I’ve had cause to get in touch with my local TD, Noel O’Flynn, recently over an urgent matter and he has been very responsive and helpful. Some will say that it’s an election year and our elected officials will be extra careful to keep their constituents happy but even in past correspondence he responded promptly. I’m not normally a Fianna Fail voter but this year that may change.
So, will you vote for the person or the party? Do party policies matter more than the active local politician who represents you?
I’ll vote for the person but their parties policies will have a big bearing on that decision as well.
That’s a tough one Donncha because it seems the individual politicians are not allowed to “vote their conscience” but are expected to follow the party line like a herd of sheep. Look what happened to Beverly Cooper-Flynn, no matter the circumstances, she should never as an “elected by the people” member be subjected to being “silenced” for voting her conscience. So what difference may I ask is it to vote individual or party?
It looks like ye’re going to have the same old faces in cork north-central again.
http://www.breakingnews.ie/ireland/?jp=MHAUQLCWMHSN&rss=rss1
If you want to change policies on a national level, then voting for an individual will not matter much. Best thing is to hire some consultants to push the ministers to towards a “way of thinking”. (For the life of me, I can’t remember what they’re called).
Vote for the individual that has closest to your point of view and that has a track record of getting things done for constituents.
Things you should ask yourself are:
* is this a matter a TD is directly responsible for as a national representative
* should it have been easier for you to access the service you needed without recourse to a TD.
My view is that TDs are legislators first, but in Ireland there’s a history of the parish pump and the pension denied but then “got for yeh” which combines an obstructionist civil service with a legislature spending too much of its time getting services for constituents either unfairly denied, or worse, fairly denied but granted under political pressure.
Some legislators will keep the unfair civil service in place rather than fix it because it keeps a stream of voters heading their way, while retaining a societal sense of disconnect from their due State services.
I THINK THE MAIN THING TO REMEMBER IS WHAT THE PERSON STANDS FOR. IF A CANDIDATE FOR THE NEXT ELECTION IS A MEMBER OF FIANNA FÃIL FOR EXAMPLE, TAKE INTO ACCOUNT THAT THE POLICIES AND BELIEFS OF THAT PARTY ARE HIS/HER OWN AS WELL (OTHERWISE HE/SHE WOULD BE AN INDEPENDENT). I LIVE IN SOUTH-WEST DONEGAL AND I WILL VOTE FOR FIANNA FÃIL THIS YEAR. NO MATTER WHAT ANYONE SAYS, THAT PARTY HAS DEIVERED FOR THE PEOPLE OF DONEGAL. I HAVE MET BOTH PAT THE COPE AND MARY COUGHLAN REGARDING VARIOUS ISSUES AND THEY HAVE AT ALL TIMES BEEN UNDERSTANDING, HELPFUL AND ABOVE ALL TRUE TO THEIR WORD.
I’M NOT TRYING TO GET YOU ALL TO VOTE FOR THE PARTY – BY NO MEANS HAVE I ANY RIGHT TO TELL YOU WHO’S BETTER, BUT MY OWN BELIEF IS THAT FIANNA FÃIL WILL FULFIL EVERY PROMISE THEY HAVE MADE.
It should be remembered that this is the same individual who has made some curious statements on asylum and foreign nationals arriving into Ireland. a Quick google on Noel o’Flynn and the word Sponger will reveal this ..
and to be honest, a cat rarely changes their spots..
and that does not apply to Noel alone .. unfortunately
Personally will vote as my conscience dictates.. that alligned with who I feel should be in control of the Dail.
Vote for the party! I know Noel O’Flynn myself, he’s my local TD and he’s all smiles and charm when you’re in his constituency but rarely has any policy ideas or is even particularly helpful so don’t be fooled