Longford/Westmeath Constituency debate Support

IPR_Iain

Hi guys,

I am trying to set up the following event;


21st February 2011 - Longford Arms Hotel, Longford

We aim to get at least 8 prospective TD’s standing in the forthcoming general election to debate for 1.5 hours about their policies and what they offer local people and will do to improve all our lives during the next government Session.

They will have the opportunity to give their parties point of view with an opening address and also using set questions debate topics and point their view across. We will also take one question from the audience which will be unseen. (Keep them on their toes).

The independent chairperson for the night, hopefully will be ……

Confirmed TD’s

Mary O’Rouke (FF)
Mae Sexton (Labour)
Peter Kelly (FF)
Paul Hogan (SF)


What we are proposing has never been down before and is likely to draw national coverage. Never before has an Irish Constituency debate being live streamed over the internet allowing us to offer the debate to anyone with an internet connection or iPhone. Not only can they communicate throughout the whole constituency but the whole world.

The event will be covered not only for the general public but also the debate will be shown live on the Internet on Longfordtv.com and westmeathtv.com but also on our media partners websites also. You will also be able to watch it on your iPhone. The event will be recorded and available for playback the following day.

We are aiming to get a local radio station to cover the event live and broadcast live on the night.

Would anyone here support it? We have facebook/twitter setup and a website www.longfordtv.com what we need is to gather momentum and somebody with a lot of friends in Longford to help us publicise it in the early stages.

Can you help?

corazon

Sounds like a great idea. I will be watching live from New York. I will put the word out for you over here.

b4boxer

Boxer launched his campgain on thursday night.

Boxer get things done !!

The time for talking is over !!

IPR_Iain

b4boxer wrote: »

Boxer launched his campgain on thursday night.

Boxer get things done !!

The time for talking is over !!

Boxer said no, Obv. not interested in debating against others, The extra hour on the door will do him good i'm sure.

Knit wit

Great ideas op ... Anything that promotes democracy is to be applauded.

Would u contact Longford Womens Link ... They have a forum type thing on women in politics ... 043 3345111. They may be able to put bums on seats for u.

The Longford arms is FF home territory ... Would the temperance hall or the backstage be a better venue.

Keep us posted ... Will be delighted to spread the word around! I will ask any non-participating canvassers what they are afraid of.

baldbear

b4boxer wrote: »

Boxer launched his campgain on thursday night.

Boxer get things done !!

The time for talking is over !!

Boxer is a Fine Failer all his life and is running as an Independant to try and cod people. and you have set up an account on politics and boards to talk shíte about him!!

Good idea OP. what about James Bannon? I saw him today i should of reminded him! Have you asked tried to publicise it in the Longford Leader? Maaybe write into the letters section?

garfieldsghost

Great idea... I'll head along to the Longford Arms on the night. If you can add James Bannon and Willie Penrose to the event, you'll have the all main candidates in Longford/Westmeath. As it stands now, with the four you already have on board, any candidate who refuses to participate stands to lose votes over it.

As for Kevin 'Boxer' Moran... anyone who can fit their whole agenda onto a three-fold brochure is an absolute chancer. If he had faith in his campaign he wouldn't have any problem facing-off against his rivals.

***

Edit: I've passed on info of this event to the Longford Leader. Should be of great interest to them...

IPR_Iain

baldbear wrote: »

Boxer is a Fine Failer all his life and is running as an Independant to try and cod people. and you have set up an account on politics and boards to talk shíte about him!!

Good idea OP. what about James Bannon? I saw him today i should of reminded him! Have you asked tried to publicise it in the Longford Leader? Maaybe write into the letters section?

Longford leader are on board to cover it and are media partners, As are Mullingar Advertsier, Athlone Advertiser, Shannonside FM, Mid 103 and RTE.

The Longford Leader will have a piece in this weeks edition.

IPR_Iain

Knit wit wrote: »

Great ideas op ... Anything that promotes democracy is to be applauded.

