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Twitter

Tweeting TDs Who excelled on social media in 2017?

While local radio might still be the holy grail of parish pump politics, new media is quickly catching up, writes Craig Dwyer.

POLITICALLY SPEAKING, 2017 provided us with plenty to talk about. There was Brexit, a growing housing and homelessness crisis, the Committee on the Eighth Amendment’s recommendations and the departure of Enda Kenny, replaced as Taoiseach by 38-year-old Leo Varadkar.

Many of the 218 Members of the Oireachtas jumped at the chance to engage with radio, print and TV media to debate the aforementioned – engagement vital for securing votes. In a 2012 survey, TDs ranked local radio as the most important tool for communicating with constituents.

While local radio might still be the holy grail of parish pump politics, new media is quickly catching up, with some politicians leveraging the change quicker than others and upping their social media game in 2017.

Influencing socially networked voters

With the prospect of an upcoming General Election and a referendum on the Eighth Amendment, it will be through Facebook, Instagram and Twitter, that politicians will reach, engage and influence socially networked voters.

Donald Trump’s first year as US President has been a stark demonstration of how social media can be used by politicians to set the agenda, bypassing traditional media.

Who excelled on social media in 2017? 

Kate O’Connell, FG

First time TD for Dublin Bay South, Kate O’Connell quickly established herself as a formidable politician who doesn’t hold back. Deputy O’Connell is particularly outspoken, and has been a leader within the Fine Gael ranks, on the issue of the Eighth Amendment.

Kate was commended by some party colleagues for the manner in which she dealt with alleged abusive Twitter behaviour from Fine Gael National Executive member, Barry Walsh. Not only did Kate write to Fine Gael bosses about the ‘consistent, sustained, gendered abuse’, she also held Walsh to account on Twitter:

O’Connell’s approach to collegial support for repeal of the Eighth Amendment is considered and respectful. In her most retweeted tweet of the year, Kate acknowledges the role of women who had ‘gone before us through the gates of Leinster House’ and thanked them for their support on the issue.

This extended to ‘compassionate party colleagues’, for whom she took to the time to thank individually, including Fine Gael Minister and constituency rival, Eoghan Murphy.

Gerry Adams, SF

We can’t talk about social media and politics without mentioning Gerry Adams. Who can forget the rubber ducks?

Gerry didn’t disappoint in 2017 (we’re not talking about his decision to step down as  leader of Sinn Féin). In one of his most engaged with Tweets of 2017, Gerry… well, you can just see for yourself:

But it’s not all humour with Gerry Adams. His most retweeted Tweet of the year was a video from Leaders’ Questions in which he called on the Taoiseach to recognise Catalonian Independence.

Snipping video clips from Dáil and Seanad proceedings has become a regular feature from some and demonstrates how TDs and Senators can use social media to amplify their message to wider audiences, in ways previously not available to them.

Gerry Adams remains the most followed leader on Twitter at 155k. Although our next pick is hot on his heels.

Leo Varadkar, FG

What might seem like an obvious choice, An Taoiseach Leo Varadkar makes the list for a number of reasons. Straight out of the ‘Justin Tredeau School of Social Media’ (and that’s not a criticism), our new leader is not afraid to show his personality online.

While political anoraks might take umbrage with his vast array of colourful socks or that time he loaded the dishwasher, most of the Irish electorate want to be able to relate in some way to the leader of their country, and that’s something Leo and his team are acutely aware of. So expect to see more photobombing llama’s in 2018.

This would also explain why his reply to Irish student Emma Kelly’s tweet, after she placed Varadkar on a waiting list, before seating him at a ‘tiny table’ at a Chicago restaurant, is the most favourited of all his tweets since his account was set up in December 2010.

Leo also became known for his weekly video updates on social media during 2017. After a dodgy start, he took onboard some advice from his followers, including the Rubberbandits, and the slick, well produced videos now reach thousands of viewers each week.

This recent video on the introduction of PE as a subject in the Leaving Cert received more than 163k views on Facebook alone.
https://www.facebook.com/campaignforleo/videos/1611758832195745/

Ruth Coppinger, Solidarity-PBP

The Solidarity-People Before Profit TD is attuned to the potential social media can yield if properly utilised. Recently speaking on the Online Advertising and Social Media (Transparency) Bill, Coppinger cites the role of social media during the anti-water charges campaign and how it is being used “for protest movements and for political discourse that is not allowed or permitted within the mainstream media”.

On her own social media, Coppinger’s tweets and Facebook posts attract huge numbers of engagements. Ruth keeps her 15K Facebook followers up-to-date with regular short, subtitled videos. Just short of 100 videos over the year, this explainer of Solidarity’s plan to address the housing crisis is one of the most viewed of 2017.
https://www.facebook.com/RuthCoppingerTD/videos/297997607271055/

Aodhán Ó Ríordáin, Lab

Riding on the wave of his speech, in which he labelled Trump a ‘fascist’, going viral across the globe, Senator Aodhán Ó Ríordáin did not take the foot off the pedal in 2017.

