Ballina TD in next goverment - Michelle Mulherin

alex73

Paddy Power Odds are that next Government will be FG/LB (no surprise).

Do you think that Ballina and its environs would be best service with a TD who is part of government and not part of opposition?

She was the only candidate who actually canvassed in Person for last G. Election and for council. (speaking for personal experience)

Dara Calleary has done a good job since he was elected, but that fact is in Irish Politics which is very parochial that you need a local TD in government to press for change and action in your area.

I don't think Labour will make much a show in Mayo, so its really only FG, and of all the candidates Michelle represents the best option. Otherwise Ballina will be relegated

finisklin

alex73 wrote: »

Paddy Power Odds are that next Government will be FG/LB (no surprise).

Do you think that Ballina and its environs would be best service with a TD who is part of government and not part of opposition?

She was the only candidate who actually canvassed in Person for last G. Election and for council. (speaking for personal experience)

Data Calleary has done a good job since he was elected, but that face is in Irish Politics which is very parochial that you need a local TD in government to press for change and action in your area.

I don't think Labour will make much a show in Mayo, so its really only FG, and of all the candidates Michelle represents the best option. Otherwise Ballina will be relegated

Is this the first canvass on the Mayo section of boards? :rolleyes:

HarryPotter41

alex73 wrote: »

Paddy Power Odds are that next Government will be FG/LB (no surprise).

Do you think that Ballina and its environs would be best service with a TD who is part of government and not part of opposition?

She was the only candidate who actually canvassed in Person for last G. Election and for council. (speaking for personal experience)

Data Calleary has done a good job since he was elected, but that face is in Irish Politics which is very parochial that you need a local TD in government to press for change and action in your area.

I don't think Labour will make much a show in Mayo, so its really only FG, and of all the candidates Michelle represents the best option. Otherwise Ballina will be relegated

Incorrect, Dara Calleary did a large part of his canvass personally even in the country areas.

alex73

finisklin wrote: »

Is this the first canvass on the Mayo section of boards? :rolleyes:

No, just someone who wants to see Ballina on the Map in the next Dail. (and not sitting on the opposition benches)

HarryPotter41 wrote: »

Incorrect, Dara Calleary did a large part of his canvass personally even in the country areas.

I am sure he did, just not the estate where I live, we got 2 FF guys canvassing for him.

hsi

Both Candidates would be good for ballina. In the 2007 Election a large number of People voted Dara 1st and Michelle 2nd. There were also transfers from Michelle to Dara.

So unless FG mess things up, its really a given that she will be elected.

But I agree its essential that Ballina gets a local TD in the Dail, Michelle is young and well able to put Ballina on the Map.

O'Mahony & Ring lack real drive in Polictics, I think given a chance Mulherin would be a great TD.

yosemite_sam

alex73 wrote: »

No, just someone who wants to see Ballina on the Map in the next Dail. (and not sitting on the opposition benches)



I am sure he did, just not the estate where I live, we got 2 FF guys canvassing for him.

Ballina has Dara, has he not delivered? I seen him canvas in a public house in Belmullet before the last election. He appoached customers and smiled at them, it must have worked

yosemite_sam

hsi wrote: »

Both Candidates would be good for ballina. In the 2007 Election a large number of People voted Dara 1st and Michelle 2nd. There were also transfers from Michelle to Dara.

So unless FG mess things up, its really a given that she will be elected.

But I agree its essential that Ballina gets a local TD in the Dail, Michelle is young and well able to put Ballina on the Map.

O'Mahony & Ring lack real drive in Polictics, I think given a chance Mulherin would be a great TD.

Kenny has hardly set Mayo on fire, maybe he should step down and let some one with a bit of gumtion have a go. I think Michelle will walk it

alex73

yosemite_sam wrote: »

Ballina has Dara, has he not delivered? I seen him canvas in a public house in Belmullet before the last election. He appoached customers and smiled at them, it must have worked

That was 2007 when FF still have some appeal to electorate. In 2011 odds are FF will not be in power, So given the choice of a TD in opposition or one in government my vote is with Mulherin for TD.

I am not alone, I know many who voted for Calleary in 2007 are voting Mulherin next year.

Kristopherus

None of you are old enough to remember when Ballina had 2 TDs- 1 of the was Dara Calleary's father, Sean, who was a Minister. The other was Paddy O'Toole. Both of them did shag-all for Ballina. I don't think Dara will be re-elected. He was parachuted in for the last election. Hard to know how the good Dr will do in his Labour outfit.:) My prediction would be Kenny, Ring, Mulherin and 1 from Calleary/Cowley/Flynn/O'Mahony A distinct possibility that there could be 4 FG TDs from Mayo next time.

