Ahern’s Attempt to Slip Blasphemy Law Under Radar Almost Backfires

Senators Feeney & De Burca come running to save Government’s blushes 

Dermot Ahern’s attempt to slip draconian new blasphemy laws into the Defamation Bill almost backfired today when the Government nearly lost a vote in the Seanad on my amendment on the blasphemy proposal.

Minister Ahern’s plan to slip the blasphemy law through the Oireachtas was almost fatally undermined by a lack of support from his own Seanad colleagues. It seems clear that the Green Party was strong-armed into supporting a measure which runs entirely against its own principles. 

The Government had to call a walk-through vote after it lost an electronic vote, and the legislation was only saved when Senators Geraldine Feeney and Deirdre de Burca were summoned to the Chamber, and by the Cathaoirleach’s casting vote. 

Dermot Ahern’s effort to force through this ridiculous blasphemy law by including it in the Defamation Bill did not garner the necessary support from his own colleagues. This was a clear vote of no-confidence in an unnecessary piece of legislation.

Although Fine Gael supports the overall thrust of the Defamation Bill, Minister Ahern’s insistence on including a draconian blasphemy law has undermined the Bill’s overall credibility.  The blasphemy law has not been discussed in the Dáil because the Bill was guillotined by the Government. It has only ever been discussed in the Seanad. So it is only appropriate that it was the Seanad which nearly brought Minister Ahern’s solo-run to an end. 

Minister Ahern’s proposed measure is more than a step back in time – it’s a giant leap back in time. His legislation before the House, properly interpreted, makes the humour of Tommy Tiernan, Father Ted and The Life of Brian a criminal offence. This is literally a farcical state of affairs. 

The Minister’s approach is fundamentally flawed. He claims there is no alternative to his legislation. But there is: we only have to define the nature of the offence of blasphemy. We can do that in a way which reflects modern thinking, the thinking of other EU member states and the United Nations, as well as the thinking which now reflects at least customary international law.

Government Should Stay Out of Electricians’ Strike

There have been calls for the Government to intervene in the electricians’ strike.

I think this is between the employers and the employees or between the employers’ organisations and the unions. It is for them to sort this out and not for the Government to intervene.

In my experience, where the Government has intervened in industrial relations, it has been at a price to the taxpayer, the public finances or the competitiveness of the economy.

The employers and unions should sort this out and the normal industrial relations machinery of the State should come into play. The Government should stay away from this one.

Seanad Leader Makes the Best Case for the Abolition of the Seanad

I am shocked that the Seanad Leader is holding all stages of the Enforcement of Court Orders (Amendment) Bill 2009 and the Oireachtas (Allowances to Members) and Ministerial and Parliamentary Offices Bill 2009  today.   

In my role as Fine Gael’s Seanad spokesperson on Justice, Equality and Law Reform, I will be dealing with the Enforcement of Court Orders Bill. This is a very important piece of legislation, as it can lead to the imprisonment of people for non-payment of debt.

Fine Gael has supported the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform in much of the legislation he is putting through the Houses of the Oireachtas, but we have sought adequate time to scrutinise this legislation, make suggestions and table constructive amendments.   

The Minister and the Seanad Leader are treating the Seanad with disdain and contempt by rushing these Bills through the House.  The Leader has consistently defended the function and role of the Seanad, but he is now making the best case for abolishing the House.  If we, as Senators, cannot fulfil our role of scrutinising legislation we should not be here.

European Commission Cuts Mobile Roaming Charges

This week a decision came from Brussels which will make a real impact on people’s lives, namely, the decision to cap mobile telephone roaming charges, in respect of receiving and making calls and sending texts.   

Continue reading European Commission Cuts Mobile Roaming Charges…

Rushing Bills Through the Oireachtas Makes a Mockery of the Legislative Process

I support the observations on rushing legislation through the Houses of the Oireachtas in advance of the summer recess which seem to apply in particular to the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform, Deputy Dermot Ahern.   

Continue reading Rushing Bills Through the Oireachtas Makes a Mockery of the Legislative Process…