Who will get elected

LeoB

Well with just under a month to polling day who do you think will get a seat on the council? Or who will hold on to a seat?

Who has done work? Who has been good for the area?

Time to ask the hard questions about issues raised here re.. underage drinking, anti-social behaviour and speeding to name but a few. Oh and why are Fingal not buying more houses for local families who have been waiting a few years? Are there many boarded up in your area?

P_1

I'd predict Fianna Fail to get quite the hiding in the polls anyway. The trouble is that while they may lose out in the locals when the general election comes around the sheep will probably vote them in again.

LeoB

Where is the alternative to Fianna Fail going to come from? It doesnt appear to be be there at the moment.
I think all these sheep you mentioned were happy to jump on the band wagon when the money was rolling in and now things have gone askew sure we will just vote out F.F. I think F.G will bring in more serious cuts than the rest put togeather if listening to them on Radio is anything to go by. And the first to be hit will be "Irish Tax Payers"

My only problem with our current situation is no bankers have been locked up. What these people done is in my opinion far worse than what any politican done.

Anway back to post, I actually think F.F wont do as bad in local elections as people predict. At this level all politics are local and they have worked fairly well at local level. Its silly to bring mistake of Government to bear on local issues.

I think Joe Corr could do well followed by Stephen O'Connor of F.F. and Ken Farrell

Eoineo

Joe Corr & Monica Harford are incredibly popular and have a reputation for being responsive outside of election times (!) so I would expect them both to do well.

In Malahide/Howth it's anyone's guess. Alan Farrell may get reelected (I've seen him here on these boards actually so I'd better watch what I say) he's got youth and drive on his side.

bcmf

LeoB wrote: »

Where is the alternative to Fianna Fail going to come from? It doesnt appear to be be there at the moment.
I think all these sheep you mentioned were happy to jump on the band wagon when the money was rolling in and now things have gone askew sure we will just vote out F.F. I think F.G will bring in more serious cuts than the rest put togeather if listening to them on Radio is anything to go by. And the first to be hit will be "Irish Tax Payers"

My only problem with our current situation is no bankers have been locked up. What these people done is in my opinion far worse than what any politican done.

Anway back to post, I actually think F.F wont do as bad in local elections as people predict. At this level all politics are local and they have worked fairly well at local level. Its silly to bring mistake of Government to bear on local issues.
I think Joe Corr could do well followed by Stephen O'Connor of F.F. and Ken Farrell

maybe it is the only way to get the message across to the main chiefs in Leinster Hse as they otherwise seem to be completley out of touch with reality.

blastman

bcmf wrote: »

maybe it is the only way to get the message across to the main chiefs in Leinster Hse as they otherwise seem to be completley out of touch with reality.

Yet listening to them on the Late Late, the overwhelming cry was how important it is to stay in touch with the electorate (when it was suggested in a debate on the nature of national politics that in Ireland today, it's basically a choice between two parties from opposing sides of a civil war with no actual ideological difference between them and there is an over-reliance on the "parish pump" at a national level).

meditraitor

LeoB wrote: »

Where is the alternative to Fianna Fail going to come from?

This is the line Fianna fail have been spreading for years, we dont believe it any more.

The alternatives to Fianna Fail are

Labour
F.G
Sinn Fein
Greens
Independents

A vote for any of these is a vote well spent. Listen to the fianna fail spin about the lack of alternatives at your peril folks.

LeoB

meditraitor wrote: »

This is the line Fianna fail have been spreading for years, we dont believe it any more.

The alternatives to Fianna Fail are

Labour
F.G
Sinn Fein
Greens
Independents

A vote for any of these is a vote well spent. Listen to the fianna fail spin about the lack of alternatives at your peril folks.

This mess has been coming down the tracks for years and they all stayed quiet, all sides. I am not a member of F.F. and they wont get my No 1 but they will get my No 2. I will vote for the people who I feel will do a good job for the area.
I dont agree a vote for any of these is a vote well spent.
I cant even bring myself to listen to Enda Kenny he is not exactly inspiring, Eamon Gilmore has a better chance of getting change if his councillors read the hymn sheet!!. But none of the parties seem to have very inspiring people involved and when it comes back to local issues I think we have good workers in North Dublin.
Should we do away with Punch and Judy politics as suggested by Charlie McCreevy?

bcmf

Forgive me but I am slowly but surely being drawn towards Libertas.

The Hill Billy

bcmf wrote: »

Forgive me but I am slowly but surely being drawn towards Libertas.

I wasn't aware that they were fielding candidates in the local elections for Fingal.

As for myself - I'll be giving my first preference to David O'Connor (Ind). I've had dealings with him over the past year in relation to a couple of local issues & was very impressed with him. He tells you straight up what his opinion is - not what he thinks you want to hear.

