None Of The Above!

The running of this great little country of ours has now, quite simply, descended into farce.

I'm not going to enumerate the reasons - you as an intelligent reader are well able to list them all by yourself with no help from me I am quite sure. We have been bombarded by them over the last few hours, days, weeks, months and years....if not even longer.

What is really worrying though is that while the crew are squabbling on the poop-deck, the ship of state is rudderless and no-one even seems to be noticing the storm we're weathering.

Fianna Fáil are cathartic now in their scramble to try and have a new leader in time to mount some sort of challenge in the General Election in order to try and save some semblance of their existence.

The Greens are running to make sure that the back bench Fianna Fáil-ers weren't seen to bring down the government before them thereby making them look more loyal to FF than even their own disgruntled members.

Fine Gael will have a fight on their hands to try and erase from our memories the fact that most of the TD's have no faith in the abilities of their own leader - as expressed by themselves - as recently as last year.

The Labour Party are happy going around telling everyone what they want to hear and perpetuating the myth that we can continue to spend more than we earn.

Sinn Féin - even leaving aside their questionable principles - have their jaded ideology of the bad rich guy in a never-ending struggle with the good poor guy.

It has to be said that our political parties and Dáil Éireann have left us down very badly. I have no faith in any of them to save us. I have no faith in the systems we have here in Ireland which mean, effectively, that the majority of the people whom we elect to represent us can not do that simple job. Either they are stymied by party whips and so-called principles or they are stymied by the Dáil itself which has become a place where TD's effectively have no power.

Back bench TD's are nothing more than voting fodder, and opposition TD's are worse - mere vessels, echoing out their bleating in an empty, irrelevant chamber or in whatever newspaper will give them a few column inches. It is pathetic and sad and in no way serves the needs of a small, vibrant, open and innovative country.

That is the legacy that the parties have brought us here in Ireland. I for one cannot see that changing in the future - because its not in 'The Party Interest' to do so. (For Party you can insert the name of any political party that you like, the principle remains the same.)

I don't normally watch The Late Late Show but I caught Olivia O'Reilly on as a panel guest last Friday and she spoke with sense, passion - and more importantly - suggestions as to what we might actually do to improve the situation. While others simper on about 're-imagining ourselves' and such like, Olivia proffered a few, simple, effective ideas. None of them are rocket-science; none were even new. But none are done either. Lessen the number of TD's and make it so as they all have a real role to play; strengthen local government; balance to books.

Will any of the parties listen to Olivia's suggestions? Will they hell! Sure that wouldn't be in 'The Party Interest' at all at all!

I say shame on all the political parties in Ireland. A plague on all your houses. Who will I be voting for in the General Election? NONE OF THE ABOVE.

The Hunt Report

So here we are. The Hunt Report - as it has been titled (and much leaked) is finally here. Early mutterings do not appear positive from a number of quarters academically and politically. Personally I am holding my fire as I have been unable to access the report itself either through the HEA or Department of Education websites. Perhaps there is so much interest in the report that demand has caused systems to fail?

Indications for some time though have been that WIT is not mentioned in the report directly but that it recommends that the option of 'University Status' as applied for by WIT six years ago now (yes you read right: 6 whole years!) under Section 9 of the 1997 University Act is to be taken off the table. In its place is the notion of (a) amalgamations of colleges - IT's specifically and (b) the potential to become a 'Technological University' an institution which does not currently exsist under Irish laws or structures. Can I say I am happy about this? No I cannot but as I have already stated I haven't yet seen the report so I am not dismissing it out of hand either.

Lets examine why the issue of University status was and is so important for Waterford and the South East. Universities, quite simply, are engines of economic growth in their regions. They attract investment, jobs, companies, brains and money. Now WIT does this too - but with one hand tied behind its back through the constraints of lesser funding, inferior autonomy and confused branding to traditional universities.

What we need in this region is for our engine to deliver at least equal horsepower to that being delivered in the other regions by their Univserities.

