Archive for the 'Politics' Category

LÁ AN TOGHCHÁIN – POLLING DAY – DÉ hAOINE 25.2.11

Published 26 February, 2011 Election , Fingal news , Politics Closed

Friday, 25 February, 2011.

The day the people decide the membership of the 31st Dáil has arrived. It is also the day (like every other Friday) when I bring cups, milk, tea and coffee etc to keep the stallholders and other market visitors refreshed on George’s Square at Balbriggan Fish and Farmers’ Market. From there I cast my vote  at the nearby Combined Clubs Community Centre.

I was joined by Rob Mc Donald, a neighbour and student journalist who is making a ‘fly on the wall’ radio documentary about this election weekend as seen and heard through my eyes. Recording intermittently in the car, we set off to visit all the Dublin North polling stations aswell as one in Dublin North East at Kinsaley National School.

Gave a lift to Portmarnock resident Orna, to the Kinsaley Parish Hall Polling Station on our rounds. We finished up at Polling Station number 19 in Balscadden National School just before 10pm. A friendly crowd was gathered at Mc Cormacks, the famous local pub nearby, so we stopped for a little well appreciated refreshment there. Bought a few drinks for some ladies and gentlemen I knew there and had a great chat about farming with the renowned Brendan Hagan, before repairing home to catch some rest before the count tomorrow.

My favourite quote of day,  from a lady outside the polling station at St. Cronan’s National School in Brackenstown, Swords, was as follows: ‘I HAVE JUST GIVEN YOU MY NUMBER ONE VOTE, THANK YOU FOR BEING MY VOICE IN GOVERNMENT’.  After hearing that, come what may, I knew all the effort had been worthwhile.

Campaign Update – Final Day

Published 24 February, 2011 Balbriggan , Donabate , Election , Lusk , Malahide , Politics , Portmarnock , Rush , Skerries , Swords Closed

Thursday, 24 February, 2011 – day before the election

On the final day of the campaign for election 2011, Trevor Sargent and his Green team undertake a lighting tour of the constituency. The tour concludes with a stop at the site of the future maritime museum in Balbriggan, where Trevor took the opportunity to say thanks to his team. It’s been a hectic three weeks but spirits are high.

RTE AND TV3 FIT IN AROUND CANVASSING IN SWORDS AND NATIONALLY

Published 24 February, 2011 Election , Fingal news , Politics , Swords Closed

Wednesday, 23 February, 2011.

Long day beginning with meeting commuters at Rush and Lusk Train Station before 7am. Had to break away after 7.30pm to take a call from Morning Ireland on RTE Radio. Interviewed by Rachel English about what is Green Party programme of work in the next Dáil and how we are fighting for the last seat in many constituencies, probably against Fianna Fáil.

Left the station after 8.30am to attend Dublin Fingal Chamber of Commerce meeting in Carnegie Court Hotel, Swords. Made a few suggestions on how Main Street could be made more attractive to the 45,000 population in the hinterland of Swords, e.g. weekly outdoor market  run in co-operation with the existing traders as happens already in Balbriggan, and to an extent in Skerries and Malahide too. As well as that, I suggested tapping in to the Bike to Work Scheme cyclists and locate bike lock up U-bars  near shops along Main Street which would alleviate car parking hassle too. Both ideas well received and will be following up with FCC and the Chamber.

Into Leinster House then and a quick meeting with colleagues John, Eamon and Ciaran. Then a quick canvass from King Street, down Grafton Street and across to the Shelbourne Hotel for the final Green press conference of the campaign. Got some progress on the Davenport Hotel exploitation of low paid workers. The National Employment Rights Authority, NERA, has to become involved as what Mr Callaghan in doing is in my opinion wrong. I am contacting NERA about this matter today.

Back to Swords then to canvass the centre of Swords and the Drynan Road estatezs. Great bunch of canvassers again and mainly very good response once we had a chance to explain why it is so important for Greens to be elected so sustainable jobs can be created.

Then Vincent Browne on TV3. Not a pleasant experience especially when a body is tired. Deputy leaders of the other parties were on the panel too. Got in a mention for Gaelcholáiste Ghlór na Mara i mBaile Brigín. Go raibh sé ann go luath agus 460 dalta claraithe le blianta beaga amach anseo.

Driving home in the early hours, stopped by a Garda checkpoint. Everything in order and they wished me good luck in the campaign. We’ll see how all that pans out soon enough. Meanwhile another day of canvassing to go before I get to vote for myself.

SWORDS AND SKERRIES ON CANVASSING SCHEDULE TODAY

Published 22 February, 2011 Election , Fingal news , Politics , Skerries , Swords Closed

Tuesday, 22 February 2011.

Not the best of weather but good to be meeting so many people and welcoming more and more people to canvass as Friday Polling Day looms. Much calling back to houses when canvassers are told that householders want to talk with me personally. I enjoy being asked to drop in as these houses are ready and willing to engage and more often than not want to vote SARGENT NUMBER ONE, but just need some clarification or have a specific request

Campaign Update – Day 21

Published 22 February, 2011 Election , Politics , recycling Closed
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Tuesday, 22 February, 2011

We catch up with Trevor Sargent while he’s out canvassing in Skerries. He comes across a loaded skip and gives us an interesting insight into the fate of its contents, and how waste recycling supports jobs and enterprise.

