The right to know

I’ve always started out the new year by publishing my expenses as a councillor from the previous year. This year is no different. Below are the details of all money I received after tax arising from my membership of Wexford Borough Council. The amount I received is significantly less than other years despite serving as Mayor for 6 months of 2011 when compared with amounts declared by me in previous years.

This is explained by a cut in allowances to councillors from Central government. During the year as Mayor I made one trip outside the country to the London Wexford Association’s annual dinner dance in Camden for which I received approximately €331. I attended 2 conferences; The Local Authority Members Association annual conference in Dundalk last April and the Borders Midland West Conference on the role of the culture in the economy in November. I received almost €417 for the April conference and €514 for the November conference. The amount I received after tax for the representational allowance was almost €6,651. As I am employed the tax is paid on all the allowance at the higher rate as well as USC and PRSI. The amount received from Co Wexford VEC was almost €473. Unless the committee member attends the meeting there is no payment by the VEC for expenses. In 2011 I attended all meetings of Wexford Borough Council and 10 out of 11 meetings of Co Wexford VEC. I made no application for phone expenses in 2011 in relation to my Mayoral duties as the Mayor benefits from a mobile phone.

So the total I received because I was a public representative in 2011 was €8,546.44 after tax. I know that other councillors in other parts of the country get more and some get less. I’m happy to provide this information, it’s the public’s right to know.

I give you Michael D Higgins 9th President of Ireland

I’ve just been down the Wexford count to watch votes being counted. It’s not as hectic as a Dail or local election as the candidates aren’t there. The boxes I saw tell me that Sean Gallagher has done well in rural parts of Wexford but urban boxes have yet to be counted. Michael D Higgins is doing much better than expected. In one box I saw from Adamstown the votes were effectively divided between Gallagher and Higgins on a 60/40 basis with 10% for all other candidates. There are over 200 boxes here and the majority are not yet open. Votes have to be separated from referenda ballots. The count will not finish tonight. Given that the Wexford boxes have yet to be openend I beleive Michael D will top the poll in this constituency.

Michael D has a strong local link. I was delighted to see Paddy McKiernan and his daughter. Michael is a brother in law of Paddy’s wife. Michael D’s niece is Paddy’s daughter, both pleased and clearly proud of the national trend and the clear indications from Co Wexford. Their moment is coming. The Irish presidency is the one political office that has retained respect because of the integrity of the office holder. Voters believed that a Sean Gallagher presidency would damage that. That is why Michael D Higgins is going to win in Wexford and also nationally.

I am surprised that Gay Mitchell hasn’t performed well as there is a strong Fine Gael vote in Wexford. I understand exactly why FG members nominated Gay. No party member likes head office telling them who to select. No TD likes to be sidelined by head office who do not run for election. Sinn Fein will have achieved the scalp of Fianna Fail. Beating Fianna Fail is what Sinn Fein wants. They want to be the main opposition and nothing will stop that project. Any hope Fianna Fail has of reviving its moribund organisation is now in tatters. I didn’t see anyone that I recognise from Fianna Fail at the count in Wexford. When did that last happen? Not even the tea is boiled in a Fianna Fail kettle in Wexford anymore.

Sinn Fein may reflect on this election as a missed opportunity when the dust settles. I’d have expected them to perform better than what I’ve seen in Wexford today. As for the other candidates there is little in Wexford to cheer them up. Mary Davis, David Norris and Dana all doing poorly here. Another notable achievement is passing under the radar. Patrick Nulty is winning the by-election to replace the late Brian Lenihan in Dublin West. This is significant as one more constituency will now have 2 Labour TD’s. Not since 1982 has a government won a by-election. This is great achievement for Patrick and his supporters in Blanchardstown. Well done, a great day for Labour. We’ve held our place in the polls and are now winning seats. At the end of the day that’s what counts.

The race for the race for the Park

In October we will have our first presidential election this century. A lot has changed in Ireland since the last president was elected in 1997. A presidential election is a different type of election. I’ve always regarded it as a statement of how we feel about ourselves in an international context and how we visualise ourselves as a nation. Mary Robinson represented a modern aspiring pluralist state that had something to say on the international stage. Mary McAleese is a more spiritual president who makes us feel comfortable. So what does the future hold for us now? Do we need a president who will re-build our self esteem as a community and if so to what end? Suggestions that the President should perform a role in reviving the economy miss the reality of the last decade that the economic growth didn’t reach everywhere. That suggests a President for a few and not for all. That’s the risk with celebrity TV candidates. How can they connect with the marginalised? I’m out!

