The Next TD Of Waterford?

RobitTV

So Martin Cullen Resigned as TD For Waterford blah blah blah... He gave a letter to the Taoiseach yesturday i think that he was to Resign And he is heading home with a nice 250,000 Euro while the rest of us have nothing Man he is ignorant he doesent deserve that much money :mad: So who should the next TD For waterford? if there is gonna be another one
Probaly wont get one for another while. but Who should it be or has anybody got any guesses?


Fair well Mr cullen it a hasnt been fun useless ejitt

ziedth

My picks:

Sully

Howdo

seanybiker

Me

RobitTV

ziedth wrote: »

My picks:

Sully

Howdo

seanybiker

Me

Haha! Good choices Howdo guy should be the new TD He would be a very good one Opening strip clubs and free beer on every street corner lol

KingLoser

No more. No less.

mike65

Kwality thread.

BennyBlanko

RobitTV wrote: »

And he is heading home with a nice 250,000 Euro while the rest of us have nothing Man he is ignorant he doesent deserve that much money :mad:

Fair well Mr cullen it a hasnt been fun useless ejitt

Well, he's still a poor man in comparison to Monica The Leech.:D

southofnowhere

BennyBlanko wrote: »

Well, he's still a poor man in comparison to Monica The Leech.:D

Not for long, as all his own libel cases in relation to the same issue are now coming down the line. Still well within time.

Whether they will be settled or not I don't know, some probably will, but he's going to get a lot of money (I reckon) in any event.

deisebob1

southofnowhere wrote: »

Not for long, as all his own libel cases in relation to the same issue are now coming down the line. Still well within time.

Whether they will be settled or not I don't know, some probably will, but he's going to get a lot of money (I reckon) in any event.

Very good observation, my initial response when I heard he was resigning as a minister and a TD was 1) he was giving two fingers to Brian Cowen because he was going to drop him anyway and 2) he can now take the libel cases which he couldnt have done as a minister or TD. Set for big money I would agree, look at what she got.

To be honest I am certainly not a fan of Martin Cullen but he was treated badly on the whole Leech case and should be compensated, the media made up false stories and were found out! In relation to who will win his seat in a bye-election, my money would be on the FG candidate (Coffey or Cummins) or Halligan (if he joins Labour). By joining the Labour party he would get support from outside the city, as an independent, he simply wouldn't!

Gael23

I would like it to be Paudie Coffey. Im an FG supporter but I still think Paudie would be the best person

Partizan

ryanf1 wrote: »

I would like it to be Paudie Coffey. Im an FG supporter but I still think Paudie would be the best person

I met Paudie once and he came accross as a nice guy, really genuine fellow. I'm no fan of FG but I think he will be elected next time round. John Cummins is a good prospect in the future for FG so that will keep Paudie on his toes.

If there is to be a bye-election in Waterford, FF will capture the seat as they have the highest 1st preference vote.

In the event of a general election it will be the following:
1 FF
2 FG (Deasy and Coffey)
1 Lab (all depends on who they run)

Halligan is a shoe in but only if he joins Labour.

dayshah

Who can Labour run? Pat Hayes is set to retire as a councilor after the next election.

I reckon Halligan could do well as an independent, attracting 'Labour' votes. He is a bit of a city candidate though.

BennyBlanko

southofnowhere wrote: »

Not for long, as all his own libel cases in relation to the same issue are now coming down the line. Still well within time.

Whether they will be settled or not I don't know, some probably will, but he's going to get a lot of money (I reckon) in any event.

I was'nt aware he taking a case too :rolleyes:

ROCKMAN

Here's my 10 leading campaign points

1 I need a job
2 No experience , but cannot be much worse than the clowns that are there already .
3 I need a job
4 Any wages over €650 per week will go to local groups every week
5 I need a job
6 I will step down after two elections [once i have my penison ,again a percentage of this will be share with local groups] give someone else a go .
7 Will only concern myself with local issues .
8 I need a job.
9 Will spend a hell of alot of time dealing and infront of planning boards will become A particular Greens ANTI-CHRIST ,
10 I need a job.


more to follow...........




PS I need a job.

wfman

i cant see ff winning a bye-election.at best they will blood a few candidates knowing that a general election isnt too far away.
i think it would be between coffey and halligan for the seat.

