Dublin South East

TunaSaladBB · 25-01-2011 2:16pm #1

Confirmed running so far (sitting TDs):

Lucinda Creighton FG
John Gormley GP
Chris Andrews FF
Ruairí Quinn Lab
Eoghan Murphy FG
Kevin Humphreys Lab

I know this is usually a very conservative constituency but does anyone know of any non-traditional party candidates running? There must be an alternative to the traditional party-backed politician-as-a-career candidate?

I predict Eoghan Murphy to take Gormley's seat and the rest to remain unchanged. It would be very refreshing to have such a young representation.

Chucky the tree · 25-01-2011 2:22pm

There'll be a few token alternatives but they will get no where close to being elected.

TunaSaladBB · 26-01-2011 2:17am

I've just seen this candidate being discussed elsewhere. He seems to have a few supporters out there.

http://www.paulsommerville.com/

Some interesting ideas there. Even if he doesn't get a seat, he'll force the party candidates to convince us that they won't be "muzzled backbenchers". Let's face it, that's probably going to be Andrews, Creighton, Murphy, Humphreys for the next term should they get in. The usual, bide their time and nod their heads to the older party members so that their time will come.

RandolphEsq · 29-01-2011 2:44pm

I'm not sure if Chris Andrews will reclaim his seat. I think Gormley has a better chance than him but I'd predict 2 FG, 2 Lab

steelcityblues · 29-01-2011 2:48pm

The addition of Paul Somerville has added an interesting mix.

Might prevent FG from taking two here - could be Creighton who is the one to lose out in the end.

Being in this constituency, i'm going to keep a closer eye on what Somerville has to say during the campaign.

[Jackass] · 29-01-2011 3:52pm

This is my constituency and my number one priority is that Gormley loses his seat, after being asked several times before the last general election if he would consider a power share with FF, he said no, and got a vote for it.

And telling lies to voters to their face to get their vote is enough to be blacklisted for life for me.

And he and his party were a cowardess, self motivated enabler of the downfall of the economy and did nothing but quietly whimper in the background trying to play out a largely irrelivant agenda compared to the grand scheme of things, but they clawed on to power as much as FF did and never got their integrity back by pulling out at any one of the number of times they should have.

I will certainly be aiming and hoping for a FG / Labour 4 seat constituency.

As for Lucinda, she is an absolutely fine candidate and having spoken to her several times previously, is certainly my number one candidate and I can't be more sincere when I say that she is the most energetic, sincere and effective servant of the public out of the lot of those candidates.

JTMan · 29-01-2011 7:14pm

Paul Somerville will be getting my number one vote. FG/Enda do not represent real change to me.

Gormley does not have a hope of been elected.

d'Oracle · 29-01-2011 9:01pm

Fungus wrote: »

Paul Somerville will be getting my number one vote. FG/Enda do not represent real change to me.

Gormley does not have a hope of been elected.

Just make sure that if Lucinda comes to your door, wether you tell her what way you vote or not, that you want to know that FG will use the skills and knowledge of expert independants.

Its no use having people like him in the dail if the Dail don't use them.
If everybody who sees them self giving a top three to the likes of Sommerville, Ross, donnelly etc, say this to labour and FG candidates, then they might just get the message.

JTMan · 30-01-2011 8:57pm

There are 2 possibilities.

The independents join with FG to form a government or they provide assistance. Either way, they will be active.

The Dail needs smart people like Paul Sommerville.

Now to decide who to vote number two.

delta_bravo · 31-01-2011 1:21pm

Anyone know if Noel Ivory is running again?

Jack Sheehan · 31-01-2011 2:41pm

http://www.dylanhaskins.ie/

This small child is also running.

bamboozle · 01-02-2011 3:20pm

Fungus wrote: »

Paul Somerville will be getting my number one vote. FG/Enda do not represent real change to me.

Gormley does not have a hope of been elected.

i'm delighted to see Paul Somerville is running, on his website he's got the support of Brian Lucey & Constatine Gurdgiev, any time i've seen him on TV or listened to him on Radio he's been excellant.

i hope a bit of momentum builds behind his campaign as we need smart guys like him in Dail Eireann.

TunaSaladBB · 02-02-2011 1:48am

Jack Sheehan wrote: »

http://www.dylanhaskins.ie/

This small child is also running.

Seems like a good candidate. Bring some balance to the Dáil and at least to bring some people into the political discourse that wouldn't otherwise be directly involved. He's only 23, so will possible lose out because he's not exactly running against old fogeys in this particular constituency.

