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Correct. Under normal circumstances, we vote every 4 years for local councils, and parliament (Dáil). There's also the presidential election every 7 years. We have the Proportional Representation using the single transferable vote system.

If this bothers you try contacting the office of the Taoiseach (seems to be like a prime minister). I've already sent a message saying that I don't want to be in the same EU a country that thinks this law is a good idea.

It's still a government trying to tell its people what words they should and should not see, which is censorship and something to notice and oppose.

The irish constitution has some dangerous weasel-wording in it around that area. Lately it's been taken that european/international human rights law trumps more problematic aspects of the constitution, and it's important to remember that basically no sane irish person takes mere human law entirely seriously in the first place, but it just isn't particularly wonderful as constitutions go. May still better than still being ruled by the British I guess (I mean just look at Jacqui Smith...)...

6. 1. The State guarantees liberty for the exercise of the following rights, subject to public order and morality.

i. The right of the citizens to express freely their convictions and opinions.

The education of public opinion being, however, a matter of such grave import to the common good, the State shall endeavour to ensure that organs of public opinion, such as the radio, the press, the cinema, while preserving their rightful liberty of expression, including criticism of Government policy, shall not be used to undermine public order or morality or the authority of the State.

The publication or utterance of blasphemous, seditious, or indecent matter is an offence which shall be punishable in accordance with law.

Here's the Irish Constitution online: it has only been in force since 1937 and is very readable.

The only restriction on the type of bill which can be introduced in the senate is that they are not allowed to introduce a "money bill". Any other bill can be introduced in either house. See articles 20 and 21 of the constitution.

The UK cabinet currently has two ministers, Baroness Amos and Lord Falconer of Thoroton who are members of the house of Lords.

The only restriction on the type of bill which can be introduced in the senate is that they are not allowed to introduce a "money bill". Any other bill can be introduced in either house. See articles 20 and 21 of the constitution.

The UK cabinet currently has two ministers, Baroness Amos and Lord Falconer of Thoroton who are members of the house of Lords.

Mary is no longer Minister for Public Enterprise - she lost her seat in the last election and has been kicked upstairs to the Senate. In fact the Department of Public Enterprise no longer exists: it has been replaced with the Department of Transport under Seamus Brennan.

I think responsibility for the Telecommunications sector now lies with the clumsily-titled Department of Communications, Marine and Natural Resources. There are also a number of quangoes operating under the Taoiseach's Department, such as the Information Society Commision. Government chief whip Mary Hannifin is involved in all this somewhere, I'm not sure how. They keep touting her as the "Information Society Minister".

They're in Doolin, as someone has already pointed out. The exact opposite side of the country.

And, BTW, Southern Ireland refers to Cork, Kerry, etc. I suspect you mean the Republic of Ireland, which is the official name of this country. You only use Éire if you're speaking in Irish, or if you're an American waxing lyrical about the 'Old Country'. Article 4 of The Constitution clearly shows this.

Mod accordingly ... :-/