Honesty like that is hard to come by, particularly with politicians.

meditraitor

bcmf wrote: »

Forgive me but I am slowly but surely being drawn towards Libertas.

Thats something I will never do, but it is still better than fianna FAIL

meditraitor

LeoB wrote: »

This mess has been coming down the tracks for years and they all stayed quiet, all sides. I am not a member of F.F. and they wont get my No 1 but they will get my No 2. I will vote for the people who I feel will do a good job for the area.
I dont agree a vote for any of these is a vote well spent.
I cant even bring myself to listen to Enda Kenny he is not exactly inspiring, Eamon Gilmore has a better chance of getting change if his councillors read the hymn sheet!!. But none of the parties seem to have very inspiring people involved and when it comes back to local issues I think we have good workers in North Dublin.
Should we do away with Punch and Judy politics as suggested by Charlie McCreevy?

They didn't stay quiet as you suggest, being in opposition gives you no room to dictate policy.
Fianna FAIL are notorious for dismissing opposition policy even when they are good policies.

The real problem is the sheep keep voting Fianna FAIL even when they (and it is them) have driven the country into the ground.

Monica Harford will get my vote and still undecided on the rest, but I usually vote labour / Greens although with the greens getting into bed with FF Im not so sure

LeoB

As I have already stated I am not a sheep but will vote for who I think will do a good job for this area, no matter who they are.

Having listened to Pat Kenny today doing a show from Sligo I think the kartel is feeling very threatened by Libertas. Listening to the bull from Jim Higgins F.G, Marian Harkin Ind, Pascal Mooney and Pat "the cope" they launched into Declan Ganley in what to me sounded like a bitter attack from people from the main parties who are being shown up. Some of the trash the establishment threw up was pathetic.And the journalist who's name I cant think of sounded like a silly little girl who with her attidtude wont do Labour many favours. They spend their time attacking instead of coming up with solutions. If they were even constructive. Its scarey some of the people who could represent us in Europe

The basic idea behind Libertas and the diversity of the canditates Libertas has might not be a bad thing. It gives for good debate in my opinion. So they have people with far right views but some of the people who sit in Dail from all sides have strong views which differ from that of the party but they are nothing more than muppets and afraid to break rank with the whip and this is not good. There are good people on all sides of politics in this country.

Anyway, Meditraitor you say you "would never do that in reference" to bcmf saying they are being drawn towards Libertas But its better than F.F.
What are you/us/we afraid of? Real change?

Anyway, If Dustin declares for Council election and promises he will do things for the good of the area he will get votes. If Libertas had people in local elections I think they would do well.
Joe Corr Green & Stephen O'Connor F.F are 2 canditates I have met and I found both good to deal with. David OConnor has good name as has Monica Harford and with Ken Farrell back in the hunt there is a few good weeks ahead of us.

The Hill Billy

In relation to Libertas v Fianna Fail - I have a deep mistrust of both organisations, particularly their leadership. If a gun was held to my head & I had to make a decision I'd vote Fianna Fail. Better the divil you know.

It is a moot point though, as Libertas aren't fielding a candidate & I feel that there are better, more qualified candidates than Fianna Fail's for me to choose in my ward.

meditraitor

LeoB wrote: »

Anyway, Meditraitor you say you "would never do that in reference" to bcmf saying they are being drawn towards Libertas But its better than F.F.
What are you/us/we afraid of? Real change?

The smoke and mirror routine Fianna FAIL have been using for a generation has become transparent, their failures will cost me and probably my children. So nothing a local FF councilor or candidate can say will make me vote for them.
Libertas are a also a sham. But they have not ruined the country so if it was a choice I would go with the one who has done least damage. Although probably neither.

Change! yes I'm all for change,

I would never push my politics on anyone but I believe any but FF is a step in the right direction

Mark

bcmf

I know this is about NCD and local elections so forgive me for going off an Euro/National tangent.

I am fully aware that Libertas are not fielding in the locals and only in Europe.What lead me to say that I am being drawn towards them is this.They are asking the hard questions about Europe.Sure they are guilty of scaremongering especially in relation to Lisbon.But who isnt.
Sure they prob have some skeletons but agin who doesnt.
After the performance of FF especially on Vincent Browne on Mon night where the FFer was visibly riled by Declan Ganly sure maybe Ganly was stirring it a bit.
As regards better the devil you know................well the devil we know has brought this country to its knees and to shirk its responsibilty by saying its a global recession frankly insulting and shows how out of touch they really are.
I may just take my chances with the devil I know.After all how much worse can it get.My income is at an all time low while my bills are at an all time high and with the "Devil we know" saying that Unemployment will hit 600,000 and not doing anything to address this.Devil I dont know ........ please take a seat.

