Light rap for Votegate TDs …but jail for the rest of us
THE Constitution (15.11.1) gives the powers to ‘members present and voting’. It does not give the power to members present while others vote on their behalf. It apparently gives the Oireachtas the sole power to decide on penalties for breaches of this part of the Constitution.
If I wish to take a previously booked holiday that clashes with an election day and I persuade my friend to vote on my behalf, both he and I will breach the Electoral Acts and both of us will be liable for fines and imprisonment.
It would appear therefore that a breach of the law is viewed more seriously than a breach of the Constitution.
Does an action that breaches the Constitution in such a manner invalidate the decision that resulted from the unconstitutional action, irrespective of the size of the majority recorded?
Tom Burke, Clonsilla, Dublin 15. …THE current ‘Buttongate’ controversy in Dáil Éireann has set me thinking. And as usual I’m thinking of worst-case scenarios! We are all aware that the politicians involved, while obviously not the brightest, are scrupulously honest and would never use their button-based antics for the purposes of financial dishonesty.
But consider the following hypothetical case: Two TDs use the ‘button method’ to perpetrate an expenses fraud, whereby one TD presses the other’s button, thereby enabling the other TD to claim travel and subsistence expenses for Dáil attendance, even though he hasn’t even travelled to Dublin. This might sound far-fetched but some politicians occasionally do fall below the highest standards of honesty. It’s a hot-button issue!
John O’Sullivan, Carrigaline, Co. Cork.
…FINE GAEL has rolled out its ministers to the media to exploit yet another Dáil Éireann fiasco. Yet on Monday morning our
Justice Minister Charlie Flanagan admitted voting on behalf of colleagues who were running back to their seats – but insisted this was ‘an entirely different issue’. This man is supposed to be the custodian of our justice system!
If politicians were working in industry – where clocking in or out for another person or falsifying company records is considered gross misconduct – they would lose their jobs (no payoffs, no pension).
This latest controversy, like the 2013 ‘Lapgate’ scandal – where TDs were intoxicated while voting on the Protection of Life during Pregnancy Bill – shows that there appear to be different rules for politicians and the hardworking folk that Taoiseach Leo Varadkar claims to admire.
Meanwhile, the two TDs at the centre of the ‘buttongate’ scandal have been temporarily stood down pending the results of an ‘independent’ investigation by the Ceann Comhairle – another politician! His investigation should also involve the astonishing admission made by the minister on Newstalk Breakfast. It is often argued that the politician-versus-citizen distrust results from a failure of prudent accountability. Given the lack of accountability from our legislators, we have to continue with the motto – ‘never trust a politician!’
Gerard Tobin, Leap, Co. Cork.
Trump’s disloyalty
DONALD TRUMP compared the situation in Syria to ‘two kids in a lot; you have got to let them fight and then you pull them apart’.
A lot of parents overprotect their children and do not leave them to learn basic life skills. However children fighting among themselves need to be carefully monitored and taught to solve their disagreements by talking, negotiating and respecting each other.
The situation in Syria is a lot different to kids fighting. The US abandoned the Kurds, its allies, to the mercy and brutality of the Turkish army. America has shamed itself in leaving its friends with no overhead protection and causing Kurds to be injured, murdered and having to flee for their lives.
Allies should be loyal to each other. Allies should be able to depend and trust each other.
Margaret Walshe, Dublin 15.
Yoga ‘is anti-God’
BISHOP CULLINAN of Waterford and Lismore is correct to tell primary schools in his diocese to stop New
Age practices of yoga and mindfulness as these seek to replace God. The first commandment is: ‘I am the Lord thy God; thou shalt not have strange gods before me.’ Many get caught up in harmful New Age practices as some are marketed using Christian words that unsuspecting and otherwise poorly catechised Christians can’t tell the difference.
Also, Church property should not be facilitating these occult practices.
I hope Bishop Cullinan stands up to those who are critical of him and that his brother bishops defend him.
Ann Campbell, Scotstown, Co. Monaghan.