Speculation That Minster Martin Cullen May Resign Due to a "Back Problem"

RobitTV

Speculation that Waterford Minister Martin Cullen may resign due to a back problem has been dismissed.

A spokeswoman for the Minister told WLRfm News that he had no intention of resigning and his back problem was not an impediment to doing his work.

The Irish Independent reports that Taoiseach Brian Cowen is understood to be planning a wide-ranging cabinet reshuffle in the coming months.

The report suggested that the tourism minister is at the centre of speculation about resigning his post due to health problems.

However his spokeswoman said he has a back problem, like many people across the country, and he is getting on with his job.

Bards

RobitTV wrote: »

Speculation that Waterford Minister Martin Cullen may resign due to a back problem has been dismissed.

A spokeswoman for the Minister told WLRfm News that he had no intention of resigning and his back problem was not an impediment to doing his work.

The Irish Independent reports that Taoiseach Brian Cowen is understood to be planning a wide-ranging cabinet reshuffle in the coming months.

The report suggested that the tourism minister is at the centre of speculation about resigning his post due to health problems.

However his spokeswoman said he has a back problem, like many people across the country, and he is getting on with his job.

If Lenihan can carry on as Finance Minister battling Cancer I'm sure Cullen can do his less stressful job as minister for fun while suffering from backpain:cool:

mike65

Mist has more substance than this report

Quigs Snr

Looks like Cullen has been offered a face-saving parachute and has declined to jump. Its the push for him next month so...

seanybiker

He has a sore back


"bites tongue to make sure I dont mention lifting something"

sure most people from about 25 up have fecking bad backs. whats he on about. Maybe his chauffer drove to fast or something.

AdMMM

Lots of rumours about him not running in the next election though. Apparently he's just not interested anymore.

jayboi

AdMMM wrote: »

Lots of rumours about him not running in the next election though. Apparently he's just not interested anymore.

The term full ministeral pension comes to mind

mike65

Don't blame him to be honest, getting the N9/M9 on the production slate was always likely to be his last splash. He could tread water for the next 20 years like so many but why bother with such a nice pay off?

zeppe

I'm not sure where this rumour came from either.

I'm no fan of FF or anything, but Martin Cullen does genuinely suffer from a bad back . I believe he had a serious car accident years ago and suffered serious neck and back injuries. I think he actually broke his neck in the accident.

On a side note, I know him a little and he's genuinely a really nice chap. He'll long be remembered for the Waterford city bypass and new bridge, I cant see any other Waterford politicians getting ministerial positions anytime soon and like it or not we need ministers to actually get anything done in the SE:D

Cabaal

mike65 wrote: »

Mist has more substance than this report

Very slow news day I guess, have they nothing better to do but Speculate?

we can all do it
"WLRFM may shutdown in the next 5 years"
:rolleyes:

Professey Chin

Cabaal wrote: »

Very slow news day I guess, have they nothing better to do but Speculate?

we can all do it
"WLRFM may shutdown in the next 5 years"
:rolleyes:

I like this prediction.Now to wait and hope

jmcc

zeppe wrote: »

I'm no fan of FF or anything, but Martin Cullen does genuinely suffer from a bad back . I believe he had a serious car accident years ago and suffered serious neck and back injuries. I think he actually broke his neck in the accident.

When watching the Dail coverage the other day it was clear that he was using a walking stick and limping badly.

On a side note, I know him a little and he's genuinely a really nice chap. He'll long be remembered for the Waterford city bypass and new bridge, I cant see any other Waterford politicians getting ministerial positions anytime soon and like it or not we need ministers to actually get anything done in the SE:D

It seems to be a consensus that he was a good Minister For Waterford and the South East. Not bad at all for a Waterpark old boy.

Regards...jmcc

Speak Now

Funny how some people are respected in their own county but seen as a laughing stock elsewhere. I hear Limerick people are very fond of Willie O'Dea :pac:

rasper

I despise the man as the waste of space that he is , I'm ashamed that he only get in coz he's minister , and after all the years Waterford is saying well done for a tolled bridge, nows thats whats wrong with Irish politics

south

Tribune says Cullen ready to step down
Last Updated Feb 2010



Sunday, February 28th 2010

Martin Cullen is likely to leave the cabinet in the impending reshuffle according to this morning's Sunday Tribune

The paper says the Taoiseach will not go for a radical overhaul of the cabinet, with under fire ministers such as Noel Dempsey, Mary Coughlan and Mary Harney set to retain portfolios.