HarryPotter41

Kristopherus wrote: »

None of you are old enough to remember when Ballina had 2 TDs- 1 of the was Dara Calleary's father, Sean, who was a Minister. The other was Paddy O'Toole. Both of them did shag-all for Ballina. I don't think Dara will be re-elected. He was parachuted in for the last election. Hard to know how the good Dr will do in his Labour outfit.:) My prediction would be Kenny, Ring, Mulherin and 1 from Calleary/Cowley/Flynn/O'Mahony A distinct possibility that there could be 4 FG TDs from Mayo next time.

Parachuted in for the last election? You base that on what? The years he spent on the FF National Executive? Him going before a convention to get a nomination for the County Council in 2004? Him going before convention for selection as a Dail candidate and winning it in a vote? Thats being parachuted?

alex73

Kristopherus wrote: »

None of you are old enough to remember when Ballina had 2 TDs- 1 of the was Dara Calleary's father, Sean, who was a Minister. The other was Paddy O'Toole. Both of them did shag-all for Ballina. I don't think Dara will be re-elected. He was parachuted in for the last election. Hard to know how the good Dr will do in his Labour outfit.:) My prediction would be Kenny, Ring, Mulherin and 1 from Calleary/Cowley/Flynn/O'Mahony A distinct possibility that there could be 4 FG TDs from Mayo next time.

I agree, he was elected on the FF+My-father-was-a-TD ticket. (I thought it was his grandfather who was the TD). The Guys actually has been a good TD. But I want someone from the winning team as a TD for Ballina next year.

HarryPotter41

Kristopherus wrote: »

None of you are old enough to remember when Ballina had 2 TDs- 1 of the was Dara Calleary's father, Sean, who was a Minister. The other was Paddy O'Toole. Both of them did shag-all for Ballina. I don't think Dara will be re-elected. He was parachuted in for the last election. Hard to know how the good Dr will do in his Labour outfit.:) My prediction would be Kenny, Ring, Mulherin and 1 from Calleary/Cowley/Flynn/O'Mahony A distinct possibility that there could be 4 FG TDs from Mayo next time.

Ballina had two TD's on other occasions as well, and in the 40's and 50's there was a TD in Ballina and one in Crossmolina. Its mathematically possible to do the same again.

finisklin

HarryPotter41 wrote: »

Parachuted in for the last election? You base that on what? The years he spent on the FF National Executive? Him going before a convention to get a nomination for the County Council in 2004? Him going before convention for selection as a Dail candidate and winning it in a vote? Thats being parachuted?

Calleary won his Dail nomination by 8 votes where he pipped another political dynasty in Michael Moffatt through Annie May throwing her weight behind him in which turned out to be a contentious convention. If memory serves me there was controversy over eligibility of who could vote and who couldn't, with perhaps some parachuting in of voters whose eligibility was certainly questioned, IMO.:cool:

I have to refer to the Ray D'arcy (Today FM) school of political debate which questions these politcal dynasties and their qualifications in bettering their communities through attendance at funeral's to secure political office. Perhaps he is trying to get to a meaningful method of measuring politicians performance which is a very difficult challenge. Cynical yeah but there is truth in the fact that you only need to get more votes than the next candidate whatever your skillset.

The old Ballina chestnut of the IDA park which has been on the table for donkeys years is not going to see the light of day due to our European friends hands on fiscal restraint.

IMO opinion the key skill/ability is a hard nosed, resilient negotiator that has the gravitas in delivering results through a proven approach outside of politics. Unfortunately none of Mayo's politicians have this trait including Michelle and Dara.:(

These skills are vital in dealing with the real power brokers i.e. the civil servants and quango heads that distribute, manage the real resources through a rough shod approach that makes light work of any solicitors (Michelle) or development advisors (Dara) skill sets. The real power in Mayo is with the county manager and how he distributes his resources and perhaps Michelle may have a good relationship with him through her time on the county council which may serve her well. A terrier negotiator IMHO she ain't.

Good to see this debate liven up on boards......gonna be a strong run in.

HarryPotter41

finisklin wrote: »

Calleary won his Dail nomination by 8 votes where he pipped another political dynasty in Michael Moffatt through Annie May throwing her weight behind him in which turned out to be a contentious convention. If memory serves me there was controversy over eligibility of who could vote and who couldn't, with perhaps some parachuting in of voters whose eligibility was certainly questioned, IMO.:cool:

I have to refer to the Ray D'arcy (Today FM) school of political debate which questions these politcal dynasties and their qualifications in bettering their communities through attendance at funeral's to secure political office. Perhaps he is trying to get to a meaningful method of measuring politicians performance which is a very difficult challenge. Cynical yeah but there is truth in the fact that you only need to get more votes than the next candidate whatever your skillset.

