Killeen not to contest

Palmach

medical grounds....

http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/breaking/2011/0106/breaking7.html

Timmy Dooley in trouble and Killeen retiring could FF have NO seat in Dev country. I hope so but sadly the FFers will vote in Dooley. Pretty sure they will have only one seat though.

Clareman

When I heard that this morning the first thing I thought was "f**k it anyway, that's Dooley in", whatever about FF holding onto their 2 seats in Clare, they aren't going to drop to 0 seats whatsoever, there are too many hardliners that will vote FF no matter what.

Palmach

Clareman wrote: »

When I heard that this morning the first thing I thought was "f**k it anyway, that's Dooley in", whatever about FF holding onto their 2 seats in Clare, they aren't going to drop to 0 seats whatsoever, there are too many hardliners that will vote FF no matter what.

Sadly true. 2 FG 1 FF and 1 Lab methinks.

CptSternn

All those dirty <snip> are retiring so they can get the full pension. In Killeens case, he will get the extra ministers pension in full as well.

<snip>

Clareman

It all depends on who runs imvho, I think Pat Breen and Joe Carey will make it next time. Dooley topped the poll (shudder) last time around, I don't think he'll drop enough votes not to be eleceted, so the final seat will be up for grabs. Labour don't have a great history in Clare, although Bamjee got elected in the past and Kilrush has always had a big Labour following, I would imagine it would be more likely to have an independant returning, don't be surprised to see James Breen back in Dublin............

Clareman

I would like to point out that Tony Killeen is retiring because of cancer, whatever about him getting what he's entitled to, and whether pensions are right or not, I don't think it's right to be name calling someone who has servered Clare for 20 odd years and is retiring on medical grounds.

golfball37

Clareman wrote: »

I would like to point out that Tony Killeen is retiring because of cancer, whatever about him getting what he's entitled to, and whether pensions are right or not, I don't think it's right to be name calling someone who has servered Clare for 20 odd years and is retiring on medical grounds.

He's a traitor, cancer or not. Playing that card is despicable.

Tell the 569 on trolleys about poor Tony's problems and I'm sure they'll have sympathy for him.

I'm only sorry he won't be calling to my door.

Palmach

golfball37 wrote: »

He's a traitor, cancer or not. Playing that card is despicable.

Tell the 569 on trolleys about poor Tony's problems and I'm sure they'll have sympathy for him.

I'm only sorry he won't be calling to my door.

He says he has been medically advised not to stand. Not exactly playing a card. Most of those on trolleys are not facing a life threatening illness however uncomfortable their situation might be.

kilburn

Good riddance he was a useless TD and Minister.

kilburn

Palmach wrote: »

He says he has been medically advised not to stand. Not exactly playing a card. Most of those on trolleys are not facing a life threatening illness however uncomfortable their situation might be.

Brian Lenihan is some man for one man then isnt he !

kollegeknight

He's only a waste of space, second only to Timmy. I can't believe I voted for them... most foolish moment of my life.

Does he get that severance package for not running?

kollegeknight

Clareman wrote: »

I would like to point out that Tony Killeen is retiring because of cancer,

And didn't he take the defense job because the cancer was in remission? more like to bump up his pension.

Clareman

He was already on the ministrial pension scale when he took over defence

kollegeknight

stand corrected but i tought he was only junior ministers before

Atilathehun

If only we could have Dev back in the Banner:cool:



