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TOM HONAN

Opinion Directly elected mayors would be good for democracy

Citizens of some cities will vote on Friday as to whether to introduce a directly elected mayor – the move would boost local government, writes Deiric Ó Broin .

If you live in Cork city, Limerick or Waterford you will be asked to vote on Friday as to whether your city should introduce a democratically elected mayor.

Citizens of other cities might be given this choice too, at a later date. 

HAPPINESS IS LOCAL. 

The quality of housing, urban design, transport, connectivity of communities are all affected by local policies.

Local government is the level at which many of the collective action problems, that citizens face daily, can be solved.

And these challenges have the potential to create a new way to think about democracy in our cities.

Plebiscites will take place on Friday in Limerick, Cork and Waterford on the introduction of directly-elected mayors. 

If the idea is given the nod by the electorate in those places, the mayor will take over many of the executive functions, currently held by the chief executive of the local authority. 

I believe directly elected mayors would be a welcome improvement as the process has the potential to increase democratic accountability and provide cities with a definite leader.

The minister in charge of local government, John Paul Phelan, has published a detailed policy document on what powers the direct-elected mayor will have, including how they’ll be elected and removed.

If successful, the expectation is that these will be rolled out across Ireland.

Why not Dublin?

Of course, for many citizens, the most striking aspect of this is that Dublin is not included this time around. 

This is, in part, because there is disagreement as to how the mayor would relate to the four local authorities in the Dublin region.

For example, would the mayor just be for the Dublin City Council area or would he govern the whole of Dublin city?

Of course, the city includes areas that are currently overseen by Fingal County Council, South Dublin County Council and Dun Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council and currently, each of those ‘counties’ has its own mayor. 

Perhaps the Lord Mayor should govern the traditional county of Dublin – as delineated by GAA supporters?

It seems these issues are complex, so yes you have guessed it, the government has opted for a Dublin Citizens’ Assembly to discuss these matters and make recommendations.

This appears to be a repeat of an exercise already carried out in 2013 by the councillors from the four Dublin local authorities. It may reflect some nervousness on the part of the Department of Housing, Planning and Local Government.

In other areas too, the question arises as to whether these mayors should be leaders of the cities only or the whole county?

A mayor of Limerick wouldn’t just control Limerick city, but also Abbeyfeale, on the Kerry border. It might make more sense to have a mayor for Limerick city, including those parts that encroach into County Clare.

Meanwhile, rural towns might be better served by the return of town councils too.

Local leadership matters

A book that we have recently published, Mayoral Governance in Dublin, arises from a long discussion between academics, locally elected councillors, local authorities, political parties and civil society activists.

This included in-depth engagement with representatives of all major political parties, most of the small political parties and a number of independent councillors.

We believe that there are critical lessons for Irish efforts to introduce directly elected mayors.

Firstly, quite simply, local leadership matters. A directly elected mayor could make a critical difference to the quality of life in Dublin.

What makes the executive mayor so attractive as a public institution is that it facilitates better city leadership by making city leaders and their work more transparent and by attracting different types of civic leader to the role.

One of the great successes of the directly elected Mayor of London was the focus Ken Livingstone and Boris Johnson were able to bring to particular issues.

Simply by having a mandate and the willingness to advocate on behalf of specific issues they were able to negotiate with central government on behalf of London.

It is not just about having specific powers, although these are useful, it is also the profile direct election brings.

The directly elected mayor becomes a very powerful ambassador for the city and when they use their profile appropriately they can leverage improvements well beyond the powers granted to them under the legislation.

Local government matters

Local decision making needs to be taken seriously and the appropriate financial and legislative framework must be put in place.

This is an opportunity to really elect a first citizen rather than our current system of promoting a councillor.

Currently, just about 7% of Irish government expenditure is spent by the local authorities and less than 5% is raised at local level.

An elected mayor with no money won’t have the power to effect change.

One of the challenges facing a directly elected mayor will be how he or she approaches raising money. Directly elected mayors will be accountable to the citizens of the city and for the taxes or funds they raise from the city.

We need to take local decision-making seriously. Executive mayors are a welcome institutional reform but there are a number of other very significant reforms necessary to adequately equip local government in Ireland to meet the challenges it faces.

The mayor must be given more power to set priorities in terms of transport and housing. 

Looking at London – the mayor there is in charge of transport for the city. Unless our directly elected mayors can take over that type of power from the National Transport Authority – there isn’t really much point in having them.

