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Senate race well and truly on
2007-06-09 16:22:00
Potential senators began campaigning in earnest this week in what is always a difficult campaign. I have the greatest respect for anyone that puts themselves up for election without a doubt the senate campaign is particularly difficult as candidates traverse the country in search of those coveted first preference votes. I do believe that it is time to reexamine the manner in which the Senat e is elected as in my opinion there is a strong case to be made for broadening the electorate and allowing all registered voters to elect what is afterall the second house of the Oireachtas. Not only that there needs to be major reform in the role of the Senate but maybe that debate is for another day.To those potential voters who will be looking for my votes there are four issues that I will be seeking your support in the Seanad for:1. Improved cancer care services in Waterford including the provision of public radiotherapy at Waterford Regional Hospital and the provision of BreastCheck, the nati...
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Waterford City Council sign up to Make Room Campaign
2007-06-05 21:40:00
Waterford City Council agreed last night to sign up to the Make Room campaign which seeks to end homelessness by 2010. This followed a motion in my name calling on the City Council to support the aims of the campaign. Focus Ireland, the Simon Communities of Ireland, the Society of St Vincent de Paul and Threshold have all come together under the banner of the MakeRoom Campaign . This is an unprecedented collaborative campaign by these organisations, and its success would mean that Ireland would be among the first countries in the world to successfully end homelessness.Here in Waterford there are over 110 homeless people with a small number of them sleeping rough in the city. Homelessness is a complex issue and is not just about providing accommodation. Over the past number of weeks I have met with a number of those who are currently homeless in Waterford City and in a lot of cases their story is one of addiction or indeed abuse. In fact local research shows that the two biggest reas...
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10,000 and counting
2007-06-05 00:52:00
I've just noticed that there has been over 10,000 visitors to A View from the Left since I launched it nearly a year ago now. I would like to take this opportunity to thank all of you who took the time out to visit the site. In particular I would like to thank those of you who left a comment. When I first launched the blog nearly a year ago I did not really think I would keep it going for this long. But as any blogger will tell you blogging can be addictive!! Heres to the next 10,000 hits.
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Garda substation needed in Waterford
2007-06-03 18:44:00
The need for a garda substation in Ward Three area of Waterford City has been the subject of debate for quite some time now. Community groups, residents associations and elected representatives have all been calling for a more decentralised approach from Garda i in Waterford city. Here in Waterford we do benefit from excellent community gardai who have built up good relationships with local communities. However I believe that the best form of policing is gardai on the beat in our local housing estates and communities. The provision of a Garda sub station in Ward Three will help achieve this.This months online poll is asking the question whether you are in favour of a Garda Subst ation in Ward Three in Waterford City. So why not cast your vote and let me know what you think.
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Ideas are not killed - Castro
2007-05-31 00:36:00
"Ideas are not killed" writes Cuba n leader Fidel Castro this week in response to America n President George Bush 's recent comments where he said of Castro and Cuba. "I'm a hard-line president and I'm only waiting for Castro to die" stated Bush when asked about his country's policy towards Cuba. Castro is quoted as saying;"I'm not the first, nor will I be the last, who Bush has ordered to be deprived of life," Nice one Fidel!!

Don't blame me I voted Labour!
2007-05-30 13:01:00
"Don't blame me I voted Labour " was a Labour Party slogan a number of years ago. The slogan has once again taken on new meaning following last weeks election. As we wait for Bertie to put together a mix and match government one thing is for sure s that it we are in for another 5 years of a government that is bereft of new ideas and new policies. From a Labour Party point of view we must continue to put forward our own agenda. We must now get back to what we do best i.e working in our local communties and bringing forward new ideas and new policies that represent what the Labour Party stands for. That task must begin immediately.
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Waterford voters return a Labour TD once again
2007-05-27 20:46:00
Once again Waterford Labour Party TD Brian O'Shea has been reelected to represent this constituency. Brian has represented Waterford in the Dail since 1989 and in that time he served as Junior Minister on two occasions in the Departments of Health and Agriculture. His reelection not only reflects his own tremendous constituency work but also the work of Labour Party members in Waterford. Over the last number of years local party activists have been involved in various campaigns here in Waterford. Issues such as the Radiotherapy campaign, the campaign to bring Breast Check to Waterford and the campaign for a University in Waterford all remain a priority with the Labour Party in Waterford.
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Exit Poll shows no clear winners
2007-05-25 08:41:00
This mornings exit poll while showing no decisive winner must be good news for Fianna Fail. The one thing it does show is the collapse of the PD vote. However I always treat exit polls with caution as they show first preference votes only and as we know only too well the government of the country will be decided not on first preference votes only but on the 9 and 10th votes from every box in every constituency. So its all to play for as we head out to the counts. Here in Waterford counting will take place in the Butler Hall, St Johns Park. Waterford is usually one of the first constituencies to declare a result and should give us an indication of how things are going nationally.