The ideal Ireland that we would have, the Ireland that we dreamed of, would be the home of a people who valued material wealth only as a basis for right living, of a people who, satisfied with frugal comfort, devoted their leisure to the things of the spirit – a land whose countryside would be bright with cosy homesteads, whose fields and villages would be joyous with the sounds of industry, with the romping of sturdy children, the contest of athletic youths and the laughter of happy maidens, whose firesides would be forums for the wisdom of serene old age. The home, in short, of a people living the life that God desires that men should live. With the tidings that make such an Ireland possible, St. Patrick came to our ancestors fifteen hundred years ago promising happiness here no less than happiness hereafter. It was the pursuit of such an Ireland that later made our country worthy to be called the island of saints and scholars. It was the idea of such an Ireland - happy, vigorous, spiritual - that fired the imagination of our poets; that made successive generations of patriotic men give their lives to win religious and political liberty; and that will urge men in our own and future generations to die, if need be, so that these liberties may be preserved. One hundred years ago, the Young Irelanders, by holding up the vision of such an Ireland before the people, inspired and moved them spiritually as our people had hardly been moved since the Golden Age of Irish civilisation. Fifty years later, the founders of the Gaelic League similarly inspired and moved the people of their day. So, later, did the leaders of the Irish Volunteers. We of this time, if we have the will and active enthusiasm, have the opportunity to inspire and move our generation in like manner. We can do so by keeping this thought of a noble future for our country constantly before our eyes, ever seeking in action to bring that future into being, and ever remembering that it is for our nation as a whole that future must be sought.

Clareman

Junior minisiters were entitled to full pensions depending on how long they were in the post, also a lot of opposition TD's would be entitled depending on service also, pensions for TDs are a bit "special"

kollegeknight

Its a great country alright.

Shapey Fiend

Ah sure Dev was an economic disaster as well. Let the country go to bits while he was drawing 3 pensions and riding around in a limo telling us to go dancing at the crossroads. Irish politics needs less 1916 nostalgia.

5h4mr0(k

I presume then that he'll also officially retire as a school teacher and not be on an indefinite leave of absence, and let someone else get the full time position.

(I'm assuming that he took a leave of absence, the same as the rest of the teachers that are in the dail.)

Atilathehun

Shapey Fiend wrote: »

Ah sure Dev was an economic disaster as well. Let the country go to bits while he was drawing 3 pensions and riding around in a limo telling us to go dancing at the crossroads. Irish politics needs less 1916 nostalgia.

Ok, ok, .......... if we could have this guy back

OR BETTR STILL this guy

Hawk Wing 2

The likes of Dooley and Killeen are not interested in representing Clare or the people of Clare, they are only interested in representing Fianna Fail and themselves, they sold out the hospital and shannon, scum

CiaranMT

Palmach wrote: »

Sadly true. 2 FG 1 FF and 1 Lab methinks.

Who'd be the Labour candidate? Pascal Fitzgeralnd got less than 1,000 in '07 and was voted onto the local council in '09. Is Bhamjee making a comeback?

Clareman

I'd say Sinn Fein could make a run this time, although I'd be surprised if James Breen doesn't make it back in this time.

CptSternn

How many ministers have decided not to run this time around because of 'health' reasons? It's utter ****e. They know they have no chance of getting elected, and even less of chance of being a majority in government, so they are taking their huge pensions before they lose them and fecking off.

To date, there are 11 FF TD's who are doing this - all the top brass. This number is expected to grow as many areas have not yet had their annual meet to nominate candidates.

See the thread on Politics.ie here:

http://www.politics.ie/elections/125453-confirmed-retirements-tds-14.html

It is rumoured that there will be at least 20 more who go before the election is in motion.

Anyone who believes that this is all because they are all somehow ill is seriously delusional. It's that sort of thinking that got our nation into the state it is in now. Giving them one last pass while they raid the coffers on the way out the door is nothing short of treason.

kollegeknight

maybe we need a boards.ie candidate

5h4mr0(k

We need a Default candidate. Whoever gets in, has to default on the banks. We can't afford it. Get the country sorted first, and then we can sort out the county.

If you're not sure who to vote for, take the Default option.

golfball37

CiaranMT wrote: »

Who'd be the Labour candidate? Pascal Fitzgeralnd got less than 1,000 in '07 and was voted onto the local council in '09. Is Bhamjee making a comeback?

I heard Michael McNamara from Scariff. Not the hurler I assume?

Shapey Fiend

5h4mr0(k wrote: »

We need a Default candidate. Whoever gets in, has to default on the banks. We can't afford it. Get the country sorted first, and then we can sort out the county.

If you're not sure who to vote for, take the Default option.

Preach! I wouldn't have gone near voting for Sinn Fein in the past but they seem to be the only ones even contemplating default. However I've a suspicion it's them just being populist because they'll never be in a position to actually do it.

