For those that like to keep up with my musings (and I know you’re a select few, kudos!) just a note to say I’ve recently started contributing over at IrishElection.com…
Sometimes I’ll cross post, sometimes I won’t depends on the topic. This weekend, it’s a bit of fun, Halloween scare the (big) kids kind of stuff, [...]
What has happened this past year? Sixteen months ago we had a new leader, a new hope and an approval rating in the high seventies or even eighties. Which obviously means FGers, Labour, all sides wanted to give the new guy a chance.
Within FF there was excitement, we’d liked Bertie, loved his focus on the [...]
It’s interesting how different people can have different triggers to events. I listened to the emergency budget via newstalk from work on Tuesday and was relatively sanguine about the effect on my own household (We take a hefty hit as as SITCOMs – “single income two kids outstanding mortgage”!) but in general I was quite [...]
There was quite a good debate on RTE’s Late Late Show on Friday night.
Setup was awry as there was an opening statement and soapbox provided to one side of the motion (that the Seanad be abolished) yet no counter statement or soapbox to the other side, yet the numbers were skewed hugely to the [...]
My proposing speech on public transport motion:
That this Ard-Fheis commits to the comprehensive provision of public transport, both rural and urban, as an efficient environmental alternative to private transport, and further calls on the Government to increase the level of public transport service provision so that it becomes the obvious first choice for commuters and [...]
My proposing speech on local democracy motion:
That this Ard-Fheis calls for the implementation of measures that would provide for greater participation in local democracy. (Sallins Cumann, Kildare North)
Opening
Minister, Teachta Daila, Senators, A delgaidi, etc etc,
It is a great honour to address this Ard Fheis.
Intro
In proposing this motion I intend to address a twin track [...]
That this Ard-Fheis recognises the need for careful planning of residential areas, with provision made in high-density housing areas to ensure adequate parking facilities, sound-proofing, privacy and protection from anti-social behaviour. (Sallins Cumann, Kildare North)
Opening
Minister, Teachta Daila, Senators, A delgaidi, etc etc,
Intro
Modern society sees concentration of population around our capital cities and similar conglomerations around [...]
It’s pretty apocalyptic out there. The political and economic storm clouds are gathering and darkening. And all the signs are that worse is to come.
In the middle of all this we have an opinion poll. FF are on 22% – a historic low. Like most members I’m pretty disappointed by this but not hugely surprised. [...]
There’s been a huge amount of reaction the past couple of days over provisions in this hot off the press budget, particularly the over-70s medical scheme changes, but also class size increases and other draconian style measures contained within.
I don’t generally believe in dealing on the basis of media frenzy, as there is often a [...]
The referendum season is really rolling now that we’re just over a week to polling day. The Fianna Fáil campaign which was initially slow to get out of the blocks, received a real lift when Taoiseach Cowen finally got his seat at the top table and immediately injected some pace taking to the country in a [...]