The old Ballina chestnut of the IDA park which has been on the table for donkeys years is not going to see the light of day due to our European friends hands on fiscal restraint.

IMO opinion the key skill/ability is a hard nosed, resilient negotiator that has the gravitas in delivering results through a proven approach outside of politics. Unfortunately none of Mayo's politicians have this trait including Michelle and Dara.:(

These skills are vital in dealing with the real power brokers i.e. the civil servants and quango heads that distribute, manage the real resources through a rough shod approach that makes light work of any solicitors (Michelle) or development advisors (Dara) skill sets. The real power in Mayo is with the county manager and how he distributes his resources and perhaps Michelle may have a good relationship with him through her time on the county council which may serve her well. A terrier negotiator IMHO she ain't.

Good to see this debate liven up on boards......gonna be a strong run in.

He won in a tight vote certainly, and while the convention was contentious it was not because of the parachuting of voters, it was the exclusion of voters thanks to the reorganisation of the party which left stalwarts without votes for the first time in their lives. Parachuting OUT of voters possibly.

Dara Calleary has an excellent working relationship with the powers that be in Mayo County Council and certainly can be as effective as Michelle in that line. He is bright, articulate and while he is a third generation TD from the family I think he is one of the few worthy members of a political dynasty in this country, perhaps a case of leave the best til last

finisklin

HarryPotter41 wrote: »

He won in a tight vote certainly, and while the convention was contentious it was not because of the parachuting of voters, it was the exclusion of voters thanks to the reorganisation of the party which left stalwarts without votes for the first time in their lives. Parachuting OUT of voters possibly.

Dara Calleary has an excellent working relationship with the powers that be in Mayo County Council and certainly can be as effective as Michelle in that line. He is bright, articulate and while he is a third generation TD from the family I think he is one of the few worthy members of a political dynasty in this country, perhaps a case of leave the best til last

Couldn't remember circumstances of convention but knew there was some kind of drama with it.......I don't doubt Dara's working relationship with Hynes (or formerly Mahon) but has he the muscle to push, pull and drag that relationship for the betterment of Ballina (as opposed to Westport, Castlebar). It's actually hard to gauge this with any politician as cutting through the PR smoke and media perception that TDs spin is difficult especially as the party in power ensure all their TDs go through the usual media training and public speaking etc.

Interesting times indeed.....:pac:

hsi

finisklin wrote: »

Couldn't remember circumstances of convention but knew there was some kind of drama with it.......I don't doubt Dara's working relationship with Hynes (or formerly Mahon) but has he the muscle to push, pull and drag that relationship for the betterment of Ballina (as opposed to Westport, Castlebar). It's actually hard to gauge this with any politician as cutting through the PR smoke and media perception that TDs spin is difficult especially as the party in power ensure all their TDs go through the usual media training and public speaking etc.

Interesting times indeed.....:pac:

Politics is all about smoke and perceptions. But at the end of the day certain connections do get things done. I move to mayo 10 years ago, and I was told much of the development in Castlebar was down to P.Flynn, right or wrong, empirical results count.

For sure having no TD from Ballina environs will not boost our chances and if we are going to vote for one, might aswell be one who will be party of ruling party.

alex73

I hear fg are running 5 candidates in mayo. Do they think they can get all seats

HarryPotter41

alex73 wrote: »

I hear fg are running 5 candidates in mayo. Do they think they can get all seats

Mathematically impossible to get 5, but its probably designed to maximise their vote to gte the 4.

am i bovvered

I am not a member of any politcal party.

It is vital for Ballina to have a TD in government.

I think Dara Calleary has worked hard and done a decent job however FF are going to be out of power for a long time.

Michelle Mulhern is going to get my number 1 , I think she has lots of potential and hopefully can do the best for the area long term.

HarryPotter41

am i bovvered wrote: »

I am not a member of any politcal party.

It is vital for Ballina to have a TD in government.

I think Dara Calleary has worked hard and done a decent job however FF are going to be out of power for a long time.

Michelle Mulhern is going to get my number 1 , I think she has lots of potential and hopefully can do the best for the area long term.

So Daras reward for all the hard work he has done is going to be being turfed out? Interesting.

hsi

HarryPotter41 wrote: »

So Daras reward for all the hard work he has done is going to be being turfed out? Interesting.

I think if he looses it will be more a reflection on the party he is part of rather than his personal achievement's. I really don't think there will be much sympathy for FF.

HarryPotter41

hsi wrote: »

I think if he looses it will be more a reflection on the party he is part of rather than his personal achievement's. I really don't think there will be much sympathy for FF.

