#IRELAND: Voters Reject 2 Referenda Questions In Defeat for PM

[world politics news]

Voters in the Republic of Ireland have overwhelmingly voted against amending the Irish Constitution.

Proposals to alter wording in the constitution to include families which are not based on marriage were defeated with 67.7% voting 'no'.

A second proposed change on the wording around the role of women in the home was defeated by a higher margin with 73.9% of voters rejecting it.

[FULL STORY HERE]

World Politics News is dedicated to raising Americans' knowledge of political events, elections, and legislation throughout the world.

#IRELAND: Green Legislator Proposes Hate Speech Bill

[world politics news]

A Green Party Senator has told the Senate that the work of legislators debating a proposed hate speech bill is about “restricting freedom.” The Seanad, Ireland's legislature,  is currently discussing proposed legislation on hate speech and hate crimes which have passed through Dáil Eireann.

The proposed addition to the Irish Statute book seeks to create a new crime of hate speech (incitement to violence or hatred) as well as upgrading existing criminal acts when aggravated by hatred.

[FULL STORY HERE]

World Politics News is dedicated to raising Americans' knowledge of political events, elections, and legislation throughout the world.

IRELAND: Critics Say Hate Crime Bill Would Chill Free Speech

[world politics news]

 

A proposed hate crime law will have a chilling effect on free speech in the Republic of Ireland, opponents have predicted.

In a Seanad debate on the Criminal Justice (Incitement to Violence or Hatred and Hate Offences) Bill 2022, Senators expressed fears that people would rather remain silent on ‘controversial’ issues than run the risk of prosecution.

Prior to the debate, the highly regarded Irish journalist Dr Helen Joyce warned that the Bill risked stifling free expression.

Supporting the Bill, Senator Pauline O’Reilly claimed that if someone’s views “on other people’s identities” caused “deep discomfort” it was the job of legislators “to restrict those freedoms for the common good”.

But Senator Rónán Mullen asked: “Will robust campaigning by parents against inappropriate school curricula be allowed?

“Will carrying a placard stating ‘Men cannot breastfeed’ warrant a hate speech investigation or up to five years’ imprisonment, a lifelong label as a criminal hater and all of the stigma and life limitation that goes with that? Nobody actually knows.”

Senator Michael McDowell called for the Bill to be amended, branding it “a charter for freezing genuine free speech and prevent people from articulating unpopular views”.

[FULL STORY HERE]

World Politics News is dedicated to raising Americans' knowledge of political events, elections, and legislation throughout the world.

#IRELAND: Parliamentarian To Introduce Marijuana Decriminalization

[world politics news]

Ireland has become the latest European country to consider legislation to legalize some form of adult-use cannabis.

The Irish Parliament, called the Oireachtas, plans to take up a bill introduced by Gino Kenny, a member of parliament from the People Before Profit party, according to a Forbes report.

The legislation would allow adults 18 and older to possess up to 7 grams of cannabis or 2.5 grams of cannabis resin for personal use, the news outlet reported. Viewed largely as a decriminalization bill, the legislation would not tee up commercial cannabis cultivation or sales, according to Forbes, nor would it allow the cultivation of cannabis for personal use.

[FULL STORY HERE]

World Politics News is dedicated to raising Americans' knowledge of political events, elections, and legislation throughout the world.

#IRELAND: Trade Unions Ask President To Save 50 Jobs

[world politics news]

Trade unions representing workers at Premier Periclase in Drogheda, Ireland have called on President Leo Varadkar to intervene to save more than 50 jobs following the decision by new owners to suspend operations at the plant over “spiralling energy costs”.

The company exited bankruptcy in May after a survival plan was approved by the nation's High Court.

[FULL STORY HERE]

World Politics News is dedicated to raising Americans' knowledge of political events, elections, and legislation throughout the world.

#IRELAND: Truckers Stage Mass Fuel Price Protest In Dublin

[world politics news]

 

The Tom Clarke Bridge/East Link Bridge in Dublin is blocked at both ends due to a fuel prices protest by truckers who are demanding Transport Minister Eamon Ryan resign and want diesel capped at €1.20 a litre and petrol at €1.10. 

Fuel is currently selling for around €2 a litre amid spiralling inflation and the protesters say they won’t move until their demands are met.

[FULL STORY HERE]

World Politics News is dedicated to raising Americans' knowledge of political events, elections, and legislation throughout the world.

#IRELAND: Law Requires Businesses Disclose Gender Pay Inequity

[world politics news]

The requirement for businesses to report the gender pay gap is now set to become law after the Gender Pay Gap Information Bill passed all stages of the legislative process.

The gender pay gap is the difference in the average pay of women compared with men in a particular organisation. It should not be confused with the concept of equal pay for equal work, which is already covered under the Employment Equality Acts.