LeoB

Let me be clear I am not a Fianna Fai supporter. Also I would not push my views on to anyone.
I have voted for them in the past and their canditate will get my No2 this time. I have met him and found him good to deal with.

If you stand back and look at it I think their is a new generation of good young people getting involved in politics and with the relevations of what went on in the past coming out in various tribunals I dont think (hope) we will ever return to that.

As for the national stage the mess we are in is down to mismanagement by various sectors but I find it appaling no bamker has "sacked" They were reckless and I put 90% of the blame on them. The loans they issued were downright reckless trading. Adding the price of a car onto the mortgage, jeasus how much are some of the cars going about now going to cost when they are paid for. Then we mus think about the greed of so many people.
Libertas are asking the hard questions on the national stage and the "Dynasty" could finally be broken. To me Ganley is as trustworthy as a lot of senior politicans now sitting in the dail.

One question I have heard asked this past week or two, shoul we have all party politics?

The Hill Billy

LeoB wrote: »

Let me be clear I am not a Fianna Fai supporter. Also I would not push my views on to anyone.

LeoB - Nobody is accusing you of being a Fianna Fail pimp. We understand that you are giving your 2nd preference to one of their candidates because you feel that they dererve it. Good for you, now let it go & carry on with the discussion. HB

meditraitor

LeoB wrote: »

Let me be clear I am not a Fianna Fai supporter.

Voting for a candidate is supporting the party

LeoB wrote: »

I would not push my views on to anyone.

This was not a dig at you, apologies if it came across that way. What I mean when I say this is that I am a Labour supporter but I didn't want to go down the road of saying VOTE LABOUR;). I would be happy for most anyone else other than F Fail get a vote.Personally I will vote Labour because I know and trust the candidates, they are hard working and honest, quite the opposite of FF.
I hope a " rainbow" lefty type group gets control of our council because in my opinion it can only be a good thing for fingal local politics as it means more to them.
Only my opinion

LeoB wrote: »

have voted for them in the past and their canditate will get my No2 this time. I have met him and found him good to deal with.

I respect your right to vote for whoever you please and if you are confident the candidate is good for the fingal/north county by all means vote for him.

The local elections should be intriguing as I think you are not alone in your Fianna fail support. Fianna fail has always had the silent masses in their pocket.

No offence Ourlad its just politics

bcmf

"The local elections should be intriguing as I think you are not alone in your Fianna fail support. Fianna fail has always had the silent masses in their pocket."

Agree with you there.I dont think the locals will be the FF washout that people are predicting.When faced with uncertainty people will turn to the norm.

Wishbone Ash

I think people are over playing the importance of the parties associated with the candidates. There will always be a portion of floaters but, in local elections, most people tend to vote for the person if they have a good track record (and often pecause they know the candidate personally). To disregard a good candidate because of his/her party, is effectively cutting off one's nose to spite one's face.

Cllr. Gerry McGuire (Lab), for example, will hoover up a lot votes from those who would normally vote FF and FG in general elections, because he is seen as a hard worker and seems to get a unusually high profile.

Ken Farrell (Lab) seems to be very popular. I don't think I've ever heard anyone say anything negative about him.

LeoB

Hill Billy, Fianna Fail pimp, WOW. It was important I made people aware of the fact I am not a member of F.F

Meditraitor I dont agree voting for a canditate is a vote for a party. This is a local election and the person is the important thing

People need to have a few questions ready for the candiates when they come calling. I have'nt always agreed with Eamon Gilmore yet I might agree with the poster who says Ken Farrell is popular and you dont hear negative things about him. So should I not vote for Ken because I dont like Eamon Gilmore? That would be a bit silly. I would'nt be a big fan of some of the F.F people in power but I know Darragh O'Brien fairly well and think he is a breath of fresh air to F.F and to politics in general as I stated in my previous post.
I have met Stephen OConnell and found him good to deal with, honest and no bulls**t.

Just on Ken Farrell. People in big companies have taken redundancy packages in the past and low and behold they are re-hired as consultants on huge fee's. Did Ken not get or recieve payment a few years ago? So is this fair? I dont know the details of what went on then.

If someone at my door tell me they will do something about underage drinking, speeding and general anti-social behaviour they will do me fine. The housing issue would not be a wise step for me to get into here. I will ask any Euro people I see are they going to push for some stricter measures on whitecollar crime (banks who gave 105% loans to people who an infant could see should not have got them).

Good discussion.

Wishbone Ash

LeoB wrote:

I have met Stephen OConnell and found him good to deal with, honest and no bulls**t

I met Stephen a couple of times in the past year (in social situations) and had no idea he was involved in politics until I saw his posters. He seemed like a decent chap alright.

meditraitor

Does anyone know were I can get a complete list of Local/council electoral candidates?