Would u contact Longford Womens Link ... They have a forum type thing on women in politics ... 043 3345111. They may be able to put bums on seats for u.

The Longford arms is FF home territory ... Would the temperance hall or the backstage be a better venue.

Keep us posted ... Will be delighted to spread the word around! I will ask any non-participating canvassers what they are afraid of.

Thanks for the support, I will be in touch for certain. I had no idea it was FF territory. It may be a bit late to change venue.

IPR_Iain

Confirmed candidates as it stands


Mae Sexton
Mary O'Rourke
Paul Hogan
Donal Jackson



Still waiting on a couple

elvis jones

On the night could you ask Mae Sexton what party she will run for in the next election:rolleyes:

But its a good idea and good luck with it. I shall be voting in a different area of the country this time.

b4boxer

Are FG going to attend.

McFadden is most noted in Athlone for Claiming Expenses.

Westmeath Examiner 20th January 2010
Athlone's Senator Nicky McFadden (Fine Gael) claimed €49,700 in expenses on top of her basic salary of c. €65,000...................... Athlone's Senator Nicky McFadden said that most of her expenses go on secretarial allowances, office costs and travel.

Boxer is most noted for getting things done NOT for claiming expenses.

If you have just been cut € 8 in your blind pension or had a cut in careers allowance................Hard to see protest votes and transfers going to McFadden and FG.

Protest votes are most likley to go to Boxer and Hogan SF. Not FG and ex-PD.

Boxer is not afraid to face the voters on the doorstep.

The time for debate is over !!

elvis jones

Can a mod remove this post and user, only 5 posts all talking up one person

td4longford

b4boxer wrote: »

Are FG going to attend.

McFadden is most noted in Athlone for Claiming Expenses.

Westmeath Examiner 20th January 2010
Athlone's Senator Nicky McFadden (Fine Gael) claimed €49,700 in expenses on top of her basic salary of c. €65,000...................... Athlone's Senator Nicky McFadden said that most of her expenses go on secretarial allowances, office costs and travel.

Boxer is most noted for getting things done NOT for claiming expenses.

If you have just been cut € 8 in your blind pension or had a cut in careers allowance................Hard to see protest votes and transfers going to McFadden and FG.

Protest votes are most likley to go to Boxer and Hogan SF. Not FG and ex-PD.

Boxer is not afraid to face the voters on the doorstep.

The time for debate is over !!

Is this true? Too much focus on Athlone squabbles, Longford needs a TD.

Hopefully Bannon will also attend !!

IPR_Iain

Bannon has not confirmed.

They{his team} are considering it.

I hope I don't hear the old chesnut - Oh my schedule doesn't allow me too.


I think it is important that all Longford candidates are there.

We will ask Kelly to reconsider his position and come along. Hopefully Bannon will take this opportunity to come along and do his stuff.

Longford has enjoyed two TD's last term. This time it is not as cut dry. Hence Mary O'Rourke and Paul Hogan travelling to do this debate.

garfieldsghost

IPR_Iain wrote: »

Bannon has not confirmed.

They{his team} are considering it.

I hope I don't hear the old chesnut - Oh my schedule doesn't allow me too.


I think it is important that all Longford candidates are there.

We will ask Kelly to reconsider his position and come along. Hopefully Bannon will take this opportunity to come along and do his stuff.

Longford has enjoyed two TD's last term. This time it is not as cut dry. Hence Mary O'Rourke and Paul Hogan travelling to do this debate.

Out of interest, could you tell us the name of the group/organisation you're working for on setting this up? I find it a bit strange that the website mentions 'Official Media Partners' and the like, but no mention of the organisers themselves.

IPR_Iain

garfieldsghost wrote: »

Out of interest, could you tell us the name of the group/organisation you're working for on setting this up? I find it a bit strange that the website mentions 'Official Media Partners' and the like, but no mention of the organisers themselves.

Yip. Plus Ev Media Ltd is the company behind it. It is my company and the whole exercise is to demonstrate the power of live streaming and what can be done on a local scale.