Before you can run you’ve got to get a nomination. I’ve always transferred my vote in the past for David Norris in a Séanad elections. He’s an outstanding senator but would he make a president? If he’s nominated I’d certainly transfer to him but can he get nominated? The arrival of other independent candidates like Mary Davis and the Dragon make the process of getting nominations from the county councils harder as each candidate needs 4 and who’s to say that there are enough councils inclined to nominate? What if a political party decided to ask councils to nominate their candidates for them as they have every entitlement to do? Cats, pigeons and setting among come to mind.

That leaves Sinn Fein, Labour, Fianna Fail and Fine Gael. I think Sinn Fein will nominate a candidate. Their 17 Oireachtas members plus help from a handful of like minded TD’s could see a candidate, perhaps Gerry Adams, with an eye to the 2016 centenary of the rebellion. Fianna Fail will run a candidate in the hope of a reasonable performance and picking up transfers on later counts. I expect Brian Crowley will be their man. Fine Gael may nominate Mairead McGuiness who will poll well in rural areas and outside Dublin. Which brings me back to Labour. We have 3 very able people declared as contenders; Michael D, Fergus Finlay and Kathleen O’Meara. It’s hard to say no to someone but it’s got to be done. Finlay and O’Meara are outstanding advocates in the area of health and welfare, 2 issues Labour has always been strong on. But I think the bold and imaginative candidate would be Michael D Higgins.

He has so many strings to his bow. Poet, Lecturer, former Arts Minister, philosopher, Galway via the Banner and Limerick and a journey through TG4 included. Potential support for Michael exists not just in these geographical areas but well beyond. He is a strong candidate who has a lot to offer and what’s more you could visualise him having a lot to say about our society and as to how national regeneration could be fairer, better and more sustainable than what went before. He’s done that for years in or out of office. That’s what I want a president to represent and to be. Michael D is the man who ended Section 31 and his appeal will bring in transfers and support beyond the Labour’s core vote. No one can win without that. He’s regarded by everyone as an outstanding orator and motivator.
Mary Robinson was challenged by Noel Browne for the Labour nomination in 1990. When Mary won that nomination we all set about winning the election around the slogan “A President with a Purpose”. That meant something then to me and it still does. It’s time to be bold and have a purpose. That’s why I hope Labour nominates Michael D Higgins as its candidate for the presidency next month.

Your vote counts!

Well elections always bring surprises and this one is no difference. It’s a long time since Brian Dowling forecast a few days ago that a Fine Gael majority was a foregone conclusion. Not now. More like Big brother Brian Dowling than pol cor Brian Dowling.
Wexford has turned up a surprise in the way that Mick Wallace has topped the poll, not so much a huge shock that he got a seat but more the style of his victory. An important soccer match delayed Mick’s arrival at the count but he was there when the returning officer declared him elected. Brendan Howlin has an astounding number of 11,000 votes up by 10% since the last General Election and Brendan will get the second seat.
Seán Connick is very vulnerable and may be eliminated, another elimination that could prove key is that of ULA’s Seamus O’Brien and SF’s Anthony Kelly. The destination of their preferences will determine the hopes of Labour’s Pat Cody. Pat has been an outstanding candidate and has polled about 4,500. He is very transfer friendly and may attract preferences as the last left winger left standing. It’s going to be a long night ahead. Mick Wallace is entitled to his triumph having campaigned on the slogan Wallace for Wexford however his remarks subsequent to his election to the effect that he sees himself as a national politician and not one who is concerned about hospitals or potholes may come back to haunt him as serious questions hang over the future of Wexford General Hospital.
On the national front never has Labour got as many votes and never has the party got as many TD’s. The Gilmore Gale has blown although like most gales it isn’t as consistent across the country but the prospect of 2 seats in some constituencies is a basis for progress. 4 years ago I remember that FF supporters sniped at Labour to say that all the TD’s were old and that the party was dying. Not anymore and there’s plenty of new blood that will take the party forward. The Spring tide can be left in the past and let’s move on build further.
Looks like a coalition between us and a chastened Fine Gael some of whom 9 months ago were opposed to Enda Kenny even in Wexford. I’m delighted to see Brendan Ryan perform so well in my old stomping ground of North Dublin.
I predict an extraordinary battle between Michael D’arcy FG and John Browne of Fianna Fail for the last seat. It’ll be down to a few hundred votes and a late night in Wexford. Anyone for a recount?

Tales from the canvass; Sprinting a marathon!