However it says Waterford TD Martin Cullen - currently the Minister for Arts Sports and Tourism - has already reached agreement with the Taoiseach to step down and may not contest the next General Election due to his chronic Back condition.

Minister Cullen became the first city based TD to serve in the cabinet when he became Minister for the Environment in 2002 and went on to hold the portfolio for Transport and Social Welfare before being made Minster for Arts Sport and Tourism in Brian Cowen's first cabinet

http://wlrfm.com/tabId/503/itemId/3761/Tribune-says-Cullen-ready-to-step-down.aspx

mike65

Cullen is the only SE cabinet minister I think and if he's not standing then who will bat for us? More to the point who will stand next time or will this be the best news ever for Keneally, and Wilkinson (in particular)?

decies

If deasy gets his act together there is no reason why he couldn,t be our next minister,he was the darling of the media,before his career went up in smoke :rolleyes:

Sully

decies wrote: »

If deasy gets his act together there is no reason why he couldn,t be our next minister,he was the darling of the media,before his career went up in smoke :rolleyes:

Personally would think that Coffey would get the ministerial role for Waterford quicker then Deasy tbh.

AdMMM

mike65 wrote: »

Mist has more substance than this report

I think you need to redefine your idea of mist

mike65

*cough* pea souper this!

merlante

Sully wrote: »

Personally would think that Coffey would get the ministerial role for Waterford quicker then Deasy tbh.

The same muppet who appears in today's article in the Tribune, that seems to have objected to the M9 route and then criticised the government for the delays?

What's good for FG is bad for FF
http://www.tribune.ie/article/2010/feb/28/whats-good-for-fg-is-bad-for-ff/

There is no talent in Waterford.

Sully

merlante wrote: »

The same muppet who appears in today's article in the Tribune, that seems to have objected to the M9 route and then criticised the government for the delays?

What's good for FG is bad for FF
http://www.tribune.ie/article/2010/feb/28/whats-good-for-fg-is-bad-for-ff/

There is no talent in Waterford.

Well, to be fair, what did you expect? Just because he lobbied for an additional exit (he never lobbied against the M9 specifically), does not mean he should then just sit around and do nothing when the road is completed and not opened because of FF incompetence. A lot of people were calling for the government to cop on and open the road in the interest of safety - its his job to represent these people and add additional pressure.

I think, personally, he is the best candidate in FG at the moment for Waterford. You cant hold that against him, to be fair. We either want a minister who will represent us well and do good for Waterford, or we sit around not bothering and leave Waterford become the same city that the government continues to neglect.

merlante

Sully wrote: »

Well, to be fair, what did you expect? Just because he lobbied for an additional exit (he never lobbied against the M9 specifically), does not mean he should then just sit around and do nothing when the road is completed and not opened because of FF incompetence. A lot of people were calling for the government to cop on and open the road in the interest of safety - its his job to represent these people and add additional pressure.

I think, personally, he is the best candidate in FG at the moment for Waterford. You cant hold that against him, to be fair. We either want a minister who will represent us well and do good for Waterford, or we sit around not bothering and leave Waterford become the same city that the government continues to neglect.

Well at the very least I expect the man to have the common sense to not pick the delayed M9 as his complaint of the week when it could be pointed out that the delays were down to him. Surely there were other things that the government were doing badly that he could have picked.

I think there will be no Waterford-based minister forthcoming in the next term at least. I would like to think that under another government clientelism might not be as big a force in Irish politics, and national strategies might eclipse the FF parish pump. But then... this is Ireland... so maybe we should just hold a contest and all get behind the most charming and personable character that emerges!

Sully

merlante wrote: »

Well at the very least I expect the man to have the common sense to not pick the delayed M9 as his complaint of the week when it could be pointed out that the delays were down to him. Surely there were other things that the government were doing badly that he could have picked.

