Chris O’Leary defects to Sinn Fein July 11, 2010
Posted by Scandalcentral in Local Politic's.Tags: Chris O'Leary, Cork North Central, Dan Boyle, Green Party, SF
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Cllr Chris O’Leary who left the Green Party last year has this week joined Sinn Fein and now may be on the ticket for the next General Election in Cork North Central. He has been Councillor since 2002 after replacing Dan Boyle. He was later reelected in 2007. Last year, he stepped down from the Green Party declaring that it “had lost its way and was more interested in light bulbs than ensuring that families could put enough food on the table” It also worked out nicely allowing him to save his seat, leaving the Green Party without a single seat on Cork City Council. He has fought for social justice and has never been afraid to fight for his constituents in the South Eastern Ward. His reasons behind joining Sinn Fein are because “he believes it was the only party which would fight for working-class principles, and that Labour had moved into centrist politics” The irony to this is if he had changed to Labour he would have stood a fairly good chance of winning a second seat for Labour in CNC. Under the Sinn Fein umbrella he will stand an outside chance of winning a seat if selected instead of established candidate Johnathan O’Brien. It also appears that he has family who are also very active within the party which may have helped him make his decision. The leftist vote is quite strong in CNC and will have Labour, Sinn Fein and Socialist transfers available.
He got elected last year on the 7th count with 0.82 of a quota. He previously ran for the Green Party for the 2004 European elections and in 2007 for the 30th Dáil- failing to get elected on both occasions.
One still has to wonder perhaps why he didn’t wait a few more weeks to try to examine the new “recycled Green’s” Party which is to be launched or else continue as an Independent. Nevertheless he now has dug his grave and taken the bullet.
Read more: http://www.examiner.ie/ireland/former-green-to-join-sinn-fein-in-council-124412.html#ixzz0tOj9IN00
Deering For the Dáil? May 25, 2010
Posted by Scandalcentral in Current Affairs, FG, Politics.Tags: Carlow/Kilkenny, FG, Fine Gael, Green Party, Mary White, Pat Deering
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Cllr. Pat Deering, selected for Carlow for Fine Gael
Councillor Pat Deering appears to have been selected tonight to represent Fine Gael in the Carlow section of the Carlow/Kilkenny Constituency for the next General Election. He has beaten fellow Councillor Pat O’Toole for the regional nomination. Deering has been heavily involved in G.A.A in Carlow for some time. He has been on the counties executive for over 9 years, chairing for the last number of years. He is very popular locally and is expected to do well. He replaced his father Michael on the Council at the last local elections. At the 2009 local elections he received 17.7% of the vote. (The highest of the Fine Gael candidates) His political priorities includes to “Instill honesty and integrity into the political agenda” He will now be brought forward to the full constituency convention in which he is expected to be joined by two Kilkenny based candidates.
Deering appears to have a solid track record over the last three years at council level. In response to John Gormley’s plans to preventing new homes being built in Carlow he described it as Gormley “trying to control the population” Deering is clearly a man who has fought for local issues honorably while a member of the County Council.
Mary White: Odds on to lose seat
His chances of election is unclear. Its widely known that Mary White of the Green Party is facing electorate decimation, especially due to the proposed coursing laws and position on local development. One of the two Fianna Fail representatives are also expected to lose their seats. However, it would appear highly optimistic for Fine Gael to win three seats. Next month the second half of this convention will take place and perhaps then we will be able to draw down Deering’s chances more clearly.
Linkshttp://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/ireland/2010/0125/1224263036621.html
Green Party: A True Political Disaster. May 19, 2010
Posted by Scandalcentral in Current Affairs, Topical.Tags: Carbon Tax, Dan Boyle, Eamon Ryan, Eddie Hobbs, FG, Fine Gael, GP, Green Party, Greens in Crisis, IRFU, John Gormley, New Era, Peak Oil, RISE Campaign, Rugby Free to Air, Simon Coveney
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This week it appears the Green Party has reached yet another low and with that, I believe the point of no return. They have single handedly destroyed their chances of remaining a force in Irish Politics after the next General Election.