After the phoney war comes the campaign. After the campaign comes the vote. After the vote comes the count and after the count comes the post-mortem. If you survive all that, there’s the chance of being in government. So the good news in Wexford is that we’re not even half way through General Election 2011 despite what the papers will tell you!
I’m already putting a few of our “windfall” posters by as I’m beginning to suspect we’ll need them for later in the year. My view is that nationally Fine Gael will exceed 70 seats and will seek the support from independents. The independents don’t need to be like minded, I could think of a few so called left wing independents who would walk willingly into FG’s arms if they could gain influence. The possibility of the Greens surviving and scotching FG’s manifesto pledge for reversing the hunting ban in return for a continued Green presence in the Custom House is also in the mix. Add to that the Sunday Independent business editor, fund manager Shane Ross who would see common cause with the right wing of Fine Gael in hacking at public services, or as they call cuts now “doing the heavy lifting”.
The mood music from Fine Gael has been extremely hostile to Labour. It’s not personal it’s policy. Lucinda Creighton who recently threatened to quit if not considered for ministerial office seems to have had second thoughts judging by her attack on Jack O’Connor’s call on union members to vote Labour. The subliminal signals are FG want an overall majority with the proviso of being nice to everyone that you meet on the way up as you may just need them on the way down. So sweet talk while firmly letting them know who FG thinks is boss. I think FG is making a huge mistake, one that will undermine the new government with whoever ends up in government with them and I’m of the view that it may not be Labour.
So lets just tease this one a bit and think past next Friday. The worse place to be next Saturday is in opposition. Look who you’ll be alongside, FF, SF, ULA (strong personalities but no agreed leader). Labour may well be there, may be not! Some independents some independents may be not. There is no way into government from that position and FG know that well. So the divided nature of the opposition will play into FG’s hands in the next Dail. But taking a divided opposition for granted may cause a government problems.
So given that the FG led government should last 2 full terms that will see Enda Kenny into retirement, and then who leads FG? One of the turks who eats dinner in the evening who seemed to lack political nous last June? Can’t see Labour last long in that government after Kenny, can you?
If they go the Indo route, some independents will be favoured over others, how long will it take for one or 2 to do a George Lee? Would FF gene pool independent TD’s who see themselves as only delivering to their area be acceptable as FG supporters to the D4 urban support? How long would the reported love affair between Fine Gael and Dublin last once FG’s rural tendency find their voice in power?
Will FF offer support for FG if they follow the 4 year program as set out by the outgoing government and will FG walk into that trap?
So, in the meantime the pitch for votes continues in Wexford. Liam Twomey’s posters implicit beg Labour supporters for preferences by his suggestion that they vote local vote Liam. There’s one of those on my road but I’ve never seen Liam in the area!
John Browne seems to have a poster malfunction with plenty of speech bubbles popping up on his posters suggesting that John didn’t exactly look after the interests of the people. On Wednesday Eamon Gilmore will be in Wexford to support Pat Cody and Brendan Howlin. This campaign will go down to the wire on Friday night. The race is still on.

Scealta ar na sraide

Tá breis agus coicise fagta go dtí an oll-toghcán agus táimid leath slí trid an cogadh i Loch Gorman. Bhí sé ag cur fearthaine aréir agus do chur ar ceal ag dul timpeall na doraise. Beidh ceathar deág animneacha ar an papeir ar le rogha ár teachtaí Dala . Níl ach bean amhain ar an liosta I Loch Gorman.

Ach is soleir anois go bhfuil troid deacair again chun an dara siochain a bhuacaint ar son Lucht Oibre. Las muigh cursaí airgeadeas níl morán ceisteanna aituil ar phlé san comortas. Mar a duirt Bill Clinton uair amhain “Is é faoi cursaí eacnamaiochta, amadan”, agus tá an ceart aige. Nuair a bíonn triobloid i cursaí gnó, seans mhaith rudaí eile ag cur trí ar an cúinn.

Cúpla blianta ó shin duairt Fine Gael go raibh sé in am rogha a thabairt go dtí daltaí ag an darú leaibheal gaelige a dheanamh ar scoil don Ardteist. Níl fhios agam cén fath é gaelige a roghidear an phartaí. Cathann gach dalta trí abhar a dheanamh ar scoil go dtí an Ard teist; Gaelige, Mata agus Bearlá. Tá fhios agam faoi daltai ón anall atá ag staidear an teanga i Loch Gorman agus ní cloisim aon gearain ó na thuismethoiri faoin gaelige. Anois san toghcán, deireann FG má bíonn an partaí san rialtas go gearfaidh said an gaelige i dó; abhar nua faoi culture agus abhar eile an teanga. Saghas Diddley eye in aghaigh an modh coiniollach!
Ach is é mo bharuil go bhfuil é sin botún mór. Ní ceapaim go deanfaidh é fheabhas cur ar bith don teanga. Tá fadhb is fior é a rá faoin teanga. Bíonn nios mó daoine in a conadh san gaeltacht ach níl moran ag usaid an galeige dar liomsa. Triocha blain ó shin d’fhan mé oiche in teach I Tirellan Heights I Gallaimh agus ba mhór an iontas orm a bhaint amach go raibh an teach san gaeltacht! Teastaionn uainn teoraim nua a chur ar na fíor gaeltactha. Ach fresin tá suim mór san teanga i aiteanna mar Loch Gorman agus tá an sui mag fás. Is iad na aiteanna a tuigim go mbeidh an teanga i mbaol má deanann an rialtas é easca an teanga a dhuiltaigh.