Aodhán’s active presence has seen him amass a large following on Facebook and Twitter and is one of the few who is also active on Instagram – which is now the second most used social media platform in Ireland, after Facebook.

With an average of 17 tweets per day (including retweets), Aodhán is one of the most prolific Tweeters from the Houses of the Oireachtas. #Repealthe8th is his most used hashtag and this is the Labour Senator’s most retweeted Tweet from the year:

Lynn Ruane, Ind

Independent Senator Lynn Ruane’s mix of politics, interests and family life has seen her build a large and loyal following on Twitter since she began tweeting in February 2015.

Like Kate O’Connell, Ruane was also a member of the Joint Oireachtas Committee on the Eighth Amendment and was on the receiving end of many letters, emails and even a framed picture of Judas as a result. The pro-choice Senator was undeterred and reiterated her unwavering support in response. These were subsequently two of her most engaged with tweets of 2017:

Noel Rock, FG

If personality is what people want from their politicians on social media, the youngest member of the Oireachtas has it in abundance. In his Instagram bio, Noel Rock claims to be trying his best “to not become a stereotypical politician” and his social media presence would back up his efforts.

His down-to-earth, authentic and witty approach is a breath of fresh air. And if two of his top tweets from the year are anything to go by, Twitter would agree.  We’ll just leave this here…

Fianna Fáil

Despite some exceptions, such as Tipperary TD Jackie Cahill, the party has a way to go on in order to use social media effectively to reach, inform and engage with current and potential supporters.

However, the will is there as we witnessed earlier in the year with #AskFiannaFail, it just might not have been fully thought through. Just #AskJoan.

As we embark upon a year of heightened political activity, expect to see more videos, more Instagramming and hopefully, one of two gaffs along the way.

Craig Dwyer is a Fellow with the Social Change Initiative, conducting research on digital and social media campaigning. He was the Social Media Director for Yes Equality and is currently a Masters student of Political Communication in DCU. He tweets at: @DwyerCraig.

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    Mute Dara O'Brien
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    Dec 23rd 2018, 7:02 PM

    The real question should be ‘is it a song’ …

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    Mute Psych-nesss
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    Dec 24th 2018, 12:48 AM

    @Dara O’Brien: thick

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    Mute Hellenize Dublin
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    Dec 24th 2018, 1:12 AM

    @Dara O’Brien: thin

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    Mute Acedeuce
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    Dec 24th 2018, 1:29 AM

    @Hellenize Dublin: voluptuous

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    Mute Acedeuce
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    Dec 23rd 2018, 7:03 PM

    Debatable.. But what’s not debatable is whether or not die hard is a Christmas movie! Be interesting to see a poll on that.. Because its most definitely not a Christmas movie imo!!

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    Mute Stephen Curry
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    Dec 23rd 2018, 7:18 PM

    @Acedeuce: it’s not Christmas until Hans Gruber falls from Nakatomi plaza

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    Mute Dave Thomas
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    Dec 23rd 2018, 7:23 PM

    @Acedeuce: it’s all about a man trying to spend Christmas with his family.. it’s just some terrorists turn up.

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    Mute Celtic_Horizon
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    Dec 23rd 2018, 7:26 PM
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    Mute Michael
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    Dec 23rd 2018, 7:31 PM

    @Acedeuce: ultimate Christmas film… ho ho ho now I’ve got a machine gun

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    Mute Kev
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    Dec 23rd 2018, 11:16 PM

    @Stephen Curry: Peralta?

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    Mute Glangan
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    Dec 24th 2018, 4:18 PM

    @Acedeuce: Silence! Of course Die Hard is a Xmas Film.

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    Mute Glangan
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    Dec 24th 2018, 4:19 PM

    @Dave Thomas: well done

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    Mute David O'Toole
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    Dec 23rd 2018, 7:11 PM

    Think it was written about the death of his brother when they were young. It was a Xmas no 1

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    Mute Davy Boy
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    Dec 23rd 2018, 7:12 PM

    Surprised it has not been banned stay another day , it that not the same as baby it’s cold outside?

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    Mute James Wallace
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    Dec 23rd 2018, 8:39 PM

    @Davy Boy: no, because he is singing to his brother who committed suicide

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    Mute Dave O'Keeffe
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    Dec 24th 2018, 8:03 AM

    @Davy Boy: also, has ‘baby it’s cold outside’ been banned? probably just in your head. But the line with the drink spiking is a little bit weird though

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    Mute Pixie McMullen
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    Dec 23rd 2018, 7:13 PM

    Every “Christmas”song evokes a different memory in different people,whether it has a Christmas theme or not, the Number 1 at Christmas from years past brings nostalgia and colours our judgement,
    Is Jonah Lewies Stop the cavalry song a Christmas song? No, it was an anti war song,
    mull of Kintyre is another one,
    East 17 released their song smack bang on the pulse of romantic songs and era at the time
    To me, from my age group, the likes of The Flying Pickets, Band Aid, Chris Rea and believe it or not, Wham lol

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    Mute Pixie McMullen
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    Dec 23rd 2018, 7:20 PM

    @Pixie McMullen: Oh! and mull of Kintyre, i have fond memories of being 12 years old and delivering milk with the local milkman that morning, always stopped off at my house for tea and a warm up, Women put warm milk bottles out when they heard the truck, and there were little tips of 50p flying that weekend, rosy cheeked freezing cold and as happy as F**k

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    Mute Darcy
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    Dec 23rd 2018, 8:52 PM

    @Pixie McMullen: flying pickets , now I did love them and Wham of course !