I doubt he had that much of an impact on the delay. The major delay with the opening of this road, I believe, has been an ongoing dispute with Irish Rail. Other then that, I would imagine they would have had the road open on time or even earlier. Now that the road is effectively done and handed over to KCC - it seems KCC are going to wait a few extra weeks for the minister to cut the ribbon and get some media attention. I think this is something every politician should be complaining about if they represent the views of their constituents.

The paper picks out one minor point in an attempt to make a dig at FG. Yes it was pointed out by him, and yes he was right to do so. I am sure that he, along with other politicians, are also pointing out many other issues where the government are doing so badly.

I think there will be no Waterford-based minister forthcoming in the next term at least. I would like to think that under another government clientelism might not be as big a force in Irish politics, and national strategies might eclipse the FF parish pump. But then... this is Ireland... so maybe we should just hold a contest and all get behind the most charming and personable character that emerges!

I would be happy to see an active, hard working minister for Waterford who will deliver to us and put this city back into the spotlight and away from the dark cupboards where we are currently in this current government.

This country seems more interested in a political leader that would get voted no 1 in "Ireland's Got Talent" rather then an individual who could actually deliver what is needed. The same applies throughout the political system. As for clientelism - thats what politics is made up of around the world.

brendansmith

I love the way Martin Cullen has a 'spokesperson'

Coca Cola should have a spokesperson but Martin Cullen?

merlante

Sully wrote: »

As for clientelism - thats what politics is made up of around the world.

Not so much in the UK, where many of the top ranking politicians are very well educated, and not slaves to their constituents. Ireland is one of the worst countries in the world for clientelism, where nobody can get elected unless he promises to build driveways and deliver X, Y or Z by hook or by crook. Real countries have national plans, which decide where hospitals, universities, airports, etc. are developed. In Ireland it's like chicks sticking their open mouths out, and it's pretty much a lottery who gets fed.

The role of the 'local minister' in Ireland has done Waterford more harm than good. Cullen aside, Waterford has been completely overlooked down through the years. I'd prefer to see Waterford prioritised as a centre of development in a national plan that was actually followed through than having to source and vote for 'the minister' in every election. It would be kind of nice to vote for the politics rather than the man once in a while.

jayboi

Reading most news story today they all seem to say that he wants to be left out any cabinet reshuffle due to his ongoing back problems
Simply a case that he was going to be left out anyway so he simply jumped first to save face.
I don’t think it’s much of a stretch to say that if he isn’t fit to continue as a minister then he’s hardly perfectly fit to continue as a TD.
Personally id like to see him run as a non minister in the next election and see him land flat on his face and not get in........a big 'thanks for nothing from the people of Waterford'

200motels

rasper wrote: »

I despise the man as the waste of space that he is , I'm ashamed that he only get in coz he's minister , and after all the years Waterford is saying well done for a tolled bridge, nows thats whats wrong with Irish politics

+1

Deise Tom

mike65 wrote: »

Cullen is the only SE cabinet minister I think and if he's not standing then who will bat for us? More to the point who will stand next time or will this be the best news ever for Keneally, and Wilkinson (in particular)?

FF should go with only one on the ticket next time round. Putting two or more in might mean none of them would get in.

Partizan

rasper wrote: »

I despise the man as the waste of space that he is , I'm ashamed that he only get in coz he's minister , and after all the years Waterford is saying well done for a tolled bridge, nows thats whats wrong with Irish politics

+1 million

He may be a minister but he has done **** all for the city and county. Can anyone here list any tangable benefits he has made in the last couple of years. I can list none, **** all. What good is he? We might as well have none. Waterford City is an unemployment blackspot with over 13k on the dole in the city alone. The arse has fallen out of the local economy, and this clown is nowhere to be seen or heard. Where was he when Waterford Crystal closed. FF have bailed out their banker and bondholder benefactors, yet when it comes to ordinary workers they leave us hanging. Martin Cullen is part of the FF corrupt elite who have bankrupted this country for a generation to come. He is part of a corrupt, gombeen and rotten system and voting him or his shower back in again will not matter a jot to those outside the cosseted elite. Life will go on as before, if not get worse.