Directly elected

This raises another question, whether a strong executive mayor needs to be directly elected at all. There are some fears that direct election might lead to celebrities taking office. Does Dublin want a Boris Johnson?

In many cities, such as Paris, strong and effective executive mayors exist without a direct election.

But on balance we believe, as nearly all of our colleagues do, that a directly elected mayor is the way to go. It brings attention to the work of the mayor and means that he or she will have to show progress on the electoral promises they committed to – or they won’t get re-elected.

In a political culture like ours, a directly elected mayor will be scrutinised by the media in a way similar to the Taoiseach. The direct election will bring more publicity and public scrutiny than an indirect election.

This kind of proposals has the tendency to get lost in the long grass. Simply put Ireland should grasp the nettle and introduce directly elected mayors. 

Just do it.

Deiric Ó Broin is Head of Civic Engagement in Dublin City University and a Senior Research Fellow in the School of Law and Government in DCU where he lectures in Irish politics and public policy.   

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    Mute Lurfic
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    Mar 19th 2020, 5:28 PM

    A 20-30% drop? From what I’ve seen it’s more like 20-30% are still using public transport.

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    Mute Henri Poincaré
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    Mar 19th 2020, 6:53 PM

    @Lurfic: it’s badly written. It says it has fallen TO between 25% and 30%.
    I would read that as a 70% – 75% fall

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    Mute Peter Hughes
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    Mar 19th 2020, 7:05 PM

    @Lurfic: How can you keep apart on public transport…..you would want to be insane to use it but some have no choice.

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    Mute David Jordan
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    Mar 19th 2020, 7:05 PM

    @Lurfic: 400,000 people used Dublin bus a day last week, 80,000 to 120,000 now if your numbers are correct. This virus commonly spreads by touching contaminated surfaces.

    There’s a famous case of a Dr who visited Hong Kong during the SARS outbreak in 2002-03. Stayed at a hotel, 11 people on the same floor got sick because they touched the same lift buttons.

    https://www.cnbc.com/2020/02/14/hong-kong-hotel-hosted-super-spreader-in-the-2003-sars-outbreak.html

    “Whenever an individual makes contact with a surface, there is an exchange of microbial life, including a transfer of viruses from the individual to the surface and vice-versa.” Dietz et al., 2020

    Public transport, especially Buses, are potentially a huge cause of infection because so many people touch the same surfaces each day.

    I also say wrong advice given about dentists by the government today.

    Ref.:

    Dietz, L., Horve, P.F., Coil, D., Fretz, M. & Wymelenberg, K.V.D. 2020. 2019 Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) Outbreak: A Review of the Current Literature and Built Environment (BE) Considerations to Reduce Transmission, https://doi.org/10.20944/preprints202003.0197.v1

    Jan. 23: Public transport on buses, trains and ferries in Wuhan are suspended from 10 a.m. local time to help prevent the spread of the virus.

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    Mute Bobby wilson
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    Mar 19th 2020, 5:27 PM

    Good! less amount of people in close contact on public transport the better!

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    Mute Whoswho
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    Mar 19th 2020, 6:04 PM

    @Bobby wilson: And so they should continue! Most people are continuing. And there the ones who plan on cutting down historic trees and robbing peoples front gardens

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    Mute
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    Mar 19th 2020, 6:15 PM

    @Whoswho:

    Let’s get a grip here. In the last 2 weeks more people have been killed in traffic accidents than from COVID19. If we’re talking respiratory issues, there’s a direct correlation between the number of cars in Dublin and the number of children with asthma, other respiratory issues have been on the rise for quite some time too.

    Fewer cars on the roads is better for us overall, buses aren’t the enemy here.

    COVID19 is serious, and avoiding public transport right now is sensible, but this isn’t a normal situation and basing our transport policy purely on the events of these months is foolish.

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    Mute Peter Hughes
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    Mar 19th 2020, 7:06 PM

    @: OK you hop on a bus without a mask that actually works and see how you get on……this is only starting when it gets going it will be carnage.

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    Mute
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    Mar 19th 2020, 10:18 PM

    @Peter Hughes:

    Lad, I literally just said avoiding public transport right now is sensible. I’m saying we shouldn’t base our future transport policy on a once-a-century event.

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    Mute Sam Greene
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    Mar 20th 2020, 1:20 AM

    U really have some sort of anti car agenda dont u. I’ve seen u on other posts and it always the same copy and paste remark.
    The last post I read ur comments was where a young lad had died in a car in Clare. U turned that into a rant about jailing drivers who are polluting Dublin. Go away will ya, people like u with their little agendas, ur transparent.

