26/04/2012

Biased Speeches Removed From Government Website

A number of speeches promoting a Yes vote in the fiscal treaty referendum have been removed from a Government information website, after questions of neutrality.

The website - www.stability.ie - originally carried the texts of speeches by the Taoiseach, the Tánaiste, and Minister of State Lucinda Creighton advocating a Yes vote.

Socialist Party MEP Paul Murphy quoted one of them at an Oireachtas sub-committee on the treaty, which the Taoiseach at which the appearing, and questioned the neutrality of the texts on what is meant to be an information site.

A Government spokesman confirmed the texts have now been removed to respect the McKenna Judgment, which bans public funds being used to advocate one side in a referendum.

The spokesman said the judgment comes into force on Monday when the Referendum Order is signed, adding that the Government made no apology for advocating a position in advance of that.

(H)


Related Irish News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.

04 July 2014
National Oversight And Audit Commission Established
The Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government, Mr Phil Hogan has announced the establishment of the National oversight and Audit Commission, (NoAC), for the local government sector.
11 June 2013
Catholic Bishops Issue Strong Criticism Of Abortion Legislation
People are being misled by the government on the proposed abortion legislation, the Catholic Bishops of Ireland have claimed. In a statement released on the groups website, the bishops claim the public is being misled: “The Government is under no obligation to legislate for the X case.
29 March 2012
Bertie Ahern Removed From Lucrative US Speakers Website
Troubled former taoiseach Bertie Ahern has been removed from the listing of available speakers on the website of prestigious Washington Speakers Bureau. With his minimum fee listed as €30,000 he had been listed alongside other former politicians, including Tony Blair, George W Bush and John Major.
17 November 2015
Energy Minister To Attend International Meeting In Paris
The Minister for Energy, Alex White, is in Paris to attend a ministerial meeting of the International Energy Agency. It is understood the French government decided to proceed with the international meeting despite the terrorist attacks across the city on Friday.
21 September 2015
Govt Determined To Tackle Organised Crime
The Irish Government remains determined that organised crime, from whatever quarter and in whatever manifestation, continues to be tackled head on, Minister Flanagan has said ahead of fresh talks in Northern Ireland.