Bleh.. I wish Fine Gael would show some fighting spirit. They would have been in 2 years ago if the current lot weren't so cackhanded.

Claregirl

Michael McNamara from Scarriff was canvassing in our area yest eve. I think he was a candidate for the European Elections and remember hearing good things about him at that time. Only thing I have against him is Eamon Gilmore can't take to him just don't trust a man who's all things to all people. Ditto for Enda Kenny and looking at the expences that were published before for Clare TD's Fine Gael are every bit as bad as Fianna Fail for feathering the nest.

CiaranMT

Claregirl wrote: »

Michael McNamara from Scarriff was canvassing in our area yest eve. I think he was a candidate for the European Elections and remember hearing good things about him at that time. Only thing I have against him is Eamon Gilmore can't take to him just don't trust a man who's all things to all people. Ditto for Enda Kenny and looking at the expences that were published before for Clare TD's Fine Gael are every bit as bad as Fianna Fail for feathering the nest.

Will keep an eye out for him. Gilmore's in the same mould as Rabbitte for me so I don't pay much heed to him. Isn't as toxic as Rabbitte though, in fairness

chucken1

golfball37 wrote: »

I heard Michael McNamara from Scariff. Not the hurler I assume?

It's this guy ..

http://www.labour.ie/michaelmcnamara

chucken1

Clareman wrote: »

I'd say Sinn Fein could make a run this time, although I'd be surprised if James Breen doesn't make it back in this time.

http://geographyspecialinterestgroup.wordpress.com/2010/12/02/sfcandsge2011/

No news there on Sinn Fein. It seems a bit odd to me that they're not ready yet for a lot of constituencies.

Or is there going to be a big surprise?

CptSternn

Shapey Fiend wrote: »

Preach! I wouldn't have gone near voting for Sinn Fein in the past but they seem to be the only ones even contemplating default. However I've a suspicion it's them just being populist because they'll never be in a position to actually do it.

Bleh.. I wish Fine Gael would show some fighting spirit. They would have been in 2 years ago if the current lot weren't so cackhanded.

Good news and bad news.

The good news is SF is planning to default on the bank loans. The entire SF budget plan revolves around this. I could go into detail, but I'll save that for a proper thread (or see the one on politics.ie).

That's the good news. The bad news is there is no SF in Clare right now. Due to some issues the party stood down all the structures and replaced them with a 'working group' which has no real power in the party and cannot put forth any candidates for elections, meaning there will be no SF candidates in Clare for some time.

Nevermind_

I'd have to agree with Shapey fiend in that I think SF are just saying what they think people want to hear and being populist without any semblance of understanding what the hell it would mean.

Also taking a totally clare view of things, the SF people I've come into contact with in this county over the years could only be described as scumbags.
One in particular has a penchant for picket lines outside construction projects on behalf of his "union". They will only leave after a cash payment has been made. Ask any builder in clare about this (the ones that are left). Its blackmail.
Also the same SF person has a very close relative who is heavily involved in the drugs trade.

For the above reasons they'll be getting fcuk all votes from me

User Friendly

Nevermind_ wrote: »

I'd have to agree with Shapey fiend in that I think SF are just saying what they think people want to hear and being populist without any semblance of understanding what the hell it would mean.

Also taking a totally clare view of things, the SF people I've come into contact with in this county over the years could only be described as scumbags.
One in particular has a penchant for picket lines outside construction projects on behalf of his "union". They will only leave after a cash payment has been made. Ask any builder in clare about this (the ones that are left). Its blackmail.
Also the same SF person has a very close relative who is heavily involved in the drugs trade.

For the above reasons they'll be getting fcuk all votes from me

The person you are referring to is not a member of SF and thats a fact.

" " " " " " is not responsible for his relative,he actually detests drugs.i cant see what you hope to gain out of mentioning this:(

The person you are referring to was secretary of a Union and was entitled to by law to place pickets on sites who employed work methods(and people who were non members of the union) that left Union members unemployed.