Just found out the complete list of balbriggan and Fingal candidates is in todays Fingal independant.

meditraitor

The european candidates for Dublin are

Eibhlin Byrne FF Candidate

Deirdre de Burca Green Candidate

* Proinsias de Rossa Lab Candidate

Joe Higgins Soc Candidate

* Mary Lou McDonald SF Candidate

Patricia McKenna IND Candidate

* Gay Mitchell FG Candidate

* Eoin Ryan2 Jnr FF Candidate

Caroline Simons LIBERTAS Candidate

Emmanuel Sweeney Ind Candidate

*current outgoing, only 3 seats this time

As it stands today It looks like Prionsas/Gay seem to be shoe ins the other will fight it out

LeoB

McKenna and Ryan are the only 2 I have ever SEEN in this artea. DeBurca opposed Dubs buikding or buying houses in Wicklow so dont think she will get elected on that.

Mary LOu will pick up a lot of votes for the stance she made against F.G on Pat Kenny a few weeks ago vis her attendance in Euro parliment, she missed a good lot of session as she was on maternity leave.

Alan Farrell

Eoineo wrote: »

Joe Corr & Monica Harford are incredibly popular and have a reputation for being responsive outside of election times (!) so I would expect them both to do well.

In Malahide/Howth it's anyone's guess. Alan Farrell may get reelected (I've seen him here on these boards actually so I'd better watch what I say) he's got youth and drive on his side.

Thank you but speak your mind. I'm hardly going to come after you!

Regarding Joe, I think he might struggle because of national issues. He's got very tough competition in Ken Farrell nearby and I understand the SP or SF candidate is also from Rush. Probably wasn't a good idea to actively pursue the Kenure LAP either.

Monica is an absolute shoe in, part of the furniture in Balbriggan.

meditraitor

Alan Farrell wrote: »

Thank you but speak your mind. I'm hardly going to come after you!

Regarding Joe, I think he might struggle because of national issues. He's got very tough competition in Ken Farrell nearby and I understand the SP or SF candidate is also from Rush. Probably wasn't a good idea to actively pursue the Kenure LAP either.

Monica is an absolute shoe in, part of the furniture in Balbriggan.

First I would like to wish you luck in the upcoming election.

I would be interested in your opinion of local politics with respect to the power councillors have over local amenities/services?

This is not a personal question its just a question about councillors in general.

What powers do you have and what areas are in your remit as a councillor?

Do you really have a say in say public transport provided and what can you do to improve it?

Can you increase the number of Guards in the community you serve?

How does the budget for each council work and who decides were the money is spent? Is it a democratic system or is there different levels of councillor who make more decisions

What part does the civil service play in any of the decisions regarding alocation of funds for different projects?

Is there anywere I can view the complete budget(the books as such) for each council?

What is your opinion of Town Councils? Are they necessary.

Should the council members be increased to allow a better cross section of candidates access to decision making. I.E more independent non party voices on each council?

I know I can probably root out various bits and pieces of infomation about the above but I would like to hear a view from the coal face.

Mark

LeoB

Alan Farrell wrote: »

Thank you but speak your mind. I'm hardly going to come after you!

Regarding Joe, I think he might struggle because of national issues. He's got very tough competition in Ken Farrell nearby and I understand the SP or SF candidate is also from Rush. Probably wasn't a good idea to actively pursue the Kenure LAP either.

Monica is an absolute shoe in, part of the furniture in Balbriggan.

Joe Corr is a good local councillor. Unlike a lot of others I have found him to be an honest guy. As for the Kenure L.A.P Joe made his position quite clear from the start and stuck to it, unlike other from what I hear. So why was it not a good idea to pursue the plan? There was 186 submissions made to F.C.C on the L.A.P. Some people are not happy with aspects of it but if the amendments to the plan and carried through, school and open space provided first, it might not be to bad. Some of the people were genuine in their objections others in my opinion hopped on the bandwagon.
What would you have done?
What changes would have made?

Ken Farrell will get elected without doing much canvassing. Very Popular guy.
Neither the S/F or S.P candidates are from Rush. This can only be good for Joe Corr as the feeling locally is no matter who is power, if we dont have have a Rush person elected NOTHING will be done for Rush as is generally the case. As for the national issue you should be aware ALL politics in Ireland are local and while the Greens are in coalition they have a fairly decent national profile John Gormley is always on T.V and while I am not very fond of him he comes across fairly well. The opposition would have some chance of causing a big upset if they stopped mud flinging which people are sick of. In fairness to your own leader he does'nt seem to be as bad as others but still negative.