[FULL STORY HERE]

World Politics News is dedicated to raising Americans' knowledge of political events, elections, and legislation throughout the world.

#IRELAND: New Law Allows Press To Name Murdered Children

[world politics news]

A law to allow the media identify murdered children has passed all stages in the Seanad and will now go to the President for early signature.

The legislation will also allow parents to publicly remember their child, while allowing for the identification of the person accused of their child’s murder or manslaughter.

Minister for Justice Helen McEntee said she was aware of the profound impact of the ruling on parents, some of whom were left unable to publicly remember their deceased children’s names or legacies.

[FULL STORY HERE]

World Politics News is dedicated to raising Americans' knowledge of political events, elections, and legislation throughout the world.

#IRELAND: Head Of Gov't To Apologize For 70-Year Unwed Mother Child Abuse Scandal

[world politics news] 

Ireland confronted one of the darkest chapters of its past this week with the publication of a report detailing how 9,000 children died in state-run homes for youngsters born out of wedlock.

The 3,000-page report was the result of an inquiry into "appalling" levels of mortality at Ireland's "mother and baby" homes between the 1920s and 1990s.

The Taoiseach/Prime Minister Mícheál Martin, is expected to make a formal apology to survivors of the homes today. Roughly 15% of the 57,000 children who passed through the homes over the decades died, a figure far higher than wider norms.

[FULL STORY HERE]

World Politics News is dedicated to raising Americans' knowledge of political events, elections, and legislation throughout the world.

#IRELAND: Supreme Court Rules Subway Bread Contains Too Much Sugar To Be Considered "Bread"

[world politics news] 

Ireland's Supreme Court has ruled that sandwiches made by Subway contain too much sugar to legally be considered bread. 

The ruling today arose from an appeal from Bookfinders Ltd, a Subway franchisee, which claimed that it should not have to pay Value Added Tax, as many products it sells are “staple foods” and should attract a 0% VAT rate. 

However, the five-judge court ruled that the sandwiches must attract a rate of VAT due to its sugar content. 

[FULL STORY HERE]

World Politics News is dedicated to raising Americans' knowledge of political events, elections, and legislation throughout the world.

#IRELAND: Mass March In Dublin Against Mask Mandate

[world politics news] 

Up to 2,000 people marched through Dublin City Centre on Saturday in protest at the wearing of face masks.

The march was organised by a group called Yellow Vest Ireland, which describes itself as a “people’s movement” that is “not aligned to any political group, organisation or politician”.

[FULL STORY HERE]

World Politics News is dedicated to raising Americans' knowledge of political events, elections, and legislation throughout the world.

#IRELAND: Head Of Govt Admits Coalition Got Off To "Rocky Start"

[world politics news]

Tanaiste (Prime Minister) Leo Varadkar has admitted that his new Government has gotten off to a “rocky start” and made some errors that could have been avoided.

The newly formed coalition between Mr Varadkar’s Fine Gael party, Fianna Fail and the Greens has been beset by difficulties since it formed at the end of June.

There were complaints from TDs who did not get Cabinet roles, Agriculture Minister Barry Cowen was sacked following controversy over his 2016 drink-driving arrest, while Green Party leader Eamon Ryan appeared to fall asleep ahead of a Dail vote on legislation relating to lower-paid jobs.
[FULL STORY HERE]

World Politics News is dedicated to raising Americans' knowledge of political events, elections, and legislation throughout the world.

#IRELAND: Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael Agree On Coalition Government

[world politics news]

Sinn Féin will provide “the most effective opposition in the history of this State”, party leader Mary Lou McDonald has said.

Speaking after the emergence of the draft plan for a coalition government, she described the document as “very long, very wordy” and said the content was “vague”.

“Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael back in government together, that’s not change.”

[FULL STORY HERE]

World Politics News is dedicated to raising Americans' knowledge of political events, elections, and legislation throughout the world.

#IRELAND: Greens Propose "National Unity Gov't" To Confront Coronavirus

[world politics news]

The Green Party has effectively ruled out joining the Fine Gael and Fianna Fáíl pertirs in a coalition for now and instead has called for a national unity Government involving all elected members of Parliament.

The Green’s 12 TDs met today to discuss their options for building a coalition.

In a statement, the party said it wants a national unity Government to be put in place and then reviewed in three months. It said its reasoning for this was the ongoing coronavirus crisis. Ireland's parties remain in talks to form a government a month after elections effectively created a three-way tie between the three major parties.

[FULL STORY HERE]

World Politics News is dedicated to raising Americans' knowledge of political events, elections, and legislation throughout the world.