It's been a week since I e-mailed Paul Sommerville asking him about some direct questions about his policies. No reply. Too busy? Doesn't value my vote? Didn't like my questions?

John Gormley called to my friend today. General gist was:
Q: Do you regret going into government with FF?
A: Overall, yes.
Q: What have you achieved in government?
A: Fairly waffly answer, not too much conviction.

I'd say Gormley's lost it. I'd say his spirit has been broken by what's happened over the last few years in government. His own fault really.

dubpunter · 02-02-2011 5:12am

I see that Gormley's posters in Dublin SE have a red/pink background rather than the traditional green. I know that labour are strongly favoured to win two of the four seats but since when has any green party election poster not been predominantly green?

odbod · 02-02-2011 5:53am

FG are as week and feeble as the greens, feckin useless bunch of muppets, and labour well they're just part of the problem, to close to the damn greedy feckin unions, well the bigger ones anyway, actually all established political parties are inadequite, filled with incompetent cronies with a cynical self serving agenda, I believe nothing that comes out of any of their mouths. just read paul somervilles policies on his site and i think i passed out with boredom. it reads like some sort of corporate training manual. dylan haskins may look like a hormonal teenager, but for me it grabs my imagination and inspires me, he doesn't talk like most of the equivocating, answer swerving politicians. he also has principled policies that i find more comprehensible than the others, maybe i am just stupid and have no idea about politics. but i have a vote. at least im not voting sinn fein. or any crazy leftys. the middles fine for me.

Scofflaw · 02-02-2011 10:51am

odbod wrote: »

FG are as week and feeble as the greens, feckin useless bunch of muppets, and labour well they're just part of the problem, to close to the damn greedy feckin unions, well the bigger ones anyway, actually all established political parties are inadequite, filled with incompetent cronies with a cynical self serving agenda, I believe nothing that comes out of any of their mouths. just read paul somervilles policies on his site and i think i passed out with boredom. it reads like some sort of corporate training manual. dylan haskins may look like a hormonal teenager, but for me it grabs my imagination and inspires me, he doesn't talk like most of the equivocating, answer swerving politicians. he also has principled policies that i find more comprehensible than the others, maybe i am just stupid and have no idea about politics. but i have a vote. at least im not voting sinn fein. or any crazy leftys. the middles fine for me.

odbod, try to make your posts more readable and less reliant on cursing.

moderately,
Scofflaw

Koyasan · 02-02-2011 11:12am

[Jackass] wrote: »

This is my constituency and my number one priority is that Gormley loses his seat, after being asked several times before the last general election if he would consider a power share with FF, he said no, and got a vote for it.

That's not how I remember the Greens putting it
http://www.rte.ie/news/2006/0907/green.html
Besides, he doesn't decide. 66.6% of his party decided for him. Get rid of Gormley and you loose your last chance for blocking the incinerator and the other dodgy FG/FF Council developments

Scofflaw · 02-02-2011 11:36am

Koyasan wrote: »

That's not how I remember the Greens putting it
http://www.rte.ie/news/2006/0907/green.html
Besides, he doesn't decide. 66.6% of his party decided for him. Get rid of Gormley and you loose your last chance for blocking the incinerator and the other dodgy FG/FF Council developments

There's a myth that hangs over the whole business with the Green coalition. As you've linked to, the Green Party conference before the election decided not to rule out any coalition in advance, including coalition with Fianna Fáil. Since the vote of the party is what sets the policy of the party, that was therefore the policy of the party going into the election.

People tend at this point to rely on subsequent statements by Green TDs to show that party policy had changed, or that the Green TDs had at least pretended it had changed. Party policy had not changed, indeed could not have done so, because there had not been another conference. The statements by individual TDs are somewhat more open, but have been grossly misreported, at least in the case of Trevor Sargent's famous "u-turn" of stepping down as leader only to accept a position in the coalition administration. Sargent actually said in advance, and on the same occasion (TV3), as part of the same sentence that he would do both those things - that he wouldn't lead, but would be happy enough to accept a position. Strangely, the Independent only reported one half of the comment, saving the second half for later use.

