Gardner wrote: » i wouldn't be so sure. the upper and middle class voters will be out to vote on a Saturday. people have money in their back pockets and the economy is growing and very positive. Sinn Fein vote collapsed in the last local and european elections due to the above mentioned circumstances. i'd expect them to lose 2 to 3 TD's nationally but Cullinane won't be one of them. id say he will come in 2nd or 3rd.
mooseknunkle wrote: » Imagine John Hearne representing us in The Dáil :eek:
crazy_kenny wrote: » Sinn Fein would be better off running a second candidate. David Cullinane will top the poll. Surely his surplus you’d imagine would go to the second Sinn Fein candidate.
hardybuck wrote: » You've never heard that before?
jmcc wrote: » An unusual turn of phrase. Are you in Dublin? Regards...jmcc
hardybuck wrote: » I think this mindset needs to be challenged. A small fish politician can come up to Dublin and bang tables all he or she likes, but empty vessels make the most noise, and that's the easy stuff. Plenty of them in the Dáil.
Dunmoreroader wrote: » I think we should do comparative analysis until the dogs come home, until our ducks are lined up in a row and until we hit the nail on the head. We are where we are and the present government will keep kicking the can down the road until their chickens come home to roost. But I'm not one for trite cliches.
azimuth17 wrote: » If you are suggesting that Ray Griffin's analysis, which is entirely based on government stats AFAIK, is biased, then you had better declare your political allegiance. The SEEM analysis is professional, balanced and almost solely criticised by government hangers on and apologists. Which of them are you?
hardybuck wrote: » I think they've chosen a few indicators, sourced some official data and put it into a bit of a summary for you. Ray Griffin has been an outspoken critic of Government policy for some time, and has spoken passionately about what he perceives as a lack of political patronage in Waterford. That sort of thing doesn't lend itself to impartial reporting on the subject matter. We could do comparative analysis until the dogs come home, but we could also reflect on the positive improvements that have been achieved.
hardybuck wrote: » Ray Griffin has been an outspoken critic of Government policy for some time, and has spoken passionately about what he perceives as a lack of political patronage in Waterford. That sort of thing doesn't lend itself to impartial reporting on the subject matter. .
Dunmoreroader wrote: » Well I think they compile the data from official sources, so do you think the conclusions they draw are; a) inaccurate? b) biased? c) telling us in an academic format what the dogs in the street already know?
hardybuck wrote: » With all the will in the world, the lads in WIT will do the very same thing as everyone else - they'll tell their version of the story. Lecturers are well able to take on work for lobbyists to influence Government policy, and regularly do.
Dunmoreroader wrote: » Luckily we don't have to rely on official government spin/press releases/carefully edited statistics or Maurice Cummin's strongly worded letters in the local press, we have impartial academic analysis to inform us;https://www.wit.ie/images/uploads/Business_School_PDF/South_East_Economic_Monitor_2019.pdf - some things done, a lot still to do. Context is everything and in the context of the state investment our peer cities/regional capitals have received, over the 2 terms of this government, compared to Waterford, we're gotten S.F.A.
hardybuck wrote: » What's your take on visible progress that's been made, or do you feel that Waterford hasn't made any progress?
Dum_Dum wrote: » It's a metaphor for actual visible progress, as opposed to pipe-dreams and 'plans'.
hardybuck wrote: » So how many cranes for one vote?
Dum_Dum wrote: » With me: no cranes = no votes - it's a simple as that.
hardybuck wrote: » Changing topic slightly, while challenges in Waterford definitely remain, I think the city and county have made huge strides in recent years. There is definitely a risk of a future recession in the near future, but there are some important projects nearing commencement. Shovels going into the ground in Walsh Park, the airport and North Quays this year alone hopefully. While people have a right to be angry at what happened, and ambitious about what happens next, but the place is a hell of a lot better than the really grim times experienced over the last 10-12 years.
hardybuck wrote: » Ok John. Thanks for articulating your 'demands'. However, it won't be possible at this time. The door is over there if you want to take it, hope you enjoy the back benches. However, if you want to stay in the room we might be able to work with you on other projects...
Gael23 wrote: » The real challenge is the Deasy vote, it’s not all a Fine Gael vote so Geoghan can’t count on it.
BBM77 wrote: » John Halligan went into government on the basis of 24 hour cardiac care was to be returned and he could not support a government that did not do that, his works not mine.
Crusty Blaa wrote: » Could be a dark horse although I think the majority of the city votes will go to Cullinane & Mulligan, Depends on how the likes of Tramore, Dunmore etc vote. I think any FG vote from Kilmeaden onwards goes to Geoghegan.
Gael23 wrote: » Is John Cummins in with a shot?
hardybuck wrote: » I think this mindset needs to be challenged. A small fish politician can come up to Dublin and bang tables all he or she likes, but empty vessels make the most noise, and that's the easy stuff. Plenty of them in the Dáil. A much more difficult job is to remain in Government when you have to win some and lose some.
