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elections and cycling

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Comments

  • #242
    AndrewJRenko
    Registered Users Posts: 28,304 ✭✭✭✭AndrewJRenko


    smacl wrote: »
    Just waiting to see which if any of my local candidates owns up to building the ridiculous new roundabout in Scholarstown which has brought local traffic to a standstill and made an otherwise pleasant cycle far more dodgy. Apparently it is suppose to be a piece of cycling infrastructure too. The lads from "Dumb and Dumber" could have come up with a better design.
    Really a local Council issue rather than a national issue.


  • #243
    Seth Brundle
    Moderators, Politics Moderators Posts: 38,773 Mod ✭✭✭✭Seth Brundle


    AndrewJRenko wrote: »
    Really a local Council issue rather than a national issue.
    ...and so probably spearheaded by a TD :rolleyes:


  • #244
    magicbastarder
    Moderators, Category Moderators, Arts Moderators, Sports Moderators Posts: 48,222 CMod ✭✭✭✭magicbastarder


    Weepsie wrote: »
    Noel Rock ... came to my door
    huh, that means he probably called to us too and i missed him. i was hoping to talk to him, had heard he was personally decent but i wanted to give an FGer a few thoughts that have been rattling round in my head.


  • #245
    Macy0161
    Registered Users Posts: 9,262 ✭✭✭Macy0161


    Specific issues may be councillor/ county council issue. However, they are indicative of the wider lack of, and design of what is provided, cycling provision. There is also the fact that councillors are normally accompanying the TD's and/ or the canvasses are also active party members that support the councillors.

    One of my "National" questions is the need for a truly independent Greater Dublin/ Leinster Transport Authority that has the budget and power to just make (unpopular) decisions for the greater good without being answerable for every minor thing. Government sets the remit, and then goes hands off. Ideally with cross party support - Sláintecare for transport, with cycling as part of the plan.


  • #246
    Hurrache
    Registered Users Posts: 10,146 ✭✭✭✭Hurrache


    Weepsie wrote: »
    I'm still registed in Leo's consituency however, and will just be sure to not vote for him or Chambers

    Roderic O'Gorman is brilliant in that constituency, and has been active around cycling issues.


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  • #247
    joycer
    Registered Users Posts: 12 ✭joycer


    Weepsie wrote: »
    Noel Rock and Roisin Shorthall came to my door when I wasn't in. He is claiming credit for things that resident in the neighbourhood had all the credit for, and I'm scratching my head how he was ever voted in. He's also a year younger than me, and I think he looks at least 10-15 years older.




    Yep, I noticed this too. We received a newletter from him recently and he claimed credit for something that had nothing to do with him.


  • #248
    Weepsie
    Moderators, Sports Moderators Posts: 19,725 Mod ✭✭✭✭Weepsie


    Hurrache wrote: »
    Roderic O'Gorman is brilliant in that constituency, and has been active around cycling issues.

    I'm fairly sure he got my vote before.

    Growing up I never appreciated Joe Higgins to be honest. He was not a champagne socialist like those we have now. He was as honest a politician I think, as the area had, and though he did things parishy like the rest, they were generally for the greater good, are least seemed to be. He'd certainly be more extreme than I ever would, but still, he was resolute in his belief whiich I respect


  • #249
    Wishbone Ash
    Registered Users Posts: 24,948 ✭✭✭✭Wishbone Ash


    Close pass from a Darragh O'Brien liveried car this morning (FF TD, Dublin Fingal). :mad:


  • #250
    Chips Lovell
    Moderators, Politics Moderators, Sports Moderators Posts: 24,266 Mod ✭✭✭✭Chips Lovell


    Weepsie wrote: »
    I'm fairly sure he got my vote before.

    Growing up I never appreciated Joe Higgins to be honest. He was not a champagne socialist like those we have now. He was as honest a politician I think, as the area had, and though he did things parishy like the rest, they were generally for the greater good, are least seemed to be. He'd certainly be more extreme than I ever would, but still, he was resolute in his belief whiich I respect

    I voted for Joe a few times in the past but went cold on him and others of his ilk after I realised that there was a certain amount of cynicism/opportunism to his party an their ilk (Socialisty Party, PBP etc.). They say they are socialists, but they've made most of their electoral gains from middle class people who don't want to pay more tax. He got elected on the back of bin charges. Then it was property tax and then on to water charges.

    I realised they're as bad as Fianna Fail in the Bertie years, peddling the lie that you can have generous public services with none of the tax burden.


  • #251
    smacl
    Moderators, Society & Culture Moderators Posts: 15,705 Mod ✭✭✭✭smacl


    AndrewJRenko wrote: »
    Really a local Council issue rather than a national issue.

    Don't think it was in this case. From what I gather it was foisted upon us by John Lahart who is a local candidate in our area.