Never have any fear though, even if he stands, he will still get elected due to a significant electorate of Waterford who are politically illiterate. 11,000+ people voted for him the last time. well suckers you can stew in your own pigswill. you elected this prime eejit.

Partizan

Deise Tom wrote: »

FF should go with only one on the ticket next time round. Putting two or more in might mean none of them would get in.

Preferably they will get the hiding that they deserve from the electorate and come back with zero, zilch, nada.

Deise Dan

Think he'll be remembered for e voting and the money it lost. This may not be totally his fault but he's carrying the can. Waterford needs a minister and the county needs a TD in Government, 2 city TD's will push their own patch first.
Regarding the re shuffle, Sport looks to be pushed aside. This would be a disaster, maybe a more suitable sports minister, even a junior minister. We haven't pushed our sport tourism and this can be a gold mine if worked properly. What's been done to make use of Ireland as Olympic base, from what I've read visas issued by UK for games won't be accepted here. Encourage visitors not make things more difficult.
Succesful sport events like the Kinsale 7's generate millions for the economy. 7 or 8 team for a soccer tournament would mean 160 plus people for 2 nights in a town. Spend 250 euros between food, beer and hotel €40,000 plus, into area. Not rocket science, just need a bit of imagination.

Sully

Poor chap is in hospital at the moment and likely to remain their for the week. Just breaking news on RTE 2fm.

Bards

Sully wrote: »

Poor chap is in hospital at the moment and likely to remain their for the week. Just breaking news on RTE 2fm.

http://www.rte.ie/news/2010/0302/cullenm.html


Martin Cullen hospitalised with back problems
Tuesday, 2 March 2010 12:37
The Minister for Arts, Sports and Tourism Martin Cullen has been admitted to hospital for treatment for a chronic back complaint and is expected to remain there for the rest of the week.

Consequently, Mr Cullen did not attend this morning's Cabinet meeting.

Some of his engagements - including a trip to the west coast of the US - are being undertaken by Minister of State Martin Mansergh.

Mr Cullen's health problems have led to strong speculation that he will step down from the Cabinet, thereby giving Taoiseach Brian Cowen an extra position to award in the coming reshuffle.

It is not known if the minister intends making an early announcement about his intentions.

mike65

Sounds bad, and a bad back is a very bad thing indeed. So he's not going to stand (geddit? sorry) next time its fair to say. RTE news just covered all this and a parachute candidate was mentioned as a possibility.

Deise Tom

Deise Dan wrote: »

Think he'll be remembered for e voting and the money it lost. This may not be totally his fault but he's carrying the can.

Waterford needs a minister and the county needs a TD in Government, 2 city TD's will push their own patch first.

You are spot on with your first point. All too often political people (in all parties) are remembered for cock ups by those that came before them.

I think you are also right in your second point. While all 4 TD's will claim that they have the interest in both the city and the county in mind there is many that will disagree with this. It might be because I am a member of a FF Cumann (and i make no apologies for it) but the only one i see out and about (In the west of the county anyway) is Brendan Kenneally. Thats not saying that the other three dont go out to meet the voters. Its just i dont see them. Maybe i dont go to the right places. I have often thought that Waterford's constituency should be split and that we have two going to leinster house from the city and it envoirns and two from the west of the county and maybe part of the east. I dont think it would make a difference what party these people came from, at least it should not so long as they do there very best for Waterford.

Deise Tom

Sully wrote: »

Poor chap is in hospital at the moment and likely to remain their for the week. Just breaking news on RTE 2fm.

Took them a long time to get it. WLR had it on all the morning. Surely with a RTE Office for the South East in Waterford City 2FM could have had the news much earlier than 1pm.

Psychedelic

Deise Dan wrote: »

Think he'll be remembered for e voting and the money it lost. This may not be totally his fault but he's carrying the can.

Why is that? I've always wondered why he gets the blame for the e-voting machines even though it was a decision by the previous Minister for the Environment, which was surely also backed by Taoiseach Bertie Ahern. Yet Cullen has taken nearly all the blame.

Surely the media know this, yet they continue to lay the blame on Cullen. I suspect they just hate him, as evidenced by their other attempts to ruin his life.