The event itself is cheap to organised and the night itself will be non profit making.

I have no other motive other than showing some techno-phobes in the local enterprise board exactly what can be achieved.

I will add the details you request to the website shortly.

garfieldsghost

IPR_Iain wrote: »

Yip. Plus Ev Media Ltd is the company behind it. It is my company and the whole exercise is to demonstrate the power of live streaming and what can be done on a local scale.

The event itself is cheap to organised and the night itself will be non profit making.

I have no other motive other than showing some techno-phobes in the local enterprise board exactly what can be achieved.

I will add the details you request to the website shortly.

Thanks for clarifying that.

afewfs

What a great idea !!

What is the start time?

If on daytime will it be available for download or will if be broadcast again in evening?

IPR_Iain

afewfs wrote: »

What a great idea !!

What is the start time?

If on daytime will it be available for download or will if be broadcast again in evening?

9.30pm in evening. It will be recorded and available to watch every day upto Election day.

IPR_Iain

Senator Nicky McFadden (FG) today made a change to her schedule, so she could make the live Debate on 21st Febraury. This surprise move came as a bit of a shock to the organises Plus Ev Media who welcomed Nicky to attend.
Her team made sure they cleared the space, so she could attend as she felt that speaking to her consituency in this debate was very important.


We hope a few more may clear there diary's.

Fair play to Nicky coming on.

Longfordlad

IPR_Iain wrote: »

Bannon has not confirmed.

They{his team} are considering it.

I hope I don't hear the old chesnut - Oh my schedule doesn't allow me too.


I think it is important that all Longford candidates are there.

We will ask Kelly to reconsider his position and come along. Hopefully Bannon will take this opportunity to come along and do his stuff.

Longford has enjoyed two TD's last term. This time it is not as cut dry. Hence Mary O'Rourke and Paul Hogan travelling to do this debate.

Iain, I know of at least 1 candidate above who has NOT confirmed that they will be present at the debate. A number of other questions I would like to ask you is, if you have all the candidates attending at your debate, what format will that debate take? How are you going to ensure that the debate is carried out in a manner that doesn’t involve the whole thing turning into a ridiculous shouting match and therefore the viewer not being able to decipher any of the policies being debated etc? How are you going to allot time? Will the whole thing turn into a political broadcast for each attendee with no real time to debate issues because of the number of candidates. I cannot see this format working!

IPR_Iain

One candidate is tentative, I have emails from everyone else saying they will be there.

The format of the debate will be a one podium system. This will allow for candidates to get across their message. And allow for debate.
We will not have candidates screaming at each other it will be controlled so only one can speak at a time. It will be easy for people to watch and listen as there will be 200 people in the hall as well.

We want them to put their point of view across with time for candidates to react to comments made. We will actively seek candidates make the issues local if they can.

Once the final format is agreed, I will post here so you can comment further.

It is shocking that we have only one candidate from Longford willing to attend. Do Kelly and Bannon have nothing to say to us in Longford. It is crazy that the other guys travel from outside the county to make this debate when our local lot can not be bothered.

You should ask them if they call on you

neaideabh

b4boxer wrote: »

Are FG going to attend.

McFadden is most noted in Athlone for Claiming Expenses.

Westmeath Examiner 20th January 2010
Athlone's Senator Nicky McFadden (Fine Gael) claimed €49,700 in expenses on top of her basic salary of c. €65,000...................... Athlone's Senator Nicky McFadden said that most of her expenses go on secretarial allowances, office costs and travel.

Boxer is most noted for getting things done NOT for claiming expenses.

If you have just been cut € 8 in your blind pension or had a cut in careers allowance................Hard to see protest votes and transfers going to McFadden and FG.

Protest votes are most likley to go to Boxer and Hogan SF. Not FG and ex-PD.

Boxer is not afraid to face the voters on the doorstep.

The time for debate is over !!

