20th TD Announces Stand Down At Next Election

Biggins

Another long-standing TD is bowing out of politics, it was announced today.

Fine Gael's Padraic McCormack said that he will step down at the next General Election.
He failed to get selected for Galway West, but would have been added to the ticket by party headquarters.

Padraic McCormack has been a TD for the constituency for 21 years.
His departure means 20 deputies in the 30th Dáil have decided not to run again.

Source: http://www.breakingnews.ie/ireland/mccormack-not-to-contest-general-election-486484.html#ixzz18kzSfuQJ

With things getting tougher by the week and no letup in near sight, I can't really blame some of them.
The idea of facing the public under the current economic measures is not one to be looked forwards to.
Its part of the job but I can understand why the older ones might want to step back now.

johngalway

aidan24326

They're entitled to not run of course, but what's sickening is the likes of Dermot Ahern and Noel Dempsey now riding off into the sunset on a hefty pension, having already done all the damage they could do short of actually nuking the place.

They should be tarred and feathered and then put cleaning the streets. But no, here in Ireland we give them severance packages and pensions fit for a king. Then we'll have to watch as they get appointed to a couple of cushy semi-state boards, to milk a few more bob in expenses in between rounds of golf.

Duffy the Vampire Slayer

When Dermot Ahern stepped down their were protests outside his house. Thats the right way to do it... Protest outside these TDs family homes on a constant basis and interfere with their day to day life. Only way to put any pressure on them. Ahern complained it was upsetting his family but you know what? **** him. If he doesnt want that then hes free to abandon his ridiculous pension.

PomBear

Duffy the Vampire Slayer wrote: »

When Dermot Ahern stepped down their were protests outside his house. Thats the right way to do it... Protest outside these TDs family homes on a constant basis and interfere with their day to day life. Only way to put any pressure on them. Ahern complained it was upsetting his family but you know what? **** him. If he doesnt want that then hes free to abandon his ridiculous pension.

never heard of any protests outside family homes, any sources?

Duffy the Vampire Slayer

http://www.dundalkdemocrat.ie/dundalknews/War-of-words-over-protest.6599935.jp

http://www.dundalkexposed.com/2010/11/protest-outside-dermot-aherns-home.html

EricPraline

aidan24326 wrote: »

They're entitled to not run of course, but what's sickening is the likes of Dermot Ahern and Noel Dempsey now riding off into the sunset on a hefty pension, having already done all the damage they could do short of actually nuking the place.

It's essentially a pay-off to remove them from doing any further harm. I thought the comparisons made to private section pensions today (here) give some perspective on just how ludicrous this pay-off is

"For a private sector worker to deliver such a pension, they would need to build up a pension fund of €6,870,504. This would require pension contributions of around €35,149 every month.
"This figure is effectively what it costs the taxpayer to fund these ministerial pensions -- on top of a minister's salary, which is just under €200,000 and their expenses."

Note that he also gets his teachers pension too, a pension which itself alone is far too generous given our economic circumstances.

dan_d

Who and what type of people are going to be replacing them?

Now might be a good time for anyone who's thinking of taking an interest in politics to get out there and get involved.

Mexicola

Hmmm...wrong thread!

maynooth_rules

I couldnt care less about a FG deputy standing down. What is pissing me off is the waste of space FF ministers stepping down with an eye watering pension rather than go to the people and get given our verdict on what we think of their role over the past 13 years. We are not being given the chance to let FF know exactly how utterly useless they are. Biffo or whoever is in charge come the election will then use the excuse that the top quality candidates didn't run for them

later12

Duffy the Vampire Slayer wrote: »

When Dermot Ahern stepped down their were protests outside his house. Thats the right way to do it... Protest outside these TDs family homes on a constant basis and interfere with their day to day life. Only way to put any pressure on them. Ahern complained it was upsetting his family but you know what? **** him. If he doesnt want that then hes free to abandon his ridiculous pension.

Jesus Christ sounds like Louth's answer to Evita.

Protest outside his house? Do they want him back or something? If I was him I'd f*ck off to Cape Town. I've never met the man and although I'm sure he's perfectly agreeable personally, I have no time for him as a politician and I'm quite glad that he's gone. I see no reason however, to subject his children and his wife to any distress when they have their own lives and their own difficulties to get on with.

mikemac

later10 wrote: »

Jesus Christ sounds like Louth's answer to Evita.

Protest outside his house? Do they want him back or something?

Seems they are protesting over Dundalk A&E services

I wouldn't agree with that, no reason his family have to run a gauntlet if they want to enter or leave their house.
A silent protest but I'd find 25 people outside my house intimidating

goat2

there will be more leaving, it is a case of no mon no fun anymore, they know that the job will be harder from now on, will not be easy getting the country back on its feet again, after the daylight robbery that has been going on with the past decade

Biggins

goat2 wrote: »

there will be more leaving, it is a case of no mon no fun anymore, they know that the job will be harder from now on, will not be easy getting the country back on its feet again, after the daylight robbery that has been going on with the past decade

Indeed, I suspect whom ever gets in next, there will be to some degree more cracking down on payments/perks, etc.
(We can hope!)

Now if it brings about a more dedicated (to the public rather than themselves) shower of representatives, is another question!

Duffy the Vampire Slayer

I'd feel sympathy for his family but I'd also believe the man capable of putting an end to their distress would be the TD in question.

mikemac

Duffy the Vampire Slayer wrote: »

I'd feel sympathy for his family but I'd also believe the man capable of putting an end to their distress would be the TD in question.

And he is standing down, what more can he do?

If protesters want to protest outside his constituency office then fair enough.
But there is no need to go outside his home. How would you feel to have 25 people outside your house? It's his family who are affected, I'm sure Ahern wouldn't be bothered by it.
No need to get his family involved