Waterford; Ireland's Forgotten City

mad man

My tuppence worth.

The largest political decoy in the history of Waterford and the Southeast region-RADIOTHERAPHY.

The fact of the matter is that Radiotherapy is relatively inexpensive compared with other capital projects such as the M9 motorway or the University. It is an emotional issue especially if a family member has suffered from cancer and a member of my family currently is. That is the reason there is so much energy focused on it. Off the cuff-the estimated cost is around 30 million yo-yo’s.
Cost of motorway 1 BILLION. University, who knows? Certainly worth a billion in social capital. The decoy deflects us away from the more important expensive issues like a motorway, a bypass and a university. If we get these then we can concentrate on getting WRH upgraded to a University Hospital with full radiotherapy facilities.


The second largest political decoy- Martin Cullens misdemeanors.


As for Cullens incompetence and misdemeanors. They are dwarfed by Michéal Martins. Just to remind you. Nursing home charges and PPARS were his responsibility. As for Martin Cullens awarding of a contract to Monica Leech. As Merlante said there would only have been a couple of people in the running and she was one. He was also CLEARED of any wrongdoing. Does anybody remember the Brennan Report? The report commissioned by the government on how to implement structural reform in the health service. Who is Professor Niamh Brennan who compiled the report? She is Michael McDowell (Our Justice ministers) wife. Where was the Ireland On Sunday when this piece of grand Nepotism was going on?

The fact is Martin Cullen was targeted by Frank Connelly of the Ireland on Sunday (who was again rehashing the whole thing in lasts weeks Village magazine). Another fact is that Frank Connelly is a brother of one of the Columbia three who are or were members of Sinn Féin or the IRA. Another fact is that that the IRA was believed to be spying on TD’s in the Republic. Another fact is Waterford is one of the constituencies that Sinn Féin is reckoning on a gain in the next elections. You have to ask yourself. Is it possible that Martin Cullen was being spied on by Provisional Republican elements? The information then transferred to Frank Connelly who gets it published in Ireland on Sunday. Let’s be honest if it was published in An Phoblacht it would have been seen for what it was. Sinn Féin propaganda. Newspaper editors have their own political biases and so do journalists. All this talk about Cullen being an Orphan politician is bollox. Eventually the government closed ranks around Cullen over the affair and subsequently nailed Frank Connelly. Cullen has had two high profile cabinet portfolios and a high profile junior ministry. When Bertie Ahern has a Brainstorm he instructs his cabinet members to propose it. If it is received well by the public then he takes the credit as his idea. If it is not received well then it the cabinet minister’s idea. A perfect example was the proposal to toll the M50 in several places. Martin Cullen proposed it but it was a Bertie idea.

The root cause of Martin Cullens woes are jealousy. This comes from other political elements from around the country perhaps in the West who have seen the Gravy Train diverted a bit to the South East. I believe Sinn Féins ruthlessness is at work here too. The opposition politicians also have their part to play. What is disgusting is our local politicians are jumping on this bandwagon and much of the public falls for it. The fact is Martin Cullen is Waterford’s best chance of political representation and always will be as long as he is in politics. If there is an alternative government you can guarantee that Waterford will not have a cabinet minister. Most likely you will see Phil Hogan or Brendan Howlin representing the South East. If so then we are really ****ed. Phil Hogan is blatantly anti-Waterford and so is Brendan Howlin. Howlin was previously minister for Health and he moved the ambulance centre over to Wexford. The rainbow government also moved the divisional Garda Headquarters from Waterford to Kilkenny. In the last General Election campaign Fine Gaels John Bruton and would be taoiseach stated on record that FG would develop Kilkenny in favour of Waterford.


WHAT WATERFORD NEEDS TO DO

1. When the next election comes vote pragmatically and not because of loyalty to your ‘families’ political flag. If you think David Cullinane is going to win radiotherapy then you need to stop sniffing glue. Investment is only acheived if there is a cabinet minister from the City. The only chance of theis for the foreseeable future-like it or not-Martin Cullen. John Deasy-I don't think so.

2. Try and get the surrounding counties pulling together for a region with Waterford as the gateway and throw away inter county rivalry. However I believe the chances of this are slim.