Smiley Burnett

Partizan wrote: »

I met Paudie once and he came accross as a nice guy, really genuine fellow. I'm no fan of FG but I think he will be elected next time round. John Cummins is a good prospect in the future for FG so that will keep Paudie on his toes.

If there is to be a bye-election in Waterford, FF will capture the seat as they have the highest 1st preference vote.

In the event of a general election it will be the following:
1 FF
2 FG (Deasy and Coffey)
1 Lab (all depends on who they run)

Halligan is a shoe in but only if he joins Labour.

do you actually know how the PR system works??? your post is laughable to be quite frank!! Highest numbber of first preferences doesnt get you the seat in an election where PR is used!!!!!!

Smiley Burnett

ROCKMAN wrote: »

Here's my 10 leading campaign points

1 I need a job
2 No experience , but cannot be much worse than the clowns that are there already .
3 I need a job
4 Any wages over €650 per week will go to local groups every week
5 I need a job
6 I will step down after two elections [once i have my penison ,again a percentage of this will be share with local groups] give someone else a go .
7 Will only concern myself with local issues .
8 I need a job.
9 Will spend a hell of alot of time dealing and infront of planning boards will become A particular Greens ANTI-CHRIST ,
10 I need a job.


more to follow...........




PS I need a job.

after reading that, im not surprised you havent a job!!

jayboi

Smiley Burnett wrote: »

do you actually know how the PR system works??? your post is laughable to be quite frank!! Highest numbber of first preferences doesnt get you the seat in an election where PR is used!!!!!!

I didn’t find it laughable and in the area of first preference votes it doesn’t mean automatically get you a seat but if you get the most first preference votes you can be fairly confidant you’re going to get in! There’s a quota that needs to be reached and it depends on the number of seats and votes cast.

Smiley Burnett

transfers is what are crucial in a PR electoral battle!!

quota is decided by number of votes and seats. nothing to do with number of candidates! A by election victor needs 50% of the vote (plus 1 vote), in order to secure election!

brendansmith

YES WE CAN!

AdMMM

Smiley Burnett wrote: »

transfers is what are crucial in a PR electoral battle!!

quota is decided by number of votes and seats. nothing to do with number of candidates! A by election victor needs 50% of the vote (plus 1 vote), in order to secure election!

Surely that wouldn't be the case in a by-election? Transfers are absolutely crucial in general and local elections in deciding the final seats but a by-election, while being PR, should run out like first past the post in that the candidate who receives the most amount of first preference votes would be expected to reach the quota first.

Smiley Burnett

AdMMM wrote: »

Surely that wouldn't be the case in a by-election? Transfers are absolutely crucial in general and local elections in deciding the final seats but a by-election, while being PR, should run out like first past the post in that the candidate who receives the most amount of first preference votes would be expected to reach the quota first.

did you ever hear of Mary Robinson?????????
she was 5% behind Brian Lenihan on the first count!! he was on 44%, she was on 39%!
she won!!!

jayboi

Smiley Burnett wrote: »

did you ever hear of Mary Robinson?????????
she was 5% behind Brian Lenihan on the first count!! he was on 44%, she was on 39%!
she won!!!

That was a presidental election if memory serves but I agree it would probably be a similar set up to the by-election with only one seat.

You seem to have some knowledge on the subject Smiley, I know they must issue a writ and that first but is there any limit on how long after a seat becomes vacant that the by-election must take place?

and anyone who thinks FF are going to get the highest first perference vote are very mistaken.
I reckon that Hilligan could run as an independant in a by-election to see how he polls if hes not happy he may well run on the Labour ticket at the next general

Ri na hEireann

It works the exact same way as a GE but with just one seat. So say they're are five candidates. Whoever has the lowest amount of first preferences will be eliminated after the first count. Their votes will be redistributed and their second preferences will be passed on.

Then after that the person with the next lowest amount of votes will be eliminated and their votes redistributed etc etc. This example was given and illustrates it perfectly.

FF will be transfer repellent so even if they get the most amount of first preferences they won't be in the mix in Waterford. That said I doubt they will get the highest amount of first preferences anyway.

They polled 46.49% last time out. A significant portion of this would have been Martin Cullen's Ministerial and indeed personal vote. That's now gone so they won't poll anywhere in the region of that figure nor will they pick up number 2s.

