Sign in. It’s quick, free and it’s up to you.
An account is an optional way to support the work we do. Find out more.
SEPTEMBER. THE KIDS are back in school. The leaves are starting to fall. TDs are getting into the swing of things once more.
It’s a time of change and, some hope, a fresh start.
John Leahy will be ratified as the new leader of Renua Ireland at the party’s AGM in Dublin today.
It’s been a tough few months for Renua. Former junior minister Lucinda Creighton stepped down as leader of the party she formed after cutting ties with Fine Gael over her opposition to the Protection of Life During Pregnancy Bill in 2013.
Renua contested a general election just over a year after Creighton and others gathered to ‘reboot Ireland’. They had three TDs going into the election – Creighton and two other ex-Fine Gael members Billy Timmins and Terence Flanagan – but came out with none.
The deadline for applications for the job to lead Renua closed last week. From the outset, Leahy was tipped as Creighton’s successor and it’s believed he was the only candidate for the €65,000 role.
The Offaly councillor was beside Creighton and financial advisor Eddie Hobbs, who has also stepped aside, when the party was launched in January 2015.
Leahy, who currently serves as coaching and games promotion officer with Offaly GAA, came fifth in the three-seat Offaly constituency in the general election in February.
“I’m not unrealistic in terms of what needs to be done and the challenge that faces Renua,” he tells TheJournal.ie ahead of today’s AGM.
A different approach
Leahy says Creighton was “a very good leader”, but his approach will be different.
He says Creighton had to focus heavily on creating the party, devising policies and canvassing for the general election – all in a very short space of time.
Many press conferences also saw Creighton have to deal with “trivial things such as taking questions about her relationship with Enda [Kenny]”, rather than about the party’s policies, he recalls.
Leahy will have more breathing space than his former colleague, but not a huge amount if a general election is called early.
I have a better chance to get to meet people and start building the party from community level up. Lucinda never had that opportunity.
Some of Renua’s policies were criticised, with their flat tax proposal in particular being singled out. The party called for the current income tax regime, USC and PRSI to be replaced with a single flat rate of 23%. Other political parties dismissed the idea, saying it would disproportionately impact people on lower incomes.
Leahy admits the flat tax idea was “perceived as being in favour of rich”, but says the party was right to put it on the agenda and believed it was “the best way to reward working people”.
The policy is currently under review.
Rewarding work
Leahy, who has represented the Ferbane Electoral Area since June 2009, says the party has one main aim moving forward.
“Renua’s main goal is rewarding all work. There is no clear voice out there for the squeezed middle who are out there at the moment trying to get by.
“They have very little disposable income left at the end of the week after they’ve paid for the mortgage, car, childcare. It feels like people who work in Ireland are constantly penalised.”
Leahy says a poverty trap exists because some people view being on social welfare as a better option than working if the job pays low wages.
When asked how the party would go about giving people more money, Leahy says the tax system needs to be reviewed and more, better paying jobs need to be created.
“We need to get as many people into the workforce as possible. Then reward them.”
Apple Tax
So, what does he think about the Apple Tax storm that erupted during the week? (The Government yesterday decided to appeal a European Commission ruling that the tech giant pays us €13 billion in back taxes.)
“No one wants to see a company not paying their taxes,” Leahy says.
However, he stresses the importance of foreign direct investment (FDI) to Ireland. About one in five jobs here are provided, either directly or indirectly, by FDI.
Leahy thinks we might “need to tighten up” our corporation tax system, but Ireland “needs to be seen as a place to do work”.
What has been done in the past has been done to get jobs. I have a difficulty with the EU trying to have an influence … Ireland is used as a pawn in a bigger world market. Lots of countries have been trying to very aggressively attack Ireland in the last 18 months.
“We don’t need the EU telling us how we use our taxes.”
Despite this sounding like a Fine Gael approach, Leahy says the comparisons don’t go much further.
“We’re tagged with right-wing, ‘Fine Gael light’ – if anything, we’re light on Fine Gael now,” he says, referring to the general election casualties.
Leahy says some of the items in the Programme for Government are similar to policies Renua came up with in terms of housing and the self-employed.
If we create a policy and in the morning someone in Government takes is that is success for us. It’s about making Ireland better, not about who came up with the policy.
“People laughed at our idea of a free vote on areas of social consciousness, now other parties are looking at it,” he adds, stressing Renua is still relevant in Irish politics.
The Irish Lib Dems?
Leahy says “a couple of hundred members have renewed membership” and he expects this to grow after the AGM, when he can officially start the rebuilding process as leader.
He says there is huge enthusiasm among party volunteers, who have “never been so determined”.
“We really, really feel we have a message to tell that no other party is telling.”
Earlier this year it was reported that the party was changing its name to the Liberal Democrats.
Leahy says this is not happening. He thinks the party needs to rebuild, not rebrand.
“Renua is the name we’re going to hold. Changing the name doesn’t achieve anything for us.”