Wishbone Ash

I see Dermot Murray's posters have him posing in his fire officer's uniform. :rolleyes:

Does he think this gives him some sort of elevated status? If he was a ballet dancer by profession, would he would pose in a leotard!

He should have the normal suit/shirt and tie like all the other male candidates.

LeoB

Wishbone Ash wrote: »

I see Dermot Murray's posters have him posing in his fire officer's uniform. :rolleyes:

Does he think this gives him some sort of elevated status? If he was a ballet dancer by profession, would he would pose in a leotard!

He should have the normal suit/shirt and tie like all the other male candidates.

Drastic times calls for drastic measures:) Thank god he is not a lap dancer:)

paddyboy23

election time again yippy u no the time when you get to shake the hands of the best bull taking people who for the next 4 or 5 years you wont hear tell of most of us dads will take kids football or some other sports not our politicans they take theres on the gravy train with them what gives them the rite to walk in to mummy or daddys or uncle or aunt safe seat just look at it its unbelivable big posters with kids faces telling me hes going to change things for the better beceause my daddy says i can what is wrong with this tick country we hav charlies 2 sons along with brains 2 sons helping to run the country if my father was manager of dunnes and was sacked for fiddling would i get a juinor managers job dont think so these people robbed the country lots of others and there still there either themselfs or there family unbeliveable

Wishbone Ash

paddyboy23 wrote: »

what gives them the rite to walk in to mummy or daddys or uncle or aunt safe seat .......

.........we hav charlies 2 sons along with brains 2 sons helping to run the country

You may not be aware of it but we have a system known as a democracy whereby public representatives must be elected under a PR STV system.

They don't elect themselves. :rolleyes:

paddyboy23 wrote:

what is wrong with this tick country

(I'm tempted to say something but perhaps I shouldn't).

Alan Farrell

meditraitor wrote: »

First I would like to wish you luck in the upcoming election.

Thank you.

meditraitor wrote: »

I would be interested in your opinion of local politics with respect to the power councillors have over local amenities/services?

Not total control but enough to get the job done. Depends on what services you are talking about. Have a look at the Fingal website, we control the services listed.

meditraitor wrote: »

What powers do you have and what areas are in your remit as a councillor?

I'm afraid I don't have time to write the answer to this question at the moment. I'm sure you understand. It could take me half the night and I can type 60 wpm.

meditraitor wrote: »

Do you really have a say in say public transport provided and what can you do to improve it?

Not directly. Public transport is provided by the department of transport. We do control where roads go, we decided where the runway at Dublin airport went, M1, N2 etc. We don't control what uses them after that.

meditraitor wrote: »

Can you increase the number of Guards in the community you serve?

Not directly but as I am the chairperson of the Fingal Joint Policing Committee, I can ask them nicely in person.

meditraitor wrote: »

How does the budget for each council work and who decides were the money is spent? Is it a democratic system or is there different levels of councillor who make more decisions

Each department has a budget, each councillor has their projects, they are finalised in a democratic fashion. The Mayor has two votes, but only if deciding a tie.

meditraitor wrote: »

What part does the civil service play in any of the decisions regarding alocation of funds for different projects?

They make recommendations based on their experience.

meditraitor wrote: »

Is there anywere I can view the complete budget(the books as such) for each council?

Yes, the council produces an annual report and monthly financial statements. These are online. You can also make an FOI request.

meditraitor wrote: »

What is your opinion of Town Councils? Are they necessary.

As they have virtually no power, I think they should be abolished. They do serve an historic function and with a bit of thought they could become more relevant.

meditraitor wrote: »

Should the council members be increased to allow a better cross section of candidates access to decision making. I.E more independent non party voices on each council?

We live in a multi party democracy, it doesn't get any more independent that we have it. Here's a quick run down on councils across the country.

Longford 1,250:1
Leitrim 1,100:1
Waterford 975:1
Fingal 10,000:1

Those numbers represent the number of people per councillor.

Do I think there should be more councillors, no frankly. Should a national average be created, yes. Of course, people outside cities won't like that very much as they would lose hundreds of councillors to places like Fingal. I think the national average should be 5000:1. (4.1 million people, 850 councillors at the moment.)

LeoB wrote: »

Joe Corr is a good local councillor. Unlike a lot of others I have found him to be an honest guy. As for the Kenure L.A.P Joe made his position quite clear from the start and stuck to it, unlike other from what I hear. So why was it not a good idea to pursue the plan? There was 186 submissions made to F.C.C on the L.A.P. Some people are not happy with aspects of it but if the amendments to the plan and carried through, school and open space provided first, it might not be to bad. Some of the people were genuine in their objections others in my opinion hopped on the bandwagon.
What would you have done?
What changes would have made?