My money would be on Coffey anyway.

jayboi

It will be interesting to see who comes out of the woodwork for te bye-election. Id imagine Coffey has it in the bag alright, Enda was down yesterday I heard Coffey was with him as well some early canvasing perhaps.

I must get that article on his expenses being one of the highest in the country out and leave by the door in anticipation for his visit.

Id like to see some restrictions of sitting senators and councillors running other elections they already have a job to do they were elected (and I used the term loosely for senators) to do a job for 5 years they should go do it.

Ri na hEireann

I don't think we'll be seeing a bye-election to be honest.

Smiley Burnett

jayboi wrote: »

It will be interesting to see who comes out of the woodwork for te bye-election. Id imagine Coffey has it in the bag alright, Enda was down yesterday I heard Coffey was with him as well some early canvasing perhaps.

I must get that article on his expenses being one of the highest in the country out and leave by the door in anticipation for his visit.

Id like to see some restrictions of sitting senators and councillors running other elections they already have a job to do they were elected (and I used the term loosely for senators) to do a job for 5 years they should go do it.

Rubbish!! Politicians do have to campaign in order to be elected to higher office, or even re-elected to the position they hold. Stopping a councillor or senator from contesting an election would be undemocratic. In fact getting out and meeting the public during a campaign will help them do their job even better!!

as for their expenses--- expenses are paid in practically every job!! why should politicians be different?

Deise Tom

Smiley Burnett wrote: »

do you actually know how the PR system works??? your post is laughable to be quite frank!! Highest numbber of first preferences doesnt get you the seat in an election where PR is used!!!!!!

It helps

Deise Tom

AdMMM wrote: »

Surely that wouldn't be the case in a by-election? Transfers are absolutely crucial in general and local elections in deciding the final seats but a by-election, while being PR, should run out like first past the post in that the candidate who receives the most amount of first preference votes would be expected to reach the quota first.

Same applies to general and Bye elections as well as in local elections, when it comes to PR system if there is not a clear winner after the first count.

Deise Tom

jayboi wrote: »

It will be interesting to see who comes out of the woodwork for te bye-election. Id imagine Coffey has it in the bag alright, Enda was down yesterday I heard Coffey was with him as well some early canvasing perhaps.

I must get that article on his expenses being one of the highest in the country out and leave by the door in anticipation for his visit.

Id like to see some restrictions of sitting senators and councillors running other elections they already have a job to do they were elected (and I used the term loosely for senators) to do a job for 5 years they should go do it.

there is a number of senators that are not elected.

Deise Tom

Smiley Burnett wrote: »

Rubbish!! Politicians do have to campaign in order to be elected to higher office, or even re-elected to the position they hold. Stopping a councillor or senator from contesting an election would be undemocratic. In fact getting out and meeting the public during a campaign will help them do their job even better!!

as for their expenses--- expenses are paid in practically every job!! why should politicians be different?

There is expenses and expenses. Some of the figures in the county for last year were released recently and make interesting reading.

Roanmore

AdMMM wrote: »

Surely that wouldn't be the case in a by-election? Transfers are absolutely crucial in general and local elections in deciding the final seats but a by-election, while being PR, should run out like first past the post in that the candidate who receives the most amount of first preference votes would be expected to reach the quota first.

Not being smart or anything but how old are you? we had 2 by-elections in this dail already, only less than 12 months ago and you still don't know the rules? Remember Geogre Lee, maybe a bad example because he won the seat on the first count ONLY because he exceeded the quota, what about the Maureen O'Sullivan, second or third on the first count but due to transfers she won the seat.
There is at least one by election in every parliment elected in the last 30 years and the government has only ever won one.
I don't think Brian Cowen will call a by election in Waterford because he doen't have to. Pity, because this would be Waterford's best chance to get some promises for the region.

deisebob1

Roanmore wrote: »

I don't think Brian Cowen will call a by election in Waterford because he doen't have to. Pity, because this would be Waterford's best chance to get some promises for the region.

In fairness I think Waterford has already got promises in this regard. I am by no means a FG supporter but I did vote for Cummins in the local elections last year and for a young chap I have been impressed with him. Anyway I was reading the munster yesterday and Enda Kenny is quoted as saying FG is committed to delivering a university at WIT, he said that it was FG policy and if they got into government they would deliver it. This is an issue which I have a very big interest in and what he said was very clear cut, it is also Labour policy so the next Government should have no problems delivering this for us!