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Election too close to call
2007-05-24 18:20:00
With about 5 hours to go to the end of voting it would seem that this election is too close to call. According to the local commentators there will be no change in Waterford with Martin Cullen, John Deasy, Brian O'Shea and Ollie Wilkinson all being elected once again. However I believe there will be a battle royal for that last seat with Sinn Fein's David Cullinane and Fianna Fail's Brendan Kenneally all pushing hard for a seat. Sinn Fein will be very disappointed if they fail to take a seat because as far back as last October / November Sinn Fein's Martin McGuinness targeted the Labour seat as a potential gain for that party. Many local commentators felt that this was a tactical mistake by Sinn Fein who only succeeded in rallying Labour Party members and supporters here in Waterford. Not only is this election too close to call nationally but it is also a close election here in Waterford.
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Election Upate - Waterford
2007-05-19 17:13:00
Brian O'Shea TD, Cllr Seamus Ryan, Cllr Jack Walsh andLabour Party members and supporters canvassing in Waterford City todayI have just come back from a very successful canvass in Waterford City centre today where we met with hundreds of Waterford voters. There is a definite mood for change amongst the voters and this was evident today. Without a doubt the main issue in this election is health. During todays canvass in Waterford City centre people were only too willing to tell us of their experience of the health services. Another issue that came up was the lack of affordable housing in Waterford. The slow delivery of affordable housing is a major cause of concern for many young couples who are trying to get a foot on the property ladder. Crime also featured and I met a number of local voters from my own electoral area who raised the issue of the location of a Garda sub station in Ward Three. This is an issue I have been campaigning for both on City Council and on the Joint...
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Labour support University in Waterford
2007-05-18 01:30:00
The Labour Party has made a clear commitment to establishing a University of the South East based in Waterford . In fact the exact wording in the Election Manifesto is as follows:"We will establish a multi-campus University of the South East with Waterford Institute of Technology as its hub."This commitment cannot be much clearer and goes a lot further than any of the other parties. Fianna Fail in particular once again dodge the issue and give some meaningless commitment to examine the submission put forward by Waterford Institute of Technology. As a member of the governing body of WIT I am convinced now more than ever of the need for a university to be established. The South East continues to under perform economically and all the indicators show that we are being left behind as region in comparison to other regions. This is an issue that continues to be raised by voters on our canvass. Yet Fianna Fail representatives in Waterford have been silent on this issue and after seeing thei...
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Fianna Fail not an option
2007-05-17 17:31:00
As reported by the Irish Times today the Labour Party leader Pat Rabbitte once again made it quite clear where he stands on coalition with Fianna Fail . He told listeners to Pat Kenny's radio show "I have no intention of doing any business with Fianna Fáil." This surely must end speculation by the media on the issue of coalition with Fianna Fail. This election campaign has shown that there is a hunger amongst the electorate to remove this current Fianna Fail/ PD government. Speaking to Labour Party members in Waterford and around the country there is no appetite in Labour for propping up a jaded Fianna Fail party. Quite the opposite in fact. I don't think I have ever come across a more concerted campaign to remove Fianna Fail from office. In case you missed what Pat had to say today here is a quote from the programme."As regards the electoral strategy I have risked my reputation as leader in constructing a platform with Fine Gael in order to ensure that the people will have the opp...

Labour Party Election Broadcast
2007-05-16 10:22:00
A number of people have said to me that they missed the Labour Party Election Broadcast and would like an opportunity to see it. Here it is. I would be interested to hear what your thoughts about the issues raised in this broadcast.
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Missing in Action
2007-05-15 17:43:00
"These men are dangerous. They should not be approached, placed in charge of a Government Department, given access to billions of euros of taxpayers money or allowed anywhere near the spotlight until after the election campaign. If you see them opening their mouths in public, please contact FF HQ who will take immediate steps to stop it"
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Election Update Waterford
2007-05-15 00:22:00
The last few days of the canvass have been hectic here in Waterford . Yesterday we were joined on the canvass by radio journalist Mark Power of WLRfm who came around with Brian O'Shea in the Manor Lawn and Cork Road area of the city. Once again the response was very positive and despite the inclement weather we were upbeat at the end of the canvass. One feature of this campaign seems to be the lack of Fianna Fail canvassers in the city. The word is that the Soldiers of Destiny are dropping their leaflets rather than calling at the doors. The main issues that came up on the canvass were mainly health related with some voters taking the opportunity to recall their own difficulties in the health service. Tonight we canvassed Lismore Park and had our largest canvass team so far. Speaking to party members after the canvass the clear message coming from the voters is that there is a demand for a change of government. One lady came to door and asked me not to vote to put Fianna Fail...
