Mick Molloy to run for Seanad

TC80

Mick Molloy the former IMO president is running for the Seanad. As Mick is the only Irish doctor I can think of who has actually gotten off his backside and done stuff in the last 20 years rather than talk about it I can think of nobody better to be a medical voice in the Seanad.

This is a huge opportunity for NCHDs and all doctors to have their voices heard in the oireachtas and in committees etc. Basically anyone who has ever earned a cent in overtime as a doctor owes him their number 1. No matter how bad people feel things are now they were 100 times worse before Mick arrived on the scene

Ihaveanopinion

New Cabinet ministers James O'Reilly and Leo Varadkar are both GPs, Jim McDaid is also a doctor.

Mick Molloy is not the only politically minded doctor. His only experience in politics is in relation to the IMO. He has no experience in local or national government (that I am aware of - feel free to correct me). Are you by any chance related to Mick?

The Seanad is not a particularly effective body for pushing forward the agenda of doctors - or anyone else for that matter - hence all the talk in recent months about abolishing.

RobFowl

Mick Molloy has experience in medical politics extensively and that is similar to James Reilly's level of experience before standing for the Dail the first time.

He has volunteered in disaster relief work notably in Haiti and has also given extensive medical support to Irish rugby league (with little if any financial return).

He's a good guy with a huge amount of medical,political and life experience.

I've known him since college and have huge respect for the man.

The Seanad has its limits but has been the starting ground for many successful political careers. Whether you like David Norris or not (I do) he successfully used the Seanad as a launchpad to get homosexuality decriminalised in this country. That's hardly the mark of an irrelevant institution.......

TC80

Ihaveanopinion wrote: »

New Cabinet ministers James O'Reilly and Leo Varadkar are both GPs, Jim McDaid is also a doctor.

You forgot Liam Twomey! I take your point but in reality these guys are professional politicians with medical degrees. Take McDaid for example, (can't believe I'm defending him) when he voted with his medical conscience rather than supporting Harney on the cervical cancer vaccine he was dealt with very harshly by FF. Once these guys sign up to a party whip any life experience or moral compass they have is checked at the door.

Ihaveanopinion wrote: »

Mick Molloy is not the only politically minded doctor. His only experience in politics is in relation to the IMO. He has no experience in local or national government

Neither did the new minister for health until 5 years ago. Why should this be an impediment to running for election?

Ihaveanopinion wrote: »

Are you by any chance related to Mick?

Not to the best of my knowledge. For somebody with the handle I Have An Opinion, you seem to be fairly touchy about other people having one!

Ihaveanopinion wrote: »

The Seanad is not a particularly effective body for pushing forward the agenda of doctors - or anyone else for that matter - hence all the talk in recent months about abolishing.

It shouldn't be about pushing any particular agenda. Shane Ross and Feargal Quinn and others have shown that more can be achieved by an outspoken, sensible independent than by a dozen government backbenchers. My own view is that if the Seanad is to survive it will be as a forum where independent people can bring to bear the benefit of their expertise in particular areas to help scrutinise legislation (i.e. Science, Arts, Law, Culture, Medicine, The Elderly, The Unemployed) As a guy who has huge experience of A&E and relief work in the third world, I happen to think Mick could make a contribution that isn't already there in the oireachtas.

drzhivago

Ihaveanopinion wrote: »

New Cabinet ministers James O'Reilly and Leo Varadkar are both GPs, Jim McDaid is also a doctor.

Mick Molloy is not the only politically minded doctor. His only experience in politics is in relation to the IMO. He has no experience in local or national government (that I am aware of - feel free to correct me). Are you by any chance related to Mick?

The Seanad is not a particularly effective body for pushing forward the agenda of doctors - or anyone else for that matter - hence all the talk in recent months about abolishing.

I think if you check back you will find Mick was elected to the Board of the ERHA in 1999 and served on it until 2004, he was also elected to the Board of the East Coast area Health board, though I think there was some connection between the two

At the time he was elected to the Health board there was a piece about he and two other junior doctors at the time Ronan Collins and David Honan who were also running for the ERHA then, think the three were running s a ticket together but only Mick got elected and he was the 1st junior doctor elected to a health board in ireland

The following year he was elected President of the IMO again the 1st junior doctor.

As regards the Seanad I think the talk of abolishing it has been good for all parties as it has taken the heat of the Dail for the time being bearing in mind that the previous government and opposition all lost the ball on the economy and allowed us to get where we are. The furore of the public has been directed at Seanad as a waste of money as diversion away from the failure of the Dail

The Seanad has never really functioned as it should have with the electoral panel system as True Experts have never been elected to panels.

Personally I am unsure of the need for it but am not convinced that abolition is the answer either. If it goes the question is what is it replaced with or do we revert to unicameral parliament, something we never had historically

Traumadoc

I will be voting for Mick, he has done more for NCHDs than anyone else.

drzhivago

Traumadoc wrote: »

I will be voting for Mick, he has done more for NCHDs than anyone else.