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    Mute
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    Mar 20th 2020, 4:48 PM

    @Sam Greene:

    Opinions? In the comments section? Inconceivable!

    And no the comment was that people who kill people with their cars should be jailed. Not exactly a radical idea.

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    Mute Colette Kearns
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    Mar 19th 2020, 5:28 PM

    Probably because most of Dublin is closed down & also good to see people are keeping their distance when they can!

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    Mute
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    Mar 19th 2020, 5:33 PM

    Surely running a full service puts transport workers health at risk ?

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    Mute Ashling Fenton
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    Mar 19th 2020, 5:51 PM

    Less transport would mean more people in the one bus/tram/train.

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    Mute Nicola McClurg
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    Mar 19th 2020, 6:19 PM

    Particulary those with underlying health conditions.

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    Mute Daragh Cassidy
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    Mar 19th 2020, 6:42 PM

    @Ashling Fenton: Exactly – running fewer buses and trains would be ridiculous at this stage.

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    Mute thomas patrick
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    Mar 19th 2020, 5:29 PM

    in other news…. when the sun goes down….. it gets dark

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    Mute Todd Unctuous
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    Mar 19th 2020, 5:32 PM

    @thomas patrick: not if you turn the lights on

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    Mute David A. Murray
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    Mar 19th 2020, 5:28 PM

    Portlaoise to Heuston train this week has been nearly empty in mornings. Some people still managed to be less than 2 metres away, with plenty of seats available.

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    Mute alan scott
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    Mar 19th 2020, 5:43 PM

    All public transport should have hand sanitizer on them. I saw a Dublin bus today and people on it and NO social distancing. We need to temperley suspend public transport otherwise this will spread like wildfire.

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    Mute Fiona Fitzgerald
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    Mar 19th 2020, 5:55 PM

    @alan scott: How exactly are people to get to clinics, hospitals and their necessary services without public transport? It could well come down to walking because people don’t have the fare, but if they have no choices, and need to buy food, or medicines, that is what public transport is for.

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    Mute alan scott
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    Mar 19th 2020, 6:06 PM

    @Fiona Fitzgerald: well i don’t see many people using public transport do you? and what is wrong with cars, don’t say people dont have cars, (neighbor’s can help out also that is looking out for the elderly message is for) a lot of volunteer organisations for which I’m part of are standing by FOR THIS REASON!!!!. You make yourself look silly with your comment goodbye. Stay safe

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    Mute Fr. Fintan Stack
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    Mar 19th 2020, 6:44 PM

    @alan scott: Yeah, good idea. You can fit at least 4 people in to a car!!!!

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    Mute Mark Mulligan
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    Mar 19th 2020, 7:12 PM

    @alan scott: and please explain to me how you’re supposed to keep 2 metres away from your neighbour/family member/friend if they give you a lift? Hop in the boot?? Cop on will ya, not everyone has the luxury of having someone that can help like that at a moments notice.

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    Mute Veronica
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    Mar 19th 2020, 7:22 PM

    @alan scott: we all don’t have cars some of us depend on public transport..

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    Mute alan scott
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    Mar 19th 2020, 7:51 PM

    @Mark Mulligan: there is lots of frontline and volunteer organisations the irish red cross, st John’s, order of malta are standing by to help those in need, getting groceries, prescriptions, hospital visit etc. They are standing by to help free of charge. We will have face mask, gloves, face shield, and apron so the risk is low for us to get infected or likewise for them. Its better then been on Dublin bus where every day a junkie is injecting themselves or snorting something.

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    Mute alan scott
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    Mar 19th 2020, 8:02 PM

    @Fr. Fintan Stack: according to rte news 75% in drop on public transport. I dont mean to across as been insensitive but people are been selfish by going on public transport where they are sitting in close proximity to each other when they know the risk is to high to travel on public transport. I dont think I have to get to work or il get sacked if I dont turn up is going to work with this virus. Many people are working from home including me, this is not going to easy but my health and others is more important.

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    Mute Fr. Fintan Stack
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    Mar 19th 2020, 8:28 PM

    @alan scott: People working on the front line in supermarkets, hospitals, surgeries, haulage, maintenance teams, etc. can’t work from home. The 25% still need to get to work or society will completely shut down. We cant just pack them off in to car sharing for obvious reasons. Public transport isn’t ideal but its better than the alternative.