I'm sorry... I'd rather have Mc Fadden or O' Roarke (whom I deplore) represent our constituency at national level. I can see them making pro active, intelligent, contributions to policy making in Leinster House. I don't think that expenses are the big issue nationally. I think they should be curtailed but believe that salaries should be scaled as they are, considering the demanding nature of national politics!

I don't think Boxer would be a good representation for the Longford Westmeath constituency. I also think that Boxer going for Dail is a selfish move! Because he will get a good vote and split those of other candidates meaning there is a good chance Athlone will be without representation!

IPR_Iain

neaideabh wrote: »

I'm sorry... I'd rather have Mc Fadden or O' Roarke (whom I deplore) represent our constituency at national level. I can see them making pro active, intelligent, contributions to policy making in Leinster House. I don't think that expenses are the big issue nationally. I think they should be curtailed but believe that salaries should be scaled as they are, considering the demanding nature of national politics!

I don't think Boxer would be a good representation for the Longford Westmeath constituency. I also think that Boxer going for Dail is a selfish move! Because he will get a good vote and split those of other candidates meaning there is a good chance Athlone will be without representation!

neaideabh - good point - he seems from the Boards Vote to be getting a good few in. Surely this will hurt O'Rourke chances in a big way.

imfgohome

Great idea !! Well done to the guys putting the debate together.

Will there be an opportunity for the listners or audience to put questions to the politicians?

IPR_Iain

imfgohome wrote: »

Great idea !! Well done to the guys putting the debate together.

Will there be an opportunity for the listners or audience to put questions to the politicians?

We will be keeping some time at the end for that.

imfgohome

Organisers will have thier work cut out keeping some time for questions.

Between rolling out, going forward, 5 to 15 point plans, smart economy, political reform, bottom up development ............. like a kerry fotbball team runing down the clock to full time (I live in Westmeath from Cork) there might not be time for audience questions.......

This event is shaping as one to watch !!!

IPR_Iain

Longford candidates Mae Sexton, Peter Kelly and James Bannon all on Shannonside FM at 1.30pm. Should be a good scrap.

Knit wit

I think I heard jb promising some of the 25 jobs fg will create will come to Longford ...
MS came across pretty well ... Even though it's hard to see her as a labour candidate ... PK sounded threatening ... Vote for me or Longford will be ruined! Fun fun fun

garfieldsghost

Knit wit wrote: »

I think I heard jb promising some of the 25 jobs fg will create will come to Longford ...
MS came across pretty well ... Even though it's hard to see her as a labour candidate ... PK sounded threatening ... Vote for me or Longford will be ruined! Fun fun fun

Ironic stance from the man who stood by and watched the local economy stagnate while the rest of the country prospered during the 'boom' years; the ultimate result being that the Longford area has suffered more than most during this recession. He also stood idly by whilst the barracks was shut. He's been nothing but a 'yes-man', willingly accepting the first answer he was given by his superiors and returning to his constituants, wringing his hands, shrugging his shoulders and saying "I tried". :rolleyes:

An absolute embarrassment to the people of Longford. He has some cheek standing for re-election, in my opinion.

imfgohome

Will any questions in the debate be in Irish ?

I would love to put a question to the 3 Celtic Tories !! (FG, Lab, FF)

Thier opinion on changing the name of TD to MP and Dail to Houses of Pariliment.

IPR_Iain

imfgohome wrote: »

Will any questions in the debate be in Irish ?

I would love to put a question to the 3 Celtic Tories !! (FG, Lab, FF)

Thier opinion on changing the name of TD to MP and Dail to Houses of Pariliment.

Debate will be in English LOL

berireland

Great line up, great opportunity to hear candidates.

When will it be possible to apply for tickets for the debate.

IPR_Iain

email Tickets@longfordtv.com with Name, address, contact details and how many you want.

We will be in touch Monday

IPR_Iain

Pm me your email if you want free tickets

Observer12

imfgohome wrote: »

Will any questions in the debate be in Irish ?