The Greens don't like Fianna Fáil, but there wasn't another option at the last election, and the party membership voted to go into coalition with them. After all, Fine Gael were supposed to have won the 2007 election by a landslide, but instead it was just another non-event in a quarter century of non-events.

cordially,
Scofflaw

fred252 · 02-02-2011 11:42am

[Jackass] wrote: »

This is my constituency and my number one priority is that Gormley loses his seat, after being asked several times before the last general election if he would consider a power share with FF, he said no, and got a vote for it.

And telling lies to voters to their face to get their vote is enough to be blacklisted for life for me.

And he and his party were a cowardess, self motivated enabler of the downfall of the economy and did nothing but quietly whimper in the background trying to play out a largely irrelivant agenda compared to the grand scheme of things, but they clawed on to power as much as FF did and never got their integrity back by pulling out at any one of the number of times they should have.

I will certainly be aiming and hoping for a FG / Labour 4 seat constituency.

As for Lucinda, she is an absolutely fine candidate and having spoken to her several times previously, is certainly my number one candidate and I can't be more sincere when I say that she is the most energetic, sincere and effective servant of the public out of the lot of those candidates.

if that's the case then all politicians will be on your blacklist.

i'm new to this constituency. hadn't heard of sommerville but i will look into him based on this thread.

bamboozle · 02-02-2011 3:07pm

fred252 wrote: »

if that's the case then all politicians will be on your blacklist.

i'm new to this constituency. hadn't heard of sommerville but i will look into him based on this thread.

I've seen Sommerville on Vincent Brown & he was on Marian Finucanne a few months back and i think he's excellant, there's been a few threads on him on politics.ie since he started appearing in the media, he talks an awful lot of sense, its refreshing to see articulate, intelligent people running.

Boulevardier · 02-02-2011 3:14pm

I have seen no posters for anyone in South-East called Somerville, and he is not in today's (Wed 2nd) Irish Times list of declared candidates in South-East.

There are posters up for a fellow called Dylan Haskins (Independent). Anyone know anything about him?

TunaSaladBB · 02-02-2011 4:21pm

Boulevardier wrote: »

I have seen no posters for anyone in South-East called Somerville, and he is not in today's (Wed 2nd) Irish Times list of declared candidates in South-East.

There are posters up for a fellow called Dylan Haskins (Independent). Anyone know anything about him?

I hope we can all move away from the posters culture of Irish politics. How good your poster is, its location etc. has nothing to do with governing our country effectively and honestly.

www.paulsommerville.com
www.dylanhaskins.ie

expectationlost · 02-02-2011 11:15pm

ian clotworthy is running as well for fis nua, the not-thegreenparty party, although doing the whole with not left wing or right wing thing just like green party did so they too will end up as right wing pdgreens

http://fisnua.com/

Scofflaw · 02-02-2011 11:47pm

TunaSaladBB wrote: »

I hope we can all move away from the posters culture of Irish politics. How good your poster is, its location etc. has nothing to do with governing our country effectively and honestly.

www.paulsommerville.com
www.dylanhaskins.ie

Scary - of the two, Haskins comes across as having more credible ideas. Now if I can just delete the quiff from memory...and get over the fact that his hairdo campaign is endorsed by the floppy-haired one...he might get a vote...

cordially,
Scofflaw

Permabear · 03-02-2011 12:14am

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Scofflaw · 03-02-2011 1:02am

Permabear wrote: »

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I shouldn't really have used the word 'credible' - let's say I prefer Haskins' aspirations to Somerville's commitments. Some of what Somerville says sounds far too like the political views of the less informed and angrier voter. Point by point where I have an opinion:

1. Renegotiate the EU/IMF deal.

* Start Negotiating for the Irish people not the banks.
* The deal done reads like a suicide note.
* It was forced upon us by the ECB and our negotiators were weak.

The end game of this whole European crisis is debt restructuring and debt forgiveness

Yeah...no. The more I look at this, the more uninformed an opinion that seems to me - it's just a popular thing to write at the top of your manifesto. Haskins, same point:

We all have the right to talk to our creditors and see if we can manage our finances better. As a nation, Ireland is beholden to international financial markets, and that is not going to change in the foreseeable future. But, no family, company or country can repay debts it cannot afford, and from time to time, we need to admit this. Nobody gains if Ireland falls. I will support a new government in an honest appraisal of our obligations to the IMF and the European banks.

Somerville is taking a "talk tough" populist line - Haskins' view is more realistic. Given that neither of them are likely to be in a position to renegotiate the deal anyway, Somerville putting it as item 1 is far more dishonest than Haskins putting it at the bottom of the list.