In relation to our next TD, I certainly think it is coffey's to loose as I have said before but Halligan is a threat especially if he joins Labour

Deise Tom

deisebob1 wrote: »

In fairness I think Waterford has already got promises in this regard. I am by no means a FG supporter but I did vote for Cummins in the local elections last year and for a young chap I have been impressed with him. Anyway I was reading the munster yesterday and Enda Kenny is quoted as saying FG is committed to delivering a university at WIT, he said that it was FG policy and if they got into government they would deliver it. This is an issue which I have a very big interest in and what he said was very clear cut, it is also Labour policy so the next Government should have no problems delivering this for us!

In relation to our next TD, I certainly think it is coffey's to loose as I have said before but Halligan is a threat especially if he joins Labour

I have a feeling if FG were in power, there is no doubt that WIT would be upgraded to university status, but i fear so many other ITs would also be up graded. I dont think it would be done as a reward for the good work for the work done in them but to gain votes in further elections.

deisebob1

Deise Tom wrote: »

I have a feeling if FG were in power, there is no doubt that WIT would be upgraded to university status, but i fear so many other ITs would also be up graded. I dont think it would be done as a reward for the good work for the work done in them but to gain votes in further elections.

I think that is an unfair comment, read the Munster, Kenny said on geographical grounds, the case stood for a university at WIT. Now the last time I checked the South East region was the only region without a university. If you remember Deise Tom It was FF that upgraded all regional colleges to IT status instead of just the 2 or 3 that were deserving of this status. I dont believe FG will make this same mistake and before I am attacked, as I said I am not a FG supporter as such but I certainly will be supporting them in the next election because I think the country needs a new government and I would be saying the same if any party was in power for 10+ years, its not healthy!

Smiley Burnett

we will NEVER get a university for the south east whilst fianna fail are in power!!!

Bards

For all the talk and bluster from FG - even they have no intention of upgrading WIT to University.

Instead they propose the creation of an overarching umbrella organisation, similar to NUI, to which all the IT's become a constiuent part

The following is taken (Page 18) from their Education Policy Document http://www.finegael.org/upload/file/3rdway.pdf




In order to ensure diversity within the sector and to develop the IoT sector as
a different and alternative to university style of education delivery, an
overarching umbrella University or federation for the entire IoT sector should
be introduced, under which, individual IoTs would be constituent colleges.
This would still allow the IoT sector to concentrate on matching technological
and emerging employment needs, albeit under an overarching national
framework.


==============================================
Thanks, but no thanks FG

Sully

Iv an interview with Enda Kenny which suggests a different approach for WIT. Ill type it up (its voice recorded). Iv also asked the Education Spokesperson to get back to me on a number of questions related to this.

crazydude

From the Labour Party's last election manifesto.
3rd bullet point under the "Third and Fourth Level" section

We will establish a multi-campus University of the South East with Waterford Institute of Technology as its hub.

http://www.labour.ie/manifesto/6.html

(and yes I am a member of Labour :cool:)

Sully

crazydude wrote: »

From the Labour Party's last election manifesto.
3rd bullet point under the "Third and Fourth Level" section



http://www.labour.ie/manifesto/6.html

(and yes I am a member of Labour :cool:)

Which is exactly the Fine Gael proposal for the South East of Ireland. Selective quoting and all that.

crazydude

That it may now be. I'm only making the comparison wrt Labour's election policy at the last election

That commitment was not in either FF's or FG's manifestos

Sully

Sully wrote: »

Iv an interview with Enda Kenny which suggests a different approach for WIT. Ill type it up (its voice recorded). Iv also asked the Education Spokesperson to get back to me on a number of questions related to this.

Brian Hayes was in touch, stating that the IoT plan is correct but that WIT is part of a specific plan to be given university status for the South East. He has confirmed that if Fine Gael are elected, they will indeed give university status to the South East.

For further information, see here:- http://endakenny.finegael.ie/representatives/common/index.cfm/type/details/nkey/33751/pkey/0/page/1

Application for a new university in the South East to be accepted
"The application for a new university in the South East should be accepted, pending a positive outcome to an examination of this application under Section 9 of the Universities Act 1997.