CptSternn

User Friendly wrote: »

The person you are referring to is not a member of SF and thats a fact.

" " " " " " is not responsible for his relative,he actually detests drugs.i cant see what you hope to gain out of mentioning this:(

The person you are referring to was secretary of a Union and was entitled to by law to place pickets on sites who employed work methods(and people who were non members of the union) that left Union members unemployed.

+1

Get your facts straight before coming into a forum and slandering anyone.

First, the person in question is in Republican Sinn Féin, NOT Sinn Féin. Huge difference there. Accusing SF of having ties to drug dealers when you are referring to a totally different political party not only shows your own stupidity, it shows you have no clue whats going on in your own community or even what political parties are out there.

dr.fuzzenstein

Maybe a case can be made for anyone who wants to become a politician to be arrested and thrown in prison.
It's a bit like someone applying for a gun licence.
You will get turned down on the basis that if you actually want a gun, you should never, ever be allowed to have one.
Same with power. If you seek it out there's something wrong with you.:)
That of course makes selecting the right candidate a bit tricky, since anyone who puts himself forward will be automatically disqualified for that reason and you can't force people to stand who would be qualified but won't come forward...

5h4mr0(k

dr.fuzzenstein wrote: »

Maybe a case can be made for anyone who wants to become a politician to be arrested and thrown in prison.
It's a bit like someone applying for a gun licence.
You will get turned down on the basis that if you actually want a gun, you should never, ever be allowed to have one.
Same with power. If you seek it out there's something wrong with you.:)
That of course makes selecting the right candidate a bit tricky, since anyone who puts himself forward will be automatically disqualified for that reason and you can't force people to stand who would be qualified but won't come forward...

If a candidate is there looking for power, then they are the wrong choice. The power is, supposedly, with the people in a democracy. Unfortunately our supposed public representatives are instead, party representatives that do what the party wants - not what the people who elected them want.

Candidates should be putting the country first, then their electoral area. They certainly shouldn't be trying to get potholes in their local area fixed. If they want to go down that road (excuse the pun) then they should run the council.

Every TD is a member of the government - not just the FF and Green members. Unfortunately it's the cabinet table that has the all the power, mostly because the back benchers are spineless.

We need a system where, along with elected the TDs, we also get to elect the cabinet members. So people that can do the job properly can get in there, and not be worried about party politics.

Of course, if they don't change the system now, before the election is called, then it won't get changed (same goes for reducing the number of TDs).

Clareman

Folks, this thread was originally about a sitting TD no longer standing, it is now going onto debate on a wide ranging number of topics, either stay on topic or start a new thread debating the virtues of the other topics you want to discuss

ger664

Typical FF cowards afraid to face the people.

As regards the pension whatever party will introduce legilation that only pays out pensions to public servents once they reach the retirment age 6667 will get my vote. This basically means i will not be voting next time round.

dr.fuzzenstein

Clareman wrote: »

Folks, this thread was originally about a sitting TD no longer standing,

Is he lying down now?:D

OldGuysRule

Good luck to him, would not envy anyone being a politician.

As regards the pension whatever party will introduce legilation that only pays out pensions to public servents once they reach the retirment age 6667 will get my vote. This basically means i will not be voting next time round.

Hope that is not the only basis that someone would vote, we have much bigger problems than that.

ger664

OldGuysRule wrote: »

Good luck to him, would not envy anyone being a politician.



Hope that is not the only basis that someone would vote, we have much bigger problems than that.

Yes we have but if a politician is not prepared to address the perks and benefits that the higher public servants enjoy then he wont have the courage to fix the other problems in the right manner.

FWIW there is a certain TD on the other side who will get an earful with regard to his expenses been higher then that of Mr Killeen, and he is supposed to be part of the fix from FG/LAB/Others.

Our problems stem from a corrupt political/judicial system that favors those with enough finical resources to take advantage of it.

CptSternn

Speaking of the other side, it looks like everything is swinging towards FG in the next election, but has everyone already forgotten about the relationship between FG and Michael O'Flynn?

He had golf with top FG members, then transfered A BILLION IN ASSETS into NAMA. Today he still is living in the lap of luxury while we the tax-payers pay for a BILLION in losses thanks to him, NAMA, and FG.

