Messages

Ok Main Street, can you enlighten us on the law that provides legal clarity to "other durable relationships" ?
No you cannot because no such law exists at present.

The amendment would leave it in the hands of the courts to define what "other durable relationships" means.
We elect members to The Oireachtas to frame our laws, not the courts.
People should know what "other durable relationships" means before enshrining it into our constitution.

Senator Michael McDowell is a legal professional and he advises that if the Yes vote wins on the Family Amendment (White Ballot Paper) we are buying a pig in a poke. Not being a expert myself I could not contradict him.

Rather then criticise Senator McDowell perhaps you should try and make a persuasive case as to why people should vote Yes to one or both ballots.

Senator Michael McDowell makes a cogent case for voting No in both referendums.

Yes vote on family referendum is a vote for an avoidable mess

"The Government has deliberately chosen not to allow the Oireachtas by law to decide on the meaning and extent of the term "other durable relationships" but to hand over to the courts the task of deciding what that term means".

This suggest it's a case of putting the cart before the horse.

Voting No is wisest option in upcoming blindman's buff referendums

Each one of us will make his/her own mind on how to vote. Whether or not one has the same political leanings as Senator Michael McDowell I believe he can be trusted to give non-biased and well-informed views on the referendums.

There may well be some equally non-biased and well-informed persons of proven reputation who would advocate voting Yes. Maybe some posters here might point us to such viewpoints.

And I actually thought seafoid had started this thread to have a debate about the referendums on March 8 
More fool me.

It's classic social media buffoonery - fellas like seafoid, Rossfan and Eire90 spouting their tuppence worth of codology .

[The Family Amendment (White Ballot Paper)]

Family section of Bunreacht na hÉireann

Referendum information

The Family Amendment (White Ballot Paper)
•    Article 41.1 – referendum on proposed changed wording
•    Article 41.2 – see proposal to delete this article under Care Amendment below
•    Article 41.3 – referendum on proposed changed wording

The Family Amendment to a certain extent mirrors the Marriage Equality referendum held in 2015. There were then and there are now sincerely held views on both sides. Rossfan's post above re. "Nazifascists" is plain childish.


The Care Amendment (Green Ballot Paper)
•    Article 41.2 – referendum on proposal to delete this article entirely (41.2.1 and 41.2.2)
•    Article 42B to be added to the CHILDREN section of Bunreacht na hÉireann

Individualisation was introduced into the Irish Income Tax system over 20 years ago. The purpose was to base the tax system on individuality rather than family relationships. The effect was that a one-income married couple pay more tax than a two-income married couple on the same earnings.

Many would argue that this change to the tax system effectively made Article 41.2.2 redundant and many women were actually obliged, by economic necessity rather than choice, to get a job outside the home. Removing Article 41.2 now is merely window dressing and the new Article 42B is airy-fairy.

[Derry]

Derry v Monaghan
Dublin v Roscommon
Kerry v Mayo
Tyrone v Galway

Donegal v Fermanagh
Cork v Cavan
Meath v Louth
Kildare v Armagh

Antrim v Down  DRAW
Limerick v Sligo   DRAW
Offaly v Clare   DRAW
Wicklow v Westmeath   DRAW

Waterford v Longford
Laois v Carlow
London v Tipperary
Leitrim v Wexford   DRAW

Tipperary got back on track with a good win in Longford - Semple Stadium has not been a happy hunting ground for Laois in recent years. Leitrim tripped up Laois last year and will be hopeful of a repeat. Laois V Carlow is a local derby where form goes out the window. Wexford are still capable of claiming one the the top spots. I would not rule out any of those 5 teams at this stage and indeed Longford could still be in the running if they win all their remaining games.

The SDLP will see the folly of suspending Justin. Instead of allowing this furore to arise they should have stood by their man and simply said that the issue would be addressed this week. As a result Justin McNulty is taking unjustified flak from all quarters. Of course the leadership of the SDLP, Colum Eastwood and Matthew O'Toole, would not lace the boots of their predecessors John Hume RIP and Seamus Mallon RIP.

It was reported that Justin was seeking legal advice. Was Justin even granter a hearing before his suspension ? I think his critics should hold their fire until we know the full facts.

I do hope that High Fielder is proved correct, that Justin remains as an independent MLA and continues to manage Laois footballers. He did a very good job (yes, he got things wrong at times) in his last stint and had made a good start this time around. He would be a huge loss to Laois were he to go.

With all due respect I would totally disagree with steven seagal's post above. As a keen follower of NI politics it's my opinion that the SDLP leader in the NI Assembly, Matthew O'Toole, should have stood up for Justin in this instance. The issue initially arose when Justin was appointed and resurfaced last week with the news of the NI Assembly recall. Ok, I accept the argument that his role with Laois impinges on his responsibilities as an MLA. This was not a big issue while the Assembly was not sitting. However the Assembly recall was at very short notice and it would not normally sit on a Saturday. Justin's early departure from Stormont did not make one whit of a difference and Matthew O'Toole would have been wiser to back him on this occasion. It's Justin's call as to where he goes from here and the best of luck to him whatever he chooses.

Enough of this nonsense about double jobbing. Surely a politician is entitled to some downtime to pursue his other interests and hobbies. What's wrong with managing an amateur GAA team on a Saturday evening or indeed a Sunday ?  Yes, there's also a couple of evenings training during the week involving a bit of travel. And all for a few bob to put diesel in the car and some tea and sandwiches. Greater love hath no man for the GAA.

SDLP have a dilemma - if they withdraw the whip may choose to be an independent MLA.

Maybe Justin could stand in Laois at next General Election and take the seat of the retiring Charlie Flanagan.

The business in Stormont starts around lunchtime on Saturday. Assuming Justin attends he would need a helicopter to get down to Wexford for 6pm. Here's hoping that he sticks with us anyway.

[Dublin]

Mayo v Dublin
Monaghan v Kerry Draw
Roscommon v Galway
Derry v Tyrone

Armagh v Meath
Fermanagh v Kildare Draw
Louth v Cork
Cavan v Donegal Draw

Down v Limerick
Antrim v Offaly Draw
Sligo v Wicklow
Westmeath v Clare

Carlow v Waterford
Wexford v Laois
Leitrim v London
Longford v Tipperary Draw

[Kerry]

Kerry v Derry
Dublin v Monaghan
Galway v Mayo
Tyrone v Roscommon

Meath v Fermanagh
Kildare v Cavan
Armagh v Louth
Donegal v Cork

Limerick v Antrim
Clare v Sligo
Offaly v Westmeath Draw
Wicklow v Down

Laois v Longford
Tipperary v Carlow
London v Wexford
Waterford v Leitrim

Mark Timmons was brought onto Laois panel by Micko in 2005 though he didn't make his debut until after Micko's departure. Mark lined out at centre-back on Wednesday against Offaly in the O'Byrne Cup.

Surreal Funeral Mass live on Sky News at the moment

RIP Shane MacGowan