“It is entirely up to the people of Carlow Kilkenny as to what they do with their votes but unless there are two seats in this constituency there may not be a senior minister position.” That’s the warning from incoming Taoiseach, Enda Kenny, in last week’s Kilkenny Advertiser. So what happened to picking the best person for the job? Surely that’s what we’re electing this government for, not to return favours to vote getters, regardless of their ability? We’ve seen enough gobshites topping the poll over the years, Bertie Ahern, Padraig Flynn, Jackie Healy-Rae immediately spring to mind, and dragging in a second or even a third candidate on their coat tails. We want the best man or woman for the job, Mr Kenny, the days of returning favours are over. If you don’t believe me ask the IMF or the ECB.
What next? ““it is entirely up to the people of Carlow Kilkenny as to what they do with their money but unless the church gate collection is bigger than Fianna Fail’s there may not be a senior minister position” or “it is entirely up to the people of Carlow Kilkenny as to who they cheer for in the Connacht football final but unless they shout for Mayo there may not be a senior minister position.” I’m trying very hard to like Enda Kenny, I really am, but he doesn’t make it easy.
Decisions, decisions...
I’ve just realised that this is the last column before polling day, so it’s time to look at the prospective candidates for Carlow/Kilkenny. The full list is:
Aylward, Cassin, Couchman, Dalton, Deering, Funchion, Hogan, Hurley, Kelly, Leahy, MacLiam, McGuinness, Murnane O’Connor, Murphy, O’Hara, Phelan, Phelan, Walsh, White.
There you are. When I meet any of the candidates over the next few days I can say, “Oh, by the way, I gave you a mention in the column.” Nineteen into five won’t go, so I’m busy narrowing down my choices before polling day. Most of the Independents will have to go as I don’t think any of them have a realistic chance of gaining a seat and it’s not the time for one or two people to hold the country to ransom, like Jackie Healy-Rae or Michael Lowry did over the last few months. Murnane O’Connor is also off my voting list, as I don’t like those double barrelled names. I know it’s not the most logical of reasons, but that’s the way it is.
Fianna Fail are obviously out, with the possible exception of John McGuinness, of course. He was one of the few to try and stand up to the Ahern juggernaut over the last few years and, anyway, I can say I didn’t realise I was voting for Fianna Fail, as I didn’t spot their logo on his posters.
The Sinn Fein candidate seems competent enough, but her getting elected might mean Sinn Fein getting enough seats to have a Dail grouping and the thought of having to listen to Gerry Adams lecturing us on the economy is too much to bear. Neither Labour candidate has done or said anything to make an impression, so with just a few days to go they had better get cracking.
I just don’t know what to make of the Greens. Did they stay in government too long, or not long enough? Mary White has impressed in her short time in office, but I’m still not sure. Conor MacLiam is a hard working and honest candidate, but has he got the experience to survive in what is going to be a very tough period in our history?
Last, but not least, we’re left with the three Fine Gael candidates. Which brings us back to where we started and the threats from Enda Kenny.
Nineteen candidates and nineteen doubts. I’d better start again, from the top this time. The Greens will still get a vote, any party that puts Malcolm Noonan in as Mayor is OK by me. Now, let’s have a look at the other 18 candidates again...
Meanwhile, back in the real world, where pensions aren’t paid until you’re 65, unless you’re a politician or public servant...
I took a stroll through a canvasser-free town last Friday night. The conversation was good in Cleeres with, if they don’t mind me including myself in their journalistic ranks, Jimmy Rhatigan and Sean Hurley. On then to Ryans, where Super Noodles with guitar coalition partners, Billy Barron and Jim Byrne were winning over the local musical electorate. Give your vote, in order of preference to these two candidates in the Ryans constituency to represent you in the next musical Dail.
Last stop was Billy Byrnes in John Street, where Willie Byrne and Euphrasia Walsh were celebrating their engagement. “About time” and “Long overdue” were some of the comments. When you’re out you’re out, so the night was rounded off with a huge piece of freshly battered fish from the Blue Door. What’s seldom is wonderful.