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    Mute Dave O'Keeffe
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    Dec 24th 2018, 9:38 AM

    @Pixie McMullen: awww now that is a nice memory.

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    Mute Greg Ward
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    Dec 23rd 2018, 7:05 PM

    It’s not a real Christmas song. Just a real sh!t song.

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    Mute Darcy
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    Dec 23rd 2018, 8:11 PM

    NO its not it has nothing to do with Christmas

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    Mute Michael
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    Dec 23rd 2018, 11:26 PM

    @Darcy: why not?

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    Mute Dara O'Brien
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    Dec 23rd 2018, 7:17 PM

    It identifies as a Christmas song – it’s wishes must be respected.

    But;

    Nobody asked the shinners so the poll is just an FFG shill perpetrated by the Christmas elite.

    Also;

    If it had just paid its Christmas dues, it wouldn’t be the centre of this debate at all – I cant believe that this is the Christmas song that people have chosen to get behind …

    Etc etc

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    Mute Uncle Montys oaf
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    Dec 23rd 2018, 7:04 PM

    It’s a crap song

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    Mute TellingItAsItIs
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    Dec 23rd 2018, 8:25 PM

    Seriously? Could you guys not drum up a bit of news?

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    Mute Michael
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    Dec 23rd 2018, 11:28 PM

    @TellingItAsItIs: if you don’t like the article you don’t have to go into it and comment on it look else where lad

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    Mute TellingItAsItIs
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    Dec 23rd 2018, 11:53 PM

    @Michael: It’s a public forum pal. I’ll comment on it if I wish.

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    Mute Michael
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    Dec 24th 2018, 12:43 AM

    @TellingItAsItIs: maybe public but if I don’t like a forum I’ll pass on it…not go into it and comment on it saying I don’t like it

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    Mute TellingItAsItIs
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    Dec 24th 2018, 8:18 AM

    @Michael: you do what you would do kid and I’ll do what I do.

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    Mute John Connolly
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    Dec 23rd 2018, 7:02 PM

    A slow news day!!!!!! The 42 would prob get a better reaction if they asked if Die Hard a Christmas movie…….

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    Mute Earl of Daventry
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    Dec 24th 2018, 12:58 AM

    The writer, Tony Mortimer gets serious royalties off this. He’s worth £60 million.

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    Mute ivan lynch
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    Dec 23rd 2018, 7:54 PM

    Should be banned

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    Mute Quentin Moriarty
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    Dec 23rd 2018, 10:13 PM

    Take out the background bells and could be played in July

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    Mute Michael
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    Dec 23rd 2018, 10:40 PM

    @Quentin Moriarty: take out Christmas out of all songs and they could be played in July going by your logic…

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    Mute Quentin Moriarty
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    Dec 23rd 2018, 11:49 PM

    @Michael: Christmas just bell sounds ?

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    Mute Michael
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    Dec 24th 2018, 12:51 AM

    @Quentin Moriarty: you could replace that word with anything like you can replace back Round bells with any kind of instrument…going by your logic

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    Mute Michael
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    Dec 24th 2018, 12:53 AM

    @Michael: ment to say back ground

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    Mute Paul M. Barrett
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    Dec 23rd 2018, 9:21 PM

    It’s an atrocious song, the same monotonous chorus repeated over and over by a group who were a poor version of Take That. It’s best forgotten about not debated.

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    Mute Michael
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    Dec 23rd 2018, 10:33 PM

    @Paul M. Barrett: may not all about the song…like me could be that the time and year it was released I got my first Sega mega drive that Christmas….cheer up lad it’s Christmas

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    Mute Crocodylus Pontifex
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    Dec 23rd 2018, 9:36 PM

    Is ‘The Monster Mash’ a valentin’s day song? It wasn’t but since 1993 it has been

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    Mute Barra O Brien
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    Dec 24th 2018, 2:16 AM

    No

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    Mute Darren Sheridan
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    Dec 24th 2018, 12:34 PM

    Jingle Bells doesn’t mention Christmas so.. sure why not.

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    Mute Gisbert Bayertz
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    Dec 23rd 2018, 9:06 PM

    It’s a crap song

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    Mute Noel Kelly
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    Dec 24th 2018, 9:07 PM

    It’s not a Christmas song but bells were added to make it a Christmas song

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    Mute Matthew Gorman
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    Dec 24th 2018, 1:51 PM

    Yes it’s got bells in it.

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