Girl 26 looking to become a TD- WTF?

Valetta · 08-03-2013 12:03pm

Boombastic wrote: »

Oh, Meath is part of it alright, but I'm not sure a mollycoddled ex-td's daughter is :pac:

And you know she is mollycoddled how?

Gambas · 08-03-2013 12:05pm

Sand Wedge wrote: »

a 26 year old who never has had a job in the real world (apart from being employed by her Dad(R.I.P.) as a parliamentary assistant for two years) should be running for a TD position

So that's two years with parliamentary experience for someone thinking of running for parliament. How much do the others have?

Gambas · 08-03-2013 12:07pm

jester77 wrote: »

So someone with young, fresh and bright ideas should not run for election? Someone who has a better understanding of young people's issues. Young people are leaving their countries in droves, they have the highest unemployment rates among all age groups. Who is looking out for these people, the future of Ireland?

Ah now. Her strength is that she knows better than most what the job entails, and it most certainly does not involve 'fresh ideas' or 'understanding the youth'.

Sand Wedge · 08-03-2013 12:09pm

Gambas wrote: »

So that's two years with parliamentary experience for someone thinking of running for parliament. How much do the others have?

So that is a girl who when finished college rather go out and look for a job was given one by her Dad. We have all been lamenting politicians over the last few years who have employed family members in there constituencies. Anther example of cronyism.

baalthor · 08-03-2013 12:13pm

Gambas wrote: »

So that's two years with parliamentary experience for someone thinking of running for parliament. How much do the others have?

Well done on her getting that job as Parliamentary Assistant.
In this time of high unemployment, there must have been intense competition for the post.

Boombastic · 08-03-2013 12:13pm

Valetta wrote: »

And you know she is mollycoddled how?

Job in daddy's office, Daddy ex-td, going for daddy's seat

How do I know she is mollycoddled? put it this way, I have a vote in her constituency

sure if it doesn't work out I'm sure she could get a book and film deal for some drivel she wrote

08-03-2013 12:14pm

Sand Wedge wrote: »

Yes I would have described as boy also.

Sure ya would. I've never heard of any man beyond secondary school age referred to as a boy. You'd say '26-year-old boy'? Really?

Sand Wedge · 08-03-2013 12:15pm

baalthor wrote: »

Well done on her getting that job as Parliamentary Assistant.
In this time of high unemployment, there must have been intense competition for the post.

Yeah wonder did she know someone to get that job, oh wait!!

ghostdancer · 08-03-2013 12:16pm

Sen. Kathryn Reilly is around that age, and was a parliamentary assistant for a couple of years IIRC. she's been doing a great job in the Seanad from what I've seen, after narrowly missing out on a seat as a TD, so I don't think youth should necessarily be a bad thing...

at least McEntee's daughter actually has an interest and understanding of politics, even though it's yet another an example of FG doing exactly the same as FF while promising a "new type of politics"....

Sand Wedge · 08-03-2013 12:16pm

Arjun Zealous Supper wrote: »

Sure ya would. I've never heard of any man beyond secondary school age referred to as a boy. You'd say '26-year-old boy'? Really?

For the context of my post I would have. I have no issue whether it is a woman or man who is 26.

crockholm · 08-03-2013 12:17pm

Valetta wrote: »

What's this "real world" that people keep talking about?

Is Meath not part of it?

It's a place where the top of your wage statement has a harp with bunreacht na hEireann or such written under it,and boy do those letters keep coming,even after you've left, tis great

sincerely

Bortie O Horn

pc7 · 08-03-2013 12:20pm

mccarthy37 wrote: »

That's not much of a recommendation. A good opposition candidate should beat her if there is such a thing.

From interviews I've heard Ciara Conway has always been involved in politics so I don't know why that should go against her, this woman the same. (I've no affiliation to either party). Either way people have a vote they can decide for themselves. Id rather some younger candidates than the same old boys mens club.

ejmaztec · 08-03-2013 12:21pm

Surely they could have found some GAA sportsman who's coming to the end of his career, he'd be far more suitable, knowing how to kick a ball and all?