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Privatisation of ambulance services must be resisted
2007-05-14 00:00:00
The decision by the HSE to seek expressions of interest from private ambulance operators can be seen as the thin edge of the privatisation wedge. SIPTU has accused the Health Service Executive of trying to privatise the country's Ambulance Service. This creeping privatisation of essential public services such as ambulance services must be resisted. Experience in Britain in particular has shown us that privatisation of public services just does not work. The advertisement published in the government eTenders public procurement sets out the areas that the private hospitals will operate in.1. Patient transfer services to and from health facilities.2. Emergency response services.3. Inter-hospital critical care servicesAll of the above have been carried out by the HSE public ambulance service to date and if there is a need to expand the service I believe that the government and the HSE should invest in this public service.
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This is Kathleen
2007-05-11 12:15:00
This is Kathleen highlights the plight of our Carers. One of Pat Rabbitte's and the Labour Party's Commitments for Change is to abolish the means test for the Carers allowance. Kathleen represents all of those carers in our communities who provide unpaid help for a family member or friend with a disability. And while nearly half of these Carers have no paid employment and one third of them give more than 43 hours of unpaid time per week, less than a fifth receive financial assistance from the state for their invaluable and tireless work.We all know someone like Kathleen in this video.

Tony Blair's legacy
2007-05-11 01:07:00
The announcement today by Tony Blair that he is to step aside as British Prime Minister on 27th June is something that was expected by us all. Like many other Irish people I have always followed the fortunes of the British Labour Party and was delighted to see him become British Prime Minister in 1997. His tenure as Prime Minister did result in improved public services and a stronger economy in Britain and he was also committed to finding a solution to the political stalemate in Northern Ireland.However Blair's decision to support the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan tarnished his record and will form a part of a legacy that will forever be to his shame. A legacy he shares with the war monger George Bush. Yet despite this there are those who believe that his role in Iraq should be overlooked when it comes to judging his role as Prime Minister. However with over 655,000 Iraqi citizens killed since the beginning of the war Tony Blair's place in history will always be linked with his ...
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Election Update 3 -Waterford
2007-05-08 14:50:00
I have just come back from another good morning's canvass for Brian O'Shea. It is quite clear that the issue in this General Election campaign is Health. There is a certain amount of anger amongst voters about the condition of our health services. This was evident again this morning when a number of people complained about the failure of the government to deliver on the proposed cancer unit at Waterford Regional Hospital. The other issue that was raised this morning was the provision of services for our elderly. There is a recognition now that despite the unprecedented levels of wealth that this government had that they failed to deliver on a comprehensive health package for our elderly.The response from voters to Brian and the Labour Party remains strong and we remain on target to retain the seat. What is clear is the demand for change amongst voters. This is becoming increasingly evident as the campaign continues.
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Election Update 2 - Waterford
2007-05-07 18:28:00
A week really is a long time in politics. During the past week McDowell has put it up to Bertie regarding allegations about his personal finances. It will be interesting to hear Berties response which he has promised to give before polling day. However thankfully voters in Waterford seem to be more concerned with the more important issues like health and housing rather than the state of Berties personal finances. All parties are canvassing hard in Waterford with the Labour Party team working hard for the reelection of Brian O'Shea . Having been out canvassing myself for nearly two weeks now I am pleased with the response of the voters to our canvass for Brian. There seems to be a growing recognition in Waterford that Brian is possibly Waterford's best bet for a cabinet place after the next election. If the alternative coalition of Labour /Fine Gael is succesful then I believe Brian could well find himself at the cabinet table.One thing that is surprising though is the report...
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We all know a Bernard
2007-05-04 02:09:00
This is Bernard is the latest video from the Labour Party. I think it is true to say that we all know a Bernard as highlighted in this video. In my own electoral area in Waterford there are too many people that fall into this category. People that are afraid to come outside of their homes after dark due to fear of attack. Like Pat Rabbitte I have always believed that the greatest deterrent to crime is more Gardai on the beat in our estates.
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Election update - Waterford
2007-05-04 01:39:00
After over a week on the campaign trail here in Waterford the campaign to elect Brian O'Shea is progressing well. With nearly 9,000 voters on the Register of Electors in Ward Three in Waterford there are a lot of houses to canvass and not enough days in the week!! I always look forward to election campaigns and the cut and thrust of doorstep politics and this election is no different. This type of campaigning allows you to engage with local voters and to discuss the issues of the day. Over the last week voters have raised issues such as the University for Waterford, improved Cancer care, stamp duty etc. And to prove the maxim that all politics is local voters have also raised issues such as the provision of ramps and the closure of troublesome alleyways. These were some of the important issues that arose on the doorstep this week during a campaign that is now well and truly on. The message that is coming back from all our canvassers is that there is a mood for change among...