Is amhlaigh in a bhfuilimse in aghaigh Fine Gael maidir leis an pléan sin. Ni creidim go mbeidh an teanga in ann fas faoinn pléan agusní dopigh liom go mbeidh níos mó daoine ag caint trí Gaelige tar éis an athrú. Dar liomsa ta deacrachtaí agama ag leanuint le mó vota go dtí Fine Gaeltar eis an Lucht Oibre ar an lá mór ag deireadh an míosa. Tá 8 iarrathoir ag an partaí idir an Gallaimh thoir agus Muigh Eó. I measc na gaeltachtaí ceapaim go ndeanfaidh an pléan nua damaiste don phartaí san toghchán mar ciallóidh mná na tithe airegead sna coalistí na Gaelige.
Is soilear domsa go mbeidh Fine Gael i gcumhact I ceann cúpla miosa. Mura mbíonn an Lucht Oibre isteach leo, an bhfuil aon suim ar an Phairtí Sommerville & Ross no na neamhspleachai rud ag deanamh faoinn polasí FG sin? Sin ceist a fhagaim leatsa le freagra!

Tales from the Canvass 2011, Anyone seen an FF candidate yet?

After a week of canvassing, it’s time to reflect on how the campaign is going in Wexford. Firstly our own Labour campaign for Brendan and Pat are making good progress. Ivan Yates who knows a thing or two about Wexford says he believes one of the Fianna Fail TD’s will lose a seat but won’t say which. Yates also gives the 4 other seats which as we all know is the kiss of death for any candidate so I won’t repeat it here. He figures that it is between our Pat and Dr Liam Twomey( FG) for the last seat. That’s some acceptance of how rapidly Pat has made progress in Wexford politics. Cork Vs Kilkenny for the last seat in Wexford! Did you ever think you’d see that?
Brendan Howlin is the outstanding candidate, there’s no doubt about that. Few of the other contenders get a fraction of the national airtime as Brendan as their party spokesperson. Few have as much credibility. The rest of the country will have a Gilmore Gale, in Wexford we're having a Howlin Gale!

Evening canvass is a nuisance in the dark. Finding your way round dark paths to front doors in older estates, reluctance of some people to answer in the dark are all factors that irritate the ordinary canvasser. Interestingly we canvassed a working class estate last Saturday night where everyone was in. I think most of these people would usually be out on a Saturday evening for a pint but not anymore. Less money to spend means evenings in. Look on the bright side, it hasn’t rained and many are openly indicating they will support Brendan and transfer to Pat Cody.
The number of young non-nationals coming to answer the door is significantly less than during the local elections of 2009. Many worked in the building industry. If they were single then they’ve likely moved on. They older ones with children in school are still here. They’ve integrated and their children are learning English and indeed Irish, their friends are Irish. Many are thinking twice about returning to their native lands.
The one issue that is coming back to me is from public servants who are worried about their future. As one myself I know the concerns but the baiting of the public service by FF, FG and the Greens is making for huge volatility among public servants. These people will vote and it may yet decide the final seat between Pat Cody the union official and public servant and Fine Gael’s Liam Twomey who regularly reminds us of the part he played on the FG financial team that met the IMF. This may be unwise on Dr Twomey’s part.
Meanwhile there are still no FF posters in Wexford town on day 3 of the campaign. I hear that the FF candidates aren’t exactly fighting over who gets this part of the constituency to be canvassed. No sign of any FF canvassers in town. Effectively there are just 3 candidates running campaigns on Wexford town, Howlin, Twomey & SF’s Anthony Kelly. The greens have yet to select a candidate. The word is that they’re getting close and may have someone in place within a fortnight, god bless them!
It seems bizarre that only these 3 candidates are campaigning in Wexford town. Nobody from the outgoing government parties will darken most doors. That’s an insult to the electorate. I remember 1987 when Labour was hammered on the doorstep only too well. But at least we went out, canvassed for our candidates, because the electorate has the right to engage, political parties are obliged to account. The only FF literature I’ve seen in Wexford was something from Mattie McGrath who is running in South Tipp. It seems someone dropped it inadvertently on a pavement!
With Micheál Martin on every radio station there is no starker contrast than the absence of FF on the ground. One FF TD last night on radio explained that the slow FF start is because they knew the wind was coming. Pity they didn’t see the slump coming!
The big question for the next 3 weeks is; will Fianna Fail and Green candidates ignore the people of Wexford who gave them the mandate 4 years ago and fail to account?