We had a session recently about consultant interviews and National reports to read and know before interviews

• Manpower forum
• NCHD Working Hours study
• Taskforce on Medical Staffing (Hanly report)
• Training Future Specialists (not correct title but known s Buttimer report)
• EWTD National Implementation report
• National Committee on Medical education and training Report
• Future of Intern year

We were to read the summaries and know them, one common name in almost all of them which is hard to believe and he was working clinical jobs the whole time and set up the first doctor locum agency in Ireland

Vorsprung

Wasn't sure which panel Mick was running for, turns out it's one of the NUI spots. During my search for the answer, I found the following which may be of interest.

Fellow Graduate,

This is my first time to stand for Seanad Eireann on the National University of Ireland (NUI) panel. I am asking for your first preference vote so that I can represent our proud Universities in the Upper House. Graduates from the NUI have a long tradition of serving in and supporting Seanad Eireann. I would like to continue the tradition of my predecessors in serving both you personally and our National University in the Seanad.

I am a medical graduate of UCD and have worked in the Irish health service for the last 17 years. I am a former President of the Irish Medical Organisation (IMO) and have a long history of involvement in advocating for health policy changes. I have been elected by my peers to the Eastern Regional Health Authority in 2000, the 1st Junior doctor to be elected to a health board in Ireland. My specialty is Emergency Medicine and I have sub-specialised in Disaster Medicine in Harvard Medical School.

I have extensive experience in public policy and operating within committee structures. I have played an important role in authoring some of the most important reports on Irish Health care and have become increasingly frustrated at the lack of implementation and the subsequent negative impact on essential health services.

Last year while leading a disaster response team in Haiti from the Harvard medical school group I saw the importance of leadership and good government at a time of crisis. In our current time of crisis we need experience and leadership from those like myself used to dealing on the frontline with minimal resources in a disaster environment.

If elected I WILL
Ensure that professional regulation legislation seeks to maintain the high level of expertise that has been developed in Ireland.
Ensure that all reforms of our health service do not compromise patient care for the sake of cost saving.
Ensure we invest in our education to guarantee fair access which will allow future generations develop the necessary skills for a sustainable return to growth.
Support reform of our political system to create a functioning Seanad, which represents all areas of society.
Provide strong leadership with respect to financial regulation and responsibility in the banking sector.

Our constituency cares about the Upper House and many able NUI members have served in the past. If elected I intend to carry on their legacy of representing the disenfranchised, defending human rights, enhancing personal liberties and being an independent voice for tolerance where necessary and dissent if required.

There is a vacancy now for a new NUI Senator and I am asking you to give me your Number One vote when ballot papers are sent out on March 21st. I would be very proud to represent you in Seanad Eireann.

Yours sincerely,

Mick

I was fortunate enough to meet Mick a couple of times when I was involved with the MedSoc in college; gent of a man, insightful and loyal to his colleagues. Would happily vote for him if I was at home.

donaghs

Traumadoc wrote: »

I will be voting for Mick, he has done more for NCHDs than anyone else.

Any evidence he'd be good for the country?

Vorsprung wrote: »

and loyal to his colleagues...

Loyalty to colleagues can and has its drawback in various workplaces doesnt it?

drzhivago

donaghs wrote: »

Any evidence he'd be good for the country?

Valid question

I suppose the corollary could also be asked, is there any evidence he would be bad for the country and i cant say there is

I understand the concerns about loyalty to colleagues but there is also a need to identify health concerns in such a major change as universal health insurance and developing a whole new world in primary care of free access to primary care.

This will affect all citizens and if all he ever did was address this to ensure that all aspects are considered and the correct questions are asked of James Reilly et al in the department of health then Mick will have offered a service to all. If there is one thing he does know it is health from his involvement with the IMO and also being on the health boards when they did exist before the HSE.

The Universities have an ability to elect 6 senators, 3 NUI and 3 TCD. Have a look at the candidates and if in the NUI there are 3 candidates more worthy of the Vote than Mick then vote for them and he will not be elected.

If on the other hand you don't see a candidate that you feel has any experience locally or nationally in some other area of equal importance such as banking regulation OR you dont see 3 candidates that you feel would be more qualified then if you want your vote to count you should vote for him.

If you have an NUI vote and don't vote it is difficult to be critical of the Seanad for not doing anything when you had the chance to do something about it but didn't exercise the opportunity

There are 27 candidates on the NUI panel and 20 on the TCD panel. Some of these are known political figures who have stood for political parties were not elected at the General election and are now running as "INDEPENDENTS". Some others are sitting senators who have been nominated by political parties to the Seanad in the past and are also running as "INDEPENDENTS".

The other candidates are standing for election as independents on their own platforms, without a party machine and deserve to have their manifestos examined to see if they should be supported or not.

tallaght01

donaghs wrote: »

Any evidence he'd be good for the country?