Steady now. I wasn't criticising Joe. I supported him on the day.
If the LAP were in my area, I would not have spoken up so much about it given the proximity to the election. That was the point I was making.

LeoB wrote: »

Ken Farrell will get elected without doing much canvassing. Very Popular guy.

So I have heard. I don't know the man from adam.

LeoB wrote: »

no matter who is power, if we dont have have a Rush person elected NOTHING will be done for Rush as is generally the case.

Ah, the old parish pump. Its true of course.

LeoB wrote: »

decent national profile John Gormley is always on T.V and while I am not very fond of him he comes across fairly well.

To an ever shrinking segment of society. I have no respect for the man.

LeoB wrote: »

The opposition would have some chance of causing a big upset if they stopped mud flinging which people are sick of. In fairness to your own leader he does'nt seem to be as bad as others but still negative.

I'm not getting into this one on this site. Try politics.ie. (sorry mods)

The Hill Billy

Alan Farrell wrote: »

I'm not getting into this one on this site. Try politics.ie. (sorry mods)

Alan - No need to apologise & thank you for your input this forum.

paddyboy32 - Use some punctuation please. Otherwise nobody will understand what you are trying to say. Read the charter too.

HB

meditraitor

Alan Farrell wrote: »

Thank you.



Not total control but enough to get the job done. Depends on what services you are talking about. Have a look at the Fingal website, we control the services listed.

I'm afraid I don't have time to write the answer to this question at the moment. I'm sure you understand. It could take me half the night and I can type 60 wpm.

Not directly. Public transport is provided by the department of transport. We do control where roads go, we decided where the runway at Dublin airport went, M1, N2 etc. We don't control what uses them after that.

Not directly but as I am the chairperson of the Fingal Joint Policing Committee, I can ask them nicely in person.

Each department has a budget, each councillor has their projects, they are finalised in a democratic fashion. The Mayor has two votes, but only if deciding a tie.

They make recommendations based on their experience.

Yes, the council produces an annual report and monthly financial statements. These are online. You can also make an FOI request.

As they have virtually no power, I think they should be abolished. They do serve an historic function and with a bit of thought they could become more relevant.



We live in a multi party democracy, it doesn't get any more independent that we have it. Here's a quick run down on councils across the country.

Longford 1,250:1
Leitrim 1,100:1
Waterford 975:1
Fingal 10,000:1

Those numbers represent the number of people per councillor.

Do I think there should be more councillors, no frankly. Should a national average be created, yes. Of course, people outside cities won't like that very much as they would lose hundreds of councillors to places like Fingal. I think the national average should be 5000:1. (4.1 million people, 850 councillors at the moment.)




Steady now. I wasn't criticising Joe. I supported him on the day.
If the LAP were in my area, I would not have spoken up so much about it given the proximity to the election. That was the point I was making.

So I have heard. I don't know the man from adam.



Ah, the old parish pump. Its true of course.



To an ever shrinking segment of society. I have no respect for the man.



I'm not getting into this one on this site. Try politics.ie. (sorry mods)

You FG boys are not as bad as I thought Thanks again ourlad.

Alan Farrell

meditraitor wrote: »

You FG boys are not as bad as I thought Thanks again ourlad.

No problem.

To get back to the thread, who is getting elected?

LeoB

Alan Farrell wrote: »

Thank you.



Not total control but enough to get the job done. Depends on what services you are talking about. Have a look at the Fingal website, we control the services listed.

Not directly. Public transport is provided by the department of transport. We do control where roads go, we decided where the runway at Dublin airport went, M1, N2 etc. We don't control what uses them after that.

I didnt think councillors had any say in transport. Dublin Bus make their decisions and would not really listen to any Councillors. They look at the bottom line, PROFIT. When there have been proposals to service areas from a private operator they bully them out of business.


Steady now. I wasn't criticising Joe. I supported him on the day.
If the LAP were in my area, I would not have spoken up so much about it given the proximity to the election. That was the point I was making.

So what is the point in going into a chamber if you are not prepared to speak. Joe recieved petitions, queries, suggestions from people who elected him. I would be very annoyed if he had kept his mouth shut. I liked some parts of the L.A.P not it all.



Ah, the old parish pump. Its true of course.

Its very true of course. You see Alan this is the way people feel
If you take a look at the Rush area you will see neglect in the basic infrastructure. This leads to a sense of apathy and then who gives a toss who gets elected. But the feeling now in Rush is enough is enough. The place in parts is like a warzone the paths and roads are so bad. Builders for years have got away with all sorts of sly moves. With Joe Corr and the amendments he proposed - made to L.A.P. things may be looking up with it frontloaded with School and open space. This is why Rush people need to forget what is happening on national stage and ensure we have a voice at the Table. With respect to all members of council I dont think anyone from outside the village of Rush gives a toss about us. By the way I dont think a councillor from Rush should have a say in decisions in Dublin 15 and vice versa.
I dont think it would be right if you stayed quiet if a plan for your area was on table for discussion. This to me is a dis service to your electorate.