The Fine Gael plan has many benefits including:

- The establishment of a proper framework defining what a university is;
- Certainty brought to the university and IoT sectors that will allow the development of a national strategy;
- Greater collaboration between regional universities and their IoT counterparts that will benefit all;
- Greater focus on research and on the knowledge economy;
- A new university for the South East region that will benefit economic development;
- A new beginning for the IoT sector that will more successfully be able to compete, both nationally, and internationally, under a new 'Umbrella University';
- DIT, finally, achieving university status;
- The potential for 'mission drift' is overcome, by solidifying the IoT sector as a different entity to the university sector and by giving the Oireachtas greater control over the mission of the two universities going forward;

The above is a document set out by the education spokesperson, Brian Hayes TD.

Our local senator, Paudie Coffey, has been very active on this and some of his recent comments can be read here:-
http://www.paudiecoffey.finegael.org/statements/c/2450/article/
http://www.paudiecoffey.finegael.org/statements/c/1996/article/

The Munster Express has covered the FG position here:- http://www.munster-express.ie/local-news/fine-gaels-university-pledge/

FUSE covered it here:-
http://se4u.org/news/2008/10/24/enda-kenny-backs-south-east-university/

I think all of the above puts to bed any doubt what Fine Gaels plans are for WIT and the South East tbh.

AdMMM

Because we all know that election promises are delivered upon...

Sully

AdMMM wrote: »

Because we all know that election promises are delivered upon...

To be fair, its a bit more then an election promise. Any promise can be taken as is or ignored - its up to you what you want to believe.

Bards

Sully wrote: »

Brian Hayes was in touch, stating that the IoT plan is correct but that WIT is part of a specific plan to be given university status for the South East. He has confirmed that if Fine Gael are elected, they will indeed give university status to the South East.

For further information, see here:- http://endakenny.finegael.ie/representatives/common/index.cfm/type/details/nkey/33751/pkey/0/page/1





The above is a document set out by the education spokesperson, Brian Hayes TD.

Our local senator, Paudie Coffey, has been very active on this and some of his recent comments can be read here:-
http://www.paudiecoffey.finegael.org/statements/c/2450/article/
http://www.paudiecoffey.finegael.org/statements/c/1996/article/

The Munster Express has covered the FG position here:- http://www.munster-express.ie/local-news/fine-gaels-university-pledge/

FUSE covered it here:-
http://se4u.org/news/2008/10/24/enda-kenny-backs-south-east-university/

I think all of the above puts to bed any doubt what Fine Gaels plans are for WIT and the South East tbh.

I have one BIG question, the statement (http://endakenny.finegael.ie/representatives/common/index.cfm/type/details/nkey/33751/pkey/0/page/1) outlined above is dated March 2008, however the Current FIne Gael's Policy Document (Dates March 2009) on Education does not reference the South East at all, and instead just advocates the establishment of the Umberella Universioty for all IoT's??

If we are to believe FG's promises, then FG must update it's poilcy Document on Education and not issue speeches which have no meaning or weight attached - otherwsie it will be more of the same from our political classes - a fudge

jayboi

Sure FG can promise the sun moon and stars in their manifestos and policies but at the end of the day it’s highly unlikely they will be the sole party in power and will likely have labour with them as a result compromises will be made along the way.

I reckon that when the next government that comes to power half the promises wont be on the program for government and the rest will be dealt with in the distant future subject to some sort of expensive report the ultimately say "Nah leave it off" and that’s not just for university status but a lot of promises that are being made.
I know some of ye are saying that both FG and Labour are both promising the same thing but Id be very surprised if they more than empty election promises.

Yea a university in the South would be nice but:

Where’s the funding going to come from?
The WIT is a bit of joke most people who studied there will tell you that I am talking about staff, facilities and the management.
Do we even need another university?

Deise Tom

Bards wrote: »

For all the talk and bluster from FG - even they have no intention of upgrading WIT to University.


==============================================
Thanks, but no thanks FG

I still believe what i said above may well happen, I.E. WIT will become a uni, but so will the likes of Tralee, Athlone, Carlow and maybe a few others. If WIT was upgraded and so were a number of others, it would only become a bit of a political thing.