So will the recommendations (as reported) in Dr Colin Hunt and his committees report do that? What will be required to acquire this Technological University status? How long will it take to even deliver on the legislation required to implement such a thing? What research and economic mandate will the Technological Universities have? How will they be funded? Does Waterford IT need to amalgamate with some other college in some other location in order to achieve that status? Would that enhance or diminish its role in delivering economic growth to the South East region?

Crucially, will a Technological University deliver equality to this region? That is the test question for me. Do the recommendations in this report deliver equal (or superior???) finance, autonomy and branding to that enjoyed by other Universities, cities and regions in the state?

Both Fine Gael and Labour have indicated their support for full University status for Waterford IT (or so they say) uner the current legislation. What is their reaction to this report, which, lets face it, is being produced in the dying days of a most unpopular and most unlikely to be re-elected regime. Will its recommendations be accepted by the new government or will it go the way of most reports and gather dust on a shelf in some vault in the bowels of the Department of Education?

Time will tell. Meanwhile, lets hope that the links to the report are fixed so that those of us interested enough can at least see the full document and make our own minds up on the contents - as opposed to listening to the spin and reportage coming from some vested interests!

Meanwhile, as Mayor of the City I intend contacting Dr Colin Hunt directly (he is a Waterford man) and inviting him to meet with me to discuss his report in further detail. I will keep you posted!

Mayors Christmas Message

Christmas is a time for families and friends to share the best and for everyone to think about our fellow man and woman and extend the spirit of peace and goodwill. Luckily, we live in a city with a proud history and experience of making the best of everything. The people of Waterford city have a tremendous community spirit and resilience .

Our City is blessed with talented people in business, the arts, and in the community and voluntary sector. Our workers are hard working and decent. Our entire community of people deserve the best and we will continue to achieve in 2011 and build on our efforts last year in spite of the adversity facing our city and country .

Let this Christmas time be about the celebration of who we are as a city, a nation, as mankind and together we can enhance the celebration of this season for everyone and look to 2011 with confidence and hope.

In these challenging times, it is easy to forget what is the essential Christmas message, the message of hope for a better future. Let us not become isolated in our own thoughts. At Christmas time in our city we have the opportunity to value and celebrate the community of Waterfordians; locals, those who have settled in our wonderful city and those who have settled abroad and who cannot be with us at this time. Our thoughts and wishes go to all of you.

I would like to remember those individuals who for whatever reasons may not have the opportunity to enjoy Christmas in the way the majority of us do.
My thoughts are with those people are who are ill and hope that better health comes to you soon. And to those who have lost the security of employment. My wish is that our resilience and drive will create opportunities for positive change for all our citizens.

In my mayoral election speech in June this year I expressed a desire to work hard to inspire and bring hope to our citizens. Reflecting this Christmas, as Mayor, I have been privileged to see first hand the contribution of organisations, individuals and volunteers who work hard throughout the year to assist others. This has had the effect of filling me with great hope and pride when I have witnessed the contribution they have made. I have been inspired to continue our important work for the city; my sincere thanks go out to each and every one of them on behalf of all Waterford people.

At this Christmas time may I express the desire that peace and hope will be more than just aspirations at this time of year but that it will become a way of thinking for our people and city in the years to come.

May I take this opportunity to wish you all the very best for a Happy Christmas and a healthy and peaceful new year. Thank you.

Thanks to Everyone for their professionalism during the snow!

I want, as Mayor, to pay tribute to those people working in Waterford City Council who have kept the city up and running during the recent spell of snow and ice. Many worked long, cold hours gritting streets in the early hours of the mornings. Many made it to work in difficult circumstances themselves in order to live up to their commitment to public service.

I also want to acknowledge those in the health services who ensured our hospitals and health facilities remained open, safe and accessible. I know many who could not get to their own homes bunked in with colleagues locally, shifts were swapped and indeed every effort was made to make sure the public were able to access a full service.

To the Gardai and Emergency Services, and all the volunteer services including the Civil Defence, the Order of Malta and the Red Cross all of whom have been providing necessary assistance over the past week and a half a big thanks is also due.

On behalf of the people of Waterford and the South East I think it is important to let you know that we are aware of the work you did and continue to due, the extra efforts you made and to let you know that we appreciate those efforts on our behalf very much.