Whilst in Government the Greens have always had this idea that as long as what they’re doing is for the “greater good” then its correct. They follow a moral code that they seem to believe is like a bible, never to be questioned. This week Eamon Ryan announced that he was planning to interfere with sports broadcasting by attempting to make Heineken Cup and other rugby games free to air. This move was at first greeted by shock and later livid anger by the nations rugby followers and management. IRFU chief executive Philip Browne has said he believes “Minister Ryan’s proposal would destroy both the sport and the very cultural events the Minister believes he would be protecting.” The IRFU claim the plans would cost them €12million, 18% of their annual income, with damaging long-term effects for the game in Ireland. The IRFU believes, as do many rugby followers that the drop in revenue will mean the provincial sides will be unable to hold onto their best players, opening the door for the country’s top stars to walk away. It has also been predicted that for Connaught, it will be the end, as for many know that they are being keep alive only due to the funding streams available. Why, you ask is the minister getting involved in the free market? All due to the fact that he and his son had to visit the local publican to watch Leinster play last week! A Facebook group protesting against this proposal has been set up and has in excess of 1,500 members in just a few days.
Dan Boyle has added fuel to the fire. (About all he is good for anyway) By announcing via twitter that he was rowing in behind the Communications Minister. Naturally Dan Boyle these days feels its acceptable to announce anything via Twitter. He appears to think it is appropriate to make comments about policy that dont even appear sometimes to have yet been announced/exist over Twitter. Then again, we are talking about Dan Boyle. He’s only been rejected by the electorate eight times! God loves a trier is the saying that is relevant here, however scandalcentrals view is, that Boyle is handicapping the Green Movement. Until they get a real politician into the Cork scene they will not win a seat in Cork South Central (CSC). 
2010 has been a bad year for the Green Party as a whole. They have lunged from crisis to crisis. We have already seen both Trevor Sargent and Deirdre de Burca stand down in shady circumstances, this follows in the background where the Greens no longer have any power at local level due to their decimation at the Local elections. Dan Boyle continues to plague the Party like a wart that wont go away. Meanwhile they have ruined any chance of them ever getting a foothold into the rural vote by the party’s continued stance on coursing. The party is proposing an outright ban on everything that they define “blood sports” This idea has lead to massive protests far greater than those seen outside Dáil Éireann these days, against this plan by the RISE campaign. It has been described by commentators as a lack of understanding by the Green Party. Scandalcentral calls it pure stupidity.
However the single biggest failure of the Green Party, has been their failure to implement legislation in areas that they have huge support. Eamon Ryan would do well to legislate the things that has huge national and cross party support instead of marginalizing an already marginalized party! Most people in the state now realise that peak oil will be upon us in a matter of years. Dear God, even Eddie Hobbs is writing books about it these days! This state is hugely dependent on oil. So this dependency must be reduced at once. Yet where is the massive Green strategy rolling out a solution? Tiny snippets of investment is not enough, we need a national solution like the one proposed by Fine Gael’s Simon Coveney. New Era will revolutionize this country if implemented,both creating jobs and reducing our carbon footprint. Yet the Greens are worried about TV rights? Dan Boyle is worried about some Fox in Carlow? John Gormley is meanwhile introducing carbon taxes like there’s no tomorrow. Once again quoting “their bible” describing this as for the greater good. Pity for the Greens, Gormley is a total dimwit. Fianna Fail have only allowed this back of the envelope idea to be implemented because it will raise money for the empty coffers and the Greens will get the blame.
ERSI’s Richard Tol has said “that a carbon tax that is levied on emissions covered by the EU ETS, would not reduce emissions, but would cost Ireland and the rest of the EU money.” (Exactly the kind of tax introduced by Gormley) However Gormley expects this to reduce emissions is beyond me. The ironic thing is that carbon taxation is nothing new. Denmark, Finland, Norway and Sweden have all had these taxes since the 1990′s. For most of these countries the tax has not led to a reduction in emissions, for Norway a 43% increase!! Only Denmark has seen a reduction in emissions. What have they done differently? They have used the proceeds from the tax as subsidies for firms with environmentally innovative ideas. So, is Gormley doing this? Not a chance, even cent of this tax is going straight to pay our now massive public debt. All Scandalcentral asks is how these blockheads get into Government? Naturally it was that 4.7% of the electorate who gave them a number 1 in 2007. I hold them totally responsible.
The Greens are not being blamed for the economic crisis, for they didn’t cause it. They are being blamed for having farcical policies and failing to tackle the real issues…and for that, they will pay a high price, very likely with the majority of their 6 seats. I cant wait for the Twitter updates on election day 
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Links: http://www.rte.ie/sport/rugby/2010/0518/ireland.html
http://www.irishtimes.com/blogs/politics/2010/05/18/if-its-not-broke-dont-question-it/
Image: www.greeninkpen.blogspot.com
Eugene Regan: The End of The Road? April 25, 2010
Posted by Scandalcentral in Current Affairs, FG, Topical.Tags: Bertie Ahern, Blasphemy Law, Ciaran Cuffe, Dermot Ahern, Dun Laoghaire, Eugene Regan, FF, FG, Fianna Fail, Fine Gael, Goldman Sach, GP, Green Party
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It is now widely rumoured that Fine Gael Senator Eugene Regan will not stand in the next General Election for Dún Laoghaire. This is a massive disappointment (If true) for many people. Its believed that his wife is unwell and that this is the principle reason for him not to stand. If this is true then naturally I wish him all the best in the future.
