Week’s events: Dáil Business, Ukraine & weekly canvass

22nd February, 2014

Much of this week was spent getting ready for the week to come, as that involves a considerable amount of overseas travel. Next Monday and Tuesday I’ll be in Strasbourg meeting Ireland’s MEPs and the latter half of the week will take me to Warsaw, where I will meet with political leaders and members of the Polish Government.

 

When I wasn’t preparing myself for that however, I was busy in the Dail and in the constituency.

 

On Wednesday I took the Fines (Payment and Recovery) Bill which deals with a person’s ability to pay fines and alternatives, such as community service, which may be used in the event that that is not possible.

 

On Thursday evening I was out in RTE to take part in the Late Debate. The awful events in the Ukraine and immigration in Ireland were up for discussion.

 

On Friday I was back in the Dail to take another Bill. This time it was the Judicial Appointments Bill for Minister Shatter who was away in Greece on official Ministerial business. I opposed the bill, arguing that it would make the judicial appointment process more political. Finished Friday evening at a public meeting in North Wall.

 

Councillor Ray McAdam and I attended a meeting in relation to Croke Park and the upcoming concerts scheduled for the summer. Ray, myself and Patrick Martin also spent a lot of time meeting local residents and listening to their concerns in relation to the matter.

 

I also canvassed Clonliffe Road, Stoneybatter, Drumcondra and Cabra.

Any spare time was spent listening to the Gloaming album. Just magic.