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DUBLIN SHOULD GET a dedicated Public Order Unit of An Garda Síochána to combat crime, according to Fianna Fáil.
The proposal was one of several put forward by the opposition party in their election plan for Dublin, ‘A Vibrant Capital’.
The document also proposes “substantially reduced or eliminated” parking fees on certain evenings, an underground DART, improving the water quality in the River Liffey, and the pedestrianisation of certain areas in Dublin including Merrion Square and Molesworth Street.
Speaking at the launch, party leader Micheál Martin admitted that Fianna Fáil are “starting well behind the others” in May’s elections but said the process would “begin the recovery of the party”.
“This is an election where the excuse of blaming others is of no use to Fine Gael and Labour … it’s 24 years since Fianna Fáil held a majority on any of the councils in Dublin,” Martin stated.
He said that Mary Fitzpatrick, the party’s European candidate in Dublin, “represents much of what is new about the party in the capital”. He denied that his leadership would be at stake if she failed to win a seat.
We’re going to give it one hell of a fight … The membership is up, the party is in a healthier state that we have been in Dublin for a long time.
Fitzpatrick said that crime in the city needed to be addressed immeditately. “It damages business, it damages Dublin as a tourist destination and it damages Dublin as a place people want to live.”
She added that there was a “sophisticated international element to the crime we see on our streets” and said that guards should be given the resources they need to tackle it.
The MEP candidate went on to descirbe Irish Water as a “super quango”.
She noted that 99 per cent of the water available in Dublin was used every day and said water charges were not being intreoduced as a “conservative meaure” as claimed by the government.
It’s just another tax. A tax for a service that hasn’t been improved.
Martin said the implementation of the Local Property Tax had caused “immense anger and damage” as it had “no linkage with ability to pay”.
He said that all Fianna Fáil council members would vote to reduce the tax by 15 per cent when afforded this chance in September.
He also criticised the government’s plan to provide GP care for under 6s, saying it was “not credible” to implement while elderly and sick people continued to lose their medical cards.
People are very angry about the health situation and medical cards in particular.
Martin said that the party’s candidate for the Dublin West by-election would be chosen at a selection convention next week.
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FF election promises ! Remember the past everyone !!!
I agree Michael – we must remember the past and the promises the parties of the present make… we can’t keep being drip fed lies and propaganda only when in power to be told ‘we can’t do it because blah blah blah’ i’m fcuking sick of it.. most of these people going for election think the people are idiots. I would respect a person going for election to say ‘you know what, i can’t promise you i’ll do this or do this – but i will try and i promise to work hard and i won’t help fix your wall or get your passport but i will work hard to better the area and be a good legislator’ jaysus how refreshing that would be.
Just look at her list in the above. Crime, medical cards, water charges – lol. Meanwhile if elected she’s off in the EU looking after womens rights and no one elses. That’s her real platform. A quick look at her twitter page, blog and a few other areas will tell you that. I can’t see her, and she’s made no attempt that I can see, to look at a single issue affecting men from suicide to unmarried fathers rights.
She also recently called for the immediate holding of 50%of council seats for women.
She seems happy to forget she’ll be representing all of her county, and indeed country, in Europe. For that reason I wouldn’t vote for her.
You’re right Lex. She’s eminently qualified to run
Yes inigo. It’s the lies that are hurting the democratic process. Would much prefer and respect a politician if they told it how it is and what they want to try to do about the problems people face. Instead of jumping on a populist bandwagon before elections and the turning their backs on promises made after they are elected.
we’re not interested in the recovery of your party michael, we’re interested in the recovery of the country
Just more election promises, we’ve had enough of politicians lies and hot air. Go out and vote, get rid of FG/Labour/FF/SF and do something good for your Country!
If none of the members in ff were the same members as previous, they might have had a chance. But they all seem to forget they were all members
And the Irish people seem to forget ,you cut off the head of a worm it still lives. Just cause the head changed, its the same worm.
I was just thinking. Smart future thinking on their part. I’ll bet they would put up some form of tax on clothes or food or cars or power ,for the excuse needed to clean up the Liffey. lol
“People are very angry about the health situation and medical cards in particular.”
Michael people were angry about the health situation when you were Minster of Health. I seem to remember you were pretty arrogant and patronizing over the whole thing.
Remember what they used to say about Michael when he was in health.
‘ Only ever one consultants report away from a decision’
Haha looks like she has Michael by the balls in that picture above
Was it not FF who agreed the introduction of the Local Property Tax and Water Charges with the Trokia after destroying the country’s economy?