Regardless of his party the hard work he has done should be reflected by people when they go to the polls

finisklin

HarryPotter41 wrote: »

Regardless of his party the hard work he has done should be reflected by people when they go to the polls

What about the promises......:rolleyes:......a lot done, more to do, maybe?:p

hsi

HarryPotter41 wrote: »

Regardless of his party the hard work he has done should be reflected by people when they go to the polls

If he was an independent TD without a doubt, but part of FF carries a label, and I am not voting for them again.

HarryPotter41

hsi wrote: »

If he was an independent TD without a doubt, but part of FF carries a label, and I am not voting for them again.

He is younger and more idealistic than the old vanguard of Fianna Fail, hes exactly what the party needs to survive to get itself away from the fools that have destroyed it and the country. He has proven he is hardworking and I am sure he can achieve as much in opposition as Michelle could as part of a governing party because of her lack of national experience.

alex73

hsi wrote: »

I think if he looses it will be more a reflection on the party he is part of rather than his personal achievement's. I really don't think there will be much sympathy for FF.

Seems to be the general consensus.

hsi

HarryPotter41 wrote: »

He is younger and more idealistic than the old vanguard of Fianna Fail, hes exactly what the party needs to survive to get itself away from the fools that have destroyed it and the country. He has proven he is hardworking and I am sure he can achieve as much in opposition as Michelle could as part of a governing party because of her lack of national experience.

Then HE needs to come out and say as such. As things stand he is just a sheep following the pack. Not that FG work any different, but that facts are it was under FF watch that the country went down the swanny and now we have the IMF running the country.. So I am all for Dara rebuilding FF, but he has not spoken out. So NO I am not voting for Dara as its a vote for FF and they need to learn their lesson at the poll next year.

am i bovvered

HarryPotter41 wrote: »

So Daras reward for all the hard work he has done is going to be being turfed out? Interesting.

don't know what you mean by interesting.

Lots of people in Ireland just like Dara have worked hard over the last few years, and now they are out of a job........... because of Fianna Fail

My choice would be both to get in and I will vote 1-2, whats so wrong about michelle getting a run at it, she seems perfectly capable to me.

finisklin

Looking from the outside in, Calleary appears to have aligned himself with the Albert Reynolds old gang known as the country and western set, now led by Brian Cowen. The opposite side of this grouping is the Dublin set which is headed up by a diminished Brian Lenihan and Mary Hanafin.

Calleary has benefited from Cowen's country and western set as he's minister of state for labour affairs, and in his first outing in the Dail! Very difficult to strip the few successes he has (trying to think of them, :rolleyes:) with the manner in which FF have handled the overall handlin of the economy. Whatever about the events and mismanagement over the last month, its the Bertie years that did the real damage.

Interested to hear what posters think are the real issues for the people of North Mayo in this election? Given the tied purse strings, how can major infrastructural improvements be secured?

My top list of issues are as follows;

• Improving the Strokestown to Ballaghderen road (Most important issue, IMO)
• IDA park for Ballina
• Supports for long term unemployed re training, lifestyle enhancement, productivity, time mangement etc as Ballina is an unemployement black spot this may become a bigger issue over time leading to anti social behavior, criminality etc.
• Reverting to old traffic flow system in Ballina
• Securing new industries for North Mayo to help employment
• Getting the Ballina to Balla road plan back on track with the bypass of Foxford.
• Improved corprate governance in MCC/Town councils e.g. the digging in of officials regarding the traffic system.
• Support for planning for one off housing on their own land. The law was changed on this recently by John Gormley and I appreciate it is an issue within MCC and the councillors.

Note that this is parochial and if Ballina/North Mayo returns a TD these are some of the issues that need addressing, IMO. Note that it is not exhaustive so please feel free to add to the issues and once Michelle gets elected we can measure her performance on her deliverance. :P

Go Shell, Go......:rolleyes:

hsi

Jobs Jobs Jobs... I think this is the essential #1 message that any candidate for Dail should note.

I moved here 10 years ago and even then there was considerable unemployment in Ballina, however at the same time there was lots of Jobs if people wanted them. (over a thousand polish imigrants did find employment). I know today things are tighter, but I think there are a lot of people long term unemployed who are nearly unemployable.

There has to be a move to get unemployed out to train and to work for the dole. I mean and I don't want to belittle anyone, but they could clear the paths of snow or tidy the town, work there is and 16 hours of service a week of dole payment should be motted. As things stand we have been paying dole to people who have not worked for years.

alex73

finisklin wrote: »

[*]Reverting to old traffic flow system in Ballina

I would have to disagree on that one. I think the new one works well.

Tesco round about - Very Good
New traffic lights bunaree-Sligo Rd -- Excellent long time coming

The whole one way around the cathedral.. hmm not great, but I can live with it, its clear.

I think all in all, given what Ballina is, the new system is miles better than the old.

Given what was there 10 years ago, well there is no comparison.