DAY SPENT CANVASSING AND EVENING DEBATING WITH OTHER CANDIDATES (1 FF, 1 LAB, 2 FG CANDIDATES ABSENT)

Published 22 February, 2011 Balbriggan , Election , Fingal news , Lusk , Politics , Swords Closed
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Monday, 21 February, 2011

Wet start to the day standing from 7am at Babriggan Train Station in the rain handing out the commuter flyer. Joined by Stephen, Lorcan, Frank and Diarmuid. Hardly any litter which suggests the leaflet was interesting.

Recording a video interview for the "Ask a Green" online event

Got new tyre for €70 as old out wrecked by pothole between Oldtown and the Naul. Then Lorcan filmed Q&A session with me for Ask a Green Day event running online tomorrow.

Canvassed Dun Emer in Lusk. Many people caught in negative equity bind. I explained the Green inspired Mortgage Protection Measures.

Evening time, took up Fingal Independent invitation to a Q&A session  for Dublin North candidates in the Carnegie Court Hotel in Swords. No show again from Fine Gael. Labour and Fianna Fáil reps absent too but at least they sent running mates. Finished off night with meeting to discuss progress on getting Gaelcholáiste Ghlór na Mara to be built in Balbriggan. Spoke with Tánaiste’s advisor before meeting and will do so again tomorrow morning.

Campaign Update – Day 20

Published 21 February, 2011 Balbriggan , Election , Politics Closed

Monday, 21 February,2011

Trevor Sargent shares some more of the realities of life on the campaign trail. He’s paying a high price, having just suffered a costly reminder of the poor state of many of the rural roads in Fingal. We catch up with him in Balbriggan where he’s getting a new tyre for his car.

WEANING OURSELVES OFF OIL, THE BIG MESSAGE TO DRIVE RECOVERY

Published 21 February, 2011 Election , Fingal news , Garristown , Malahide , Oldtown , Politics Closed

Saturday 19 & Sunday 20 February, 2011

Busy weekend, so busy I got no blog done on Saturday. Beautiful weather to canvass Saturday however, up and down the hill at Seapark, Biscayne and Robswall and later The Strand, Hanlon’s Lane etc around Malahide. Spectacular views of Lambay. Must try and get out there to canvass sometime! Was delighted to have Greens from South Down, Dublin North West and Dublin North East join the canvas and afterwards head back to Oscar Taylor’s on the Coast Road for a light lunch. Then back to office in Swords to write back to the enquirers on the doorsteps.

Once 6pm came, out again to meet rural constituents in Oldtown and in Garristown. Expected a frosty reception after the legislation to take the terror and the risk of a serious road accident out of stag hunting. Glad to say however, many people were very warm-hearted and supportive. There were exceptions however!

We were back to Oldtown, Garristown and Ballymadun on Sunday morning too. Met many people I have known for decades through farming, drama, sport, natural history or Irish language  and music circles. Thanks to Fiona and Stiofán for the welcome cuppa in the middle of all the running around.

The atrocious condition of many roads after the severe winter weather has caused potholes to join together. Not surprisingly, I hit one such stretch and suffered a puncture. We’ll have to find the money to fix these roads from somewhere, they are lethal.

 

Former Minister for Energy, Eamon Ryan and former Minister for Food, Trevor Sargent at the launch of the Green Party's "oil Free by 2030" campaign

Sunday afternoon was spent in Dublin advocating how Ireland can ‘live well without the oil-well’ by 2030 AD. Sweden began this strategy in 2006 and has 2020 as the year for Sweden to be oil free. Sweden set up a Commission chaired by the Prime Minister and involving the likes of Volvo to plan and set targets to stop using fossil oils. As for Sweden, the benefits are important.

 

An oil-free future means : 1. Reduce climate change impact, 2. Secure energy supply, 3. Lead other nations in developing sustainable technology, 4. Strengthen international competitiveness, 5. Develop forests, field, wind and water to make the equivalent of ‘Irish oil wells’ for home use as well as for export.

Makes one wonder why no other party has the pragmatic vision to make the oil-free objective a central part of the nation’s recovery and future prosperity. Wake up folks, this society is sleep-walking to the edge of energy supply as we have known it. We must stop wasting, grow our indigenous energy sources and set our children on a Greener road to prosperity. Already the Green Party has doubled the amount of wind power in the grid to 15%, but our work is a bit like Noah building the ark. Time is running out. Vote Green and do your positive bit to float the economy and save the precious things in life from being lost.

Campaign Update – Day 17

Published 18 February, 2011 Election , Fingal news , Politics Closed

Friday, 18 February, 2011

In between canvassing in Skerries and Swords, Trevor took the time to visit his Swords constituency office and catch up on some paperwork. Here’s a glimpse into the “back room” of the campaign were so much time is spent following up on issues that have been raised on the canvass; and what a variety of issues there is!

 

Campaign Update – Day 16

Published 17 February, 2011 Election , Fingal news , Politics , Skerries Closed

Thursday, 17 February, 2011

We catch up with Trevor as he canvasses in Skerries. We ask him what his day has been like and he gives us a fascinating glimpse into the life of a campaigning candidate. Not for the faint-hearted!



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