Well we’re all looking forward to Sinn Féin abolishing them there Brendan. Because we know that’s exactly what will happen. When SInn Féin get into power, in the first week will they abolish these unfair taxes? or the second week?
Just remind us also – in relation to the bank guarantee – i’ve forgotten, did Sinn Féin vote for it – or agin it? and would you agree that whoever voted for it contributed to the destruction of our economy. I’m terribly forgetful..
FF are complaining about charges that they where the architects and masterminds of, I doubt the public will be hoodwinked by them.
Is that a ‘no answer’ then. Great thanks.
Same old PR B*llsh*t… same sh*te different party.
They voted against it. They voted in favour of the principle of protecting depositors funds on September 28th, but when the actual vote to give effect to the legislation took place on October 17th (Credit Institutions Bill) they opposed it once the full details where provided, this is on record in the Dail. Hope this clarifies the matter for you and clears up the nonsense that they supported the legislation, they did not.
The day after that guarantee… the MOST IMPORTANT DAY deposits flew into Irish banks… leaving the tax payer to guarantee them…. the damage was done by the time OCT 17th came around. .. but then you know that.
So will SInn Fein abolish all those unfair taxes when they get into power? or no?
Brendan don’t knock on my door spouting that sh1te and pointing fingers. Could do the exact same about your party both sides of the border. Offer some actual alternatives yeah?
Have SF ever supported a government proposal in this dail term, they can’t all be bad can they?
Unless you live in Tallaght Charles I doubt I will be knocking on your door? As for Shite which part do you mean, if its FF’s record on these charges and the destruction of the economy then its not shite, its the facts old chap, let us never forget their corruption and Galway tent politics!!
Do you have rote learning cards distributed by headquarters? – can you not say if SF will abolish – water charges, property tax, bin charges? – is not sinn fein policy? or is it just SF policy to b*tch about it and then do nothing about it like FF, FG, Labour before them?
We have laid out very clearly that we will not form part of a government unless these charges are reversed, it is also noted in our last pre-budget submission which was fully costed (Unlike the FF one). Hope that clears that one up too.
You must be one of these DDI nutjobs, devoid of all reality!!
So will you abolish Water charges and Property tax – its really just yes or no?
I live on Tallaght Brendan. Don’t dare knock on my door.
DDI nutjobs? – so the reality is that you will keep them but b*tch about them.. great new political departure. Can’t wait.
No i don’t support or am a member of any political party or organisations and i certainly won’t be supporting any party that has Joe Higgins as a member.
“You must be one of these DDI nutjobs, devoid of all reality!!”
Great to see a politician treating the electorate with respect isn’t it…..
I have said we will not form part of a government unless there is agreement to reverse these charges and replace them with other revenue raising measures in a program that takes account of ability to pay. I doubt I can be clearer on that one?
Lucky for you Brendan, I do. I am looking forward to the knock on the door.
We shall not forget the part fianna fail played in the downfall of the economy. However, we shall not whitewash the past like Sinn Fein attempt to do.
Quite an eyeopener – anyone who questions policy is a ‘nutjob’… interesting. New SF slogon for Tallaght if you question our policies you’re a nutjob… well at least its a new political thinking. By new i mean exactly the same.
Tommy I will be knocking on every single door in my area, and so far I have received a fantastic response. Many have disagreed with me, but sure that’s politics.
@Brendan – revenue raising measures? -higher taxes? great… so Sinn Féin will refuse to form a government if water charges and property tax are not abolished?
Brendan, you’re digging quite a hole here … Something Sinn Fein are well used to.
That’s politics Charles. There are still a good few loyal FF’ers out there, and many a decent one who I get on well with I might add, I disagree with them but at the end of the day you have to respect people and vice versa. When the elections are all over we all still have to get on with each other.
To address the issue of DDI. I do think the politics they are espousing is claptrap and have no problem saying that, iv’e never met one but have no doubt they are decent guys too with just wacky ideas.
They’re just ‘nutjobs’.
Yes Inigo, do I need glove puppets to explain it to you?
I saw a SF candidate had a poster up blocking a traffic light yesterday, Brendan. You were quick enough to point out an AAA members posters were hanging low and a danger to peoples eyes. I don’t recall you mentioning your colleagues posters being a danger to lives by blocking a traffic light.
Also, I see Gerry was back in the headlines yesterday with new claims from an ex IRA cop killer, Peter Rogers, that he ordered rogers to transport bombs from the UK to here. Gerry, of course, denied it. “Me know nathing boss”.
http://www.bbc.com/news/uk-northern-ireland-27117190
http://www.independent.ie/irish-news/ira-prisoner-claims-gerry-adams-and-martin-mcguinness-ordered-bombing-30212232.html
And most other news publications carried it in Ireland and UK. The Journal seems to have missed it though.
