Kerry South TD (Member of Parliament) Jackie Healy -Rae has changed his tune and added his voice to those of the three other independent TDs, whose votes the government has counted on for support in their demand for an abortion referendum. Healy-Rae told The Irish Times in August that he had no interest in pushing for an abortion referendum, saying, "I'll be putting no … [Read more...] about Independent TDs Demand Abortion Referendum
Politics
The Acting President
Martin Sheen, the star of The West Wing, is a complicated, ebullient tangle of philosophy, Catholicism, politics, altruism, and homespun wisdom. It's a disconcerting sight: The leader of the free world is, uh, combing his eyelashes with a small mascara applicator... Okay, so it's the make-believe leader of the free world. And it's not such a far-fetched notion that … [Read more...] about The Acting President
News from Ireland: Ireland to Fingerprint Asylum Seekers
In an attempt to reduce the number of illegal immigrants entering the country, Ireland will introduce mandatory fingerprinting for all asylum seekers. This step has been roundly criticized by human rights organizations and the Irish Refugee Council. Under the new program, all asylum seekers over the age of 14 will be fingerprinted and the information will be added to a … [Read more...] about News from Ireland: Ireland to Fingerprint Asylum Seekers
News from Ireland: Ulster Unionists Lose Party Leader
Pro-Agreement and anti-Agreement Unionists were united recently at the funeral of Sir Josias Cunningham, a leader of the Ulster Unionist Party, the largest Unionist party in Northern Ireland. Cunningham was killed on August 9 in a two-car collision in Belfast. He was 66. Cunningham was elected president of the Ulster Unionist Council in 1991. The Council is the governing … [Read more...] about News from Ireland: Ulster Unionists Lose Party Leader
News from Ireland:
The Marching Season –
Less Violence This Year
For the first time in many years, the marching season in Northern Ireland occurs against a backdrop of relatively stable political institutions. Yet as with other years, the marches erupted into almost two weeks of rioting, hijacking, and arson throughout the state. Loyalist areas descended into a state of near anarchy as Orangemen and Loyalist paramilitaries attacked … [Read more...] about News from Ireland:
The Marching Season –
Less Violence This Year