Blisterman · 08-03-2013 12:22pm

I think there's a definite need for more younger people in politics. Wasn't their a debate in the oireachtas recently, where the meaning of "frape" was understood to mean using Facebook to find targets to rape?

gobnaitolunacy · 08-03-2013 12:25pm

Blisterman wrote: »

I think there's a definite need for more younger people in politics. Wasn't their a debate in the oireachtas recently, where the meaning of "frape" was understood to mean using Facebook to find targets to rape?

We need less idiots in politics.

crockholm · 08-03-2013 12:28pm

Young people can be idiots too, if fact,it's almost a rite of passage. I prefer my elected oaf's to be old

Snake Pliisken · 08-03-2013 12:28pm

Nothing like dynasty politicians continuing the party politics of their parents to make you realise how little things are going to change...

Pots and pans clanging on the side of a donkey and living off food you've grown in the ruins of the old world, please come sooner.

anncoates · 08-03-2013 12:29pm

She's 26. Not 12.

LittleBook · 08-03-2013 12:31pm

kraggy wrote: »

Riding the wave of the sympathy vote is not the same as someone who is bright, resourceful and politically minded in their own right.

I absolutely agree with you ... except that it appears the OP is less offended by the background to her nomination and the fact that she comes from a political dynasty than by the fact that she is a 26-year-old "girl".

baalthor · 08-03-2013 12:34pm

ejmaztec wrote: »

Surely they could have found some GAA sportsman who's coming to the end of his career, he'd be far more suitable, knowing how to kick a ball and all?

Well I'm sure if her uncle had been interested and available they'd have put him on the ticket. But he already has a distinguished career.

However, FG did try your suggestion in Meath with Graham Geraghty in 2007 - it didn't work.

humbert · 08-03-2013 12:38pm

LittleBook wrote: »

I absolutely agree with you ... except that it appears the OP is less offended by the background to her nomination and the fact that she comes from a political dynasty than by the fact that she is a 26-year-old "girl".

+1

Looking at her education one would suspect this was her intended destination from the off. God knows we have enough career politicians.

Pilotdude5 · 08-03-2013 12:39pm

This woman has obviously had political intentions from an early age, and I'm always wary of those types. I don't like the "jobs for the lads" either but she is one of "the lads"

We need more in tuned young people in the Dail to represent us. Not young ambitious politicians.

ejmaztec · 08-03-2013 12:39pm

baalthor wrote: »

Well I'm sure if her uncle had been interested and available they'd have put him on the ticket. But he already has a distinguished career.

However, FG did try your suggestion in Meath with Graham Geraghty in 2007 - it didn't work.

They hit the jackpot in North Kerry years ago, with Jimmy Deenihan being GAA and a teacher. He still gets elected now, although no-one seems to know what he's been doing for thirty years.

dxhound2005 · 08-03-2013 12:43pm

LittleBook wrote: »

I absolutely agree with you ... except that it appears the OP is less offended by the background to her nomination and the fact that she comes from a political dynasty than by the fact that she is a 26-year-old "girl".

Her father was a TD. If she gets elected it might be the start of a future dynasty. But I don't think it can be called a dynasty at present.

http://www.thefreedictionary.com/dynasty

crockholm · 08-03-2013 12:44pm

ejmaztec wrote: »

They hit the jackpot in North Kerry years ago, with Jimmy Deenihan being GAA and a teacher. He still gets elected now, although no-one seems to know what he's been doing for thirty years.

Funerals,who says the dead don't vote?

Agricola · 08-03-2013 12:49pm

Brian Cowen was one of these badly needed young politicians when he got elected in '84. The fact that shes young and female doesnt automatically make her a breath of fresh air.
She might be great for all I know. But if I had to choose between someone whos a little older, who has had some life experience and joined politics for the reason of actually trying to change something or a person of 26 who looks to be doing the party a favour by taking over their parent's seat, I know who'd get my vote

Dyr · 08-03-2013 12:52pm

I'd say the good people of meath would vote Billy Mcentee, the beloved pet goat of their late TD, into office if FG ran him.

padd b1975 · 08-03-2013 12:55pm

ejmaztec wrote: »

Surely they could have found some GAA sportsman who's coming to the end of his career, he'd be far more suitable, knowing how to kick a ball and all?

They already tried with Graham Geraghty.