Somerville also makes the issue his point 2:

# 2. Bank debt is not sovereign debt

* Separate Bank debt from Sovereign Debt and restructure Bank debt.
* This is a European banking problem.
* Stop punishing Irish citizens for the sins of reckless bond traders.
* We need to be at the forefront of debtor nation's. Don’t act like victims and wait for Europe to come to us with solutions. Set the agenda in Europe.

Tough talk, and almost guaranteed meaningless from an Independent.

# 3. Put small business at heart of recovery

JOBS, JOBS, JOBS.

* We must firstly do everything to keep the jobs we have.
* Break the cosy cartels and fee structures across all sectors of the sheltered domestic economy.
* Electricity prices, Rates, employer PRSI should be lowered. (The current Green Party plan to raise electricity prices is a great example of how it believes in the humane treatment of animals but not the humane treatment of the taxpayer).
* Examine lease laws of upwards only rents: Viable businesses destroyed not by the recession, but by greedy landlords. In any other country in Europe the leases would be renegotiated and the businesses saved.
* Agri -Food sector must be supported and enhanced.

OK, I agree with a couple of those, but I'm hardly going to like the side-swipe at the Greens. I don't know whether it represents a genuine feeling on Somerville's part, or whether he's hoping to trade on Gormley's unpopularity, but it suggests a man who doesn't give a toss about issues like climate change, because his little jab is not an informed one.

# 5. Attack Cronyism at all levels

* Cosy cartels and quangos must be dealt with.
* Stop talking. Act.
* Committees with teeth. Fully televised with witnesses being compelled by law to turn up and answer questions about how their semi-states, etc., are spending money, who and why individuals have been appointed to prominent positions.
* Accountability and transparency!

Abolish quangos...and create new ones.

# 6. NAMA

* NAMA should be abolished; there is no point to NAMA other than to generate fees for professionals. So close it down.
* As I'm a realist it is unlikely to be closed immediately so the first step is to expose the secrecy and hypocrisy surrounding its dealings.
* Transparency and accountability must be increased. The banks should collect their debts not NAMA.
* Our public servants and the consultants they employed should be asked why they agreed to such onerous leases on behalf of the Irish citizen during the boom years (in front of our committees mentioned above, no tribunals). This system guaranteed an increasing stream of income for developers and investors for 35 years. It fueled the property bubble and destroyed the country. Are any of these people working for Nama?
* NAMA is a monster and if not reined in has all the hallmarks of our next tribunal and we can all do without that!
* They need to start off loading property immediately.
* There is no such term as 'Long term economic value'. It is a figment of the imagination.

Subtle, nuanced, and appreciative of the complexity of the issues - all words and phrases that don't describe this piece of populist rubbish.

# 7. Reform Semi-states

* Our semi states should not be sold off but run efficiently.
* The Salaries at the higher echelons must be slashed.
* If these people say they would get more in the private sector let them go.
* Pensions and benefits must be reined in.
* These bodies are there to provide efficient services to us the citizens, not for the benefit of the sheltered employees. The customer is not happy

That's pretty aspirational - and again it's populist stuff that's very easy to sound tough about. If we ignore law and other minor impediments, it sounds good. As to the customer is not happy - the individual customer never is, and never will be, because large semi-states don't really cater for individuals.

# 12. Renegotiate the Shell deal

The deal is unfair. If the Israelis can do it so can we.

Yeah...no, again.

# 13. Incentivize our non-domiciled citizens to bring their money back onshore

Money is hemorrhaging from the Irish banking system. We must restore confidence and persuade Non-domicile's to pay tax here.

# 14. Reform the department of finance

Recruit outside expertise with world financial markets expertise.

Like who - Merril Lynch? The same Merril Lynch who issued a report rubberstamping the guarantee, which DoF officials opposed? And how would we pay them...oh, wait, they'll need the world-class salaries he's talking elsewhere about cutting. And when he's defaulted on bank debt owed to non Irish residents (according to him), he expects to get Irish non-domiciled money to flood into our banks? Mm, no.

To me, Somerville comes across as a PD-wannabe who's hoping to pick up the McDowell vote. The PDs...the party that brought us Mary Harney's HSE:

# 4. Abolish HSE

* I support the policy of money following the patient.
* Fixed budgets mean closed doors and closed wards.
* Money must be concentrated on the frontline not in the black hole of bureaucracy, administration posts must be cut.
* A & E problems are a symptom of how the system is broken not the root of the problem.