Loyalty to colleagues can and has its drawback in various workplaces doesnt it?

LOyalty has, I think, had it's drawback for Mick, but he';s never compromised it.

Evidence he'd be good for the country...well that's hard to prove. But why I think he'd be invaluable in the Seanad:

One of the smartest people I've interacted with.

One of the most helpful people I've known (even when i was basically a stranger).

Knows wayyyy more about how health works in Ireland than the vast majority of either health professionals, politicians, or managers.

He has an extensive and varied clinical background, on top of the above.

He's shown himself to be ballsy enough to stick up the little guys against the political elite, and doesn't give a hoot what they think of him.

The only political people who I could ever come close to being so complimentary of are David Norris and the late great Tony Gregory. And they don't come close to having his encyclopedic knowledge of health!!!

Ihaveanopinion

TC80 wrote: »

You forgot Liam Twomey! I take your point but in reality these guys are professional politicians with medical degrees. Take McDaid for example, (can't believe I'm defending him) when he voted with his medical conscience rather than supporting Harney on the cervical cancer vaccine he was dealt with very harshly by FF. Once these guys sign up to a party whip any life experience or moral compass they have is checked at the door.

Ok I'll give you - I dont have an exhaustive list of medical politicians

Neither did the new minister for health until 5 years ago. Why should this be an impediment to running for election?

You're right!

Not to the best of my knowledge. For somebody with the handle I Have An Opinion, you seem to be fairly touchy about other people having one!

Not touchy - just crossing swords with you. Thats the point of starting a thread right? As for the nick - its just a nick

It shouldn't be about pushing any particular agenda. Shane Ross and Feargal Quinn and others have shown that more can be achieved by an outspoken, sensible independent than by a dozen government backbenchers. My own view is that if the Seanad is to survive it will be as a forum where independent people can bring to bear the benefit of their expertise in particular areas to help scrutinise legislation (i.e. Science, Arts, Law, Culture, Medicine, The Elderly, The Unemployed) As a guy who has huge experience of A&E and relief work in the third world, I happen to think Mick could make a contribution that isn't already there in the oireachtas.

Actually - an elected politician should push a particular agenda - to reflect those of the people who elected him.

Am not a huge fan of the Seanad. I don't think it is particularly useful. It is a talking shop that gives a good band-stand to those who use it as a platform to launch careers - Shane Ross is an excellent case in point. It is a public expense that probably should be done away with

Vorsprung

donaghs wrote: »

Loyalty to colleagues can and has its drawback in various workplaces doesnt it?

Yep, it sure can.

Perhaps it was a poor choice of words. Mick has been loyal to those he has been appointed to represent throughout his career, be it NCHDs through his time with the IMO, the public through his time with the health boards in all forms. That said, he agreed with Chris Luke when he said that NCHDs should have a period of mandatory employment in Ireland, and I think shows that he is not afraid to go against the flow.

He has furthered himself in terms of his career, having spent time in other countries, and indeed furthering his education in multiple other countries (Italy, and the US) - I'm not a stalker, it's on his FB! There is no doubt that this work and further education came with plenty of personal sacrifices. Mick certainly didn't do extra time in college in Disaster Medicine for the furtherment of his pay cheque.

In short, Mick has demonstrated his his ability to represent, and his qualities, passion and experience are, in my opinion, exactly those needed in the Oireachtas.

drzhivago

One of my colleagues got a letter today from a current sitting senator on Oireachtas headed notepaper, in free envelope including a brochure of how great the guy is

seems that this may be a slightly uneven election and mick will have his work cut out for him. I thought they all got one free mailing from AN POST i remember getting quite a few during the last seanad campaign but it would seem as if current senators have an advantage here

97,000 people on the list, even if you get free mailing from An post that is still a hefty cost to print and put labels on

tallaght01

Mick's website:

www.mickmolloy.ie



Twitter:

http://twitter.com/drmickmolloy


Facebook:

http://www.facebook.com/DrMickMolloy.NUI.Seanad.Candidate.2011

resus

drzhivago wrote: »

Valid question

If on the other hand you don't see a candidate that you feel has any experience locally or nationally in some other area of equal importance such as banking regulation OR you dont see 3 candidates that you feel would be more qualified then if you want your vote to count you should vote for him.

.

Absolutely, but Mick genuinely has my vote. NOBODY done more for us out there. He is certainly not afraid to speak out (as demonstrated re: ED debates) and that is a GOOD not bad thing.

donaghs

resus wrote: »

NOBODY done more for us out there.

Just out of curiousity can you elaborate further on this point? I'm genuinly not being glib or anything like that. For starters I find it hard to get enthusiatic about the Seanad, but since this one candidate seems to have a lot of followers here, I was wondering what he's done, and who he's done it for?

drzhivago

Have people been getting votes yet
Interested to see if the registered post makes it out of Ireland to my cousins overseas
4 weeks is a long time to run a postal vote over they must expect to be sending some votes over and back when they return and people update addresses