BREAKING: Gov't Of #Ireland Closes All Schools, Colleges, Childcare Facilities Thru Mar 29

[world politics news]

Taoiseach/Prime Minister Leo Varadkar has said the country's schools, colleges and childcare facilities are to close in response to the Covid-19 pandemic.

From 6 pm today, schools, colleges and childcare facilities will close. Ireland has joined Norway, Slovakia, and Lithuania, and other European countries are considering closing educational institutions.

In relation to cultural institutions, indoor gatherings of more than 100 people will not be permitted and a maximum outdoor gathering of 500 people will be allowed. The restrictions will stay in place until 29 March.

Where it is possible to work remotely people should do so, he said, adding that we need the public and businesses to take a sensible approach to coronavirus.

Varadkar made the announcement in Washington DC, where he is visiting.

[FULL STORY HERE]

World Politics News is dedicated to raising Americans' knowledge of political events, elections, and legislation throughout the world.

#IRELAND: Prime Minister Varadkar Resigns Following Poor Election Result

[world politics news]

Prime Minister Leo Varadkar resigned Thursday night following an inconclusive series of parliamentary votes to select the next Taoiseach/prime minister.

He will remain on in a caretaker capacity until his successor is chosen.

When votes on the candidates for taoiseach were cast by parliament, Sinn Féin leader Mary Lou McDonald received most votes, 45, of any of the four party leaders after a lengthy debate, but failed to be elected.

Fianna Fáil leader Micheál Martin received the second highest vote of 41, followed by Varadkar on 36 and Green Party leader Eamon Ryan on 12.

The votes took place after a lengthy debate following nominations.

[FULL STORY HERE]

World Politics News is dedicated to raising Americans' knowledge of political events, elections, and legislation throughout the world.

#IRELAND: Sinn Féin Makes Dramatic Advance In Election; But Forming Gov't Will Be Difficult

[world politics news]

In Ireland's national election this past weekend, the Sinn Féin Party, with overwhelming support from the youth vote and dissatisfaction with the government over housing shortage, did better than it ever has; while the two major parties, Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael, came up short in the popular vote count, which is still ongoing.

Fianna Fáil will likely retain the largest number of seats in the Díal, the nation's parliament, and Prime Minister Leo Varadkar retained his seat, but it's unclear whether he will remain the party's leader after the election results are tallied.

Sinn Fein will find it difficult to form a government in the Díal. A party will need 80 seats in order to form a government without a coalition. Sinn Fein only fielded 46 candidates in Saturday's election, however.

Sinn Féin party officials say their best hope is to seek partners in other left-leaning parties.

Fianna Fáil officials campaigned on not forming a coalition with any other party, especially Sinn Féin, but even with only partial results in, officials reportedly are softening their position on a coalition with Sinn Féin.

[FULL STORY HERE]

World Politics News is dedicated to raising Americans' knowledge of political events, elections, and legislation throughout the world.

#IRELAND: Facebook Pulls Party's Ads For Failing To Carry "Paid For" Disclaimer

[world politics news]

Facebook has removed ads by the Renua  Ireland Party after they were found to have breached the social media site's policies on political advertising.

Facebook reportedly told party officials the ads failed to have a "paid for by" disclaimer. The party's treasurer said the omission was unintentional.

The social media giant is under pressure from the political left to ban political advertising on the platform, as Twitter has already done. Renua Ireland is a populist political party contesting this month's election. Facebook said content was not a factor in his decision to pull the ads.

The ads, which were running on the platform until Wednesday night, detailed immigration and crime policies and a promise to “restore the green passport” as “a symbol of our independent policy direction within the EU." European Union passport covers are blue.

[FULL STORY HERE]

World Politics News is dedicated to raising Americans' knowledge of political events, elections, and legislation throughout the world.

#IRELAND: Violent Crime Becoming Major Election Issue

[world politics news]

Violent crime has jumped to the centre of the general election campaign following further gangland shootings in Dublin and a stabbing in Cork city.

Taoiseach Leo Varadkar paid a visit to the family of a victim, but his claim that “Fine Gael is the party of law and order” was ridiculed by opposition leaders, while local people told reporters they were scared to go out on the streets.

[FULL STORY HERE]

World Politics News is dedicated to raising Americans' knowledge of political events, elections, and legislation throughout the world.

#IRELAND: Motorists "Confused" By Plans To Phase Out Gas Vehicles

[world politics news]

Government plans to fast-track new laws to ban the sale of gas and diesel cars by 2030 have been criticised as "confusing" as thousands of motorists prepare to buy new cars in the coming days.

The Society of the Irish Motor Industry (Simi) said it was concerned about plans to bring forward the laws early in the new year.

[FULL STORY HERE]

World Politics News is dedicated to raising Americans' knowledge of political events, elections, and legislation throughout the world.