It was not a sucess.

Gambas · 08-03-2013 12:58pm

Sand Wedge wrote: »

So that is a girl who when finished college rather go out and look for a job was given one by her Dad. We have all been lamenting politicians over the last few years who have employed family members in there constituencies. Anther example of cronyism.

The fact that people have being lamenting something means nothing. Yes, there is an issue with political dynasties, but most people who criticise them still don't grasp what the business of politics entails.

Equating it with cronyism is a classic example. Our public representatives are elected by the people, not appointed. You or I may not like who people elect, but that doesn't amount to cronyism.

There are two aspects to the continuation of dynasties - first there is 'the name'. Undoubtedly it has an effect. Why? Because if people think your relation was worth voting for they may believe that you have a higher than average chance of having similar traits that make you a decent politician. The problem here is what people think a decent politician is, and not the tendency to associate traits with family members.

The second aspect is what is usually ignored. Politics is a really, really tough gig. Smiling while swallowing a turd as Bill Clinton said. For all the talk about high pay etc.. the vast majority of people wouldn't want the job even if they were offered it. (IMO the demands of the job mean that we aren't getting the best public representatives, but that is for another thread). The public are demanding more and more from their 'privileged', 'useless', 'lazy' politicians, and one group of people best equipped to deal with these demands are those that grew up in that environment. People used to having their privacy invaded, people calling to your home for all sorts of stuff, endless meaningless public engagements designed to keep some interest group happy, the funerals, the canvassing, the local power struggles etc... The suggestion that a TD's family is 'molly-coddled' is about as far off the mark as it gets. They are battlehardened in a way that most other people cannot be, and more than the name, that is the advantage they hold when it comes to getting elected. Classic case is Áine Brady in Kildare. Not native to the constituency, no family name, yet she joined her two brothers in the Dáil.

muppetkiller · 08-03-2013 12:59pm

Politicians should have to be qualified for whatever department they intend to serve in , ie. Finance Minister or Junior Finance Minister must have a background in Economics, Accountancy , their own business etc

And they should have to declare the area they intend to work in before they get elected.

It can't be a situation where we've got Mary/Mike being given the role as Minister for Justice/Health because he pulled the wrong job out of the hat.

This woman is no different. She seems to have the education but no experience in anything.

Sand Wedge · 08-03-2013 1:01pm

Gambas wrote: »

The fact that people have being lamenting something means nothing. Yes, there is an issue with political dynasties, but most people who criticise them still don't grasp what the business of politics entails.

Equating it with cronyism is an example. Our public representatives are elected by the people, not appointed. You or I may not like who people elect, but that doesn't amount to cronyism.

Yes TD's are elected but parliamentary assistants are not and that is what I was referring to in that point.

humbert · 08-03-2013 1:03pm

Gambas wrote: »

The second aspect is what is usually ignored. Politics is a really, really tough gig. Smiling while swallowing a turd as Bill Clinton said. For all the talk about high pay etc.. the vast majority of people wouldn't want the job even if they were offered it. (IMO the demands of the job mean that we aren't getting the best public representatives, but that is for another thread). The public are demanding more and more from their 'privileged', 'useless', 'lazy' politicians, and one group of people best equipped to deal with these demands are those that grew up in that environment. People used to having their privacy invaded, people calling to your home for all sorts of stuff, endless meaningless public engagements designed to keep some interest group happy, the funerals, the canvassing, the local power struggles etc... The suggestion that a TD's family is 'molly-coddled' is about as far off the mark as it gets. They are battlehardened in a way that most other people cannot be, and more than the name, that is the advantage they hold when it comes to getting elected. Classic case is Áine Brady in Kildare. Not native to the constituency, no family name, yet she joined her two brothers in the Dáil.

It's a good point but, while what you describe would be intolerable for some, it would be quite agreeable for others. People who like the attention and notoriety, social climbers who would be quite at home fighting a local power struggle, people who enjoy the feeling of importance attending meaningless public engagements.

ejmaztec · 08-03-2013 1:06pm

There's no doubt that one or two "dynasty" politicians are good at their jobs, but at the same there have been a lot of complete bell-ends supposedly representing people.