3. Try and get political cohesion and not vote for parties that have no chance of delivering. This means Sinn Féin and the Workers Party. It also means Fianna Gael and Labour due to Phil Hogan and Brendan Howlin. If we can do this then point 2 will be less important.

3. Get the motorway completed.

4. The University needs to be established.

5. Campaign for radiotherapy but do not throw the baby out with the bath water over it.

6. Market our City and County more. Beaches,City Walls, Parks and Gardens, Entertainment etc..

7. Utilize the river more. Pleasure boat cruises etc. The tall ships festival highlighted the potential.

8. Get rid of the Car Parks on the Quay and turn them into a Park and Promenade.

9. Get rid of Serial Objectors and Groups that try to influence planning in the City. If this isn’t possible then voice displeasure towards them in the local media.

10. Expand our city centre’s retail base.

11. Some 5 star hotels in City Centre.

11. Get over the aversion to high rise buildings. This impedes innovation and the North Quays is an ideal location for this.

12. Collectively as a community we need to rid ourselves of the attitudes in the following http://www.upthedeise.org/waterfordmessageboard/viewtopic.php?t=8737.

13. Raise awareness in Waterford that we are one of the MAJOR cities in Ireland. Among Dublin ,Cork, Limerick and Galway.

14.Speak out and don’t wait for others to do it for you.

15.Vote for local councillors who think strategically and not just primarily on populist NIMBY issues.These are stooges for the objectors.


In a recent interview on Prime Time a Waterford community drugs worker refereed to the other cities as the MAJOR cities. This is the attitude to ourselves we need to change.We ARE a major city and not just when it comes to murder statistics.

Waterford is a small city but a large one in Ireland. Regardless of this it has all the qualities of a significant city. Port and Waterfront etc. This is the reality but not to the naysayer’s who want to turn us into a village. The political reality as I have outlined may be a bitter pill for those who don’t like Fianna Fail. However this is the pill you have to swallow if you want to see Waterford Ascend.

merlante

Excellent post. I 100% agree.

All of the points expressed by mad man are those that would occur to anyone who is at a vantage point from which they can see what's going on in Ireland as a whole. Living outside of Waterford, in a place like in Dublin, rams this vantage down your throat and forces your eyes open.

I firmly believe that if every man, woman and child in Waterford had to spend 1 year living in Dublin -- like a kind of military service! -- people would very quickly adopt the sort of attitude and cop on that we are sorely lacking in Waterford.

To those in Waterford, Cullen is a disgrace, to those who watch the media, lightening doesn't strike randomly. To those in Waterford, you ask, and the government says yes or no, to those who observe politics, it is obvious that you must posture and demand in order to achieve parity. To those in Waterford, FF are robbers, to those who see the bigger picture, FF is (currently) Waterford's only hope -- not because we like them, or because we are FF supporters, but because the alternatives don't bear contemplation.

Fair enough, not everyone in Waterford is so naive: I'd say it's about 80% though. With a good 20% that see so little connection between them and the government that they'd vote in the Apple party if they were promised a free apple.

I'd love to think that we in Waterford could vote Green or Communist or Humanist, or whatever other enlightened party comes along: but the horrible truth is, we don't even have a university or a road to the capital; our city is facing a total collapse in manufacturing in about 5 years time. We are over a barrel, whether we like it or not, and there is no other TD that can possibly save us other than Cullen -- as much as it sounds like I'm playing politics!

It's a pity our other FF TD, Wilkinson is such a complete waste of space. It is also a pity that John Deasy ruined his and Waterford's chance of a cabinet portfolio in a FG led coalition. The man obviously doesn't see what's at stake if he's happy to **** around like that.

I would love if everyone educated themselves on these problems, so that something could be done about them.

mad man

Yes-It is a pity that Deasy made a show of himself with the smoking debacle.His only consolation is that he is young enough to repair his career.

That been said he doesn't inspire my confidence.His remarks about the IDA and there favouritism to Waterford City was more damaging to Waterford.It would have been better served if it was directed at Cork.Tbh I thought it sounded more like Phil Hogan. If that's his atitude to the City then I wouldn't put to much trust in him.

road_high

Trotter wrote:

This is the problem. It keeps us on our toes? It distracts our energies from trying to promote the region. Sure leave Waterford and KK off, they'll fight among themselves while the rest unite and get things done.