To an ever shrinking segment of society. I have no respect for the man.
And thats fine. But if Hitler done something to improve the place he would get votes;)



I'm not getting into this one on this site. Try politics.ie. (sorry mods)

Alan I am not into mud flinging I am just fed up listening to Enda Kenny and Eamon Gilmore and all the negative crap they come out with. Most people are at this stage which leads me to ask, Would you be in favour of all party politics?
I dont only blame the government for the mess we are in I blame the bankers. Do you think some or any of them should be jailed for wreckless trading?

Sorry for the messy reply

Helmet

2 weeks untill election day and I still havn't had a sinner call to the door (Clonuske Drive Balbriggan). I've had reams of paper through the letterbox (4 copies of the same leaflet from the Green party candidate????) but they're pretty much all stating the same vague "promises". I've been mystified by the amount of spelling/grammatical errors on leaflets, do people not proofread these things???

Just got Seán Brown's through the door, at least it has some specific goals listed......does anybody have any info on him that wouldn't be on a leaflet? I'm leaning towards him at the mo.

Frank Spencer

Helmet wrote: »

2 weeks untill election day and I still havn't had a sinner call to the door (Clonuske Drive Balbriggan). I've had reams of paper through the letterbox (4 copies of the same leaflet from the Green party candidate????) but they're pretty much all stating the same vague "promises". I've been mystified by the amount of spelling/grammatical errors on leaflets, do people not proofread these things???

Just got Seán Brown's through the door, at least it has some specific goals listed......does anybody have any info on him that wouldn't be on a leaflet? I'm leaning towards him at the mo.

Don't know if this would help??

http://ie.ratemyteachers.com/schools/ireland/dublin/balbriggan_community_college/sean__browne

You can view him and some other candidates in action here

http://www.balbriggan.public-i.tv/site/webcasts.php

Helmet

Thanks Buck!!!

Alan Farrell

Helmet wrote: »

Just got Seán Brown's through the door, at least it has some specific goals listed......does anybody have any info on him that wouldn't be on a leaflet? I'm leaning towards him at the mo.

Sean is a nice man but something happened to him over the last few years which changed the direction of his politics. He resigned (before he was expelled) from FG following an outburst on Q&A.

Actually, he's one of the reasons why I'm in politics.

For the County, Larry Dunne/Tom O'Leary are both running the that ward. Larry is a TC and Tom was a councillor up until 2004. The other candidates in your area are listed on www.micandidate.ie

By the way, my very good friend Lorna Kelso is running in the Balbriggan Town Council election and I would urge anyone up there to give her a vote.

LeoB

Why would he be expelled for speaking out? Do we not need people to speak out for us?

Alan Farrell

LeoB wrote: »

[/b]

Alan I am not into mud flinging I am just fed up listening to Enda Kenny and Eamon Gilmore and all the negative crap they come out with. Most people are at this stage which leads me to ask, Would you be in favour of all party politics?
I dont only blame the government for the mess we are in I blame the bankers. Do you think some or any of them should be jailed for wreckless trading?

Sorry for the messy reply

A very quick response to a very long discussion point, but then I'm done.

Firstly, I respect that you have the conviction to speak openly about your politics which is a very good thing as far as I am concerned.

Negative? Its the duty of every person, elected or otherwise to voice their opinion on matters relating to the state. If I were in government and announced various measures which upset the country, then I would expect to be criticised. The opposition have no right whatsoever to create policy in this country, the government are in control. The only thing they can do, the thing that they are elected to do is to voice their opinion.

A "national" or "all party" government is a fallacy concocted by FF and spun by the media. We live in a multi party democracy, its a simple as that.

I believe that the government could have augmented policy to "save for a rainy day" so I blame the government and bankers, equally. If bankers or politicians did wrong then they should be subjected to the full riggers of the law.

LeoB

Alan Farrell wrote: »

A very quick response to a very long discussion point, but then I'm done.

Firstly, I respect that you have the conviction to speak openly about your politics which is a very good thing as far as I am concerned.

Negative? Its the duty of every person, elected or otherwise to voice their opinion on matters relating to the state. If I were in government and announced various measures which upset the country, then I would expect to be criticised. The opposition have no right whatsoever to create policy in this country, the government are in control. The only thing they can do, the thing that they are elected to do is to voice their opinion.

A "national" or "all party" government is a fallacy concocted by FF and spun by the media. We live in a multi party democracy, its a simple as that.

