Why the heroes welcome for the new taoiseach?

[mayogodhelpus@gmail.com]

Why the mad rush to abolish the senate anyway?  What will it be replaced with?  It might be an idea to abolish the salaries paid to senators, would that remove the biggest problem that people have with it?

Does it need to be replaced? Didn't New Zealand abolish theirs in the 1950's.

[SLIGONIAN]

http://www.tv3.ie/videos.php?video=33877&locID=1.65.169&date=2011-03-22&date_mode=1&page=1&show_cal=1&newspanel=1&showspanel=&web_only=&full_episodes=

All worth a watch especially after 37.30, imagine voting her in.. some legal adviser

[deiseach]

Why the mad rush to abolish the senate anyway?  What will it be replaced with?  It might be an idea to abolish the salaries paid to senators, would that remove the biggest problem that people have with it?

Does it need to be replaced? Didn't New Zealand abolish theirs in the 1950's.

There are surprisingly few unicameral legislatures - Denmark, Finland, Greece, Iceland, Malta, New Zealand, Portugal, South Korea and Sweden are the only mature democracies that have them (no disrespect to the Baltic states). I think that's a product of inertia though. Countries needed Senates in an era when information travelled slowly and a 'deliberative' chamber was needed. Doesn't apply these days

[mayogodhelpus@gmail.com]

http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/breaking/2011/0323/breaking20.html

Kenny questioned on Esat donation

MARIE O'HALLORAN and MICHAEL O'REGAN

Taoiseach Enda Kenny has asked Minister for Communications Pat Rabbitte to refer the Moriarty report to the Director for Public Prosecutions and to the Garda Commissioner.

He also confirmed in the Dáil the report would be debated in the House next week and that the Government chief whip would make arrangements for the debate.

Mr Kenny also said the US$50,000 donation from Esat Digifone was "wrong" but then taoiseach and Fine Gael leader John Bruton, when informed about it, asked that it be sent back immediately.

Mr Kenny regretted the "circuitous route" it had taken before being sent back. He was replying to questions from Fianna Fáil leader Micheál Martin and Sinn Féin leader Gerry Adams.

Mr Martin demanded a response from the Taoiseach to the report which he described as "profoundly disturbing".

He noted Fine Gael had not provided any spokesperson to the media on the report. However, Mr Kenny pointed out the-then rainbow coalition government had been exonerated of any wrongdoing by the Moriarty tribunal.

Mr Adams repeatedly asked if Fine Gael had received any other donations, which had not been declared. When he referred to the $US 50,000 donation to Fine Gael, the Government benches erupted in laughter.