First rule for a politician is the same as for a doctor - first, do no harm. Somerville is calling for the same simplistic populist solutions as Sinn Fein, but dressing them up in pinstripe. This is not 'new thinking' by any stretch of the imagination - it is kneejerk populist reaction to anything currently perceived to be bad by the man in Ranelagh high street.

cordially,
Scofflaw

Chucky the tree · 03-02-2011 1:35am

The Haskins fella seems like a spoofer. His policies say all the right things but doesn't to make any mention cuts, or how to sort out the deficit. It's all well and good saying the Public sector needs to be reformed but unless you put your balls on the line by stating exactly how(cuts? Voluntary redundacies? early retirment? Or plan getting sacked?) then I've little time for that candidate. Free third level education? Who's going to pay for all of this?

I think he'd would be better offer running under a specific campaign. For example I agree a lot with his policies like same sex marraige, pro choice. Personnally I'd loved a economically right party with very liberal social polcies, chances of that are slim. So outside of that the best hope in a coalition with independents pushing for similar.

Scofflaw · 03-02-2011 1:51am

Chucky the tree wrote: »

The Haskins fella seems like a spoofer. His policies say all the right things but doesn't to make any mention cuts, or how to sort out the deficit. It's all well and good saying the Public sector needs to be reformed but unless you put your balls on the line by stating exactly how(cuts? Voluntary redundacies? early retirment? Or plan getting sacked?) then I've little time for that candidate. Free third level education? Who's going to pay for all of this?

I think he'd would be better offer running under a specific campaign. For example I agree a lot with his policies like same sex marraige, pro choice. Personnally I'd loved a economically right party with very liberal social polcies, chances of that are slim. So outside of that the best hope in a coalition with independents pushing for similar.

Thing is there that Haskins at least has some policies that effectively cost nothing (those being the sort we can currently afford), and some others that require relatively little legislative input but a good deal of effort from someone in a public position. Most of the stuff on his list may be aspirational, but they do represent fairly cheap and small-scale bargaining points for political support - and that's what an Independent candidate has to do to get something done. Somerville's list doesn't have any items on it cheap enough to make his support worth buying. Looked at kindly, you could say he's thinking nationally - looked at unkindly, I would say that he'll want his support to be bought, so the shopping items will be stuff he hasn't laid out in his manifesto, but instead a grab-bag of populist local pork thrown together on the basis of what's likely to win votes.

perhaps a touch cynically,
Scofflaw

Lame Lantern · 03-02-2011 1:53am

Very disappointed in Somerville's website. I strongly favour the disestablishment of NAMA on the basis that it's violating the civil rights of private citizens, destroying wealth by liquidating assets that are still producing revenue through rents or other processes, and that it's now winding down assets over 4 years instead of 10 (crystalising losses at the low end of the valuation cycle) in order to, as Declan Kiberd put it, "recover bond capital for profit-rich European banks" and Somerville seemed poised to voice those opinions. His site, however, simply talks about the usual irrelevent populist nonsense.

I'll stay away from that Haskins kid because he mentions David McWilliams on his site. That's a no-go for me.

I think Labour could take two seats here, FG and FF taking one each.

Permabear · 03-02-2011 1:53am

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pappyodaniel · 03-02-2011 1:56am

And now for something completely different

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KLdHZ5LNIhs

Scofflaw · 03-02-2011 2:03am

Permabear wrote: »

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Like I said - the quiff! But 'credible' I think I might stick to - Haskins is credible in a sense that Somerville isn't. I don't believe Somerville has thought about his policies much beyond the level of what's popular.

Permabear wrote: »

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Sure - and mine. My problem is I don't believe him.

Permabear wrote: »

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No, for apparently not even understanding it.

Permabear wrote: »

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And there's the problem - you'd need to find 'world class experts' who both manage to remain 'world class' without the support of their company and connections, and who have manage to have no conflicts of interest, despite being free to move back into the corporate world they are effectively advising the government on. That's a tough wishlist.

Permabear wrote: »

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So will the Somervilles of this world meddle where they shouldn't, but for "eminently practical reasons". Or they won't meddle where they should, for the same reasons.

cordially,
Scofflaw

Chucky the tree · 03-02-2011 2:14am

I think it's ease to agree neither is a good opition to vote for, but at least with the quiffmeister he seems to be promoting issues he actually believes in rather then populist spew just to get votes that Sommerville is trying.