Gambas · 08-03-2013 1:07pm

humbert wrote: »

It's a good point but, while what you describe would be intolerable for some, it would be quite agreeable for others. People who like the attention and notoriety, social climbers who would be quite at home fighting a local power struggle, people who enjoy the feeling of importance attending meaningless public engagements.

Hence my point about us making demands on public representatives that is counterproductive if you want the most suitable people as public representatives. Off topic here though.

Rhys Essien · 08-03-2013 1:07pm

Current Wicklow TD Simon Harris was 24 when elected in 2011.Enda became a TD at 24.Bertie was 25.
Im sure there are more.

Gambas · 08-03-2013 1:08pm

Sand Wedge wrote: »

Yes TD's are elected but parliamentary assistants are not and that is what I was referring to in that point.

Ok, point taken.

crockholm · 08-03-2013 1:08pm

Gambas wrote: »

The fact that people have being lamenting something means nothing. Yes, there is an issue with political dynasties, but most people who criticise them still don't grasp what the business of politics entails.

Equating it with cronyism is an example. Our public representatives are elected by the people, not appointed. You or I may not like who people elect, but that doesn't amount to cronyism.

There are two aspects to the continuation of dynasties - first there is 'the name'. Undoubtedly it has an effect. Why? Because if people think your relation was worth voting for they may believe that you have a higher than average chance of having similar traits that make you a decent politician. The problem here is what people think a decent politician is, and not the tendency to associate traits with family members.

The second aspect is what is usually ignored. Politics is a really, really tough gig. Smiling while swallowing a turd as Bill Clinton said. For all the talk about high pay etc.. the vast majority of people wouldn't want the job even if they were offered it. (IMO the demands of the job mean that we aren't getting the best public representatives, but that is for another thread). The public are demanding more and more from their 'privileged', 'useless', 'lazy' politicians, and one group of people best equipped to deal with these demands are those that grew up in that environment. People used to having their privacy invaded, people calling to your home for all sorts of stuff, endless meaningless public engagements designed to keep some interest group happy, the funerals, the canvassing, the local power struggles etc... The suggestion that a TD's family is 'molly-coddled' is about as far off the mark as it gets. They are battlehardened in a way that most other people cannot be, and more than the name, that is the advantage they hold when it comes to getting elected. Classic case is the Kitts and Áine Brady in Kildare in particular. Not native to the constituency, no family name, yet she joined her two brothers in the Dáil, having had a father as a TD. Quite simply, the family knows how to do the job of a politician, irrespective of constituency.

Tough gig? Probably, but no other than any other job, thats why most of them have to be forced out( election time ), very few choose to leave willingly, and boy,when they go they go with a bang,the bang being a stable pension that joe soap would have to work 100+ hours a week to match.

Annasopra · 08-03-2013 1:09pm

muppetkiller wrote: »

This woman is no different. She seems to have the education but no experience in anything.

Sorry but being a Parliamentary Assistant IS experience

vitani · 08-03-2013 1:15pm

ejmaztec wrote: »

They hit the jackpot in North Kerry years ago, with Jimmy Deenihan being GAA and a teacher. He still gets elected now, although no-one seems to know what he's been doing for thirty years.

Crowbars 'Listowel' into long-winded speeches, mainly, from what I can tell.

Stinicker · 08-03-2013 1:19pm

Better than voting for a traitor from FF (Fiddle and Fraud) anyday. Thomas Byrne the FF candidate has become embroiled in controversy today as he denies removing a Bertie Ahern video. This guy represents everything that FF are about and shame on the people who will give him a vote.
http://www.independent.ie/irish-news/ff-candidate-denies-taking-bertie-video-off-youtube-29116912.html

The McEntee girl hopefully can win it and so long as a Fianna Fail candidate does not win then it is a victory for honest people everywhere.

Gambas · 08-03-2013 1:19pm

muppetkiller wrote: »

Politicians should have to be qualified for whatever department they intend to serve in , ie. Finance Minister or Junior Finance Minister must have a background in Economics, Accountancy , their own business etc

And they should have to declare the area they intend to work in before they get elected.

It can't be a situation where we've got Mary/Mike being given the role as Minister for Justice/Health because he pulled the wrong job out of the hat.