(sorry for going off topic)

hsi

am i bovvered wrote: »

don't know what you mean by interesting.

Lots of people in Ireland just like Dara have worked hard over the last few years, and now they are out of a job........... because of Fianna Fail

My choice would be both to get in and I will vote 1-2, whats so wrong about michelle getting a run at it, she seems perfectly capable to me.

I think a lot of People gave Dara 1 and Michelle 2 in the last election, So I think she could swing it this time.

HarryPotter41

finisklin wrote: »

Looking from the outside in, Calleary appears to have aligned himself with the Albert Reynolds old gang known as the country and western set, now led by Brian Cowen. The opposite side of this grouping is the Dublin set which is headed up by a diminished Brian Lenihan and Mary Hanafin.

Calleary has benefited from Cowen's country and western set as he's minister of state for labour affairs, and in his first outing in the Dail! Very difficult to strip the few successes he has (trying to think of them, :rolleyes:) with the manner in which FF have handled the overall handlin of the economy. Whatever about the events and mismanagement over the last month, its the Bertie years that did the real damage.

Interested to hear what posters think are the real issues for the people of North Mayo in this election? Given the tied purse strings, how can major infrastructural improvements be secured?

My top list of issues are as follows;

• Improving the Strokestown to Ballaghderen road (Most important issue, IMO)
• IDA park for Ballina
• Supports for long term unemployed re training, lifestyle enhancement, productivity, time mangement etc as Ballina is an unemployement black spot this may become a bigger issue over time leading to anti social behavior, criminality etc.
• Reverting to old traffic flow system in Ballina
• Securing new industries for North Mayo to help employment
• Getting the Ballina to Balla road plan back on track with the bypass of Foxford.
• Improved corprate governance in MCC/Town councils e.g. the digging in of officials regarding the traffic system.
• Support for planning for one off housing on their own land. The law was changed on this recently by John Gormley and I appreciate it is an issue within MCC and the councillors.

Note that this is parochial and if Ballina/North Mayo returns a TD these are some of the issues that need addressing, IMO. Note that it is not exhaustive so please feel free to add to the issues and once Michelle gets elected we can measure her performance on her deliverance. :P

Go Shell, Go......:rolleyes:

I agree that all those are important issues, the IDA Park I know has such a lot of issues around it, Calleary has worked hard on trying to resolve them but they are complex.

I know for a fact that he is unhappy with the traffic system.

He did a lot of work on the Hollister investement.

The N26 was a major disappointment and no elected official can do anything about the muppets who sit on an Bord Pleanala.

I seriously would worry about Michelles ability to deliver, what has she achieved as a member of the Town Council/County Council? Getting involved in a daft row over the naming of the Bridge to Nowhere isn't an achievement.

Monty Burnz

You would think that people had learned a lesson about putting local interests ahead of national interests when the last 2 governments bankrupted the country.

alex73

Monty Burnz wrote: »

You would think that people had learned a lesson about putting local interests ahead of national interests when the last 2 governments bankrupted the country.

Problem is unless there is focus on the west the east gets the money, its great to have a luas and metro, but to the ordinary person in mayo its little good. We need people in power to protect our region

Monty Burnz

alex73 wrote: »

Problem is unless there is focus on the west the east gets the money, its great to have a luas and metro, but to the ordinary person in mayo its little good. We need people in power to protect our region

Nonsense. There is a decent sized city in the East - that's why it has 2 tramlines. Similar sized cities in other places have metro systems. Do you really expect a Mayo Metro?

This is exactly the kind of stuff that makes me despair of the Irish electorate. Too many people are happy to vote in gombeens like Jackie Healy Rae or corrupt clowns like Michael Lowry because they are promised a few bob for some pork-barrel project. Then they are astonished when a government made up of these funeral-attending, back-scratching morons has the whole country (including their particular parish) crawling on its hands and knees to the IMF, who will tell us how many hospitals must be closed and how many public services cut. Short-term, short-sighted, and bog-ignorant. We need to change the system so it can't happen again.

And I agree 100% that the country as a whole needs to be looked after, not just South Dublin. That's just more local gombeenism.

dicknorris

alex73 wrote: »

No, just someone who wants to see Ballina on the Map in the next Dail. (and not sitting on the opposition benches)



I am sure he did, just not the estate where I live, we got 2 FF guys canvassing for him.

The fact that your location says Wicklow maybe thats the reason he did'nt canvass your estate

finisklin

All politics is local and I can see the point about the luas, metro etc. However if Michelle is canvassing for improving infrastructure in other parts of the state then she may not make it!:eek:

We can only use the deck of cards that we, the electorate have been given, and until a better proposal comes along we are stuck with what we have. It is clear there are major problems with the political system, and especially the turkeys in the system, however implementing Fintan O'Toole's initiatives is difficult. Why? Turkeys don't vote for Xmas.

