Are Parish Pump Politics the order of the day

superhooper

Just received Micheál Martin's election pamphlet here in Cork. 80% of the document outlines how Martin delivered for Cork on various issues such as building of education, health,transport and sport. I presume he achieved this things by putting pressure on his cabinet colleagues to deliver these services.

This takes me back to the time in the midst of the Lisbon treaty our Minister for Foreign Afairs spent an afternoon opening the playroom of a local Gaeilscoil. He had his priorities in order:eek:

Is this what other party heavy weights are up to around the country?? Is he right as this tack will probably get him elected. I fear he is right.

Sierra Oscar

Unfortunately (or fortunately some would think) our electoral system gives rise to local politics. That is just the way it is - and that will not change unless there is electoral reform.

flanzer

Well Larry O'Toole from SF just called at my door telling me what he is going to do for the local area. He can go and fcuk. I want a national policy

Did you ask him about the National policy?

4gun

individual T.Ds have very little controll over national policy unless they go on to become a member of the cabinte, most of them will tow the party line when it comes to national policy,

baalthor

superhooper wrote: »

Just received Micheál Martin's election pamphlet here in Cork. 80% of the document outlines how Martin delivered for Cork on various issues such as building of education, health,transport and sport. I presume he achieved this things by putting pressure on his cabinet colleagues to deliver these services.

This takes me back to the time in the midst of the Lisbon treaty our Minister for Foreign Afairs spent an afternoon opening the playroom of a local Gaeilscoil. He had his priorities in order:eek:

Is this what other party heavy weights are up to around the country?? Is he right as this tack will probably get him elected. I fear he is right.

Well, you have to play to your strengths:p
Probably not going to be very rewarding for MM or anyone from FF to focus on national issues ...

Redr

superhooper wrote: »

Just received Micheál Martin's election pamphlet here in Cork. 80% of the document outlines how Martin delivered for Cork on various issues such as building of education, health,transport and sport. I presume he achieved this things by putting pressure on his cabinet colleagues to deliver these services.

This takes me back to the time in the midst of the Lisbon treaty our Minister for Foreign Afairs spent an afternoon opening the playroom of a local Gaeilscoil. He had his priorities in order:eek:

Is this what other party heavy weights are up to around the country?? Is he right as this tack will probably get him elected. I fear he is right.

I came home from work to find the same pamphlet! It seemed to me that just cos he was around he took credit for things!

I'm canvassing (and not for FF) but my heart sinks when people are complaining about ramps, the neighbours, not being able to get a medical card, local parking, etc. With my own friends and colleagues I'm trying to encourage seeing the bigger picture - stopping emigration, general educational improvement, better inspections for the elderly in homes, etc. Local councillors can sort out the potholes

I live in hope ...

flanzer

Papa Smut wrote: »

Did you ask him about the National policy?

Eventually, after he introduced himself and what he had done and what he was going to do. All local of course.

Then went into how they were going to reverse the cuts, create millions of jobs yadda yadda yadda. We all know that can't happen

I'd rather a candidate tell me he/she wasn't going to remove the tree from outside or level the path but was here to save the country.

SARAH ANNE

sadly its all local who will fix the parish pump get little johnny into the civil service, squash the drunk driving case, fix the potholes, keep the local hospital open, get the medical card for granny, aged 35, we all are me feiners and dont give a flying fuc about the national interest, this will be borne out by the fact that ff will get more seats than people expect.
we need to look at ourselves and have less self interest,because if we keep going the way we are, we deserve what we get.

d'Oracle

Count yourself lucky you have a Parish Pump.....

I agree with the sentiment that you go and you hammer them on national issues.
Word needs to get back to them that we are more interested in national issues and we want (if we indeed do) Local authorities to sort local issues.