This woman is no different. She seems to have the education but no experience in anything.

We have arguably the best qualified person in the country in charge of the Department of Health.

Not from a political dynasty? Check
Medical professional? Check.
Political background - head of IMO, experience of negotiating major agreements between medical representative bodies and government, check.
Intelligent? Check.

And he is having a nightmare.

Simon Coveney -
Inherited his seat
Never farmed a day in his life
Political background - blueblood FG insider

And arguably the best performing minster over the past 2 years.

So it doesn't work that way.

If you want a government where 'real world experience' is paramount, then we should dispense with the need to put elected politicians in ministerial positions. In fact the provision is already there, aside from Justice and Finance afaik, but it isn't ever done. IMO, you'll end up with a bunch of George Lee's in cabinet. Worse - unelected George Lee's.

Gambas · 08-03-2013 1:24pm

crockholm wrote: »

Tough gig? Probably, but no other than any other job, thats why most of them have to be forced out( election time ), very few choose to leave willingly, and boy,when they go they go with a bang,the bang being a stable pension that joe soap would have to work 100+ hours a week to match.

'Forced out'? They are all out of a job come election time. The election decides who gets taken back on. Even that feature of the position is enough to turn most people off. As for working 100 hours a week, I'd say that wouldn't be far off the mark for many of them.

Sand Wedge · 08-03-2013 1:24pm

Stinicker wrote: »

Better than voting for a traitor from FF (Fiddle and Fraud) anyday. Thomas Byrne the FF candidate has become embroiled in controversy today as he denies removing a Bertie Ahern video. This guy represents everything that FF are about and shame on the people who will give him a vote.
http://www.independent.ie/irish-news/ff-candidate-denies-taking-bertie-video-off-youtube-29116912.html

The McEntee girl hopefully can win it and so long as a Fianna Fail candidate does not win then it is a victory for honest people everywhere.

Yes, but surely Fine Gael could have come up with a better candidate than Ms McEntee.

Dyr · 08-03-2013 1:25pm

muppetkiller wrote: »

Politicians should have to be qualified for whatever department they intend to serve in , ie. Finance Minister or Junior Finance Minister must have a background in Economics, Accountancy , their own business etc

The current health and justice ministers should illustrate what a flawed idea that is.

My name is URL · 08-03-2013 1:28pm

muppetkiller wrote: »

Politicians should have to be qualified for whatever department they intend to serve in , ie. Finance Minister or Junior Finance Minister must have a background in Economics, Accountancy , their own business etc

Is that not already the case to a certain degree?

James Reilly is a doctor.
Shatter is a solicitor.
Coveney studied agricultural science and worked for IDA.
Ruairi Quinn is a former lecturer.

And so on...

Just because they've experience in the areas doesn't always make them the best people for the job.

Stinicker · 08-03-2013 1:30pm

Sand Wedge wrote: »

Yes, but surely Fine Gael could have come up with a better candidate than Ms McEntee.

It is better for party politics to run her especially after the death of her father, had they ran someone else then perhaps she might have ran independent and won anyway causing massive fractures to the party.

Gambas · 08-03-2013 1:30pm

Bambi wrote: »

The current health and justice ministers should illustrate what a flawed idea that is.

Shatter is actually an exception. Came into the job with a plan to reform and wasted no time in doing so. Definitely the case that his background helped him, but I suspect that is a peculiarity to Justice where aside from the Guards and Army there isn't really a typically big public service administration body to manage.

BizzyC · 08-03-2013 1:34pm

I have no problem with a younger person running for TD, in fact it's great.

The problem here is that this is a person who's been in politics since day 1.
She wont bring new ideas and new energy to the process, she's a product of the process.

It's a young person going in to maintain status quo for the party she grew up in.

naughtysmurf · 08-03-2013 1:56pm

I wish her well, unfortunately she will be a backbencher with little or no influence, she will just be making up the numbers for Fine Gael and doing what she is told
Any bright or unusual type of thinking is not appreciated by the mainstream political parties, look at Peter Mathews, she will just be swallowed up by the party

laoch na mona · 08-03-2013 2:01pm

id be more worried that shes in fine geal to be honest

Girl 26 looking to become a TD- WTF?

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