This was last summer! Has everyone forgotten this?

FG are no better than FF.

golfball37

This weeks Clare Champion is an absolute disgrace. Not one critique about Tony Killeen. Reading their analysis of his career you'd think he was Ghandi or Mandela?

They completely glossed over his vote on SNN/Heathrow and his downgrading of Ennis hospital. In fact they quoted Killeen in an agreeable way by claiming the Ennis hospital marches were politcally motivated and not done for local health services reasons.

I won't be buying it again. They had 6 pages devoted to the internal workings of FF ffs. Party before country even in the local papers it seems.

Lady Chatterton

golfball37 wrote: »

This weeks Clare Champion is an absolute disgrace. Not one critique about Tony Killeen. Reading their analysis of his career you'd think he was Ghandi or Mandela?

They completely glossed over his vote on SNN/Heathrow and his downgrading of Ennis hospital. In fact they quoted Killeen in an agreeable way by claiming the Ennis hospital marches were politcally motivated and not done for local health services reasons.

I won't be buying it again. They had 6 pages devoted to the internal workings of FF ffs. Party before country even in the local papers it seems.

I'm not a Tony Killeen or a FF supporter and I definitely won't be voting FF in the forthcoming election. However, I think your analysis of the Champion's coverage is a bit unfair. I've read the coverage and on page ten, the lead story refers to probably Killeen's greatest political embarrassment - i.e making representations on behalf of a prisoner convicted of the abusing of children. It could have and in my view should have finished Killeen's career and the paper were not shy in highlighting this. The article also refers to representations he made on behalf of a convicted murder. Is this really a glory piece?

BnB

Clareman wrote: »

When I heard that this morning the first thing I thought was "f**k it anyway, that's Dooley in", whatever about FF holding onto their 2 seats in Clare, they aren't going to drop to 0 seats whatsoever, there are too many hardliners that will vote FF no matter what.

I don't know about Timmy. He got in last time round on a wave of votes from East Clare. I don't think he will get anything even close to it this time. He had little to no public profile during his few years in office and any time we did see him, it was to just rattle off some standard FF line.

If the two were running, I think Killeen would have had a better chance of holding his seat.

Very difficult to see who will get in. There is definately a backlash towards FF, but the other parties just don't seem to have the canditates to take advantage of it.

chucken1

BnB wrote: »

I don't know about Timmy. He got in last time round on a wave of votes from East Clare. I don't think he will get anything even close to it this time. He had little to no public profile during his few years in office and any time we did see him, it was to just rattle off some standard FF line.

If the two were running, I think Killeen would have had a better chance of holding his seat.

Very difficult to see who will get in. There is definately a backlash towards FF, but the other parties just don't seem to have the canditates to take advantage of it.

I said it in a different thread (Clareman tidied it up,thanks by the way,I was ranting) I never laid eyes on Timmy Dooley until October,when he turned up at my door asking if I needed anything :eek:.
I certainly didnt vote for him in the last election!

Ive lived my life in East Clare for my 46 years so Im no spring chicken,but Im fed up to the back teeth of the parish pump mentality.

Ive always been a closet rebel so Im praying we get a Sinn Fein Candidate, its not looking that way but Id vote for them this time.
I wouldnt care if they were based in Kilbaha... I just feel this is the last bit of energy I can muster to shake things up and shows those "in power" that I am not going to be taken for a ride anymore.

Lady Chatterton

Chucken1, What about your fellow East Clare man - Michael McNamara - Human Rights Lawyer and farmer?

golfball37

Mrs 007- They put down that letter to an administrative mistake, well certainly Tony Killeen does. The decisions he was faced with that directly affected his constituents in a big way were the Aer Lingus vote and the Ennis hospital downgrading vote.

I just think it’s pretty suspicious that they failed to mention either of these when analysing his career? I’m not the only one saying it either btw.

Lady Chatterton

Golfball37 - Maybe you should write to the paper and make your opinions known. Do you think John Hillery will take the seat vacated by Tony Killeen?