I believe that the government could have augmented policy to "save for a rainy day" so I blame the government and bankers, equally. If bankers or politicians did wrong then they should be subjected to the full riggers of the law.

Critism is fine but the bull we listen to from all sides of the house is simply turning people off, I think to much time is spent point scoring by some members of Dail and this has a negative effect on people who watch or listen to Dail debates. maybe its not maybe its just me trying to justify some silly decisions? The media are also at fault, apart from this week when I heard one of them actually admit to being wrong they are pedalling a lot of rubbish and appear to be going down the road of the tabloid gutter press across the water which is a pity.

I agree money should have been put by for a rainy day but it all goes back to greed, the greed of Bankers who gave out stupid loans to people who had little chance of paying them back. 15 years ago when I and a lot of others went for a mortgage we were only short of supplying D.N.A samples which looking back was a good thing, we cut our cloth accordingly. Until we lock someone up as we did with the late Liam Lawlor and Ray Burke the sense of apathy will only get deeper.

The reason I brought up this "all party" thing is there are very capabale people in all parties. Gay Mitchell, Alwyn Enright, Damien Englis, John McGuinness, Darragh O'Brien people who I would have a lot of faith in to get us back on our feet. As I stated here before I think there is a good new breed of person getting into politics and it would be interesting to see them work togeather!

So to everyone on boards.ie What is the local issue which would get you to vote for a candidate?
Policing is probably my Number 1

Alan dont go away, I might actually give Tom O'Leary a vote!! Good discussion going on here

conchubhar1

Cllr Anne Devitt
Conor Kelly
Cllr Tom Kelleher
Joe O'Neill
Cllr Clare Daly

hopefully butler will lose his seat - and would prefer mcguire's seat to go to kelly

conchubhar1

LeoB wrote: »

Its silly to bring mistake of Government to bear on local issues.

if they can still stand by their party in government, i dont want them elected even at the base level.

Alan Farrell

conchubhar1 wrote: »

Cllr Anne Devitt
Conor Kelly
Cllr Tom Kelleher
Joe O'Neill
Cllr Clare Daly

hopefully butler will lose his seat - and would prefer mcguire's seat to go to kelly

Idealistically, this could happen but it is hugely, hugely unlikely.

Kelleher in trouble because of Ward, McGuire safe, Daly Safe, O'Neill not at the races. I don't have any feedback on Kelly but I don't think SF will have a seat with Daly in the picture.

I think it could end up the same with perhaps Labour swapping a personality. FG do have a chance to take two but it really depends on how FF do.

conchubhar1 wrote: »

if they can still stand by their party in government, i dont want them elected even at the base level.

No arguments from me on that one although I have to say, Darragh is a nice person.

conchubhar1

well thats what i hope - it would be balanced, hopefully good

whats this about kelleher and the ward? really need to know this if i am going to vote him in

if you reckon kelleher migh loose and i hope and would bet that butler loses his seat i reckon one of those will go to joe o'neill


darragh could be a fantastic man, but if he sticks with fianna fáil with their actions and their principles - will never ever get my vote, if he went independent i would check him up a and see his worth as a councillor and see if its good for him to be re elected

Sizzler

Alan Farrell wrote: »

No arguments from me on that one although I have to say, Darragh is a nice person.

Didnt Darragh Butler only get in because Kennedy got the TD gig, i.e he sailed in and wasnt voted by the electorate?

He might be a nice guy but try asking him to do stuff for your local area and cue.....

gillo_100

Wishbone Ash wrote: »

I see Dermot Murray's posters have him posing in his fire officer's uniform. :rolleyes:

Does he think this gives him some sort of elevated status? If he was a ballet dancer by profession, would he would pose in a leotard!

He should have the normal suit/shirt and tie like all the other male candidates.

There is some talk about this at http://www.politics.ie/elections/68301-really-bizzare-election-poster.html ans as to whether it is allowed or not.

They also bring up the issue of the size of the logo his poster, here is a picture so you can see for yourself http://www.flickr.com/photos/96cambridge/3545607307/ I for one didn't realise he was FF until his leaflet came through the door, bit of a strange one like he is nearly ashamed of it.

You can get official list of all the candidates here http://www.fingalcoco.ie/YourLocalCouncil/LocalDemocracy/LocalEuropeanElections2009/

Also www.micandidate.eu is a good one some of them have filled in certain details on thier profiles. Being able to see a list of all the candidates like this makes things easier.

In fact in my opinion something official booklet like this should go around to every house with each candidate given one page to say what they want. Rather than all the crap we get in the doors.

Also does anyone know if there are any local debates between various candidates organised, this kind of thing would make it much easier to vote as most of the propaganda that comes through the door is the same.