Permabear · 03-02-2011 5:48am

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_Bella_ · 03-02-2011 6:44pm

I think at the moment Lucinda and Ruairi are safe. The other two are a fight between Andrews, Humphrey and Murphy with Andrews and Murphy currently edging it.

TunaSaladBB · 03-02-2011 7:03pm

_Bella_ wrote: »

I think at the moment Lucinda and Ruairi are safe. The other two are a fight between Andrews, Humphrey and Murphy with Andrews and Murphy currently edging it.

Most likely yes. But I'd love to see some of the independents go on a decent run to show the parties that they're not as invincible as they think they are.

I'm going to mosy down to Haskins' rally at Andrew's Lane Theatre now to see what's happening.

Permabear · 03-02-2011 8:14pm

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Scofflaw · 03-02-2011 8:24pm

Permabear wrote: »

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Regrettably, I never watch TV at all. Nor, to be honest, do I care for seeing how a candidate or politician does 'live', because it allows the monkey instincts to get in the way of rational analysis.

live long and prosper,
Scofflaw

woop · 03-02-2011 9:53pm

what haskins needs to do is get rid of those quotes off his website, they seem as if "Ive got permission from these people" or that he in some way needs theyre endorsement to try and entice older voters. He doesnt if he was credible without them. Simon Harris running in greystones is 23 also and much more credible, its not because hes wearing a suit but he doesnt seem as if hes just in it for the popularity/power. Haskins has his hand in too many pots to be trusted with such a tough job but I guess if a football manager can get in why not. You will definitely hear see him in the future, whether as a journalist of some sort/commentator or not I dont know

Jack Sheehan · 03-02-2011 10:36pm

Frankly what Haskins needs to do is wait for the next election. The guy is still in the middle of his degree for god's sake. I mean I agree with a lot of what he says but stuff like saying that we need to harness the wisdom of the elderly and fuse it with the enthusiasm of youth is just meaningless waffle that makes you sound ridiculous.

On a side note his wiki page speaks poorly of him. It's huge, clearly self authored and makes me think he might be a bit of an ego.

johnny_ultimate · 03-02-2011 11:47pm

Went to school with Dylan, in fairness to the guy he's pretty active and will get things done, at least in the smaller scale projects I've worked with him on. Whether I'd vote for him - which I can't, different constituency - is another thing. As said, I'd believe he'd be proactive in some regards, but also question his experience with bigger national issues. He's a fine organiser of small gigs and community projects, and as a councillor I'd say he'd do a great job. But running the country? I do like the guy, but on the other hand I don't know if his experience to date is what we need. Idealism is great, but I'd like the idealism mixed with experience in these matters as opposed to jumping in the deep end.

Scofflaw · 04-02-2011 3:10am

johnny_ultimate wrote: »

Went to school with Dylan, in fairness to the guy he's pretty active and will get things done, at least in the smaller scale projects I've worked with him on. Whether I'd vote for him - which I can't, different constituency - is another thing. As said, I'd believe he'd be proactive in some regards, but also question his experience with bigger national issues. He's a fine organiser of small gigs and community projects, and as a councillor I'd say he'd do a great job. But running the country? I do like the guy, but on the other hand I don't know if his experience to date is what we need. Idealism is great, but I'd like the idealism mixed with experience in these matters as opposed to jumping in the deep end.

That's part of the point, though - as an Independent, he's not going to be running the country. Instead, he'll be making a deal to be lobby fodder for a coalition at best - and from that perspective, he has a better shopping list in terms of price than Somerville, and a shopping list that isn't just local pork.

cordially,
Scofflaw

TunaSaladBB · 04-02-2011 5:20pm

Went to Haskins' "rally" last night. It wasn't what I was expecting. I was expecting discourse, debate, discussion of his policies and vision. There were sign up sheets to canvas and help out with the campaign. There were application forms to be added to the register of electors in DSE.

He gave a short speech, thanking his supporters so far and encouraging more people to get involved. The reason to get involved seemed to be that this was an important movement. He seems like an articulate, intelligent speaker and a nice person. However, he did not give solid reasons why his candidacy should be supported.

I know that his policies and aspirations are available on his website and people probably wouldn't have been there if they hadn't already familiarised themselves with the thrust of his campaign but there's nothing that inspires supporters more than a rousing speech with firm policy declarations.