“Renua did not do any harm to anyone in this country. We didn’t create the banking crisis, we just tried to start a new party.”
To embed this post, copy the code below on your site
Well done Michelle Hennessey, you managed to change something for the better.
You should feel good today.
Thanks Little Jim!
You’d think the Nutritionist/dietician/Doctors, would have a say in hospital food being served? Maybe management were cutting back, trying to save money on the important things and putting patient last!
Hate that they still refer to patients/women as “mums”. Having a baby is only one of the reasons for being in a maternity hospital. ;(
Yummy wud like some of themmmmmmmm perfect 1st thing
That’s very true. Was in the rotunda for a major op earlier this year.
I was put on the light diet afterwards which included things like mash, celery, green beans, grilled white fish or chicken fillet. I had porridge for breakfast. Light years away from that revolting pic shown!!
The dietician is saying the likes of salmon wouldn’t be popular with patients. Well it’s not a popularity situation is it, the hospital are responsible for health, ergo they should offer only healthy meals.
Unfortunately not eating (or getting visitors to bring you unhealthy food from outside) might be even worse to one’s health than those wedges and sausage rolls.
@Lisa. I shall assume the Red Thumb brigade don’t have a clue what your talking about, unfortunately I do. Big hug and explore all options.
@Lisa if your talking about what I am thinking, positive thoughts going to you.
Fair play Lisa. A smidge of sensitivity would be good.
What a lovely comment fergal :) Lisa lots of positivity going your way.
I know I visited the CUMH twice without being a “mum” hugs Lisa keep your chin up
Hear hear. “Mothers”, please if you must call the women in the Coombe anything. It’s a patronising term please get rid of it. Thanks!
Thought exactly that when reading it Lisa, great point
They are not necessarily that either, they should be referred to as women or patients. Half of the patients in the coombe are surgical, aside from that it’s insensitive towards some for other reasons.
If they served that in mountjoy there would be riots!
Food in the Mater is very poor. Sausage, rasher and a fried tomato constitutes a meal. You would get better across the road in the Joy. It’s ironic that hospital food is so poor, surely it should be the opposite?
Sure them wedges in the picture would send you to hospital
You should see the choice in university hospital limerick! Fry or salad is choice in the evening every evening. And salad is covered in coleslaw and cheese. Not good when you are on a fat free diet (on.doctors orders!) and you have to bring in your own food.
A disgrace, but the way things are going, soon our hospitals will have a bring your own doctor policy.
My daughter is diabetic and has spent many a night in limerick, and I have to bring her in food, she is 14 and gets the same size portion as a 4 year old, which is tiny. They even ran out of insulin while I was there and had NONE in the hospital.
You mean YOU ran out of insulin? As a diabetes patient you get it for free at the chemist.
The last vial of insulin they had in stock was given to another boy in the unit. That same day. They said it’s very rare to have 2 people in at the same time on that insulin. We had to get some from home. Her insulin has to be ordered in and can takes at least until the next day to get it. It’s not a popular one like nova rapid, lantus, levimer.
In our local chemist I have to drop the prescription in a day in advance. Humulin m3, humulin I and humulin S.
It is despicable that a Hospital serves this how are you supposed to serve you baby nutrients through this processed junk, You are what you eat.
They don’t serve this anymore Caroline. That was what the article was about.
I had my first daughter in the Coombe 3 yrs ago. I was brought in early due to complications and was of course very nervous. On the Sunday (day before she was born) the choice was gammon steak, a fry or a Ham salad. When I asked for a vegetarian or non-pork option I was told that being Sunday, there were no other options as the kitchen was closed. I asked if there was even a tin of tuna to have with the ham salad minus the ham…I was asked to spell tuna (?!) and then after an hour was told they couldn’t help. Eventually a piece of lettuce, half a tomato & a slice of cucumber was delivered. My husband ended up having to bring food in for me and I got the filthiest looks from the staff & was treated by some as if I was a spoiled brat with several snide comments passed. No respect in there for food intolerance or food limitations due to religious beliefs. I hope that’s changed along with the menu…
Baffling about the attitude to outside food. Labour is hard work, you’d imagine afterwards is one of the times where you feel justified in getting something quite nice!
What surprises me is that the hospital dietician didn’t seem to know what food was being served in the hospital!
What was she doing if she didn’t know that?
Had my baby in the coombe in 2010 glad to see they have done something about the menu. When you are there with a newborn your focus is on your baby not you…I ate whatever I was given quite mindlessly but it was not appetizing or nourishing. My little boy went on to spend time in a well known childrens hospital…while I love the hospital and the care they have given my son, the food there is even worse than the coombe. Which is scary considering its sick children being looked after.
I hope the food is OK is Holles St.
By the looks of things I’ll be in there next week
I was there 2010 food was excellent , best wishes :)
Anybody that eats wedges or sausage rolls should be put down….
I was in the Coombe 6 and a half years ago for a few weeks before my child was born due to pre eclampsia.
