Speaking on the Civil Registration Bill, I commented on its provisions for registering marriages. The Bill creates the possibility that the marriage ceremonies of some minority religions would be in conflict with legislation. For example, in the Church of Ireland, people do not make a positive affirmation that there is a reason they should not …
Monthly Archive
for: ‘March, 2004’
Cronies and Hacks in Semi-State Appointments
Speaking during Private Members’ time in the Seanad, I launched an attack on political cronyism and the system of government appointments to semi-state bodies. Political parties continually place their political friends with no relevant expertise on the boards of State agencies. Where are the representatives of enterprise on the board of FÁS? Where are the …
The Independent Electronic Voting Commission
An independent commisson has been introduced to look into the issue of electronic voting. While I am opposed to its introduction, we must be careful in what we say about the commission. I have no problem with it. It is the Opposition which, by saying that commission members are of the highest integrity, puts itself …
Discounting the National Airline
The Aer Lingus Bill was recently introduced in the Seanad. Obviously the main thrust of the Bill is the privatisation of Aer Lingus. There is a reluctance to spell that out in such brutal terms in the Minister’s speech, but I welcome the fact that Aer Lingus should be privatised. However, I have difficulties with …