Maybe Monty Burnz you have concrete proposals to change the system that will ensure a balanced approach and rid us of gombeenism. However, getting the turkeys to change it is another thing all together. :mad:

alex73

Monty Burnz wrote: »

Nonsense. There is a decent sized city in the East - that's why it has 2 tramlines. Similar sized cities in other places have metro systems. Do you really expect a Mayo Metro?

This is exactly the kind of stuff that makes me despair of the Irish electorate. Too many people are happy to vote in gombeens like Jackie Healy Rae or corrupt clowns like Michael Lowry because they are promised a few bob for some pork-barrel project. Then they are astonished when a government made up of these funeral-attending, back-scratching morons has the whole country (including their particular parish) crawling on its hands and knees to the IMF, who will tell us how many hospitals must be closed and how many public services cut. Short-term, short-sighted, and bog-ignorant. We need to change the system so it can't happen again.

And I agree 100% that the country as a whole needs to be looked after, not just South Dublin. That's just more local gombeenism.

People may not realise it but Ballina is the only town in Ireland that have a Freight Rail head and line.(I stand corrected) If it also had a decent road to connect bypass foxford/Swinford even better. There are a lot of big companies that any country in Europe would love to have.

One this is the big picture, but if nobody fights for the local issues then we get nowhere and forgotten in the big picture.

Thats why we need a local TD in the ruling party who can fight for local issues.

Maybe if the west had better infrastructure you would see more investment.

hsi

Monty Burnz wrote: »

And I agree 100% that the country as a whole needs to be looked after, not just South Dublin. That's just more local gombeenism.

What is Politics other than "local gombeenism" The only way that a party can govern is if they have local support to get TD's elected.

Maybe we need to reform the electoral system. As it stands we have what we have.

Monty Burnz

finisklin wrote: »

Maybe Monty Burnz you have concrete proposals to change the system that will ensure a balanced approach and rid us of gombeenism. However, getting the turkeys to change it is another thing all together. :mad:

You are dead right, and so is HSI above - it's the electoral system that needs reform to compensate for our tendency to vote for the local clown who promises the world. The only concrete proposal I have is to start a conversation about that reform, push for it, ask tell your local politicians that you want it, and take part in discussions about it. Hopefully between us we can force the turkeys to do the right thing :rolleyes:

hsi

This is the view in Mayonews,

http://www.mayonews.ie/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=11447:ready-to-battle-in-2011&catid=3:news-features&Itemid=29

alex73

hsi wrote: »

This is the view in Mayonews,

http://www.mayonews.ie/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=11447:ready-to-battle-in-2011&catid=3:news-features&Itemid=29

It will be interesting to see what the Flynn and Calleary dynasties do, I think there will be a hard fight to get both elected.

Avns1s

HarryPotter41 wrote: »

I agree that all those are important issues, the IDA Park I know has such a lot of issues around it, Calleary has worked hard on trying to resolve them but they are complex.

I know for a fact that he is unhappy with the traffic system.

He did a lot of work on the Hollister investement.

The N26 was a major disappointment and no elected official can do anything about the muppets who sit on an Bord Pleanala.

I seriously would worry about Michelles ability to deliver, what has she achieved as a member of the Town Council/County Council? Getting involved in a daft row over the naming of the Bridge to Nowhere isn't an achievement.

I would love to see a list of things that Dara did deliver. I think it would be short to be honest and if you excluded Ballina from it, it would be able to be written on the back of a stamp. And before anyone goes off on a tangent, Dara is there to represent the county or if you want to be pedantic about it an take the FF view of the county, then he is there to represent the North and East while Flynn has the South and West. Calleary will need far more votes than he will get in Ballina to be re-elected. Pity he didn't think of that during his term.

On the Hollister investment, if truth be told Dara's role in it was minimal. On the N26, I agree that Bord Pleanala are total Muppets with an urban and green mentaility, but Dara was part of the government and the Cabinet so turf the muppets out. Change it, ABP is a total impediment to any kind of development, another quango!

I wouldn't have any doubt about Michelles ability to deliver. She is tough in a reasoned way, an absolute tiger and one who will do what is right rather than follow the sheep. I am saying this looking in from the outside, I am not a member of any party, nor have I ever met Michelle. I think she would be head and shoulders above Dara.

And one further point, Dara got his reward for his time in this Dail. He got paid and regardless of what he delivered, if he loses his seat, he is owed nothing. He has been paid handsomely. This is one of the fundamental points that many in this government forgot, they are PAID SERVANTS of the people of this country, not controllers and dictators, which was precisely the way they behaved, and their arrogance based on this self opinion, is what has this country in the Sh**e it's in!