Bards

Psychedelic wrote: »

Why is that? I've always wondered why he gets the blame for the e-voting machines even though it was a decision by the previous Minister for the Environment, which was surely also backed by Taoiseach Bertie Ahern. Yet Cullen has taken nearly all the blame.

Surely the media know this, yet they continue to lay the blame on Cullen. I suspect they just hate him, as evidenced by their other attempts to ruin his life.

Cake being cut into one too many pieces come to mind for the media not liking Cullen (read Waterford) doing well

Deise Tom

Psychedelic wrote: »

Why is that? I've always wondered why he gets the blame for the e-voting machines even though it was a decision by the previous Minister for the Environment, which was surely also backed by Taoiseach Bertie Ahern. Yet Cullen has taken nearly all the blame.

Surely the media know this, yet they continue to lay the blame on Cullen. I suspect they just hate him, as evidenced by their other attempts to ruin his life.

I would say that the media do know that it was Noel Dempsey was responsible for the machines, but some journalists, (the younger ones that go for the sensational reporting rather than reporting the facts at times), dont want to know this, and once they get something into their heads dont want to change their views.

merlante

Deise Tom wrote: »

You are spot on with your first point. All too often political people (in all parties) are remembered for cock ups by those that came before them.

I think you are also right in your second point. While all 4 TD's will claim that they have the interest in both the city and the county in mind there is many that will disagree with this. It might be because I am a member of a FF Cumann (and i make no apologies for it) but the only one i see out and about (In the west of the county anyway) is Brendan Kenneally. Thats not saying that the other three dont go out to meet the voters. Its just i dont see them. Maybe i dont go to the right places. I have often thought that Waterford's constituency should be split and that we have two going to leinster house from the city and it envoirns and two from the west of the county and maybe part of the east. I dont think it would make a difference what party these people came from, at least it should not so long as they do there very best for Waterford.

I realise that you've been very up front, admitting that you are a FF activist, but could you answer a few questions for me?

Is there anyone more talented than Brendan Kenneally or Ollie Wilkinson in the works? Because I bloody hope so.

Do you see political dynasties as being a positive thing for the country and do you think that politicians should spend their time meeting voters? I'd prefer if Kenneally was in the Dail or at committees proposing legislation and representing his constituency.

Deise Tom

merlante wrote: »

I realise that you've been very up front, admitting that you are a FF activist, but could you answer a few questions for me?

Is there anyone more talented than Brendan Kenneally or Ollie Wilkinson in the works? Because I bloody hope so.

Do you see political dynasties as being a positive thing for the country and do you think that politicians should spend their time meeting voters? I'd prefer if Kenneally was in the Dail or at committees proposing legislation and representing his constituency.

I would not say i am a FF Activist. I am just a member of a local cumann.

To be honest its hard to know what talent Fianna Fail have. Personally i would be a fan of Brendan's as i know a few people that he has helped in the past and still continues to do so. This is 100 percent fact. FF have something like 4 councillors in the county and one in the city. One person that could well however thay alot of people have time for is the Mayor of Lismore, Bernard Leddy. He has run for the county Council for FF in the last two or three elections but because of mis management by FF officials in Dublin he has lost out, due to the fact they put too many people on the ballot paper, therefore splitting the vote to many ways. (alot of the problems that FF have are coming from an office in Dublin run by people paid by the party to do so. They have not a clue what is happening outside of their own area and i doubt they care what happens either). Maybe Bernard might be well worth a try in Leinster House representing the people of Waterford.

I would have no problem with political dynasties so long as those that succeed those that have come before them do their job. I have problems with no one that does their job in fact. As regards the part about the TDs meeting the voters, i can say hand on heart that Brendan Kenneally does this and holds a number of clinics in different parishes in West Waterford on the first Saturday of the month, every month and also is available for a clinic i think its twice a week at his office in Dungarvan. I am sure he does the same in the middle and east of the county and in the city. I can also say that I know that Brian O'Shea was visiting some areas in the past, but dont know if he still does. I know for a fact he had a clinic at one particular location in the west of the county once a month, but used to have it on a Friday afternoon and was not been well attended. In fact i can safely say that i never once saw anyone turn up for it.

