No Time Like The Present for DLP to Prove Their Commitment

Following the smooth running of the Dáil elections in Talamthom, and the second successive win for the DLP there must now be a marked commitment by all its members to work their hardest this term.

To put it mildly the LPT may be feeling a little hard done by following their best ever term which saw them become the most active force in Tománn politics. With the DLP seemingly disappearing left, right and center - Mark Prendergast loosing interest early in the term and Ciaron Ó hEaliaghthe and Peter Krembs not even reporting for duty - the LPT worked hard for electoral reform and succeeded.

The spotlight will now remain fixed upon the DLP in the reduced Dáil where already foreign policy changes and the development of a functioning military have been promised by DLP Dáil Ministers. Along with these promises the DLP must continue to see that the Dáil is operating at the highest possible level it can whilst encouraging greater activity levels out of government. If the DLP fails the Republic this term they be out of government by November.

The Dáil Assents to Talamthom Finally Joining the MCS

After months of will we or won't we discussions in the Republic the Dáil have finally agreed to full 'immersion' into the MCS. For a number of months Talamthom has had the colony of Tománn Indo-China on the map and more recently Santos Laguna but not the Tománn mainland.

The conclusion of today's vote paves the way for yet more to happen in the reinvigorated Foreign Office next term. A key plan for next term is to focus more heavily on relations on fellow MCS members especially those withon close proximity to the Republic.

The ability for the 'immersion' to take place came about following some intense negociations between Stormark, Alexandria and Talamthom, and of their respective foreign offices. Alexandria had at first been wanting to lease the islands that Talamthom had their eyes on from Stormark for use as a military base. With all sides seemingly singing from the same hymn sheet an alternative leasing was arranged for Alexandria and Stormark was offered some new islands to replace the ones taken by our Republic.

All that remains now is to see where this will take the Republic in the new term; we're all hoping that its even further out of isolation.

DLP Party List Disagreement Just One Facet of Absenteeism Argument

The proposal of a party list for the Democratic Labour Party in the upcoming elections has it seems caused a small disagreement at Party HQ. Current Foreign Minister T.S. Ó Ceallaigh had proposed that the list have DLP party leader, Mark Prendergast, as position one and himself as position two. A response was awaited and thenreceivedd from President Grieve, who is not directly involved in elections this time around, who had this to say on the matter:

"Mr Garine and MrLoutradiss will both be standing, and both have given good service in the last term. Mr Prendergast, on the other hand, was absent for the entirety. I think we may have to face it, the days of DLP supremacy in the Dáil may be running out. Hanging onto the hope that Mr Prendergast will rediscover his interest in the job strikes me as a little shortsighted."

This came on the back of widespread criticism for the Prime Minister's absenteeism. This had in turn moved Christos Loutradis (LPT at-large) to start a discussion in the Dáil on what to do. At the height of the debate the idea of removal was raised, a power which is found in the constitutional article concerning the job of Premier. President Grieve was quick explain that this wasn't the best course of action considering that the elections were so near (after the passing of Sensible Elections Amendment).

With no action taken by the Ministers, and only minimal participation from the Prime Minister in this last week, the DLP is under serious threat of loosing not only the control of the Dáil, but also their most active politician from that institution. With a Dáil of only three looking likely for this term using the new elections amendment which works out the number of seats by taking the population, dividing it by three and rounding up to the nearest whole odd number, competition for places is going to be the tightest ever. Although the competition may be exciting to the man in the street, it will not be for the DLP if things continue as they are, especially with the President looking at the LPT as the possible winners.

Any comment on the proposed DLP Party List from Mark Prendergast is still awaited.

Stronger Foreign Policy Statement Acts as Personal Manifesto

Foreign Affairs Minister Tomás Ó Ceallaigh has announced a list of eight targets for the Foreign Office to aim to achieve during the next parliamentary term. The statement indicates at building a core of four major allies and then going about attaining six new recognition and friendship treaties with new MCS neighbours of the Republic as a priority.

Interestingly there are also plans to only allow the signing of treaties to be conducted with other MCS members. When challenged about this policy being seen as 'shunning nations in limbo' Ó Ceallaigh responded:

"Nations that exist outside of the MCS we'd recommend join the organisation [the MCS] and they wouldn't be shunned by far. The legislation planned would simply restrict the signing of treaties with 'outsider' nations and wouldn't prevent us from issuing a statement of recognition and offering aid [to non MCS nations]."

Also in the package would be to appoint a Foreign Affairs deputy to aid in the planned higher frequency of visits to other allies and treaty-holding nations. A commitment would be made ensuring that the closest allies were visited every 7 days as a minimum.

President James A. Grieve seemed satisfied with the ideas put forward and remarked:

"This is very promising. And as a manifesto for 'what you will do if elected and made foreign minister again', you certainly have my vote."

In many respects this mission statement from the 'outgoing' Foreign Minister does act as a small personal pledge to the country should he be put back in office at the ever-nearing elections. On the other this has been the most active period of Foreign diplomacy displayed by the Republic since the dawning of republicanism on our islands. After a string of failures in the past leading to a great sense of political isolationism maybe the time is now to continue forward. One thing is for sure, if Ó Ceallaigh isn't put back into the Foreign Office, there is a pretty good manual for his replacement to work with.