Ah Jazes, English will be enough of a challenge for Bonkers without getting him to try the "kawrjeh gwayls".

ayjayirl

IPR_Iain wrote: »

9.30pm in evening. It will be recorded and available to watch every day upto Election day.

I will be there. My father is Donal Jackson and involved in the debate as an independent. I cannot wait tbh. For too long politicians have spouted rethoric without saying anything. I hope it goes well and garners the attention something like this should.

Question: I am admin for his website and I will be putting this up on the site tomorrow. Is there anything special you would like me to say about it - a blurb? I will gladly add it to his site (www.irishelection2011.ie)

IPR_Iain

ayjayirl wrote: »

I will be there. My father is Donal Jackson and involved in the debate as an independent. I cannot wait tbh. For too long politicians have spouted rethoric without saying anything. I hope it goes well and garners the attention something like this should.

Question: I am admin for his website and I will be putting this up on the site tomorrow. Is there anything special you would like me to say about it - a blurb? I will gladly add it to his site (www.irishelection2011.ie)

I sent Donal an email with the format yesterday, you could add a link and the email to get tickets tickets@longfordtv.com

baldbear

Fair play iain for setting this up. The Longford Leader today has a good headline, "Local candidates shy away from Longford debate". Doesn't look good for them.

At this stage have any Longford candidates given a commitment to attend? Do they not understand that they could canves every house in the constituency via the web in one swoop.

I won't vote for a candidate that isn't appearing.

IPR_Iain

baldbear wrote: »

Fair play iain for setting this up. The Longford Leader today has a good headline, "Local candidates shy away from Longford debate". Doesn't look good for them.

At this stage have any Longford candidates given a commitment to attend? Do they not understand that they could canves every house in the constituency via the web in one swoop.

I won't vote for a candidate that isn't appearing.

Strong stuff, but true, i will be giving my votes to those on the night making the effort too.

Peter Kelly says no - He is busy seeing the farmers i think

James Bannon - hasn't confirmed

Mae Sexton was tentative, i have called and left messages and emailed her. NO reply.

We will see what happens in the next few days but there are 5 confirmed so it should be a great night anyway.


Just need to get bums on seats now.

rf4901

I would love to see the Longford candidates at this debate. Their talk of Jobs and Job creation is a Joke. I am an employer in Longford. Our company has been one of the biggest employers in Longford for over 35 years, yet if you asked any one of them how many people are employed here they wouldnt have a clue. Two years ago we had to make over 75 people redundant and where were these Candidates? I have never met or spoken to any of them. They are either ignoring what is happening in their own constituency or they realy dont care.

IPR_Iain

rf4901 wrote: »

I would love to see the Longford candidates at this debate. Their talk of Jobs and Job creation is a Joke. I am an employer in Longford. Our company has been one of the biggest employers in Longford for over 35 years, yet if you asked any one of them how many people are employed here they wouldnt have a clue. Two years ago we had to make over 75 people redundant and where were these Candidates? I have never met or spoken to any of them. They are either ignoring what is happening in their own constituency or they realy dont care.

Jesus that must have been hard to let go 75 people, I wouldn't like to do it.

To be honest they do have questions to answer but with there strategic canvassing they are only meeting people who feel like they do. Facing the general public is threatening to most of them.

Thanks god we have 5 candidates who do have the balls and are willing to debate in public.

I live in hope of the Longford candidates confirming

ayjayirl

baldbear wrote: »

Fair play iain for setting this up. The Longford Leader today has a good headline, "Local candidates shy away from Longford debate". Doesn't look good for them.

At this stage have any Longford candidates given a commitment to attend? Do they not understand that they could canves every house in the constituency via the web in one swoop.

I won't vote for a candidate that isn't appearing.