Bards

Deise Tom wrote: »

As regards the part about the TDs meeting the voters, i can say hand on heart that Brendan Kenneally does this and holds a number of clinics in different parishes in West Waterford on the first Saturday of the month, every month and also is available for a clinic i think its twice a week at his office in Dungarvan. I am sure he does the same in the middle and east of the county and in the city. I can also say that I know that Brian O'Shea was visiting some areas in the past, but dont know if he still does. I know for a fact he had a clinic at one particular location in the west of the county once a month, but used to have it on a Friday afternoon and was not been well attended. In fact i can safely say that i never once saw anyone turn up for it.

Isn't that the nub of the problem; TD's helping individuals instead of the county (majority) they are suppose to represent

decies

Cullen should resign his seat as from now,if hes medically not fit to do the job hes supposed to be doing,give wateford a by election.

Deise Tom

Bards wrote: »

Isn't that the nub of the problem; TD's helping individuals instead of the county (majority) they are suppose to represent

No. Part of their job is to help individuals who may not have the way or the know how in getting their entitlements. This individuals thing is a load of bull. There may be some looking after themselves but most i am sure are there to help everyone if asked.

nkay1985

Bards wrote: »

Isn't that the nub of the problem; TD's helping individuals instead of the county (majority) they are suppose to represent

Deise Tom wrote: »

No. Part of their job is to help individuals who may not have the way or the know how in getting their entitlements. This individuals thing is a load of bull. There may be some looking after themselves but most i am sure are there to help everyone if asked.

No he's right. That's probably the single biggest flaw in Irish politics. Our TDs getting large sums of money shouldn't have to be concerned with trivial matters such as Biddy's pension or Johnny's medical card. But the way the system is set up in Waterford, that is how it works. And someone doing a lot of this type of work is more likely to get elected than someone who's working hard drafting legislation or making proposals to help out the city and country at large. It's a ridiculous system.

Deise Tom

nkay1985 wrote: »

No he's right. That's probably the single biggest flaw in Irish politics. Our TDs getting large sums of money shouldn't have to be concerned with trivial matters such as Biddy's pension or Johnny's medical card. But the way the system is set up in Waterford, that is how it works. And someone doing a lot of this type of work is more likely to get elected than someone who's working hard drafting legislation or making proposals to help out the city and country at large. It's a ridiculous system.

It could be a rediculous system, but thats the system we have and things will stay that way. As i said some people do not have the means (for whatever reason) of finding out all what they should be getting and therefore have to go to someone that will help them. People working in the offices that deal with things like pensions and medical cards as you mention, are at times not the nicest or most helpful of people and think that it is there job to refuse as much as they can so that for some they have as little work as possible to do. Because of these kind of people someone has to be used to intervene, and this happens most often to be a td or a GOOD Councillor. If TDs were there just to legistate, why do we bother voting. Why not just get the best three four or five people in an areas as numbers dicdate and send them to Dublin and leave them there for whatever amount of years and then pension them off at retirement age. Part of a TDs jon whether we like it or not is to help people that turn to them when help is needed.

Bards

Deise Tom wrote: »

It could be a rediculous system, but thats the system we have and things will stay that way. As i said some people do not have the means (for whatever reason) of finding out all what they should be getting and therefore have to go to someone that will help them. People working in the offices that deal with things like pensions and medical cards as you mention, are at times not the nicest or most helpful of people and think that it is there job to refuse as much as they can so that for some they have as little work as possible to do. Because of these kind of people someone has to be used to intervene, and this happens most often to be a td or a GOOD Councillor. If TDs were there just to legistate, why do we bother voting. Why not just get the best three four or five people in an areas as numbers dicdate and send them to Dublin and leave them there for whatever amount of years and then pension them off at retirement age. Part of a TDs jon whether we like it or not is to help people that turn to them when help is needed.