However it still is a blow to Fine Gael in the Dun Laoghaire constituency. He would have been widely expected to get elected alongside Sean Barrett at the next election, hence gaining a seat for Fine Gael, wining a seat off probably Ciaran Cuffe of the Green Party. It leads one to suggest that John F Bailey will more than likely be on the ticket with Barrett, as he already ran in 2002 and 2007.
Not only is it a blow to Fine Gael, it is a blow to Irish politics. Regan has been a moral compass in the Seanad for some time now. During the scandals involving Bertie Ahern, he always demanded that the then Taoiseach came out and revealed the full facts. He has also been a torment to the Green Party, accusing them of cronyism over their idea to rotate cabinet positions- declaring it nothing more than giving jobs to the boys. He was also critical of the fact that Green Party candidates have been appointed to FAS and other state bodies- showing the Greens are no better morally than Fianna Fáil themselves.
Regan also placed himself firmly against the now famous Blasphemy Laws introduced by Dermot Ahern, claiming them to be “a step back in time” He also declared that the Seanad should be abolished, due to the fact that the house wasn’t given time to scrutinize several important pieces of legislation including the Enforcement of Court Orders Bill.
Regan’s background is somewhat impressive to say the least. He worked in the European Commission during the 70′s working with Patrick Hillary’s cabinet and later as a member of Peter Sutherland’s cabinet. He later worked with Agra, a firm which helps firms who trade oversea’s in difficult locations. Regan had to negotiate with traders in Iraq during Saddam Hussein’s regime, in Algeria during its civil war and with pre- and post-Communist Russia. This in itself highlights the remarkable achievements he has made during his life. Today he is mainly known for being a non-executive director with Goldman Sachs- naturally providing a watchful eye over the investment bank.
Regan has been an excellent public representative and will be missed if he does in fact not run for the next Dáil.
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Irish politics reaches a new low? April 20, 2010
Posted by Scandalcentral in Current Affairs, Topical.Tags: Deirdre de Burca, FF, FG, Fianna Fail, Fine Gael, George Lee, GP, Green Party, Politics
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Deirdre de Burca: Morally, could walk the walk, but couldn't talk the talk?
The current political year has been something else. The end of the Dáil term approaches so it is fitting for one to take a step back and ponder the happenings of politics in this country. This probably has been one of the most stunning Dáil terms I have ever seen.
Earlier this year we were stunned by George Lee. He entered the Dáil with the country believing he could move mountains, the problem was, he thought so too. It’s no surprise that he soon got fed up with the lack of action in opposition and quickly departed Leinster House to return to his well remunerated package in RTÉ. Why work longer hours for less pay anyway? Who wants to be dealing with Mary’s pothole issue or Johns planning issue when you want to be dealing with fiscal policy? The harsh reality for Lee is that he was actually more effective in the media then he was in the Dáil. There, he did a great job of locating the massive holes that exist in Government banking policies etc. I wonder how many people can name the new RTÉ economics editor? (Its Sean Whelan and he doesn’t hold any economic qualifications)
This year also saw the final steps of demise if the Green Party. The party who claimed to be this nations moral compass were found out to be what they are, corrupted by power. They talked the talk in opposition but once they got their hands on power they become as bad as Fianna Fáil themselves and failed to walk the walk. I must say its a massive shame. I had a great respect for Trevor Sargent, he was a man who made the Green Party seem less like a crazy far left bunch of shrubs and more like a party that could actually bring morality and decency back into Irish politics. Then he goes off and totally destroys that image by doing such a heinous act. Naturally, the Green image is far from the holy grail it once was. John Gormley started his speech at the Green Conference praising the fact that he now got a new job for one of his boys (Mary White). Then of course you have Deirdre de Burca walking away from them because she didn’t get a job!! This year has seen Green followers appointed onto state boards, Fás and so on. In fact arguably they are no worse then Fianna Fáil, for we knew what to get from them, they never denied they would find jobs for ‘the boys’. For the Greens it is a new all time low.