Great idea there.. its far from healthy competition.

Sorry, I should have clarified I meant competition in business terms only, like in shops and retail..The shops in KK were prepared to rest on their laurels for years, while Carlow and Waterford developed their retailing and business leaked out of Kilkenny as a result of their arrogance.

Not in terms of essential services and infrustructure like univeristies and healthcare- the only way the region will get these is by putting on a united front in lobbying.This has been the problem in this region in the past with the result we have fallen behind less important places like the West and Mid-West.It is futile competing for thses things.

merlante

mad man wrote:

Yes-It is a pity that Deasy made a show of himself with the smoking debacle.His only consolation is that he is young enough to repair his career.

That been said he doesn't inspire my confidence.His remarks about the IDA and there favouritism to Waterford City was more damaging to Waterford.It would have been better served if it was directed at Cork.Tbh I thought it sounded more like Phil Hogan. If that's his atitude to the City then I wouldn't put to much trust in him.

Indeed, although arguably Deasy blew the chance of a lifetime to become one of the young, dynamic, intelligent FGers leading FG back to the fore. He was even asked by McDowell -- in the beginning -- apparently, if he wanted to join the PDs. He came back to Ireland with great experience as an aide to a republican senator in the US.

And what does he do? Attack McDowell without doing his homework, have constant disputes with Enda Kenny, get fired off the FG front bench for smoking in the Dail bar, lose his position as the man most likely to become an alternative coalition cabinet minister in the south east to the doctor they co-opted for Wexford.

Now he's squaring Dungarvan off against the city. Yes the guy is young -- although still probably about 12 years older than Cullinane, so youth is relative -- but what looked initially like naivety is looking increasingly like stupidity, imho!

Roanmore

merlante wrote:

Excellent post. I 100% agree.

All of the points expressed by mad man are those that would occur to anyone who is at a vantage point from which they can see what's going on in Ireland as a whole. Living outside of Waterford, in a place like in Dublin, rams this vantage down your throat and forces your eyes open.

I firmly believe that if every man, woman and child in Waterford had to spend 1 year living in Dublin -- like a kind of military service! -- people would very quickly adopt the sort of attitude and cop on that we are sorely lacking in Waterford.

To those in Waterford, Cullen is a disgrace, to those who watch the media, lightening doesn't strike randomly. To those in Waterford, you ask, and the government says yes or no, to those who observe politics, it is obvious that you must posture and demand in order to achieve parity. To those in Waterford, FF are robbers, to those who see the bigger picture, FF is (currently) Waterford's only hope -- not because we like them, or because we are FF supporters, but because the alternatives don't bear contemplation.

Fair enough, not everyone in Waterford is so naive: I'd say it's about 80% though. With a good 20% that see so little connection between them and the government that they'd vote in the Apple party if they were promised a free apple.

I'd love to think that we in Waterford could vote Green or Communist or Humanist, or whatever other enlightened party comes along: but the horrible truth is, we don't even have a university or a road to the capital; our city is facing a total collapse in manufacturing in about 5 years time. We are over a barrel, whether we like it or not, and there is no other TD that can possibly save us other than Cullen -- as much as it sounds like I'm playing politics!

It's a pity our other FF TD, Wilkinson is such a complete waste of space. It is also a pity that John Deasy ruined his and Waterford's chance of a cabinet portfolio in a FG led coalition. The man obviously doesn't see what's at stake if he's happy to **** around like that.

I would love if everyone educated themselves on these problems, so that something could be done about them.

Everybody has got an opinion on Martin Cullen and whether right or wrong he along with Noel Dempsey are seen as the weakest two ministers in cabinet. This not my opinion but one held by a lot of people and more importantly by FF backbenchers. If FF do get returned to power, Bertie will breathe a big sigh of relief and it is almost certain he will dump Martin Cullen from cabinet. The perception of him is that he is error prone. So instead of a cabinet minister we will have a lame duck politican who will be sulking because he has lost his Mercedes.

