If I lose every election in the future party HQ may well look back and say that if I had spent less time wasting time on gadgets and computers and more time knocking on doors I would have been more successful. Well I just can’t help myself. I’ve just been on Twitter and set myself up on it. […]
I am Twittering!
A little victory
Just received my Seanad plan for the week. The Harbours Bill is on next Thursday. No end point has been set for it. Will I ever get out of the chamber? The filibustering could go on until Friday! Readers of earlier posts might remember that the last session on this ended with a colleague saying of a report […]
Croke Villas Update
I have followed up with Dublin City Council in relation to the meeting I attended last week over the future of Croke Villas. The City Council have informed me that a task force has been set up to identify a plan for the future of this area and it’s community. I have emphasised the importance of this new plan […]
Construction Work on East Wall Road
Last night I met with the Parkside Residents Committee to review issues in relation to construction work on the old cement mixing site (beside North Strand fire station) at the top of East Wall road. The committee briefed all the local politicians on their concerns that the sheer amount of demolition was causing damage to local homes. As always, […]
Killing me softly…part 2
Just finished in Seanad Chamber on Harbours Bill. Started at 12.20 and finished at 4. Senator O’Donovan took up most of this time. His conclusion in with the immortal line ‘…well I’m on page 5 of a 45 page report….’. It is such a pity that the lack of a strong parliament means that members have to resort […]
Off to Davos
Oh dear. My contribution on the order of business today caused a bit of a stir. I posed a number of questions about the discussions in government buildings with the social partners. I wanted to know why the government were only looking for a one year plan with the social partners. If you are looking to turn around a […]
Killing me slowly – the Harbours Amendment Bill 2008
I normally associate ‘filibustering’ with giants of the American Senate such as Senators Byrd and Kennedy. This is where a Senator speaks at great length to slow down or stop the passing of a piece of legislation to which he or she is against. Little did I expect to be involved and see such a procedure in action myself. […]
Do we ever learn?
The EU affairs committee met today. Most of our meeting was taken with a discussion on the Commission’s Work Programme for 2009. This document reviews what the Commission wants to do for the coming year. There was a huge amount in the programme that will make a great difference to our country. The work that they are doing on […]
First day back
Today is the first full day back of the Oireachtas since Christmas. The Cathaoirleach of the Seanad has written to all senators warning us of the need to be better behaved in the chamber! A meeting of Fianna Fail senators and TDs took place last night where they were all briefed on the economic challanges facing the country. […]
First Active Job Losses
The job losses in First Active are terrible news and I am so sorry for the many families that will be dealing with this and the great worry that follows. They are also very significant for Ireland inc. The two main foundations for job creation in Ireland were the banks and the builders. While we have spent a […]