4, as well as working with a group from Múscraí in developing the traditional art of sean-nós singing.
Two candidates contested today’s election for the Sinn Féin nomination: Ms Ní Riada and Mr Chris O’Leary, both from Co Cork.
In total Sinn Féin are expected to stand four candidates for the upcoming European Union elections, to be held in all member states between May 22nd and 25th, 2014.
It gets harder for town Councillors, like myself, to attract media attention these days, what with Leader Funding, Arts Council Grants, Lottery Funds and other preferential government slush funds now totally depleted for another year. Now with the long summer vacation coming to an end, I find myself heading for bed unable to sleep, so great is my concern for the current state of the Irish nation.
 To add to this dilemma, the national installation of water meters, which began on August 9th last, at a cost to the tax payer of €539 million over the next three years, is now being forced on the Irish people by the Troika. I should point out the FineGael /Labour government, of which I remain a staunch advocate, is being forced into this unpardonable act, as indeed was attested to by the present Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government.
The Minister himself, despite threats by right-wing fundamentalists, came out of hiding briefly today to attend a press conference in Buswells Hotel, Dublin; his aim to publish his new 10 point manifesto on how to reduce domestic water charges.
In compiling his new manifesto entitled “Splashing Cold Water On Recession 2015 ,” the minister thanked his 25 personal civil service advisor’s, all who assisted him in assembling this new major initiative document, published hereunder, I am delighted to say, exclusively for those who elected me in the last local election.
Toilet Cleaning Instructions.
Save Irish Water Consumers Vast Teuro. (Teuro is a slang term thought up by our German EU overlords for Euro zone money and based on a play on the German word ‘teuer,’ latter meaning ‘expensive.’ Note also; words like “The brown envelope,” “dosh,” “loot,” “lolly,” “filthy Lucre,” “moolah,” “readies,” and “spondulicks” are now totally outdated and should no longer be used, by members loyal to the EU.)
Recommended Toilet Cleaning Initiative:
- Ensure lid of toilet is in the open/upward hinged position before adding 1/4 cup of standard pet shampoo to liquid already existing in base of standard toilet bowl.
- Choose and pick up one live cat (Variety Felis silvestris catus). If you are currently in mortgage arrears and therefore forbidden by your bank to buy cat food, borrow one of the ever increasing stray variety currently abandoned in your local community.
- Soothe this lithe-bodied, round-headed, fissiped, carnivorous mammal into a false sense of security by gentle stroking fur underneath chin, while you take him/her in transit towards one of the many en suit scented bathrooms, proudly displayed in your current pre 2008 Irish residence.
- In one swift, speedy movement, place the cat into the open toilet and with lightening speed close down lid. Note: It may be necessary to sit or stand on the said toilet lid, depending on age and strength of animal now incarcerated.
- In its playful attempts to escape, this trapped feline will automatically self agitate, thus making ample soapy suds. The noises that come from the toilet should be totally ignored, as the cat, contrary to common belief, is actually enjoying this rather unusual first time experience.
- When approx two minutes of time has elapsed, flush the toilet once. This provides a “power-wash” and “rinse” effect to both toilet and enclosed animal.
- Next have someone open the front door of your home, ensuring that there are no persons, particularly the elderly, disabled or underprivileged, positioned directly between your bathroom and the front door.
- It is now important that those entrusted to carry out this cleansing operation should stand behind the toilet as far back as physically possible, before quickly releasing their tight grasp on the lid.
- In most cases the cat will rocket out of the toilet, faster than an Irish serial paedophile rapist who has been released from Mountjoy jail after three days for good behaviour, having been previously adjudged incarcerated for ten years. Felis silvestris catus will streak from your bathroom, reaching speeds which would normally result in a fixed-charge fine of €80 and 2 penalty points on your driving licence, before then running outside where this animal, totally unperturbed by this incident, will quickly lick itself dry again.
- Both the toilet bowl (commode) and cat should remain sparkling clean for up to seven days, before this procedure will necessitate repetition.
The minister was quick to point out that this operation can bring about massive savings through the non purchase of further toilet brushes, while also saving up to 10 litres of your very valuable aqua.
When quizzed on issues in relation to possible cruelty to animals the minister stated he was not prepared to discuss problems which related to other ministers and their departments in government.
I was bathed in a lather of sweat, I can tell you, when I was awakened by the milk man making his early morning rounds. The wife blames that blue mouldy cheese which I continue to eat before bed, for my constant nocturnal dreams containing situations of danger, discomfort, psychological and physical terror, but you and I know it’s the heavy responsibility laid daily on my burdened shoulders, with regards to matters of state.
Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht, Mr Jimmy Deenihan is to travel to Hyde Park Barracks, Sydney, Australia on Sunday to lead the ceremonies for the 2013 International Commemoration of the Great Irish Famine. Here he hopes to meet descendants of Irish orphan girls who travelled to Australia between 1848 and 1850, during the great famine period of 1845-1851.
More than 4,000 women and girls left from Irish workhouses aged between 14 and 20 years old, during the years between 1848 and 1850 under the Earl Grey Scheme. Like the young unemployed of today’s Ireland many went to Australia in search of hope and a new beginning. The difference between today and back then is that today, to our shame, those leaving our shores for Australia are highly educated, while back then those leaving were made up of abandoned, or orphaned children, many untrained, without in many case the ability to read or write.