What grudge has he got against Gerry to say he’d say that? Cue Werejammin with his populist guff.
I actually seen that article and contacted Jonathan Dowdall to take it down. I think all posters should be banned!!
@Brendan – why couldn’t you just say yes or no at the first question – and your misdirection about the bank guarantee. You’re starting off in politics – why not begin in a new direction – be honest and frank with people.. don’t insult their intelligence by reaming off party BS. It should be about you wanting to make a difference not being a stooge who regurgitates policy.
How about these answers…
Yes we voted for the bank guarantee – we were wrong. We were under pressure and were mislead We won’t be again.
We can’t guarantee the abolishment of water rates or property taxes because the mechanisms being setup (water charges) will cost alot to reverse or make redundant but we will figure out a way of making up for it with tax reliefs and benefits to offset the cost. We are opposing it now but we may have to suck it up in the future…. we also believe to increase services and improve the water system we need revenue and this must be ringfenced – also because of the cost of Irish Water which Fine Gael was initiated the cost to dismantle it will be too vast – but we will try to make it work better….
Good Luck in your canvass,
Am not a SF voter nor in your Brendan’s constituency but just to point out it was not his party that destroyed Ireland. It was the civil war parties.
Yes, but you contacted him by phone or email :)
You used a a public forum – the journal – to contact Coddler @ the AAA :)
Cheeky Brendan, and opportunistic.
eh – sinn fein is a civil war party? in fact it was the mother party that spawned the others… FF was formed in 1927? five years after the civil war??
Oh, I’ve nothing against SF gerbreen. I simply believe everyone running for office should be put through the mill equally.
Collins and deValera mob. They morphed into the crap we have today.
I have no idea who Coddler is so other than here how was I supposed to make contact with him. I contacted SDCC regarding the low posters in Tallaght and asked them to contact the party regarding the height and the dangers posed.
You mean Collins who commanded the IRA in Dublin and DeV who was the Head of the Government during the war of independence… you mean a former hero abandoned his policies when getting into power – a lesson to be learned there.
I would be guilty of that myself.
But lads the FF woman is correct. Irish Water is a super quango which will not deliver any value for money. Who won’t be able to control costs and pensions and will just increase prices. Same plan for health.
SF cannot reverse that till the bailout is paid off. Thanks to FF mainly.
What they can do is control it. With heavy governance and performance requirements. No big payoff, no rewarding failure etc
Brendan, can you find out for me what SF councillors are running in Cork? Carrigaline area. It’s a genuine question, he may well end up getting a vote from me. I know it won’t be going to FG/FF/LAB that’s for sure.
So, it’ll be independents for me and a possible SF vote depending on the candidate.
I’m thinking AAA if they have a candidate in my area, Inds, or maybe one for SF. They are the contender in my head for now.
@Brendan Ferron
Why can’t you just be up front and say
“Yes. Sinn Féin will abolish the Local Property Tax and Water charges if elected” ?
If that’s your election promise, then fine. Nothing wrong with that.
Fannying around Inigo’s question makes you seem untrustworthy.
Just my opinion.
@ Lex Luther – There are two candidates Michael Frick Murphy, Donnchadh O’Laoghaire. This is a link to Donnchadh O’Laoghaire’s election literature – http://irishelectionliterature.wordpress.com/2014/01/10/leaflet-from-donnchadh-o-laoghaire-sinn-fein-ballincollig-carrigaline/
@ michael/inigo.
There are at least two posts above where the bloke says that his party will not form part of the next government if these taxes are not abolished.
Now, how you are reading that any other way than sinn fein will get rid of those taxes is beyond me i.e. sinn fein forming part of next govt=those taxes gone
He’s stating that on a public forum whicch is more than most candidates are doing. Hardly ‘untrustworthy’.
Thanks Brendan.
I agree Michael, I should have been clearer. Its the policy that we wont go into government unless they are abolished – we are totally opposed to them as they take no account to pay. If we break that promise I will be sending back my membership of the party in the first available post.
Come on Inigo … Dev got what he wanted.He sent someone else to do his bidding. Enough history. My initual point was FF and FG.
@Brendan
Given the stigma attached to people with mental issues, who suffer daily not just with certain conditions but peoples attitudes towards them.
Do you think it is wise to call someone a “nutjob” ?
Are comments like that,not an insult to all who suffer from a mental illness, especially coming from someone who is looking to be elected!
