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Cabinet to discuss Seanad nomination and referendum to remove blasphemy offence

The Cabinet will be looking to move past tensions over the Seanad cronyism row when it meets agai...
Newstalk
Newstalk

08.27 30 Sep 2014


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Cabinet to discuss Seanad nomi...

Cabinet to discuss Seanad nomination and referendum to remove blasphemy offence

Newstalk
Newstalk

08.27 30 Sep 2014


Share this article


The Cabinet will be looking to move past tensions over the Seanad cronyism row when it meets again this morning.

Also on the agenda will be a proposed referendum on the Constitutional ban on Blasphemy.

While the European Commission’s probe into the Government’s tax dealings with Apple is not officially due for discussion, it is understood it could be raised by Ministers concerned about the impact on Ireland’s reputation.

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The Tánaiste yesterday told reporters she was satisfied with Enda Kenny’s explanation over John McNulty’s nomination for the Seanad, after a row which opened new tensions in the coalition.

The matter is still fresh on the minds of Ministers at Cabinet this morning, with both Fianna Fáil and Sinn Féin calling for Dáil debates on the matter.

Meanwhile, the Justice Minister Frances Fitzgerald looks set to act upon the Constitutional Convention’s call for the removal of the blasphemy offence.

According to The Irish Times, she will bring a memo to her colleagues proposing a referendum, with a new general ban on incitement of religious hatred the likely replacement.

Elsewhere, some Ministers have concerns about the impact of the probe into Ireland’s tax deals with Apple, with the EC set to announce details about its investigation later today.

It all comes against the backdrop of the Finance Minister’s final negotiations with his colleagues, with just two weeks to go until Budget day.


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