Deise Tom

jayboi wrote: »

Sure FG can promise the sun moon and stars in their manifestos and policies but at the end of the day it’s highly unlikely they will be the sole party in power and will likely have labour with them as a result compromises will be made along the way.

I would love to know if there is any proinant FG officials on here, and would they be willing to come on and tell us exactly (no waffle, keep it plain and simple) how the party are going to give all they say they will do. What areas will they pay for all they promise, what cut backs will they make. Would they be getting rid of the lebbies that are in place now, and instead increase taxes, which effectly would be the same thing that is happening right now.

jayboi

Deise Tom wrote: »

I would love to know if there is any proinant FG officials on here, and would they be willing to come on and tell us exactly (no waffle, keep it plain and simple) how the party are going to give all they say they will do. What areas will they pay for all they promise, what cut backs will they make. Would they be getting rid of the lebbies that are in place now, and instead increase taxes, which effectly would be the same thing that is happening right now.

Il have to stop you their, I am by no means a FF supporter and I have no intention of ever voting for them, I would probably vote FG over FF but I have no intention of voting for either. If you think im trying to make a case for FF your wrong.

I want change i never want to see a Fianna Fail td, minister, senator or canvasser ever again! at the end of the day they have proven themselves to be corrupt to such a level it would put Robert Mugabe to shame.

At the same time im not going to swallow whatever FG throw at me just because their are the likely successors

Ri na hEireann

Deise Tom wrote: »

I still believe what i said above may well happen, I.E. WIT will become a uni, but so will the likes of Tralee, Athlone, Carlow and maybe a few others. If WIT was upgraded and so were a number of others, it would only become a bit of a political thing.

See, this just shows complete and utter ignorance. You're seeing what you want to see.

The FG document clearly and explicitly states that there would be a new IoT umbrella group akin to the NUI structure BUT that WIT and DIT would not be part of this body and would be given full University status. It can't get more clear than that. You're either purposely ignoring that to suit your "ah sure they're all the same" mentality or for some other reason.

To even suggest Tralee,Athlone or others would become Universities under any government shows zero knowledge of the topic at hand and is in fact insulting to WIT.

Another thing Deise Tom, you keep implying FG have no plan and in your last post you want things explained for you plainly. How about you go have a look for yourself at http://www.finegael.org . All the policies are available there.

Look at ones such as Recovery Through Reform, NewERA, Hope for A Lost Generation, FairCare, SME Survival Package.

And when you have that done feel free to call FF and FG all the same but at least have a basis for your argument.

merlante

Ri na hEireann wrote: »

See, this just shows complete and utter ignorance. You're seeing what you want to see.

The FG document clearly and explicitly states that there would be a new IoT umbrella group akin to the NUI structure BUT that WIT and DIT would not be part of this body and would be given full University status. It can't get more clear than that. You're either purposely ignoring that to suit your "ah sure they're all the same" mentality or for some other reason.

To even suggest Tralee,Athlone or others would become Universities under any government shows zero knowledge of the topic at hand and is in fact insulting to WIT.

Another thing Deise Tom, you keep implying FG have no plan and in your last post you want things explained for you plainly. How about you go have a look for yourself at http://www.finegael.org . All the policies are available there.

Look at ones such as Recovery Through Reform, NewERA, Hope for A Lost Generation, FairCare, SME Survival Package.

And when you have that done feel free to call FF and FG all the same but at least have a basis for your argument.

This was crystal clear and was part of FG education policy. Whether or not it remains part of their policy or whether they will deliver on it or not remains to be seen. But if we don't start voting for parties that at least claim to do the right thing, then we'll never get anywhere.

Ri na hEireann

merlante wrote: »

This was crystal clear and was part of FG education policy. Whether or not it remains part of their policy or whether they will deliver on it or not remains to be seen. But if we don't start voting for parties that at least claim to do the right thing, then we'll never get anywhere.

It was re-affirmed by Enda Kenny during his visit to WIT and Waterford last Thursday. He mentioned it in his weekly email to members the day after the visit too:

While I was in Waterford on Thursday, I took the opportunity to visit the Institute of Technology there. I was there to meet several members of WIT Young Fine Gael and visit some of the departments. It certainly is a very impressive establishment and a great asset to the South East. Fine Gael is committed to providing University status to WIT and to the South East