Shouldn't that be the job of a LOCAL councilor

why the hell should I pay tax to pay a TD on €80,000+ before expenses etc to do the job of a civil servant. If the Civil Serants are not doing their job then questions must be asked

it is a mad system and needs changing.

mike65

What the Irish need is a lesson in civics! Learn how to engage with the system and know your rights.

merlante

Deise Tom wrote: »

It could be a rediculous system, but thats the system we have and things will stay that way. As i said some people do not have the means (for whatever reason) of finding out all what they should be getting and therefore have to go to someone that will help them. People working in the offices that deal with things like pensions and medical cards as you mention, are at times not the nicest or most helpful of people and think that it is there job to refuse as much as they can so that for some they have as little work as possible to do. Because of these kind of people someone has to be used to intervene, and this happens most often to be a td or a GOOD Councillor. If TDs were there just to legistate, why do we bother voting. Why not just get the best three four or five people in an areas as numbers dicdate and send them to Dublin and leave them there for whatever amount of years and then pension them off at retirement age. Part of a TDs jon whether we like it or not is to help people that turn to them when help is needed.

What you're describing there is a classic clientelist system of democracy where voters vote for favours and services rather than to elect competent men to make good law and make good executive decisions at a national level.

This is interesting to read:
Politics and Clientelism in Urban Ireland:
information, reputation, and brokerage
(c)Lee Komito 1985
http://www.ucd.ie/lkomito/thesis1.htm#Irish%20Clientelism

Descriptions of Irish politics fit into the clientelist model: politicians "privatize" state benefits by claiming credit for providing citizens with their legal entitlements, and personal connections and influence are widely regarded as a crucial determinant of access to state benefits. Politicians spend their time building up clienteles among the voters to assure themselves of electoral success, while also protecting themselves from the encroachment of rival politicians. A report on the Irish civil service by the Public Services Organisation Review Group (hereafter abbreviated as PSORG) suggested that politicians' activity "helps perpetuate the misconception that everything can be "fixed'" (PSORG 1969:448). Decisions regarding public expenditure seem the result of personal interventions, and economic viability seems less pressing a criterion than the publicity afforded by providing jobs for a local area. Numerous projects (including airports, oil refineries, and factories) are maintained because the partisan political benefit outweighes the economic loss to the state.

One of the many problems with this system, is that lads like yourself, in the cummans, have increased access to the Brendan Kennealys of this world, whilst individuals who are not tightly integrated into institutions like the FF party, the church, a trade union, etc., or do not have a large network of connections, find themselves in a weaker position. For example, if Johnny in the cumman gets a medical card quicker because he knows Brendan, or somebody has put him on to Brendan, then Sven from Sweden, who has lived in Ireland for years but has fewer connections, is pushed down the medical card list.

Everyone should have equal access to public services. Most public services have numbers that you can call for advice. I would hope that we are moving away from the clientelism model, because I would be pretty pissed off if I knew (as you suggest) that people who go to TDs or good councillors are getting ahead of me in priority for key services. I know friends of mine who had to wait 2 years for a medical card by going through the normal procedures; they would love to hear that Brendan and Brian or whatever TD kept pushing them down the list to look after one of their people.

Countries are run by a good executive and by good laws and regulations. Clientelism will invariably wreck the country with the government too busy looking after their supporters. This is more or less exactly what FF have done. If Brendan Kenneally took more interest in the way the IFSC or Anglo was regulated, or how the economy was building up a dangerous dependency on the construction industry, then maybe we'd all be a lot better off now. That is why we elect TDs. I don't vote for TDs just so every tom, dick and harry can get one up on me when it comes to access to services.

nkay1985

Deise Tom wrote: »

It could be a rediculous system, but thats the system we have and things will stay that way. As i said some people do not have the means (for whatever reason) of finding out all what they should be getting and therefore have to go to someone that will help them. People working in the offices that deal with things like pensions and medical cards as you mention, are at times not the nicest or most helpful of people and think that it is there job to refuse as much as they can so that for some they have as little work as possible to do. Because of these kind of people someone has to be used to intervene, and this happens most often to be a td or a GOOD Councillor. If TDs were there just to legistate, why do we bother voting. Why not just get the best three four or five people in an areas as numbers dicdate and send them to Dublin and leave them there for whatever amount of years and then pension them off at retirement age. Part of a TDs jon whether we like it or not is to help people that turn to them when help is needed.

That way of looking at things is the reson we end up with the same shower being voted in term after term, and why we won't get the radical reform we need!

"Sure that's hwo it is so we may as well just go along with it" is not a healthy perspective.