I'm not telling anybody who to vote for but some stuff on here would make the FF website look tame.

merlante

Roanmore wrote:

Everybody has got an opinion on Martin Cullen and whether right or wrong he along with Noel Dempsey are seen as the weakest two ministers in cabinet. This not my opinion but one held by a lot of people and more importantly by FF backbenchers. If FF do get returned to power, Bertie will breathe a big sigh of relief and it is almost certain he will dump Martin Cullen from cabinet. The perception of him is that he is error prone. So instead of a cabinet minister we will have a lame duck politican who will be sulking because he has lost his Mercedes.

I'm not telling anybody who to vote for but some stuff on here would make the FF website look tame.

There is a possibility that he will lose out, although I believe he is seen as mentally stronger than many of the quiet fellas that you never hear about. They are more likely to go. Besides Cullen has had mainly good press for a few years now, albeit nothing dramatic. Also, another minister from the south east would have to be found to replace him. Having no senior minister for a population of 450,000 would be ridiculous, and FF are always very careful about such things.

I love to hear about the other hot-shot politicians we have, if there's something that you know that we don't.

Roanmore

merlante wrote:

There is a possibility that he will lose out, although I believe he is seen as mentally stronger than many of the quiet fellas that you never hear about. They are more likely to go. Besides Cullen has had mainly good press for a few years now, albeit nothing dramatic. Also, another minister from the south east would have to be found to replace him. Having no senior minister for a population of 450,000 would be ridiculous, and FF are always very careful about such things.

I love to hear about the other hot-shot politicians we have, if there's something that you know that we don't.

As I said, I'm not telling anybody how to vote but this blatant electioneering for Martin Cullen is amazing and we still have 12 months to the next election. What's it going to be like in 6 months from now.
I don't support any party and base my vote on what canditates have to say about what the are going to do about the area I live in (Waterford City) and what they are going to do for the country in that order.

merlante

Roanmore wrote:

As I said, I'm not telling anybody how to vote but this blatant electioneering for Martin Cullen is amazing and we still have 12 months to the next election. What's it going to be like in 6 months from now.
I don't support any party and base my vote on what canditates have to say about what the are going to do about the area I live in (Waterford City) and what they are going to do for the country in that order.

Sounds like you misread a few posts there if you think I am a FFer or a Cullen supporter!

I am a 'vote for the guy who stands the best chance of delivering the goods' supporter: i.e. a complete and total mercenary. I would vote for a ****ing snowman if I thought he was good for a cabinet seat, or he was effective in some other important way, i.e. building driveways is not important.

We only have 4 seats! If things weren't so bad, I might be more inclined to have principles and stick with a party, but they're not so there you go.

And well done by the way on supporting no party -- another mercenary like myself -- but it's completely pointless criticising what people are saying and sitting on the fence yourself. If you have any intuition about who would be the best for the city and the country (my exact priorities!) then please let me know. If we can figure out who the best one is, all us mercenaries can throw our weight in behind him or her!

Roanmore

merlante wrote:

Sounds like you misread a few posts there if you think I am a FFer or a Cullen supporter!

I am a 'vote for the guy who stands the best chance of delivering the goods' supporter: i.e. a complete and total mercenary. I would vote for a ****ing snowman if I thought he was good for a cabinet seat, or he was effective in some other important way, i.e. building driveways is not important.

We only have 4 seats! If things weren't so bad, I might be more inclined to have principles and stick with a party, but they're not so there you go.

And well done by the way on supporting no party -- another mercenary like myself -- but it's completely pointless criticising what people are saying and sitting on the fence yourself. If you have any intuition about who would be the best for the city and the country (my exact priorities!) then please let me know. If we can figure out who the best one is, all us mercenaries can throw our weight in behind him or her!

Sorry Merlante, I did mean to say it was not you who suggested we vote for Martin Cullen.

If you asked me before the last election I would have said an Independent candidate would have been the way to go but as we saw most other constituties had the same idea.
Maybe it would be an idea before next years election to send out a questionaire made up of questions sent in by the forum contributors here. It could cover local and national issues (mainly local).
For example, why is the An Post sorting office for Waterford in Cork?
People could then vote for a candidate based on those answers.
If somebody gets elected and does nothing we would have their answer on this site and hold them somewhat accountable.
I don't know if that is the answer but maybe it's a start.
After the summer the electioneering is really going to take off, let's not give them an easy ride.