Rant over, God that feels so much better!! :):)

alex73

I don't think I would apply the work arrogant to Calleary, He does not come across as such.

I think once Mulherin gets her footing she will show she is well able to deliver. She has a lot going for her, and the tide now is in her favor.

Kristopherus

hsi wrote: »

Jobs Jobs Jobs... I think this is the essential #1 message that any candidate for Dail should note.

I moved here 10 years ago and even then there was considerable unemployment in Ballina, however at the same time there was lots of Jobs if people wanted them. (over a thousand polish imigrants did find employment). I know today things are tighter, but I think there are a lot of people long term unemployed who are nearly unemployable.

There has to be a move to get unemployed out to train and to work for the dole. I mean and I don't want to belittle anyone, but they could clear the paths of snow or tidy the town, work there is and 16 hours of service a week of dole payment should be motted. As things stand we have been paying dole to people who have not worked for years.

That will be a monumental challenge in Ballina. I had a very good friend who moved to Ballina to workin the late seventies. He was then working as an
insurance agent, which then meant calling door to door to tout for business. He was telling me thet he went into houses in 2 particular estates and there were 3 generations of men, none of whom had ever worked a day in their lives.That affected him for years afterwards, as he had come for a background with a very strong work ethic. There is still a lot of that cohort living in those estates. I would hope that that situation would be rectified, but what with the current recession, i fear there will be no quick fix there.Not even by a combined Dara & Michelle effort.

finisklin

Avns1s wrote: »

I wouldn't have any doubt about Michelles ability to deliver. She is tough in a reasoned way, an absolute tiger and one who will do what is right rather than follow the sheep. I am saying this looking in from the outside, I am not a member of any party, nor have I ever met Michelle. I think she would be head and shoulders above Dara.

I respect your opinion and like you I have no politcal allegiance to party or candidate. However your description of Michelle as an absolute tiger and in a previous post as a terrier falls way short of my experience as an outside observer, like you looking in but grounded from first hand experience. That is to say I have seen her in action in the council chamber (as an obsever from the viewing gallery) and though sharp procedurally and au fait with rattling her fine gael sabre agin the FFers etc I didn't see substance in her debating, influencing manner that marked her out as a robust politician that has the skillset to actually deliver. There was a timidness to her that was uninspiring, IMHO. :rolleyes:

This judgement is based on what I actually saw and experienced and not the smoke and mirrors that you read or listen to in the Western People, MWR. For example, making Liam and Noel Gallagher first citizens of Mayo (from what I can remember) is a populist, headline grabbing endeavour from a media savvy county councillor that doesn't inspire a lot of confidence, frankly. These qualities are also similiar in her leader, Inda, looks great and sounds alright (not consistently) but would I have confidence in managing the country? Nope.

I think Michelle will get a seat, her challenge will be how she can negotiate with her other Mayo FG colleagues in ensuring that investment goes into the North of the county as opposed to the South and East Mayo. In that challenge she is up agin the formidable Michael Ring who is miles ahead of O'Mahony and Kenny ability wise. Plus he will have a ministry under his belt as well. The latter may help him getting round to even more funeral's given that he will have a driver and state car. :cool:

The election campaign may throw up some excitement in how she manages O'Mahony camping and infringing in her back yard..........:pac:........

I am sure her relationship with him is not that well developed due to the manner in which he carried out his campaign last time. Looking forward to another clash here.....but will be expecting Michelle to be more organised.

The county's political junkies will be lapping it up......:p:D:p

hsi

in 2002 there was aprox 10,000 people in Ballina. 15% were unemployed, so that is 1500 people.

From 2003-2007 about 2000 Eastern Europeans arrived and found work, none were entitled to Dole payments.
Today they are working in Delis,Pubs,Petrol stations, Stores, factories. Hotels, Farms. I estimate about 1000 remain in Ballina, ( After all there are 4 Polish shops in the town!)

So its a major failure of Fianna Fail not to have tackled the Irish unemployed who for years have made no efforts to work. Because jobs there obviously were in ballina for 80% of those on the dole in 2000. It was fine during the Boom as we could afford the social welfare, today we can't.

There is a certain council estate in ballina with new houses that have Solar Panels, far better houses than the one I had to buy. I don't begrudge them the houses, but they have been handed to them on a plate, they paid no taxes or PRSI. Whats worse is to see the new houses that are no even respected, horses outside the door along with other rubbish.

I go running a lot around Ballina and I am still amazed how much rubbish is in the hedges and ditchs, Even along the Moy. Why are we paying the guts of €300,000 a week to long term unemployed in Ballina without any social dividend for the community!!,,

Its a point that really annoys me, Thank God I personally never claimed dole, If I were unemployed I would, But I could never sit and not try and find work. But there is a sector in Ballina who see social welfare as a normal state of existing, they teach it to their kids and they all play the system to the max.