Also, seeing as his policies leave out a lot of areas e.g. Health, Justice, Foreign Policy, Fiscal Policy, it would have been useful to discuss his ideas at the rally to get an idea at least what his thoughts are on these topics, if any at all. People on the doorsteps and on the street are going to ask him awkward questions. It would have been useful to have supporters and quasi-supporters grill him on some issues in preparation for that.

I'll probably give him a preference somewhere though.

Permabear · 05-02-2011 2:42am

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DJP · 10-02-2011 9:03pm

I interviewed Ruadhán Mac Aodháin this evening on my programme "Ar Muin na Muice" on NearFM on his campaign and the General Election generally in the constituency.

liveline · 10-02-2011 11:05pm

I would completely disagree with the comment that Dublin South East is a very conservative constituency. I'm from D6 and I would say its quite the opposite. Its very liberal. If you looked at referenda results over the years, Dublin SE voters have been up there with DL and Dublin South as the most liberal voters in the country. The reason why centre-right parties tend to do better is probably because its a largely affluent constituency so high tax policies wouldn't go down too well...

Its hard trying to decide who to vote for this time round. This is how I see it at the moment

I would never vote SF because I have morals.
People Before Profit et al are idealistic parties that have no constructive policies so would rule them out.

Dylan Haskins - Having looked at his policies I'm impressed with the guy. He seems to be all for equality and fairness which is all good. His policies on political and public sector reform are practical. I like the fact that he sees the relevance of a reformed Seanad and hasn't followed the political parties lead in wanting it scrapped. I think though he may be too inexperienced for a first preference but I wouldn't rule it out.

Ruairi Quinn - I've never voted Labour before but I've always liked Ruairi Quinn. He always comes across as one of the more sensible Labour TDs. He's done a good job in government before. But I have some major concerns about Labour being in power. Although I agree with a lot of their social policies, their cosy relationship with the public sector unions is a major concern. We need public sector reform. And we need it now. I don't think Labour are prepared to deliver on it and I don't think their economic policies stack up. So I like Ruairi but a big Labour fan so its he might end up a bit further down my list.

Lucinda Creighton - Have become more impressed with Lucinda over last year or so. Don't think she is afraid to speak up and doesn't always follow the party line which I like about her. But ultimately she wants the people of Dublin South East to vote for her so that Enda Kenny can be Taoiseach, a man that she has no confidence. That doesn't fit well with me. Having said that, the country is screwed and FG economic policies are the best on offer. But they're a conservative party. They won't even have a referendum on abortion which I don't like.

Eoghan Murphy - Seems like a articulate and clever guy. But as I do like Lucinda, he will get a lower number on my ballot paper than her

Chris Andrews - FF destroyed the country. And I don't care who his family are.

Paul Sommerville - Very impressed with him. Has very good solutions to dealing with the economic crisis. But would like to see some more constructive policies in terms of health, education etc.

John Gormley - Never liked the guy. I think some of the greens particularly Trevor Sargent have a good deal of integrity left but I always got the impression John Gormley was more interested in power. The Greens should have pulled out of government long before they did.

Kevin Humphreys - Like I said before, not a big Labour fan and this guy hasn't made much of an impression of me.

There's a few other Independents that I haven't formed an opinion on yet but based on what I know so far I think I may be voting like this

1 Paul Sommerville
2 Lucinda Creighton
3 Dylan Haskins
4 Ruairi Quinn
5 Eoghan Murphy

I actually think Dublin SE has got quite a good choice of candidates compared to a lot of other constituencies.

vallo · 10-02-2011 11:50pm

On the boards election simulation, dylan haskins is topping the poll!
Is that a set up or is he genuinely that popular?
I find his posters unnerving.

Chucky the tree · 11-02-2011 12:14am

vallo wrote: »

On the boards election simulation, dylan haskins is topping the poll!
Is that a set up or is he genuinely that popular?
I find his posters unnerving.

It's miles off. The only reason he's doing so well is because his young followers are a lot more likely to be on boards then the older generation who'll turn out far more. He'll do well with the 18-22(max 22 tbh) but the problem is they aren't actually great at turning out, there'll do a fine job "liking" you on facebook but actually turning up at polling station is another task.

