BS: Irish referendum

Subject: RE: BS: Irish referendum
From: Keith A of Hertford
Date: 28 May 18 - 07:30 AM

So the DUP can permanently block abortion reform as long as they refuse to form an administration?

Blocking it how Steve?
And why do you suggest it is DUP refusing to form an administration? It was Sinn Fein that walked out.

You can't devolve issues to a non-existent government.

There was one in 2016 when they refused the most minor abortion reform.

If May had any backbone she would enable a vote in Westminster

We have no right to impose our will on them on this.

FFS - lets's bugger off home out of this party. No one wants us here.

If only that was true, but they keep voting to stay in UK.
Hopefully Brexit will finally convince them to go.

Subject: RE: BS: Irish referendum
From: Big Al Whittle
Date: 28 May 18 - 07:21 AM

let's face it.

we're like a spare prick at a wedding. Ireland doesn't need us.

Even if Ireland doesn't want to unite. They're united about the fact they want to stay in in the EU.

We just add a layer of miasma and confusion. Not May's fault , or Jeremy. Its a bloody mad situation.

FFS - lets's bugger off home out of this party. No one wants us here.

The band's shit anyway - who wants to listen to jigs and sodding reels all night?

Subject: RE: BS: Irish referendum
From: Steve Shaw
Date: 28 May 18 - 07:10 AM

So the DUP can permanently block abortion reform as long as they refuse to form an administration? That's just wacky. The UK is still ensuring that Northern Ireland can run. Included in running a country is having the ability to change laws that need changing. You can't devolve issues to a non-existent government. If May had any backbone she would enable a vote in Westminster. But we know that (a) she has no backbone and (b) she's running scared of the DUP. Oh, democracy, where art thou!

Subject: RE: BS: Irish referendum
From: Keith A of Hertford
Date: 28 May 18 - 06:51 AM

I agree with all that Jim, but abortion is a devolved issue and Westminster should not interfere.
I think that they are wrong, and a bit mad, on abortion and gay marriage but it is up to them not us.

Subject: RE: BS: Irish referendum
From: Jim Carroll
Date: 28 May 18 - 05:26 AM

"59 votes to 40."
Time to give the people a go rather than leave it to a bunch od sectarian religious bigots with terrorist connections
That's what the Republic has just done
Religion should have no say in these matters
There is talk of tackling the education system in the republic now - not before time
The Irish Times devotes six full pages to the 'Savita' referendum - I don't think I've ever witnessed such elation since England won the World Cup in the sixties
Donegal was the only one of the 26 counties to get a (narrow) 'NO vote
Jim Carroll

Subject: RE: BS: Irish referendum
From: Keith A of Hertford
Date: 28 May 18 - 05:04 AM

She has failed to broker a reconciliation that would revive a Stormont assembly

So has everyone else. She is not to blame for their intransigence.

She is now saying that we urgently need to get it restored whilst at the same time "asserting" that local politics should decide the abortion issue in the six counties. Yet, de facto, her government is running Northern Ireland.

That would be Britain imposing its will on the Irish again. We can not sort this out for them.

The NI assembly voted against abortion reform in 2016 by 59 votes to 40.

Subject: RE: BS: Irish referendum
From: Rapparee
Date: 27 May 18 - 09:07 PM

My friends and relatives in Ireland are on the whole pleased with the outcome. They also expect a lot of cross-border traffic both as a result of the Referendum and Brexit. Those born in Ulster are also citizens of the Republic of Ireland:

It is the entitlement and birthright of every person born in the island of Ireland, which includes its islands and seas, to be part of the Irish nation. That is also the entitlement of all persons otherwise qualified in accordance with law to be citizens of Ireland.

Of course, citizens of the Republic aren't also citizens of the UK (what a mess THAT would cause!).

Subject: RE: BS: Irish referendum
From: Jim Carroll
Date: 27 May 18 - 08:30 PM

Incidentally
Are people aware that new practices decided on by the government now the amendment is to been scrapped are to be named SAVITA'S LAW ?
Very fitting
Jim Caarroll

Subject: RE: BS: Irish referendum
From: Steve Shaw
Date: 27 May 18 - 07:54 PM

Not sure she's going to get away with batting it back to a non-existent Stormont assembly. With no prospect of that being reinstated, she's in charge. She's being cowardly, running in fear of the DUP. Democracy comes a very poor second.

Subject: RE: BS: Irish referendum
From: Jim Carroll
Date: 27 May 18 - 07:34 PM

"why were you taking pot shots at each other?"
No idea Doug - probably a long standing issue
For my part, I apologise that it did - I'm somewhat relieved that the subject survived
"I think she'll rely on a do nothing policy and ride it out at this time."
She's already stated that this is exactly what she will do - she says it is an "Irish" problem
As Stormont is non operational it means the DUP will have its way - the future of Arlene Foster still hangs in the balance due to a mis-spending issue, and the whole thing is complicated by the Brexit/border issue
It is quite possible that this will only be resolved by a United Ireland, which is not a million miles away as things stand
Very much a case of 'Watch this Space'
Again - my apologies fro my part in the last thread closure
Jim Carroll

Subject: RE: BS: Irish referendum
From: Steve Shaw
Date: 27 May 18 - 07:01 PM

An abortion referendum in the Six Counties would scupper the anti-abortionists and the DUP know that. They would regard the calling of a referendum by May as a sellout. Therefore, May will not sanction one. We live in very interesting times...

Subject: RE: BS: Irish referendum"
From: McGrath of Harlow
Date: 27 May 18 - 06:42 PM

I think she'll rely on a do nothing policy and ride it out at this time. But I think that the Northern Ireland border issue is going to be the one that wrecks her.

It's been suggested that setting in motion a Northern Ireland referendum on abortion could be a more likely option than imposing a law, but I doubt if that would be any more acceptable to the DUP, and she can't afford to lose their support. In a sense the Tories are the junior party in the Westminster coalition, with the DUP holding the whip hand.

Subject: RE: BS: Irish referendum
From: Steve Shaw
Date: 27 May 18 - 06:24 PM

Theresa May is in big trouble over this. She has failed to broker a reconciliation that would revive a Stormont assembly. She is now saying that we urgently need to get it restored whilst at the same time "asserting" that local politics should decide the abortion issue in the six counties. Yet, de facto, her government is running Northern Ireland. But she daren't make the right decision about abortion there because she's running scared of the anti-abortionist DUP. Well who'd have thought that democracy in this country could take such a nose-dive. This could actually finish her. I hope that Sinn Fein and the other parties with humanitarian instincts will keep up the pressure. Why, even a bunch of Tories are putting the pressure on...

Subject: RE: BS: Irish referendum
From: Doug Chadwick
Date: 27 May 18 - 05:24 PM

My understanding from reading the closed thread, Jim, was that both you and the o/p were pleased with the result of the referendum. Also, that that you both thought that the church's influence was weakening and that was a good thing.

I'm easily confused but, if my interpretation is correct, why were you taking pot shots at each other?

DC

Subject: BS: Irish referendum
From: Jim Carroll
Date: 27 May 18 - 03:11 PM

Can we continue this without the slanging match please
My apologies
Jim Carroll