Avns1s

alex73 wrote: »

I don't think I would apply the work arrogant to Calleary, He does not come across as such.

I think once Mulherin gets her footing she will show she is well able to deliver. She has a lot going for her, and the tide now is in her favor.

I would agree that Dara is not the most arrogant of them, I will admit I had others in mind when I made that comment. I would however apply the term "disinterested" to a lot of the stuff that was brought to his attention looking for action and support. I would have thought it deserved much more than his response considering some of the stuff involved job creation in his constituency, albeit not in Ballina. I can point to 100 jobs that are not in Mayo as we speak, due to the arrogance of a certain Minister in FF and Dara wasn't able to stand up to that minister.

He is a "nice fella" but far less effective that many would have thought, in the pre last election context.

hsi

Avns1s wrote: »

I would agree that Dara is not the most arrogant of them, I will admit I had others in mind when I made that comment. I would however apply the term "disinterested" to a lot of the stuff that was brought to his attention looking for action and support. I would have thought it deserved much more than his response considering some of the stuff involved job creation in his constituency, albeit not in Ballina. I can point to 100 jobs that are not in Mayo as we speak, due to the arrogance of a certain Minister in FF and Dara wasn't able to stand up to that minister.

He is a "nice fella" but far less effective that many would have thought, in the pre last election context.

Agree with all the above. Nice guy, but being part of FF is now a major liability for him. He really needed to focus on the people who will elect him, since he was made junior Minster Ballina took 2nd stage.

Avns1s

finisklin wrote: »

I respect your opinion and like you I have no politcal allegiance to party or candidate. However your description of Michelle as an absolute tiger and in a previous post as a terrier falls way short of my experience as an outside observer, like you looking in but grounded from first hand experience. That is to say I have seen her in action in the council chamber (as an obsever from the viewing gallery) and though sharp procedurally and au fait with rattling her fine gael sabre agin the FFers etc I didn't see substance in her debating, influencing manner that marked her out as a robust politician that has the skillset to actually deliver. There was a timidness to her that was uninspiring, IMHO. :rolleyes:

This judgement is based on what I actually saw and experienced and not the smoke and mirrors that you read or listen to in the Western People, MWR. For example, making Liam and Noel Gallagher first citizens of Mayo (from what I can remember) is a populist, headline grabbing endeavour from a media savvy county councillor that doesn't inspire a lot of confidence, frankly. These qualities are also similiar in her leader, Inda, looks great and sounds alright (not consistently) but would I have confidence in managing the country? Nope.

I think Michelle will get a seat, her challenge will be how she can negotiate with her other Mayo FG colleagues in ensuring that investment goes into the North of the county as opposed to the South and East Mayo. In that challenge she is up agin the formidable Michael Ring who is miles ahead of O'Mahony and Kenny ability wise. Plus he will have a ministry under his belt as well. The latter may help him getting round to even more funeral's given that he will have a driver and state car. :cool:

The election campaign may throw up some excitement in how she manages O'Mahony camping and infringing in her back yard..........:pac:........

I am sure her relationship with him is not that well developed due to the manner in which he carried out his campaign last time. Looking forward to another clash here.....but will be expecting Michelle to be more organised.

The county's political junkies will be lapping it up......:p:D:p

I'd agree with a lot in your post. I do think that Michelle is up and coming and will stand by right without being browbeaten. As an example, where was Beverley and Dara when the cancer services were being removed from Mayo General. I think Michelle would have stood up and been counted in a situation like that.

I don't think it was John O Mahony that created that rumpus about territory last time rather some of the FG machine. I do hope that he does retain his seat. He has shown himself to be a fine politician and would deserve a chance in government to see what he is made of.

I wouldn't quite put Ring on the pedestal of being miles ahead of the rest, he is astute at getting votes by being populist and dealing with what people need, the potholes, bushes on the road, medical cards and so on and on, but that arguably is a major part of what is wrong with Irish politics. He will do well again and fair play, but he has to be recognised as what he is.

I object to the term "Inda". I think it's very derogratory to someone who had the political wisdom and commitment to turn a party from being dead to being the post popular party in the state according to the polls. He has also been quite astute in continuing to be leader of FG after the well documented heave. He will be the next Taoiseach, barring an unfortunate miracle. He does have shortcomings, but he has a great team which he can lead well. I think he's a bit like a good football manager. The football manager has a key role but the players in each position have their roles too and should be allowed to fluorish in them. If Enda cracks this and knows how to use his team then he will make a great Taoiseach, not that you might see as much of him as we did of that clown Ahern. Enough said on that I think!!