Gormley Defends GP in Government…How? March 27, 2010
Posted by Scandalcentral in Current Affairs, Topical.Tags: Fine Gael, Gormley, Green Party, Labour, Manifesto, Politics, Sargeant
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http://www.rte.ie/news/2010/0327/greens.html
It appears that John Gormley has used his prime time 30 minute slot this year to defend the Green’s in Government instead of announcing policy or anything of real value to a swing voter. This in its self is fine, as long as there is something to defend!
Without a shadow of a doubt the Green Party has failed miserably in Government, not due to the recession, but down to their lack of action in keeping Fianna Fáil “in line” along with the fact that they HAVEN’T achieved enough (Or any) of their “Green” goals.
http://www.greenparty.ie/en/about/party_archives/election_2007/manifesto_2007
The above link will lead one to the Green Party manifesto before the 2007 election. I will not mention anything to do with the economic elements because they were based on predicted figures at the time and more importantly, no one votes for the Green’s if they care about the economy anyway.
“Road Safety: Reduce the blood alcohol limit to 50mg/100ml”
“Broadband: Set the mobile phone operators, cable companies and Eircom into direct competition to get cheaper, faster and more integrated broadband services”
“Political Reform: Reduce the number of TDs from 166 to 130 and more than double Dáil sitting time.“
“Roads: The Green Party will: respect existing road contracts but, where there is concern about potential damage to communities, environment or heritage, will investigate how this can be minimised within the scope of the contract or through renegotiation” (RE: Proposed motorway through Tara, heritage site)
“Rail: build a light rail line running from Mahon to Ballincollig via Cork City Centre” (Was that a joke?)
“Communications: consolidate post offices into local community internet/broadband facilities”
“Students: abolish the student travel card, which represents a form of double taxation on students, and replace it with a free student ID card which will entitle students to the same level of discounts.” (Pity about this one 
)
“Air Travel: The Green Party will:
• develop new routes from Cork, Shannon and Belfast and provide proper public transport links to these airports, rather than construct a second terminal in Dublin;
• phase out the subsidy to internal flights;
• support proposals from the French government to put an EU-wide tax on aviation fuel.” ( Dublin now has its new terminal, the tax idea ,dear GOD- lets destroy Irish tourism!)
” 3rd Level Education: provide a €110 million of support loans and grants for part-time and full-time students.” (The grant has been cut for 2010/11)
“Voting: overhaul the archaic voter registration system, possibly linking it to PPS Numbers”
All of the above come straight from the Green’s themselves. All of the above are examples of Green Party failings. There are many more may I add! The Green Party in Government has failed to achieve anything worth talking about. Tonight, Gormley declared ” We are in politics to get things done” in his keynote speech- well you could have fooled me! The above examples show how little the Greens have actually got done. For many their stint in Government proves that they are still the same Green Party that existed 10 years ago. The Greens have been a spectacular failure in Government, right now they must wonder what % they would have in the polls if they hadn’t gone into government. Tomorrows papers place them on 5% http://www.rte.ie/news/2010/0327/poll.html That puts them on course to lose seats at the next election.Near the last election the party was on 8%, for a small party 3% is more or less oblivion.
http://www.redcresearch.ie/documents/SBP20thMay07PollReport.pdf
In tonight’s speech, Trevor Sargeant was also mentioned. We were told it was ” No excuses, no delays just decisive action.” Sargeant knew about what he had done for ages and didn’t stand down until it came into the media spotlight. How can one call that no delays?
Then of course came the key message of the speech in relation to planning:
“The Labour Party councillors have behaved, for the most part, responsibly – but not so Fine Gael councillors. Fine Gael is still receiving contributions from the developers, still rezoning, and still has not woken up to the new reality.”
Being totally honest, never in my life have I heard such an unfounded comment. I know many Fine Gael Councillors and none of whom would dare accept a bribe or otherwise vis a vis planning. That era belongs in the 1970′s Ireland and for Gormley to claim that on live television in front of thousands I find startling. I’m also very confident that for the Labour Councillors it’s the same case- hence Gormley has made a lot of enemies tonight right across the country.
One notable part of the Green Party manifesto that it appears will be implemented is here: “ban blood sports with heavy penalties for organisers of, and participants in, illegal blood sports” Gormley had the following to say to the 5000 protestors who came to tell him that Rural Ireland has had enough of a man who has no idea what coursing is about ” your actions serve only to make us more determined than ever to make the changes that are needed.”- a pitiful response to the thousands who have been involved in this sport for centuries.
This weekend the Green Party conference has assured the swing voter of one thing, the Greens are failures and have not helped the country in any fundamental way. John Gormley’s speech was filled with sound bites but little hardcore revolutionary policy.The comment at 5.55 in this video is very fitting: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vtk8yOX46Pw 