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  • #252
    AndrewJRenko
    Registered Users Posts: 28,304 ✭✭✭✭AndrewJRenko


    smacl wrote: »
    Don't think it was in this case. From what I gather it was foisted upon us by John Lahart who is a local candidate in our area.

    I've no time for Lahart, but he has no role in South Dublin County Council.

    You may have gathered local gossip.


  • #253
    Lewotsil
    Registered Users Posts: 401 ✭✭Lewotsil


    Weepsie wrote: »
    Noel Rock and Roisin Shorthall came to my door when I wasn't in. He is claiming credit for things that resident in the neighbourhood had all the credit for, and I'm scratching my head how he was ever voted in. He's also a year younger than me, and I think he looks at least 10-15 years older.

    Candidates in this area aint much to shout about to be honest. I see 2 being returned again (a convicted terrorist being one I believe) and Shorthall, and then it's a toss up between McAuliffe and Rock. Career politicians

    McAuliffe has also definitely had some image consultancy done, probably at behest of the party.

    Montague is a popular person, but don't see him getting in.


    I'm still registed in Leo's consituency however, and will just be sure to not vote for him or Chambers

    Switched vote to this constituency so first time voting....not too sure

    A rep of MacAulliffe (now Cllr Racheael Batten) called to my door 3 years ago and I asked why Dublin bike Scheme is not expanding to Whitehall as was planned ......was promised a response.

    I also got a pamphlet from McAullifee in the interim and under Transport Achievements he had 'painting of traffic signal boxes' :rolleyes:

    He had gotten v prolific ........pure politician - stick the head in a any photo opp.....seeing him at many events .....he has got energy in fairness

    I dunno bout Shortall - she could have starved the sporting landscape under her alcohol sponsorship ban .....fine in theory but too ideological

    Q. Am I right in thinking Montague spearheaded the Fairview to Sutton cycleway ?


  • #254
    magicbastarder
    Moderators, Category Moderators, Arts Moderators, Sports Moderators Posts: 48,222 CMod ✭✭✭✭magicbastarder


    montague is best known for being the man who dreamt up the dublin bikes scheme.


  • #255
    magicbastarder
    Moderators, Category Moderators, Arts Moderators, Sports Moderators Posts: 48,222 CMod ✭✭✭✭magicbastarder


    one interesting thing that this election has thrown up is that for the first time since i could vote (about 25 years ago), i may not give a green candidate much of a preference; if saoirse mchugh (who seems like an otherwise decent sort) is representative of where the green party is going.
    if you don't want power, don't stand for election. the notion of producing a manifesto while you forswear the very idea of getting yourself into a position to actually do something about that manifesto, is absurd.

    i do understand her underlying principle, but this is a classic case of perfect being the enemy of good.


  • #256
    Breezer
    Registered Users Posts: 3,228 ✭✭✭Breezer


    magicbastarder wrote: »
    one interesting thing that this election has thrown up is that for the first time since i could vote (about 25 years ago), i may not give a green candidate much of a preference; if saoirse mchugh (who seems like an otherwise decent sort) is representative of where the green party is going.
    if you don't want power, don't stand for election. the notion of producing a manifesto while you forswear the very idea of getting yourself into a position to actually do something about that manifesto, is absurd.

    i do understand her underlying principle, but this is a classic case of perfect being the enemy of good.

    To be fair, I don’t think the leadership is of that mindset at all.


  • #257
    magicbastarder
    Moderators, Category Moderators, Arts Moderators, Sports Moderators Posts: 48,222 CMod ✭✭✭✭magicbastarder


    yeah, i'm hoping i catch a canvasser at the door to discuss the topic.


  • #258
    buffalo
    Registered Users Posts: 8,048 ✭✭✭buffalo


    magicbastarder wrote: »
    one interesting thing that this election has thrown up is that for the first time since i could vote (about 25 years ago), i may not give a green candidate much of a preference; if saoirse mchugh (who seems like an otherwise decent sort) is representative of where the green party is going.
    if you don't want power, don't stand for election. the notion of producing a manifesto while you forswear the very idea of getting yourself into a position to actually do something about that manifesto, is absurd.

    i do understand her underlying principle, but this is a classic case of perfect being the enemy of good.

    You don't think there's any lessons to be learned from the coalition with FF a decade ago? They should repeat that alliance, and the disastrous aftermath that came with it?


  • #259
    magicbastarder
    Moderators, Category Moderators, Arts Moderators, Sports Moderators Posts: 48,222 CMod ✭✭✭✭magicbastarder


    learn what lessons though? to not go into government? recent history does show that being a junior partner in a coalition is injurious; look at labour, the PDs, the greens. the small party gets blamed for the sins of the big party.

    they're not in coalition at the moment, and look how much that is doing for their aims. being a small party in opposition doesn't get you much.


  • #260
    Chips Lovell
    Moderators, Politics Moderators, Sports Moderators Posts: 24,266 Mod ✭✭✭✭Chips Lovell


    The thing about being a minority party in government is that you don't get to steer the economy on a macro level. You get responsibility for certain areas and you try and implement your policy there.