Mayor to open 'Book of Dissatisfaction'

The Mayor of Waterford City, Councillor Mary Roche has announced that she is to open a 'Book of Dissatisfaction' at City Hall in Waterford.

"I see this as something which will allow people, in their own time and in their own way, to register their dissatisfaction with the current government and their handling of Ireland and Irish affairs," said Cllr Roche. "It is quite common for Mayors to open Books of Condolence when a great catastrophe is visited on a community or a country. It allows people, collectively to record their dismay and have it passed on to the relevant authorities.

That is exactly what has happened to Ireland. We have suffered a huge catastrophe at the hands of the current and previous Governments - and now, to add insult to injury, our health, welfare and social care budgets are going to be slashed in order to pay the money back. It is a disaster for this country and people want some way to release their frustration, and vent their annoyance and have their voices heard. I hope that the 'Book of Dissatisfaction' will allow one avenue for people to do that."

The book will allow people to sign record their name and address and will have a space for people to comment and have their say - pass their verdict, or just send a message - to those who have led us to this pass.

The 'Book of Dissatisfaction' will open at City Hall on Monday next, November 29th and will be available for people to sign from 9am to 5pm daily.

"I would ask as many people as possible to come and sign the book" said the Mayor "and through this simple means, to send a message to the Government that we are not happy with their performance on our behalf. To tell them 'we are dissatisfied'. This is something everyone can do in their own time to have their voice heard."

The 'Book of Dissatisfaction' will be open from 9am to 5pm daily for people to sign at the City Council Foyer, City Hall, The Mall, Waterford from Monday 29th November. The Mayor is inviting all the people of Waterford City & County and from the South East Region to make the effort to come in to City Hall and record their dissatisfaction.

General Election Isn't the Answer

Ok....the government is unravelling and rightly so. I'm not going over the reasons or what got us here because personally I'm sick of hearing about it but in the interests of this Country of ours and our people we need to look a little more closely at how Ireland needs to shape up for the future. I'm not talking about financially either, as we have ceded that right to bigger, international agencies and it's outside of our control, in honesty.

So what am I talking about then? I'm talking about the fundamentals. How do we run our country. How do we elect those will run our country. How we 'do' our politics. Anyone who has followed this blog for a while will know that I believe that the political system we have here is broken; not fit for purpose - and so it has turned out to be.

We elect the nice guys, the guys we know, the guy we've perhaps always voted for (or his son!), the guys who (say they) got the house for your daughter or maybe the guy who (says he) sorted out your medical card. I use the word 'say' because the reality is that nobody can get you anything that you are not entitled to in your own right. Not a TD, a Councillor or even the Taoiseach himself. If you qualify, you qualify and that should be the way it is. A country that doles out favours on the basis of who-you-know is one that we should have no aspiration to be a part of in the grand scheme of things.

And what kind of service are we running if you need a TD to get you a medical appointment? That is ridiculous, wicked politics. What your TD ought to be doing is ensuring that our health, welfare and social services run efficiently, and fairly and in a timely manner so that people are delivered their rights as a matter of course and in a prompt and courteous way.

But no, they are happy to run around, like an errand boy, doing favours in order to get your vote. Is this really the way to ensure that we get the best people, with their heads in the game and focused on how best to run this tiny country with a big reputation? No is the answer. It isn't.

So we need to change it. And having a General Election - much as I welcome the opportunity to give FF a good kicking as much as the next person - will not deliver that change. We will change the bums on seats but not the country and we will still deliver up the same old faces, working the same old system, with only one thing in mind - and that is to hold onto their own seats.

So what would that change look like? Well, I don't profess to have all the answers but it must do a few things in my opinion. It must take the focus off individual TD's and put it onto policies and politics. It must make TD's less dependant on small numbers of votes and it must allow for talented people to enter the system. I'm not sure any or even some of this is possible. But it is the only way to make sure that Ireland is equipped for the future.