@Brendan – very clear thankyou.
@Werejammin – if you could explain how water charges can be abolished with Irish Water now setup and functioning without costing the tax payer more i’d like to hear it… i’d imagine tax reliefs would be the real outcome – i.e. everyone pays charges put the poorer get it back in rebates… that’s not the same I think its a big ask to abolish it… and besides the real problem is the miles and miles of broken water pipes- this needs serious investment.. i don’t think SF can deliver on these promises – even if they canvass for it now.
Brendan, first you make a statement about not joining a government unless certain taxes are agreed to be withdrawn and then, a few minutes later you add a substantial rider to that statement……..the one about other ways of raising revenue. Anything else you’ve missed out ? Anything more you wish to add ?
Inigo – I am not totally against the idea of having the supply of water looked after by one body, a body charged with improving the system and quality of the water etc. which is pretty poor at the moment. I am just against the idea that it be levied as an additional charge when we have been paying for the service for years through direct taxation. I am not sure what the party position is but I agree with you that it might prove difficult returning the assets to each Council.
@Joseph Siddall the other measures are outlined in our pre-budget submission and include measures such as 3rd tax band at a rate of 48% for income above €100,000.00. You can find the document at sinnfein.ie if you fance a read.
@ Brendan
Ah, good to hear it. Quick reply too. Admittedly I’ve never been a big fan of SF but fair play to you.
@Were Jammin
Agree. Coming on here to deal with the punters is certainly more progressive than just putting up annoying posters.
Brendan
Do your election workers….sorry….colleagues carry the usual election material with them such as balaclavas plastic cuffs and pick axe handles. I seem to remember the Gardai discovering that material in a Sinn Fein canvassing teams gear in the Ballyfermot area. That’s close enough to Tallaght Brendan. Perhaps you could tell us how that stuff is used during an election. At a guess i would imagine the suit you’re wearing wouldn’t be necessary when implementing SF Policy with such equipment!
@ IM: “if you could explain how water charges can be abolished with Irish Water now setup and functioning without costing the tax payer more i’d like to hear it…”
How about leaving the money we already pay the exchequer for our water alone instead of pilfering it for the banks?
By the way its a ridiculous question. You’re asking somebody who opposed irish water since before it was set up ‘well now its set up, what would you do?’.
I wouldn’t have set it up in the first place.
What about endas first 100 days promises and his 5 point plan that obviously his dog at when he took office…cos he hasnt mentioned it since…
Its clear enough Brendan….some people cant read between the lines. Yes or no doesnt always answer a question correctly. From what youve said you will enter a government once there is agreement to reverse the charges. Thats fair enough. The “agreement” could however consist of a five year plan to phase the charges out….and not an immediate reversal. This is the truth behind the political speak. For me thats fine….for others maybe not. Its the political speak and way of saying it in a roundabout way that people arent fond of.
Knock on my door Brendan, you wont get any hassle here. I was even nice to the FF first time running candidate.
You are arguing with lost causes all they have is brainwashed media heads. lol
FF plan
Step 1 : get elected
Step 2 : enrich themselves and their friends/supporters
Step 3 : repeat step 1
Take out FF and replace with ‘every other party ever elected to government local or national in ireland North and South’. This is the problem with our system.
Haha….had to include “the north” just so you could encompass sf….brilliant!
Pre-election BS!
Anything else FF, maybe a free car and one million euros for every Irish person. Election promises, lies, lies and more lies.
The parking fees are there for a very good reason in my opinion. It encourages people to use public transport & not clog up the city with smog. Anyways FF won’t be getting my vote after all they’ve done in the last few years, still haven’t proved they’re passed the biffo & Bertie years
How can parking fees at train and bus stations be justified as a way of getting people to use public transport?
Pay for parking and then pay for your train/bus ticket, what a joke
“clamp down on crime”… Start with white collar and your own party ye slim ball
How about maintenance of a FF-free Dublin until all our national debts are paid off which is 2042, I believe!
So their plan for local elections in Dublin are a load of proposals that get decided or funded at national level (DART Underground, Garda Resourcing, Irish Water).
They are making promises that they know in advance won’t be deliverable by their council or MEP candidates.
No wonder we’re all cynical about politics.
FF you got your answer last time out, nobody believes anything you promise, you are the weakest link, Goodbye.
White collar criminals, brown envelopes and legalized fraud(pensions for Bertie et al) have done far more damage to this country then all the drug gangs.
FG have achieved little on white collar. Part of the problem not the solution perhaps?
FG, Labour, the Guards, the central bank, the financial regulator, the DPP, the courts and the media have all failed as well.