    Had the Greens not gone into government in 2007, Fianna Fail would have still formed a government with someone else and few if any of the the things the Greens did achieve in government may have happened, such as the bike to work scheme, overhaul of car tax and so on.


  • #261
    Mickiemcfist
    Registered Users Posts: 1,585 ✭✭✭Mickiemcfist


    Chips Lovell wrote: »
    The thing about being a minority party in government is that you don't get to steer the economy on a macro level. You get responsibility for certain areas and you try and implement your policy there.

    Had the Greens not gone into government in 2007, Fianna Fail would have still formed a government with someone else and few if any of the the things the Greens did achieve in government may have happened, such as the bike to work scheme, overhaul of car tax and so on.

    The overhaul of car tax was a backwards step. 3L diesel BMW 5 series for 200 a year tax was a joke. Bike to work is great though.


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  • #262
    magicbastarder
    Moderators, Category Moderators, Arts Moderators, Sports Moderators Posts: 48,222 CMod ✭✭✭✭magicbastarder


    the greens also initiated a lot of planning reform, but unfortunately a good bit of that has been rolled back since.


  • #263
    smacl
    Moderators, Society & Culture Moderators Posts: 15,705 Mod ✭✭✭✭smacl


    AndrewJRenko wrote: »
    I've no time for Lahart, but he has no role in South Dublin County Council.

    You may have gathered local gossip.

    Lahart was a Councillor for South Dublin up until a couple of years ago, see https://www.fiannafail.ie/fianna-fail-confirms-councillor-john-lahart-as-dublin-south-west-bye-election-candidate/ Apparently he has since gone on record as wanting the roundabout fixed, see https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=2353938241503154 as it is a local issue (for local people :) ). Seem to remember he was all for it at the time.


  • #264
    Chiparus
    Registered Users Posts: 2,254 ✭✭✭Chiparus


    Chips Lovell wrote: »
    The thing about being a minority party in government is that you don't get to steer the economy on a macro level. You get responsibility for certain areas and you try and implement your policy there.

    Had the Greens not gone into government in 2007, Fianna Fail would have still formed a government with someone else and few if any of the the things the Greens did achieve in government may have happened, such as the bike to work scheme, overhaul of car tax and so on.

    Really ?
    Berties biggest digout ( both financially and politically ) came as a result of the support of Gormley and Ryan.
    The greens promotion of diesel was the most asinine polluting program visited upon the state.


  • #265
    magicbastarder
    Moderators, Category Moderators, Arts Moderators, Sports Moderators Posts: 48,222 CMod ✭✭✭✭magicbastarder


    yeah, but take my father in law as an example. Loyal merc customer, blames the greens for that and not the car companies engaged in a criminal conspiracy to skew the emissions from diesel engines. whose products he continues to buy.


  • #266
    magicbastarder
    Moderators, Category Moderators, Arts Moderators, Sports Moderators Posts: 48,222 CMod ✭✭✭✭magicbastarder


    dublin commuter coalition are reviewing each party's manifesto for public transport/cycling/etc. provisions. summaries are here (and worth noting that they seem to be scoring purely for the manifesto, rather than actual performance; also, they have not completed all reviews):

    https://twitter.com/DublinCommuters/status/1221103945461923842

    https://twitter.com/DublinCommuters/status/1221119565071028224


  • #267
    tomasrojo
    Registered Users Posts: 11,740 ✭✭✭✭tomasrojo


    My problem with Fine Gael (setting aside all issues other than transport) is that they've been in power for about a decade and they've done as good as nothing for active travel. They just don't believe in it. It's easy to say they do, but it's allocation of resources that show what you care about.


  • #268
    flatface
    Registered Users Posts: 719 ✭✭✭flatface


    tomasrojo wrote: »
    My problem with Fine Gael (setting aside all issues other than transport) is that they've been in power for about a decade and they've done as good as nothing for active travel. They just don't believe in it. It's easy to say they do, but it's allocation of resources that show what you care about.

    In fairness Shane Ross takes a fair whack of blame


  • #269
    tomasrojo
    Registered Users Posts: 11,740 ✭✭✭✭tomasrojo


    flatface wrote: »
    In fairness Shane Ross takes a fair whack of blame
    Yes, he's particularly uninterested in active travel, but his time in office was March 2016 to January 2020. March 2011 to February 2016 doesn't have much to show for it either.


  • #270
    magicbastarder
    Moderators, Category Moderators, Arts Moderators, Sports Moderators Posts: 48,222 CMod ✭✭✭✭magicbastarder


    looks like he too a whack of the hand too.


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  • #271
    magicbastarder
    Moderators, Category Moderators, Arts Moderators, Sports Moderators Posts: 48,222 CMod ✭✭✭✭magicbastarder


    lest that be misread, he fell and broke some fingers yesterday.


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