Trotter

I think I'll be voting for Mary Roche.. She's new, plenty of ideas, a good track record, and hasnt got a party whip behind her.

Maybe... Just Maybe.. our prayers for a hung Dáil will be answered and the independents will hold the key. Then I think we are in business.

merlante

All interesting points. I like the 'holding the politicians to the things they promised' bit, although very often party whips will compel a politician to 'relax' certain goals, and they might have to pick their battles.

Mary Roche sounds like a good alternative, although I know nothing about her except that she has no party and is a woman: but even that is innovative for Waterford these days. But that's the thing, without a hung Dail independents are about as useless as two right shoes!

Of the TDs were have, I'd stick with Cullen, I'd like to stick with O'Shea, because he's a tireless fighter for Waterford and an excellent TD, although is not in the running for a cabinet seat with Labour so is unlikely to get the platform he needs to do anything other than complain and 'highlight'. I had great hopes for Deasy, but I believe that he will never make it. I could be wrong, but I think he's too much of an eejit. The 'new' FG guy from the city, whose name escapes me, might be decent, and one FGer will get in. Wilkinson is a complete waste of space. Cullinane might be good enough, but I'd rather if Waterford didn't look like a total shinner town. At least he'd have a good profile, and is very ambitious.

So maybe Cullen and any 3 from the following 4: Roche, Cullinane, O'Shea and the city FG candidate. It will be interesting to see where the socialist vote goes. Very hard to see Roche getting elected unless everything is turned on its head this time.

Baby4

This post has been deleted.

Trotter

Baby4 wrote:

This post has been deleted.

She'll do more for the city than Ollie Wilkinson did. Her objective should be to shout and scream and make noise about Waterfords needs, which would put pressure on the other 3 party TD's to work harder. This is vital and I really really hope we dont miss out on the opportunity to adjust our representation.

merlante wrote:

Cullinane might be good enough, but I'd rather if Waterford didn't look like a total shinner town. At least he'd have a good profile, and is very ambitious.

Forget Cullinane.. if he got elected, he'd be a Sinn Fein puppet with no flexibility to do anything except follow HQ instructions.

Bards

Trotter wrote:

She'll do more for the city than Ollie Wilkinson did. Her objective should be to shout and scream and make noise about Waterfords needs, which would put pressure on the other 3 party TD's to work harder. This is vital and I really really hope we dont miss out on the opportunity to adjust our representation.



Forget Cullinane.. if he got elected, he'd be a Sinn Fein puppet with no flexibility to do anything except follow HQ instructions.

Even though I am not a SF supporter.. I would like to see anything other than 2 x FF, 1 x FG and 1 Labour seats.... As it has been this way for years and years....and a bit less of the status quo would be nice

galwayrush

whatever way you vote next time, please don't inflict clueless Cullen on us again,

Trotter

Bards wrote:

Even though I am not a SF supporter.. I would like to see anything other than 2 x FF, 1 x FG and 1 Labour seats.... As it has been this way for years and years....and a bit less of the status quo would be nice

Well the only way to sort that is to vote that way. I cant see why anyone would vote SF, they make every economist in Ireland throw up. Mary Roche is the only "new" option in my opinion.

Bards

galwayrush wrote:

whatever way you vote next time, please don't inflict clueless Cullen on us again,

Just because you don't like Govt Money going to the S.E ... then yes I will be voting Cullen no.1

Better than all the cluless politicians that we had to put up with coming from the West for years

merlante

Bards wrote:

Just because you don't like Govt Money going to the S.E ... then yes I will be voting Cullen no.1

Better than all the cluless politicians that we had to put up with coming from the West for years

Could you imagine Michael D. in Transport. Half the budget would go to Africa to combat aids or something.

Bards

merlante wrote:

Could you imagine Michael D. in Transport. Half the budget would go to Africa to combat aids or something.

LOL....:D

Star*

I Competely agree with the post by madman about steps that we as waterford people have to take to get this city back on the map.

And to be honest we do

Firstly, our representatvies in the government are something which we need to get right this time. We can't let the same lot get through again. It is not fair. we need a politican in the dail that will stand up and be counted and not afraid of the aftermath. If they need to stand up and shout louder than any other politican then so be it.