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This is Aoife
2007-05-02 00:17:00
This is Aoife - is the second in a series of Labour Party campaign videos. Aoife represents children from everywhere. Less than one out of four of Irish children aged between three and four are currently in structured pre-school education. This contrasts with our European partners where at least two in every three children of that age enjoy such education. Pre school education has been proven to tackle disadvantage and this is at the core of why we are committed to ensuring all our children get the best start in life. During our canvass of Waterford I am meeting more and more parents who are finding it increasingly difficult to find affordable and accessible childcare. This is an issue that concerns us all.

May Day - a cause for celebration
2007-05-01 18:02:00
Today is May Day, a day celebrated by workers across the world. It is a day of solidarity, a day of celebration of the achievements of ordinary people in this country and across the world. Pat Rabbitte is quoted today as saying that "May Day is a moment for us to pause and celebrate the many achievements of the Labour Movement, and to rededicate ourselves to the pursuit of a brighter and fairer future for hard working people everywhere."This struggle continues today for a fair wage, safe conditions and a decent quality of life for ordinary working class people. Issues such as equality of access to decent health services, housing and accommodation, education and training, universal childcare and a safe and healthy environment still remain a priority for the Labour movement. It is my view, that, as trade unionists and members of the Labour movement in the tradition of Connolly and Larkin we have a very important role in this regard. We need to continue our fight across the many issue...
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Waterford on the Double
2007-04-30 00:34:00
What a day for both the hurlers and camogie players of Waterford . Our hurlers won the National Hurling League title for the first time since 1963 beating Kilkenny on a scoreline of Waterford 0 - 20 Kilkenny 0- 18. Also our Camogie team won their title by defeating Down by 2 points in another exciting match. Well done to both teams. This was an extraordinary day for all of those associated with both hurling and camogie in the county.
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Why Vote Labour - Reason 5
2007-04-29 00:01:00
Pat Rabbitte's 5 Commitments for Change outline 5 clear reasons for voting Labour in the forthcoming election. As stated in earlier posts there are, of course, many other reasons but these commitments are firm proposals that will make a difference to the quality of life of Irish people.Reason 5Enable more people to begin to buy a homePat Rabbitte and the Labour Party's fifth commitment is to enable more people to begin to buy a home. The Labour Party is committed to this new idea to help people get onto the property ladder. It is a new scheme that will provide a means for more people with a job to begin to buy their own home. This new proposal is called 'Begin to Buy'.
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Why Vote Labour - Reason 4
2007-04-27 12:39:00
As I said in previous posts there are many reasons for voting Labour in the General Election. Pat Rabbitte has outlined his 5 Commitments for Change that will form part of any government that includes the Labour Party . Reason 4Abolish the means test for CarersPat Rabbitte and the Labour Party are commited to abolishing the means test for carers. Carers in our communities provide unpaid help for a family member or friend with a disability. And while nearly half of these carers have no paid employment and one third of them give more than 43 hours of unpaid time per week, less than a fifth receive financial assistance from the state for their invaluable and tireless work. It is time to recognise their selfless commitment
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This is Margaret
2007-04-26 20:14:00
"This is Margaret" - a short video brought to you by the Labour Party. It speaks volumes about Accident and Emergency services in our hospitals and the danger of adding to the two tier health service by building private clinics on the grounds of public hospitals. Well worth a view.

Why Vote Labour Reason 3
2007-04-26 15:56:00
This is the third in a series of 5 posts outlining why you should vote Labour in this election. Of course there are many other reasons for voting Labour but in these posts I want to particularly highlight Pat Rabbitte's5 Commitments for Change Reason 3More Gardai on the beat in neighbourhoods. Pat Rabbitte and the Labour Party are committed to ensuring that there are more Gardai on the beat in our neighbourhoods. Hard working families are entitled to live in peaceful law-abiding communities. Changes in the manning, deployment and organisation of the Garda Siochana would have a hugely positive impact on people's quality of life and on the rates of crime and anti-social behaviour.
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Is Bertie for real!
2007-04-25 13:29:00
Reports of Berti e this morning trying to blame the opposition parties for the evoting debacle would be funny if it wasn't so serious. During a debate in the Dail it seems the Taoiseach wanted to put the blame for wasting ?62 million on the evoting on everyone except where it belonged - with the government. Not only that but the cost of storing these machines is a further ?1m per annum. It is time that the government and our own Minister Cullen in particular took responsibility for this waste of public money. The Taoiseach is reported as saying that he was "embarrassed" by the fact the we did not have an electronic voting system when he watched the French election results come in within two hours. I must say that I am embarrassed when I hear this kind of politics coming from the Taoiseach. I have to say that in my time as a public representative not once was I contacted by a constituent looking for electronic voting. Does it really matter whether we have the results in two hours or ...
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