Ruairi Quinn and Lucinda Creighton are nailed on. I think Sommerville will get in a long with Eoghan Murphy(FG). I've no idea how Chris Andrews will do, while he's FF he was first past the post last time and he's not been in a Ministerial role so hasn't been in the spotlight. Gormley doesn't have a chance.

bamboozle · 11-02-2011 9:57am

liveline wrote: »

I would completely disagree with the comment that Dublin South East is a very conservative constituency. I'm from D6 and I would say its quite the opposite. Its very liberal. If you looked at referenda results over the years, Dublin SE voters have been up there with DL and Dublin South as the most liberal voters in the country. The reason why centre-right parties tend to do better is probably because its a largely affluent constituency so high tax policies wouldn't go down too well...

Its hard trying to decide who to vote for this time round. This is how I see it at the moment

I would never vote SF because I have morals.
People Before Profit et al are idealistic parties that have no constructive policies so would rule them out.

Dylan Haskins - Having looked at his policies I'm impressed with the guy. He seems to be all for equality and fairness which is all good. His policies on political and public sector reform are practical. I like the fact that he sees the relevance of a reformed Seanad and hasn't followed the political parties lead in wanting it scrapped. I think though he may be too inexperienced for a first preference but I wouldn't rule it out.

Ruairi Quinn - I've never voted Labour before but I've always liked Ruairi Quinn. He always comes across as one of the more sensible Labour TDs. He's done a good job in government before. But I have some major concerns about Labour being in power. Although I agree with a lot of their social policies, their cosy relationship with the public sector unions is a major concern. We need public sector reform. And we need it now. I don't think Labour are prepared to deliver on it and I don't think their economic policies stack up. So I like Ruairi but a big Labour fan so its he might end up a bit further down my list.

Lucinda Creighton - Have become more impressed with Lucinda over last year or so. Don't think she is afraid to speak up and doesn't always follow the party line which I like about her. But ultimately she wants the people of Dublin South East to vote for her so that Enda Kenny can be Taoiseach, a man that she has no confidence. That doesn't fit well with me. Having said that, the country is screwed and FG economic policies are the best on offer. But they're a conservative party. They won't even have a referendum on abortion which I don't like.

Eoghan Murphy - Seems like a articulate and clever guy. But as I do like Lucinda, he will get a lower number on my ballot paper than her

Chris Andrews - FF destroyed the country. And I don't care who his family are.

Paul Sommerville - Very impressed with him. Has very good solutions to dealing with the economic crisis. But would like to see some more constructive policies in terms of health, education etc.

John Gormley - Never liked the guy. I think some of the greens particularly Trevor Sargent have a good deal of integrity left but I always got the impression John Gormley was more interested in power. The Greens should have pulled out of government long before they did.

Kevin Humphreys - Like I said before, not a big Labour fan and this guy hasn't made much of an impression of me.

There's a few other Independents that I haven't formed an opinion on yet but based on what I know so far I think I may be voting like this

1 Paul Sommerville
2 Lucinda Creighton
3 Dylan Haskins
4 Ruairi Quinn
5 Eoghan Murphy

I actually think Dublin SE has got quite a good choice of candidates compared to a lot of other constituencies.

i'm based in Dublin north central where apart from Richard Bruton we've been subjected the the Haughey's (God forbind Sean Haughey actually lived in the constituency) & Ivor Callely for years, we think we've finally an independent voice with Finian McGrath then he goes and supports the govt for the last few years, my point being from what i've seen the highest quality of candidates in the country is definately in Dublin South East, Sommerville is they type of person we need representing the people in Dail Eireann as he has an understanding of what is going on in the financial world, Ruairi Quinn is the only labour candidate i'd consider voting for, Creighton seems very capable while even dylan haskins with his naive policies would make a good representative & i wouldnt be suprised to see him making waves as a local councillor if he fails to win a seat this time around.

bamboozle · 11-02-2011 10:04am

vallo wrote: »

On the boards election simulation, dylan haskins is topping the poll!
Is that a set up or is he genuinely that popular?
I find his posters unnerving.

i think its miles off for Haskins, i'd say he'll come in with about 5th or 6th of first preferences at best.
the election simulation wouldnt be too accurate in my opinion as it doesnt represent the older vote...ie the pensioners who are lurking about who've always voted FF and wont stop now (i hope i'm wrong though!)

JTMan · 11-02-2011 9:40pm

More on the town hall meeting ...

http://twitter.com/#!/PaulSommerville

Town Hall 21st Feb 8 pm Bewleys Hotel Ballsbridge .Me ,McWilliams ,Gurdgiev,Lucey .Email info@paulsommerville.com subject “Town hall” .

Dublin South East

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