When was the last time we had major job investment in waterford. I currently work for a large company in waterford and the prospect of it closing may happen one day - if it does what is there for me out there ? very few places to go. I may end up leaving waterford entirley and not what i want to do. I want to stay here but there are currently no job opportunites with expansion and career development in waterford. With people of my age (30ish) it is seen as a given if you want to have a career that you may need to leave waterford. I don't want that and either do my friends. But get those larger companies in and not just to the larger cities and we will see growth and we will see that university that we need and possibly the radiotherapy unit. All things that I want but i can't see happening until the government remembers that we are here and exist.

I agree that we do need to market waterford - we need to get out there and get an advertisement on the tvs that appeals to all, appeals to families those looking for a quite weekend or a mad weekend away. does it matter if initally it will raise the profile of waterford in a good light.

I agree that we should market our quays areas more, however i can't see the carparks going but we do have the other side of the quay that we should start building on and capitalising on. Utlizing the river more would be fantastic and something which really needs to be done.

as for point 12 in mad mans post - i am completely shocked at what i read in that forum, and may be ridding waterford of those attitudes may help a little. Wow with attitudes like that i think we can see why people in dublin would think of those poor country folk down in waterford - the attitude of which annoys me - but if waterford people are posting that can we blame the dublin people ?


John Deasy did make a show of himself but not apolozing over the smoking debacle but to be honest who did he think he was ? someone above the law, that is not who he is. Laws are made and even if he is a politican he has to abide by them. I think he can build a career for himself but he needs to market himself in a county camp not just in one part of the county.

One question I think we should all ask ourselves is why do we have a mayor and a city council - surely they should be doing something. I can't remember the last time i heard the city council vote for anything worthy - Why can't we cha involved in a major pr drive for the county- get him out there instead of greeting the old ladies which Cha does with considerable charm, but maybe it is time that we used the mayor that we have for pr purposes stand up and be counted.

as for the next election - I can't see myself voting for Cullinane I think if he was an independent he would stand a better chance but as someone said above he really would be a puppet for gerry adams he is his right hand man so i thik that would do us more harm than good.

I have yet to form an opinion on Mary Roche, I think if she can run a good campaign i would definetly vote for her over a ff candidate. FF over the last few years have done nothing for waterford and have forgotten the city entirley, i thik mary roche could stand up and be counted and could do some good for waterford. but lets see what her manifesto says.

All in all - i think the main message is as waterford people we need to shout more - we need to tell our policitans what we want and what we need. and not just sit back and take it like we have done for many years.

the questions as waterford people we need to ask ourselves is ... what has Martin Cullen done for us lately ?

merlante

Just one thing, you mention the 'larger cities'. Limerick and Galway are not much bigger than Waterford. But they do get these jobs. They don't get them because they are larger, they get them because they get them. They make themselves heard and so they seem like much larger places than Waterford.

The establishment of a university in Waterford alone would increase the population straight away, and similarly with the job prospects that come with it. These cities are only growing ahead of Waterford because they have been given an infrastructural advantage. The NUIG site says that 15% of the city's population during term time is students. That may or may not include GMIT students! While WIT no doubt makes a contribution to Waterford's population, its 6,000 full-time students pales in comparison to Galway's 10,000 (NUIG) plus a portion of 4,000 (GMIT) full-time students. Think also of the additional investment, jobs and follow on and peripheral employment that we are missing out on. Think of the construction alone that has gone on in universities around Ireland.

Any of the three cities, Limerick, Galway or Waterford could overtake each other over the next century depending on many factors. The status quo being maintained will ensure that Waterford remains and moves further behind. (Waterford was larger than Galway 20 years ago.)

galwayrush

Bards wrote:

Just because you don't like Govt Money going to the S.E ... then yes I will be voting Cullen no.1

Better than all the cluless politicians that we had to put up with coming from the West for years

i have nothing against money going to the south east, as a minister, he must be one of the worst ever in our history.

galwayrush

merlante wrote:

Galway's 10,000 (NUIG) plus a portion of 4,000 (GMIT) full-time students. .)

