Revolution... what's wrong with Irish people?

[OneRedArmy]

Am not sure we need revolution. Just very wide ranging reform. In relation to voting in fianna fail all the time I think the country would benefit from some reform that would make it easier for the sizable amount of people who work/attend college in Dublin(or to a lesser extent the other population centres) but are registered at home, to vote in elections.

the fact people still feel the need to travel back down the country to vote tells you all you need to know about parochial politics.

Updating the voters register is hardly rocket science and you get contacted frequently about it. No excuse IMO.

[Billsthoughts]

you live in a very black and white world. there might be a bit more at play for people than just a simple matter of being too lazy to update the register.

[eamo1]

It's extremely frustrating that there is no proper alternative to the current government.FG's policies are too similar to FF.
Is there truth to the suggestion that the Gardai purposely used over the top force last week during the student protest to show the ordinary public what might happen to them if they were to march??

[BonnieShels]

Was at a conference last month where Noel Whelan was one of the speakers. I dn't always agree with him, but he told an anecdote that has a sad ring of truth to it: a foreign journalist, asking why the Irish accepted spending cuts, bank bail outs etc etc when the Greeks were up in arms over similar policies, was told: in Ireland all our riots are on the radio.

Precisely what Fionan Sheehan and Pat Kenny said this morning.

[OneRedArmy]

you live in a very black and white world. there might be a bit more at play for people than just a simple matter of being too lazy to update the register.

....like wanting to keep the old parish pump flowing? Casting your vote elsewhere to your primary residence (as defined within the law) is an affront to democracy.
Period.

Also, anyone watch Aung Sun Suu Kyi's interview with John Simpson? Burma gets her and we get Jackie Healy Rae....

[Billsthoughts]

....like wanting to keep the old parish pump flowing? Casting your vote elsewhere to your primary residence (as defined within the law) is an affront to democracy.
Period.

A lot of people might be in the capital city with no intention of settling there for life. Voting at home is just another tie to where they are from. nothing to do with parish pump. speak to people rather than lecture them and you might gain a better insight.

[Fr Damo]

In relation to ORA question... we are not fit to Govern ourselves,

How can a cabinate make decesions to run a 1st world country when the prime minister, his assistant and the bean counter are so easily accessed by the electorate?

How many on here are actually two phone calls away from the Biffo, Coughlan or Lenihan? In the good times this sort of intimacy was seen as Ireland greatest atribute, (Ahern walking up to Croker with yobbs from the Hill) it's what's fcuked us

So yes, Agreed here.

[OneRedArmy]

A lot of people might be in the capital city with no intention of settling there for life. Voting at home is just another tie to where they are from. nothing to do with parish pump. speak to people rather than lecture them and you might gain a better insight.

Why do I need to speak to anyone? You should vote where you are living (as defined by law) at any given election.

That's democracy.

Going back down the country to vote for Jonny So and So isn't.

I respect your opinion differs, but mine doesn't and probably more relevant, nor does the law (if it was ever enforced).

[shantykelly]

ORA, its never as simplistic as that. i lived away from home (fair enough in belfast) for 4 years, and whenever there was an election, i travelled home to derry to vote. the main reason was that whatever happened there affected me more than the goings on in a neighbourhood where i was little more than a transient resident. fair enough, if you move away permanently, then change the register, but there's nothing wrong or ignorant or lazy with taking more of an interest in where you are from than where you are temporarily resident.

[Macy]

I always felt where you live all week has more impact than where you are weekends and holidays. I think it does feed into the whole parish pump thing, and voting based on what a candidate has done for "the family" rather than based on own thoughts and national interests.

Each to their own though, but I thought technically it was supposed to be the main place of residence, rather than where you call home?

[hedderman]

In relation to ORA question... we are not fit to Govern ourselves,

How can a cabinate make decesions to run a 1st world country when the prime minister, his assistant and the bean counter are so easily accessed by the electorate?

How many on here are actually two phone calls away from the Biffo, Coughlan or Lenihan? In the good times this sort of intimacy was seen as Ireland greatest atribute, (Ahern walking up to Croker with yobbs from the Hill) it's what's fcuked us

So yes, Agreed here.

Very few cos we are League of Ireland fans. Dermo's our man.

[mypost]

You should vote where you are living (as defined by law) at any given election.

That's democracy.

Going back down the country to vote for Jonny So and So isn't.

I respect your opinion differs, but mine doesn't and probably more relevant, nor does the law (if it was ever enforced).

You have to live in your local constituency for a number of years before you can vote there. Until then, if you want to vote, you have to travel back to whatever one you're a native of, if you want to vote in elections and referendums in this country.

[Fr Damo]

Very few cos we are League of Ireland fans. Dermo's our man.

OK then, how many have had audiences with Mr Delaney and quized him about a 50k for the local football pitch? Pre Aviva he would have probably given in, in order to maintain the image of his strong grass roots supporter etc etc. It's how we do business in this country, or generally did do business here.

BBC are quoting a Euro souce now confirming the talks have taken place or are underway re the bailout.

[OneRedArmy]

You have to live in your local constituency for a number of years before you can vote there. Until then, if you want to vote, you have to travel back to whatever one you're a native of, if you want to vote in elections and referendums in this country.

Really?

The RFA3 form and the whole annual voters register update state the opposite.

[dahamsta]

Christ, they'll be citing that in a few weeks. That is absolutely not the case. The only issue with updating the register is that it's only updated once a year, which means that if an election is called before the update, your polling card will go to your old address. Your polling card is not required to vote though, your passport or driving licence will suffice.

mypost, where do you get this crap? Do you just make it up?

[osarusan]

You have to live in your local constituency for a number of years before you can vote there. Until then, if you want to vote, you have to travel back to whatever one you're a native of, if you want to vote in elections and referendums in this country.

I moved back to Ireland and was registered to vote after a 5-minute process, and voted in local elections soon afterwards.

[mypost]

mypost, where do you get this crap? Do you just make it up?

From what I was told, whenever the issue was brought up.

In any case, I don't think it's quite the same scale as ex-pats voting in their country of origin's elections. (e.g. USA) That's taking the mick, imo.

[osarusan]

You must be registered at one address only and you must live at that address on 1 September before the register comes into force. If you live away from the address at which you are registered, you will need to contact the registration authority and give them your new address.

If you leave your address but you plan to return there within 18 months, you can continue to be registered there, as long you do not register at any other address.

http://www.citizensinformation.ie/en...t_to_vote.html

[dahamsta]

From what I was told, whenever the issue was brought up.

In any case, I don't think it's quite the same scale as ex-pats voting in their country of origin's elections. (e.g. USA) That's taking the mick, imo.

In any case, you're full of crap and you can't even hide your incompetence very well. Do us all a favour and go post about current affairs here will ya? It's about your level.

I'm not kidding. Go away.

[shantykelly]

For the original post - to me, the main reason I think there hasn't been any form of mass protest or social revolution is because Irish people are, to a large extent, socially conservative, a national trait that has been evident for years in spite of the number of insurrections and rebellions. Whether this is a by product of the catholic church's stranglehold on society for so long, or just the traditional rural background and backwardness of boggers (bear in mind, even city folk in Ireland aren't too removed from the land), or just general apathy and opposition to change, or maybe a combination with other factors. Either way, I don't see any storming of the Dail any time soon, more's the pity.