Below letter was in the Irish Times yesterday. Don’t agree with it (obviously!). But it did bring a smile. I have always believed in a highly rational model of voting behaviour. People vote according to an expanded model of self interest. Voters decide what is best for themselves and their families and vote accordingly. In […]
Don’t agree with him but……..
The Golden Circle
There has been much ado this week about the Golden Circle -the 10 investors who were lent money by Anglo Irish Bank to buy shares in the same bank. I have been contacted by a lot of constituents about this. I want to emphasise some really crucial things about this issue.
History Repeating Itself
Spent the afternoon canvassing. I think that it is so important that people see more of their politicians when times are hard. Some advised me to cancel our public meeting on Tuesday night as it might backfire. But surely that is the reason to hold them in the first place? Really struck by the number of people who […]
A lot can happen between two meetings.
I attended the convention last night to select Gay Mitchell MEP for the approaching European Parliament elections. When I last attended that meeting (5 years ago) I was a normal foot soldier for Fine Gael. Since then I have fought 3 elections, won 2 and am now a Senator. Can’t believe that so much has happened! Felt odd to […]
The O2 and the local community
A constant local issue is the need for better plans for parking and traffic management for Croke Park. You vainly hope that lessons will be learnt, particularly by the planning authorities. I’m afraid that we are now living through the same saga in relation to the 02 venue in North Wall. Let me say from […]
Meeting with Minister Dempsey
The Oireachtas Transport Committee met with Minister Dempsey this morning to discuss the approaching strikes in Dublin Bus. Used this to follow up on issues raised at public meeting last night organised by Councillor Mary O’Shea and myself. I questioned the Minister on why the reforms that the Minister is now looking to introduce were not done earlier. I […]
Household Debt
I have just received a research paper on personal debt levels in Ireland. I commissioned this as I am concerned that this is a ‘silent’ but huge issue that is about to rocket up the political agenda. This is confirmed by the paper which has a number of very interesting points and conclusions.
Public Meeting Tonight on Local Bus Services
Quick reminder that Fine Gael are organising a public meeting on local bus services in the Half Way House, Navan Road tonight at 8pm. Myself, Councillor Mary O’Shea and Fergus O’Dowd TD will be attending as well Dublin Bus representatives. The meeting will end by 9.30.
Eoghan is nearly right
Eoghan Harris wrote a very strong article in the Sunday Independent yesterday. While I don’t agree with much of what Eoghan writes (particularly about Fianna Fail and Brian Cowen) he can cut through the consensus very quickly and prod us all into new thinking.
We must start all over again
Enda called yesterday for the entire Board of the Financial Regulator to be sacked. He is right to call for this. The failures in regulation are now so systemic that decisive action must be taken. We need to go even further. The allegations in relation to Fas, the Dublin Docklands Authority and so on indicate that steps must […]