NUIG 15,000 full time students
GMIT 6,500 students.
that is an incredible amount of money being spent in the city each year. university status would definately help develop Waterford.
70 percent of those students are from outside the county, and were not included in the census figures because of the time of the year.
the same obviously goes for all other colleges around the country.

merlante

galwayrush wrote:

NUIG 15,000 full time students
GMIT 6,500 students.
that is an incredible amount of money being spent in the city each year. university status would definately help develop Waterford.
70 percent of those students are from outside the county, and were not included in the census figures because of the time of the year.
the same obviously goes for all other colleges around the country.

Okay, 10,000 full-time here, link, with 15,000 quoted on the NUIG wikipedia page, which I assume includes part timers. Saw 4,000 full-time for GMIT: it definitely ain't larger than WIT anyway, which has 6,000 full-time, that I am positive of. WIT has 10,000 when part timers are included.

In any case, Galway has a lot more students than Waterford. At least 12,000 full-time versus Waterford's 6,000. Only 2,500 of which are straight degree students. Plus our students can only do technical degrees.

merlante

galwayrush wrote:

i have nothing against money going to the south east, as a minister, he must be one of the worst ever in our history.

FFS. Why, because he bought some electronic voting machines that were used in an election by Dempsey? Come on! We can all read the media line for ourselves without having to hear that propaganda on here.

What about Michael Martin ripping off the pensioners for a billion? There was as much money spend on guards protecting Bertie's Ex than there was spent on e-voting machines. (Which can still be sold to countries that use them.)

He is far, far from the worst that is there now, not to mind in history. (Dempsey is way worse for a start...)

Trotter

This mistrust and dislike of Cullen is because he isnt homegrown FF. He jumped from the PDs, and the rest of the country thinks he's useless because thats what Bertie wants the media machine to feed to them. Dont think this government arent masters of media manipulation because they certainly are.

How many newspapers printed the fact that there were only 2 submissions for that contract during "monicagate"? None.. because that wouldnt serve the purpose.

PPARS.. Stealing money from pensioners.. the M50 toll bridge.. Need I go on??

Bards

If we don't re-elect Cullen (A sitting minister) what hope have we of getting a senior minister again!!!!... FF will think twice about appointing one again when all we do is give out about it (we complained for years about not having one in the first instance)....

Without Cullen we would be a hell of a lot worse off than we are now. Don't forget he fast tracked the Motorway to Dublin.. this wasn't planned until late 2007/early 2008..When in fact it has already started (Carlow bypass).

Imagine if he became Minister for Education next.. We would have university Status in the morning....

mad man

OK Guys.

Firstly I don't wish to turn this into a personality clash with anyone.As stated by Roanmore I am not blatently electioneering for Cullen FF or anyone else. I brought up the issue of the next election and politics because it will decide on whether Waterford will have a cabinet minister or not. The undisputable fact of the matter is that most of the state investment goes to the constituencies that have cabinet representation. Unfortunately honesty is not a virtue when it comes to this.Otherwise I would say vote for Brian O'Shea and Mary Roche.

However the fact is that that during the rainbow coalition 94-97 state investment in Waterford was absolutely dismal. If the FF/PD coalition loses the next election we may will have a similar government to 94-97. I will give you the following examples.During the period prior and during the rainbow government Waterford people attended and spent more on arts events than any town, city or county in Ireland. Yet in this period 40% of the state budget on Arts was spent in Galway.Why?because Michael D.Higgins (from Galway) was minister for Arts,Heritage and the Gaeltacht. During this period Brendan Howlin as minister for Health created an ambulance centre for the South East largely consolidating ambulance facilities in this centre.Where was it located?In Wexford.Is it a coincidence that it was in hisconstituency.During the same period the Garda Divisional Headquarters was moved to Kilkenny City an area with 50% of population of Waterford and among this population a much lower crime rate. There are many mor examples.

When Cullen became a junior minister the government buildings in the glen were upgraded at a cost of 28million punts.60 million punts was set aside for the North Quays but this ship may now have sailed due to the amount of time it has taken.As minister for the environment for three consecutive years the amount of money allocated for roads in Waterford City has exceeded Galway and Cork and has been approx 40-50% of that allocated to Dublin a city with 10 times the population of Waterford.Investment in the Airport has increased the M9 Motorway has been kept on the agenda.The southern sections are soon starting and the mid section has already started.The Bypass has statred.The government did backtrack somewhat on radiotherapy.Not to mention funding for rfurbishment of the City Walls.