In most of Europe they use a 'list system' to elect their local and national governments - so, my party fights your party. And if my team wins, the people on my 'list' get in and if your team wins then it's your list. It puts the focus onto policies rather than people and also delivers a better 'team' approach with more balance in terms of skills, women, and leaders.

We need, it goes without saying, fewer TD's. About 66 should be enough I would think. (Perhaps we could reach that in stages - I'm thinking of turkeys and Christmas here!) That would give a much larger electorate meaning that the focus could not be on the mundane or the minuscule. That would have to be left - as it should be - to local politicians. This would make TD's less vulnerable to local self-interest issues and much more capable of working in the National interest.

The list system would also allow for bright people - who perhaps might not want to fight elections - but who have a hell of a lot to offer this country, to be brought into where they are needed.

But what do we want as a country? Do we want things to be the same? (I suspect yes.) Do we want proper leadership, with talented TD's focused on running the country? (I suspect not.) Even though almost everyone I speak to calls for 'proper leadership' - nobody actually, really wants it. They want things to go on the way they always have. I suspect there will be a low turn out for the next elections. I suspect that will suit the 'same old' heads. I suspect we have no appetite to really change and grow as a Country....but I live in hope that I am wrong.

And so I ask 'we the people': what do you want? I question that sacred cow that any politician must not question if he or she values their own seat: the electorate. What do you want? Do you want and modern, nimble, can do country that puts the people of Ireland first - as a people? That sometimes tells us things we don't want to hear? That guides the ship of state away from 'pothole land' and into a proper republic? That takes the tough decisions that 'the locals' don't like. That spends our resources wisely and not on the basis of getting them re-elected?

I can't answer the questions myself. But I know what I fear. Perhaps I shall have my question answered sooner than I think.

We need to re-think our politics, our republic, our country. Or else the only thing positive that may come out of all this mess - which is the opportunity to change a broken system, consciously, mindedly, together and rationally - will pass and will be lost.

A General Election will not do that. Will anyone - and does anyone want to even try? I, for one, do. I feel I should be calling people who are like-minded to action. The sensible, silent, thinking majority. The people who despair at the rent-a-picketers and those who are calling for disruptions and civil disobedience! They are only distractions. Thinking a General Election is the solution or can deliver a solution is deluded at best and completely infantile at worst!

I want to say lets get this conversation going. But alas I fear it wouldn't even be heard. So I'm putting it out there. These are big questions and we are in a time of great opportunity for ourselves if we can answer them. But who is willing. Who.....

Mayor Attends Tall Ships Conference in Norway

And on a positive note, as Mayor of Waterford City I am off tomorrow morning bright and early to Norway for the last International Tall Ships Conference before those beautiful vessels will arrive here on June 20th next year.

It's our last chance as a city to get all the main players in one place, to woo them, if you like, to come to our ancient city. We will go bearing gifts and with a great story to tell, with fantastic plans afoot and with the whole city simply simmering in anticipation of what is sure to be an amazing event - the largest festival on the Island of Ireland in 2011.

Des Whelan, the Chairman of the event locally is also attending as is Olivia O'Reilly who is the chief organiser of the entire event along with a few representatives from the Port Company and some sub-committee chairs. I look forward to a busy, productive few days in what I expect to be a cold Norway. Suffice to say that a warm coat, furry boots and hats 'n gloves are being packed!

We intend to also host some meetings at the event to explore the possibility of kick-starting the re-introduction of the Sail Training programme to Ireland which I am keenly interested in. Lets hope there will be something to report. While the return of the programme is my ultimate aim, it would be really fantastic - and what a legacy of the event next year - if we could have a Tall Ship operating out of Waterford City? Wouldn't that be something?

On a slightly downbeat note I and others are still working hard to ensure that there will be an Irish Tall Ship at the event next year. Many of you will remember the line-up in 2005 when the gorgeous and much lamented Asgard II (pictured above) was in attendance, graced by the company of the Dunbrody which came down from our neighbouring port of New Ross and also the Jeanie Johnson. Three Irish sailing ships was a sight to behold and sadly it will probably never been seen again. However I am anxious that some Irish vessel will be here to fly the flag proudly in our name. Here's hoping. However it is surely hope, rather than expectation!