You know what would make for a ‘Vibrant Capital’? If your profoundly corrupt party hadn’t gutted it for everything it had.
Not saying anything that comes out of ff’s mouths carries any weight but I certainly would be in favour of dedicated public order units being in place in cities and large towns across the country. I can’t see many disagreeing with that, get these guards who are stuck in offices doing civilians jobs out on the street like the rest of the lads who earn their crust.
Free combovers for all, just like meeholes one
Shinners a bot slow so far in responding,,,, must be lunch time
Their hatches have just opened
Lol, you because people hate FF, doesn’t mean they are shinners. You are a delisional fool
I think it’s time to give FF a chance, what’s the worst that could happen.
Pierce hope that remark is in jest ?
Its time for Fianna Fail to crawl back under its rock where it belongs.I thought St Patrick had ran all the snakes out of this country a long time ago.
No I firmly believe in forgiveness, turn the other cheek and all that
You are a fool if that is the case.
Pierce sarcasm is an art form best practiced audibly, doesn’t really come across in the print format.
Great comment Norman. I think that should be comment of the week.
Was pretty obvious he was being sarcastic…..you dont have to get bitten by a shark to know its teeth are sharp…..duh…
It would be a good idea getting a public order of an Garda Siochana in Dublin to cut back on the immense amount of crime, but this being FF it’ll most definitely never happen
Reduce the property tax by 15% yea sure, they would probably put it up by 20% then reduce it by 15%! All promises are covered already with our taxes!
More Cars!!! That’s just what Dublin needs.
Good to see FF taking their cue from the latest thought in city planning in the 1950s.
How about getting rid of the road and property taxes. Jack lynch did this in the 1970s and it got him into power. You could also suggest a 50% reduction in insurance costs and an additional four hospitals for every country in the country. It might also help to promise a united Ireland within three months – this might help in your losing battle with the Shinners.
Micheal Martin, the man who fell out of the balloon! “Nothing to do with me, it was like that when I got here”.What a tosser.
Just after reading a fianna fail leaflet &1 thing they promise is to increse funding for ” The tree care programme” are they for f**king real? I love tree’s and all that but its certainly not anywhere near on the list of priorities for this country!
How much does Thejournal get for posting such spin? This news isn’t news.
Press releases are the bread and butter of the Journal. There’s good and bad to that. The positives outweigh the negatives in that they also release more photos of missing people than anyone else too for the cops etc. That’s a very important service.
It doesn’t matter which party you guys vote for, they will all screw us in the end!!! We need a new government devoid of party poiltics…. take the whip system for example; a TD or Cllr who has a majority of people in his constituency demanding X but Mr Whippy say they cant have X so they dont get it. That shouldn’t be how things are done in a democratic society. WE should be able to decide our futures, not have them decided for us by incompetent dim witted power hungry fools! If I bother to get off my ass and vote (not much point in doing so as the lions share of you will still vote for the main parties) I will be voting for the independents.
FF = knobjockeys
FG/Labour = liars & thieves
Greens = who?
sinn fein = retired terrorists.
Im telling ya’s give me the reigns for a year and I’ll make a country out of this sh1theap!
Typical response from a dim wit… let’s vote for FF again..sure what’s the worst that can happen !…sure why not a fg/ ff coalition to put the tin hat on it. Just let them take all our money and give us a paltry allowance each week…at least that’ll take away the notion that we have some control over our money that we have now
I just can’t believe mr.martin thinks anyone takes him serious anymore him or his joke of a party
Should the guards not be cracking down on crime anyway? More empty rhetoric I think.
Isn’t it gas to see that they haven’t changed at all.spouting the same rubbish. More guards,nurses,teachers, clean up the city. Dedicated this and that. At least their consistent in their fantasy. Mad altogether.
My father reminds me that in his day the likes of micheal martin when showing his face in public would be pelted with rotten eggs. Ahhh! bring back the good auld days!
Parking is already free in most places after 7 everyday and free all day Sunday in a lot of places
Bla bla bla @_@
Next they be trying to create fairy walk ways on hill of howth dream on martin your party’s incompetent years in power should never be forgotten or forgiven
Are there any FF TD’s actually in Dublin anymore? NO? Promise what you like then Micheál.
Pedestrianise.. emmm.. where does no one walk… I know – Merrion Square…that’ll keep them happy.
Only brave ff candidate to knock on my door Seems like lovely young man(f irst time runner). I asked him why FF. He should run independent. I feel sorry for those who could possibly be decent and throwing their hats in with the likes that are already there from the old boys.
have your say