Despite what has been said Cullen has delivered in the Areas he has had a portfolio.I am not electioneering for anyone.I am just stating the bleeding obvious.Do you honestly believe that an alternative government would have done all this? Or if this would have happened without cabinet representation?
As I said previously the media has hyped up Cullens tribulations.They may and probably are wrong?They speculated he would lose his portfolio after the last reshuffle.What happened?He was given Transport which is one of the best portfolios there is.The fact is if Cullen gets the votes for FF(unforunately this may include Wilkinson) and the Government are returened then there is a good chance Cullen can hold his position. He may actually be in a greater position of power due to FFs weakend position.It may be possible that that he could receive the Education portfolio and therfore being in a position to win the University.All Independents can really hope to acheive is some Hot potatoe issue like retaining a hospital and in Waterford that issue is radiotherapy.

I said this would be a bitter pill for some to swallow. Especially if you don't like Cullen or FF.With no offence to Galway Rush or anyone from Galway we wouldn't have to vote for Cullen if we didn't have to fight for what Galway gets on a Silver Platter.I don't expect either that anyone swallow this Hook Line and Sinker,but if anyone can tell me an alternative rather than accuse me of electioneering please do because for the life of me,I can't.

Trotter

My ideal lineup would be Cullen, Roche, Deasy and O'Shea. I think we'd have cabinet representation if FF stay in, and Mary Roche to look after the local agenda. She'd push the others like we realise now they need to be pushed.

Bards

Agree 100% Mad Man... My lineup would be Cullen, Roche, O'shea & Cullinane... SF may hold the balance of power in the next Dail.. FF will go into govt with them if the numbers add up

Trotter

Bards wrote:

SF may hold the balance of power in the next Dail

And the world will officially have gone mad. Gerry Adams... Minister for Defence. :eek:

merlante

Trotter wrote:

And the world will officially have gone mad. Gerry Adams... Minister for Defence. :eek:

The thing is they could actually get him in there to, via the senate.

Trotter

merlante wrote:

The thing is they could actually get him in there to, via the senate.

How dya mean!?

merlante

Trotter wrote:

How dya mean!?

Okay, I don't know what the story is with people from the north getting Irish citizenship -- maybe they can after the good friday agreement, I can't remember...

But... if Gerry couldn't get irish citizenship, he could still, iirc., get appointed to the Irish senate. A maximum of 3 of the 15 cabinet seats, again iirc., can be given to members of the senate, rather than TDs. So in this case Adams could be minister for justice or whatever despite not being an irish citizen or having received any votes in Ireland.

I leave it as an exercise for the reader to investigate all of this.

galwayrush

no offence meant regarding Cullen, maybe we read too much media bull****.
true, michael D Higgins did spend a lot of money here in he west, but that only attracted way too many Crusties.:eek: we have extremely ineffective politicans here at the moment,i think both Cities could do with some fresh blood,

merlante

galwayrush wrote:

no offence meant regarding Cullen, maybe we read too much media bull****.
true, michael D Higgins did spend a lot of money here in he west, but that only attracted way too many Crusties.:eek: we have extremely ineffective politicans here at the moment,i think both Cities could do with some fresh blood,

I don't really believe that. In every country I've ever spent time in the people have considered their politicians to be inept. Ireland is remarkable only in that it has the savviest politicians, running the wealthiest economy, who are nonetheless hated the most. People don't even remember why they hate them. The only thing wrong with Ireland is that maybe people have too much money for their own good... (That and the fact that Waterford gets shafted, but that's another story.)

And yeah, too many people take the media at their word. People are like parrots, forever repeating the same 'factoid' again and again until the media gives the signal for the next topic. Road deaths are being rammed down our throats for the last few years; suicides, which claims twice the number of victims are ignored. The media implanted the total red herring of 'electronic voting' in people's minds, while other, more expensive mistakes remain unnoticed by the sheep-like masses. If only there was a code word that could make people snap out of the trance.

Bards

Exactly... and everyone still believes it was Cullen's idea and Dempsey was blameless, even though all party's voted it a success in the two previous pilot projects.