In the meantime, it's an early start for my first spin up the brand new motorway to Dublin and on to Norway. Roll on the summer!

Dear Voters of Donegal South West

Dear Voters of Donegal South West,
I am writing to you as a voter in Waterford where we too have been denied the right to equal representation in Dail Eireann for quite a long time. Be that as it may, you are now being given the opportunity that we continue to be denied and I have a favour to ask of you. Could you send the Government a message on behalf of all of us in the Country? Do you think you could find it in your heart to tell them to shag off? You are in a great position because they think they might have a chance to win a seat in your constituency and if they lost and lost heavily, it would really hit home. You would be doing us all a great service and it would leave them under no illusion as to how dissappointing, disgusting and disgraceful we feel that their behaviour has been over the last few years.

We were a rich country and at every hands turn they made the wrong decisions and they continue not to seem to know what the real story is or how to get us out of it and now every man Jack of us is going to have to 'feel the pain' or so they tell us so that they can pay back every gambler, sorry I mean bondholder, at the expense of the future of our children.

So if you could find it in your heart to deliver a sound, swift democratic kick in their electoral family jewels I think you would find yourselves being feted in every county in the country. Please consider my request and I look forward to your response on voting day. Remember, we're all counting on you.

Yours in desperation and anticipation,
The Waterford Electorate

Holy Cow - or should that be Laughing Cow - I'm Cheesed Off!

I can't say what exactly it is about the cheese that has angered people so much. And I'm not doing any puns either. This is a serious business. It's like they have just taken the insults they are prepared to launch on this small nation to a whole new low. Cheeses! Jesus! Can they not just go away?

I have blogged before about the need now for a General Election and I repeat that call tonight; in the interests of this Country they must surely see that the best thing is for a new government to be formed either before or after Christmas which has a mandate for the next four or five years?

Decisions need to be made and implemented over that period that the current government simply is not and will not be in a position to implement. At longest they can last another 18 months but I don't think that even the most optimistic amongst them see them lasting even that long. They are going to put us to the expense (eventually) of 4 bye-elections....can they not just go for the big one and release the powder-keg of upset, annoyance, disappointment and outright anger that people are feeling? At least a General Election is a valid way to let off steam.

Go Fianna Fail - and take your cheese with you. Go - and maybe you can nibble on it as you contemplate the fiasco which you have brought upon this country - when there was no need. When we had resources which you squandered. When you should have made the right choices for the Country but you put yourselves first. Go - if you have any dignity or shame left. Go - and give us a General Election now.

Government now Moving to Gag Waterford!

It is really beyond belief that the Government, while moving the writ for the Donegal SE bye-election, are still attempting through their Supreme Court Appeal, to ensure that the voices of Waterford voters continue to be unheard! How dare they!

They have been given one almighty slap on the wrist today that they weren't expecting and still they want to thwart the very democracy on which our increasingly floundering state is built. It's beginning to look more like a dictatorship every day! Either call all the bye-elections or better yet do the decent thing and the right thing for Ireland and call a General election.

This Government has neither the mandate nor the right to make decisions for the next four years. They were either elected on lies and spin or incompetence and they are in their dying throes. They either saw this coming and decided to ignore it, or they didn't see it coming in which case they are guilty of criminal stupidity!

And to add insult to injury they are using our money to silence us! Is there not some way that Fianna Fáil can be forced to fight their political battles with their own money at least??? I mean they're telling us till we're blue in the face that we are up the proverbial creek without so much as half a paddle and yet they can, in our name, spend probably hundreds of thousands of our money - in trying to silence us!

I, as a tax-payer am saying NO. You may NOT spend my money on this appeal. There is an implicit contract between governments and the governed. We pay our taxes and generally trust that they will be used for the good of the Country. That trust is gone. That contract is broken. This case is certainly not for the good of the people.

Call the bye-elections or call the General Election. Call a halt to spending hard-earned money on your vanity projects. We know you don't care about us but please, call time on this Government - even if it's only to save yourselves! I don't care what the reason is: just go.