 The rotting Hulk of “Inconstant,” wrecked at Wellington, New Zealand in 1851 & which had previously transported young girls from workhouses in Tipperary to Australia. To call them orphan girls in this period of Irish history (1845-1851) perhaps is an inaccurate statement, for it was quite common for Irish destitute families to leave their children abandoned at the gates of local workhouses, the parents fearing they could no longer care for them. At the beginning of the Nineteenth Century here in Ireland, poverty was widespread. It was estimated that over two million were nearly destitute and at levels of starvation.
Workhouses to assist those starving arose from the July 1838 British Governments “Act for the Effectual Relief of the Destitute Poor in Ireland,” and some 130 such buildings throughout Ireland were eventually established between 1840 and 1845, with each building depending on local population, to accommodate somewhere between 2000 and 700 persons. One such building, now demolished, was the former Hospital of The Assumption, here in Thurles, Co Tipperary.
The Earl Grey Scheme
The ‘Earl Grey Scheme,’ was an operation carried out between March 1848 and 1850. Earl Henry George Grey, Secretary of State for the Colonies, specifically set-up this scheme to send orphaned or abandoned girls from workhouses in Tipperary, Roscrea, Ballina, Tullamore, Dublin, Cork, Skibbereen, Mountmellick, Newcastle, Mullingar and Loughrea, amongst others north of the country like Belfast, Cookstown, Dungannon and Magherafelt. Thus, encouraged and partially forced emigration became Grey’s brain-child, primarily designed to meet an Australian demand for domestic servants and marriageable young women. In the eyes of the then so called Imperial social engineers of this time who supported his plan, these Famine orphans were being observed as young marriageable women who would bring a somewhat stabilising influence to an existing rough male colonial society. Grey believed he could alleviate the worsening problem of overcrowding in Ireland’s famine filled workhouses, while at the same time solving Australia’s problems of a shortage of labour and an imbalance of the sexes.
Arrivals
From the very first arrival via the ships “Roman Emperor,” “Maria,” “Inconstant,” “Ramilies,” “Earl Grey,” and “Elgin” between 1848/49 and for years afterwards these young girls would confront often angry, heated, local Australian hostility. Hatred centred on their being young, their complete and utter incompetence, their lowly workhouse origins, their total inexperience in any form of household service and possibly also their being Irish.
The 1850’s onwards was also the period when native Aboriginal people were being forced into reservations. Those who believed they had an inside tract on social mores, began eroding Aboriginal traditional ways of life through the banning of Aboriginal names and their traditional customs, while perceiving the need to keep Aboriginal people, a primitive race doomed to extinction, separate from their superior white population, while their race died out. Aboriginal people lost all basic human rights such as their freedom of movement, labour, custody of children and control over personal property.
Continue reading Irish Girls – Stunted Figures, Thick Waists, Clumsy Ankles
“Ill fares the land, to hastening ills a prey, Where wealth accumulates, and men decay.”
Lines from “The Deserted Village,” by Oliver Goldsmith.
Like the rest of my well informed Local Council colleagues seated here on our Town Council, when it came to “The Ryan Gathering 2013,” I am on public record as being totally opposed and have stated as much, during one or other of the few meetings that I actually managed to attend in the Town Council offices last year.
 Tourism only causes problems, encouraging complete total strangers to come into our midst, staring at the ‘labouring swain,’ asking stupid questions and wasting the working man’s time, as he toils in this lovely bower of innocence and ease. Tourism might be perfect for those that reside in Dublin, but opening up our town to stranger here in Thurles can only lead to non-desirable elements being attracted from overseas. Very soon, as you can imagine, we could have members of al-Qaeda, Egyptian Islamic Jihad, Hamas, Hezbollah, the Military Wing of the Marxist–Leninist Communist Party, the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine, The Taliban or as I will explain, Simone Ryan-Oosterhouse, all converging here to visit St Mary’ Famine & War museum.
(Click on Poster for larger image)
These would be followed by foreigners setting up Cocaine and Cannabis factories in unsuspecting private rented accommodations all over the county. Sure according to local Gardaí, it is very possible there wouldn’t be a drop of Gucci, Chanel, Dior or Armani toilet water left in chemist shops for the locals, what with Romanian, Ukrainian, Latvian and Bulgarian gangs flooding over here, stealing that which, we in Thurles, have grown accustomed to splashing daily on the whole of our bodies.
No there were far more important decisions to be getting on with over the past year at Town Council level and all far more suitable for discussion during those laborious two hour long meetings, held once a month. Major problems like Boy Racers, Dog Defecation, Solitary Tearful Individuals to be prevented from visiting local graveyards praying late at night, Skateboard Parks, Free Car Parking for window shoppers, Proposed Multi Storey Car Parks in Liberty Square etc. and all guaranteed to give us a front page headlines on the Tipperary Star Newspaper.
Now while I am aware we as Local Councillors were totally unsuccessful in finding even one single, solitary solution to any of these aforementioned problems, we nevertheless, with the assistance of North Tipperary Tourism Company (NTTCL) and our village statesmen, namely Noel Coonan and Allan Kelly, we all as a team with looks profound, soon put a stop to this tourism nonsense. Thank God, no more can we expect an influx of militant strangers, terrorists at best, frolicking here in our quiet, sweet smiling, hamlet of Thurles.
However strictly between you and me, behind the scenes I can tell you, this “The Ryan Gathering 2013,” has personally been a private disaster for me, so permit me to further elaborate, if you will.
Continue reading The Ryan Gathering Festival Begins In Thurles Next Friday
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