This was a typical example of the meals I was served, ( as a private patient, I can’t imagine what is served up in the public wards is any better) and was not a one off incident as some might have you believe.
After my child was born, for a short period of time, (a day or two) she was randomly shaking, (similar to if you were half asleep and dreamed you missed the last step on the stairs, that “jolt” awake), the doctor came to me and in a very condescending manner, explained that she was likely shaking because of “large amounts of caffeine, sugar and other substances I must have consumed in the days before she was born”, I allowed him to condescend and explain the effects of caffeine to me for a few minutes, and then I explained that I was a patient of the hospital for weeks, and any caffeine or otherwise that was served to me was served by the hospital and it’s staff.
He quickly changed his story.
Mmmmm perfect for a Monday morning pick me up !!
Love a sausage roll now and again
Caught by the balls they were . But at least there is healthy options now. Well done journal. Ie the media can have a positive influence.
Maybe hold the government to account now as well :-).
This review took how long?
You’d think for a hospital, which would no doubt have a dietician/nutritionist on staff (or at least access to one), it would be a bit of a no-brainer that service wedges and sausage rolls (not matter how skilfully they were cooked) isn’t exactly healthy.
The majority of maternity patients have a 2/3 day stay so can’t see it effecting the nutrional content of breast milk too adversely. The majority of patients get food brought in anyway. Who wants to eat soggy fish and green beans and cold mash. The food in any hospital is generally gack. That said any hospital serving wedges and sausage rolls needs a swift kick. Surely some fruit, and fresh alternatives should be on offer. Those with any other dietary requirements e.g vegan,coeliac, diabetes must struggle in hospitals.
After my son was born I was transferred to Hollies Street from Wexford. I have to say that the food at Hollies Street was excellent. Could not fault it. Wexford however left a lot to be desired .
How did they not know what good was being served?
There’s a time and a place for that kind of junkfood, like after a feed of pints, or a Saturday treat. But not in hospital and especially not after having a baby! Aside from it being inapropriate, the food in that photo looks completely unappetising, the tiny amount of wedges are burnt and the sausage roll looks like it saw an oven from across the room. Maybe we can add food poisoning to MRSA as one of the things you’ll get in hospital. Well done to Michelle and the Journal.ie for shaming the hospital into serving proper food that costs more than 25c a head.
That’s hideous! I’m noy adverse to the odd sausage roll but to have that served as a meal in hospital is a disgrace. No matter the reason for being in there in the first place, a hospital should have the health of their patients at the top of the list. Shocking. I’ve only ever used Mayo General, and have to say the menu is brilliant. Lots of options for those with dietary or religious requirements, including vegetarian and vegan meals. Whilst there having my son I was offered 3 meals and two snacks a day, and tea and toast before bed too. Ate better than I do at home!
Well done Michelle. Ireland’s answer to Jamie.
I have no problem with wedges occasionally (!) if they’re properly cooked but did the catering staff in the Coombe not know that any food burnt black has been flagged up as being carcinogenic?!
*Jamie Oliver*!
What is occasionally? 2/3 times a week, once a week once a month? The occasion treat for vast majority of people is a complete joke and thats why, as a nation, we are slowly but surely turning obese.
I was thinking more on the lines of once every couple of months, Yoman. Can’t remember the last time I had wedges. I cook most meals from scratch and never buy ready-made meals.
And whats in between? The lasagna?
@ yoman No.
Mary. This is not a question for you but more a general statement. Im glad you cook for yourself and are aware of whats good and whats not. But as a nation we have too many overweight and obese people. You can then assume that a vast number of people have little or no idea about good food and cant stop themselves eating crap.
Oh, okay so. I see what you mean. And I agree. Thought I was being singled out a little there! :)
Have been in the coombe twice this year, for 7 days in total, good is very much improved, and actually really nice. Well done Coombe!! Good to see people implementing change following a complaint
Wedges weren’t over cooked, they were burnt. Call the chef in…
I would love to know how many of patients complaining about these meals pay taxes , especially places like the Coombe, A one night stay normally isn’t it ! Get over it !
Everyone in the country regardless of whether they are public, semi private or private is entitled to be treated like a human being …
Chef might been having a bad night ! Doesn’t mean the food is always crap. This is why people aren’t spose be using their phones in hospitals ! Too many know alls .
Yes let’s hide our head in the sand and not take pics of rank food. That makes it all better.
I dont think you have to be a ‘know all’ to know this is sub standard slop. I don’t think beige and burnt are food groups.
Well I was in for over a week and the food was appalling every night…
I spent 26 nights in hospital during my last pregnancy. Thankfully I was too ill to eat most of the time and was getting my nutrition through a drip.
Hm. What about if I pay taxes? Do I get a better meal? Am I allowed to complain?
It’s a hospital, not a fast food place. You’re supposed to get food that at least doesn’t make you sick. And what is even funnier is that it’s possible to have decent food for the same price as the crap in the picture.
Mmmm. Tasty, and obviously prepared with love. Just the thing for a growing gal.
have your say