Exactly. I cannot in good conscience give my vote to anyone who has been involved in politics in the last few years. We need new blood. People with a vision and the ability to truely represent the people of their constituency.

ballsymchugh

garfieldsghost wrote: »

Ironic stance from the man who stood by and watched the local economy stagnate while the rest of the country prospered during the 'boom' years; the ultimate result being that the Longford area has suffered more than most during this recession. He also stood idly by whilst the barracks was shut. He's been nothing but a 'yes-man', willingly accepting the first answer he was given by his superiors and returning to his constituants, wringing his hands, shrugging his shoulders and saying "I tried". :rolleyes:

An absolute embarrassment to the people of Longford. He has some cheek standing for re-election, in my opinion.

i couldn't agree more. the only time i heard him on the national airwaves in the past year was on newstalk, when he was talking to kevin myers (who was in for george hook at the time) and he was defending the 70mg blood alcohol limit at the time noel dempsey was trying (successfully) to bring it down to 50mg.
in almost 10 years he's been the local td, and the only time i've heard him speak on a national issue and it was sickening. he hasn't left his publican past behind him at all. it was embarrassing listening to him defend the indefensible, and in the end, inviting kevin myers for a drink in longford.

if only i was at home when he called around canvassing. whatever about the bailouts etc, i wanted to tackle him on the only thing he made noise on.

OP, if you get a chance at the debate, i'd love if this is brought up. there are taxi drivers around the country doing feck all. surely if country publicans don't want to close, they could have an agreement with local taxi drivers to bring punters home. but to think punters should be allowed to drink and drive is retarded. it was as bad as mattie mcgrath saying that some fellas get nervous behind the wheel and need a drink to settle them down. :mad:

berireland

Looking forward to the debate, every constituency should do the same!!!!

Any candidate should be delighted of the opportunity to promote thier party & policies.

I wonder why they dont jump at the chance.

Brenireland

berireland wrote: »

Looking forward to the debate, every constituency should do the same!!!!

Any candidate should be delighted of the opportunity to promote thier party & policies.

I wonder why they dont jump at the chance.

you robbed my name!nearly lol

garfieldsghost

ballsymchugh wrote: »

i couldn't agree more. the only time i heard him on the national airwaves in the past year was on newstalk, when he was talking to kevin myers (who was in for george hook at the time) and he was defending the 70mg blood alcohol limit at the time noel dempsey was trying (successfully) to bring it down to 50mg.
in almost 10 years he's been the local td, and the only time i've heard him speak on a national issue and it was sickening. he hasn't left his publican past behind him at all. it was embarrassing listening to him defend the indefensible, and in the end, inviting kevin myers for a drink in longford.

Ah yes, I think I remember that alright... almost as good as the footage of him on the RTÉ News this week - showing Micheál Martin around Longford with a strut on him that would nearly have you believing that he owned the town! And, as far as I can recall, his highest profile appearance in the Longford Leader was when he was pictured sitting on the throne on the set of The Tudors. Says it all, really.

I was really looking forward to having him knock on my door so I could stick the boot in, so to speak. Unfortunately, he sent out his brother -who's actually a really nice guy - to my area, so I didn't get the opportunity. The poor man looked like he'd gone 10 rounds with Tyson and basically admitted that he saw little hope of their campaign being successful and was only canvassing/taking abuse because "blood is thicker than water".

ballsymchugh

garfieldsghost wrote: »

And, as far as I can recall, his highest profile appearance in the Longford Leader was when he was pictured sitting on the throne on the set of The Tudors. Says it all, really.

haha i was going to mention that but then thought no one would remember. i was working in england at the time and came home for a weekend when that was published. i remember thinking that even the quality of the photo was shyte, as if one of his cronies took it on their phone and it was emailed to the leader.

garfieldsghost

ballsymchugh wrote: »

haha i was going to mention that but then thought no one would remember. i was working in england at the time and came home for a weekend when that was published. i remember thinking that even the quality of the photo was shyte, as if one of his cronies took it on their phone and it was emailed to the leader.

I'd say that's exactly how it was!

garfieldsghost

Okay, have tickets booked for this. Just need to know what time it's due to start at, as there's no mention of it anywhere...