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    Mute Mark Mulligan
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    Mar 19th 2020, 8:34 PM

    @alan scott: OK, so how many staff have they got versus how many people require their assistance?? There’s not enough to help everyone and that’s why we still need a transport system in place for those who are mobile and still able to use it! As a bus driver I’d love to know what bus or busses you get that you see masses of drug taking. Have you reported it to the driver? The guards? Or do you pretend it doesn’t happen and hopefully it’ll go away

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    Mute alan scott
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    Mar 19th 2020, 9:07 PM

    @Mark Mulligan: you have a point not all the time but it does happen. And I have reported it to both guards and the driver. I drive also so 85% of times I have to go somewhere I drive, maybe i dont see it from the point of view of people who use public transport as a necessity but from a hygiene point of view public transport in ireland and esp Dublin leaves much to be desired. Good day

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    Mute Sam Greene
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    Mar 20th 2020, 1:26 AM

    @alan scott: now ur just being silly. Those services couldnt possibly cover all the people who would need their support if buses were not running. But people should defo be sitting apart and wear gloves so as not to touch the surfaces, poles ect on buses.

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    Mute Gary Kearney
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    Mar 20th 2020, 3:30 PM

    @alan scott: That goes against all the best advice worldwide. Some people must use public transport.

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    Mute Gary Kearney
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    Mar 20th 2020, 3:33 PM

    @alan scott: You can drive not all of us can for various reasons. Some people need to travel and you are ignoring that.

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    Mute Mark
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    Mar 19th 2020, 5:29 PM

    No implementation of social distancing on transport yet.

    27
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    Mute Nicola McClurg
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    Mar 19th 2020, 6:18 PM

    @Mark: my husband is a transport worker. They’ve only been given hand sanitizer. He is asking passengers to board at the front door only and disembark by centre doors. He said there are very few using public transport, but as long as people are working the NTA will provide a service. He also has an underlying health condition, I’m worried he might bring this virus into our home.

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    Mute Veronica
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    Mar 19th 2020, 7:21 PM

    @Nicola McClurg: A Bus Eireann driver i know told me all they were given were baby wipes no hand sanatizer no gloves.. Crazy way for frontline staff to be treated

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    Mute Sam Greene
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    Mar 20th 2020, 1:24 AM

    @Nicola McClurg: the Employers have a duty of care to their staff. Ur husband should be issued with gloves and hand sanitizer. Thats disgraceful.

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    Mute Lisa
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    Mar 19th 2020, 6:31 PM

    Buses are normally filthy but no way in hell will I be using a bus or train during this pandemic.

    17
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    Mute Sean May
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    Mar 19th 2020, 7:10 PM

    @Lisa: I had no alternative but to get the bus today when going food shopping, as I don’t drive and the nearest supermarket is too far away to carry several, heavy bag-loads from. A woman – with a young boy beside her! – was close to coughing up her lungs. (I guess that she missed all those media notices about Self-Isolating if you think you might be infected.) Thankfully she was at the far end of the bus and well away from me. Don’t know what I’m going to do now as regards getting in vital provisions, but there’s no way I’m using public transport anymore while this crisis goes on.

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    Mute Tony O Neill
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    Mar 19th 2020, 7:13 PM

    @Sean May: she should have been arrested

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    Mute Jazz Buckler
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    Mar 19th 2020, 8:18 PM

    @Sean May: time to get a bike with panniers buddy. No better time – quiet roads now and everything.
    Kill two birds with one stone – virus free transport plus get your exercise in.
    Cycling increasing in cities all over right now for those reasons

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    Mute Sean May
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    Mar 19th 2020, 8:30 PM

    @Jazz Buckler: A nice suggestion, Jazz and appreciated. Alas, I have COPD, so while I can manage the walk to the supermarket okay, by the time I got back from there on a bike with a gonkey-load of shopping, I wouldn’t be needing to wait for Corona to finish me off, lol. I should add that I live alone and am socially isolated, so the option of having someone to drive me back does not exist either. Thanks for your comment though, and I hope that you and yours will all be okay. Cheers!

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    Mute eddie mallon
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    Mar 20th 2020, 12:11 AM

    @Sean May: taxi is safer in this situation and drivers are voluntary ring your local one for assistance next time

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    Mute Sam Greene
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    Mar 20th 2020, 1:28 AM

    @Sean May: are stores still doing home deliveries? I dont know if theyvare , but might help u if they are.

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    Mute Gary Kearney
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    Mar 20th 2020, 3:34 PM

    @Tony O Neill: Arrested for coughing. Great idea.

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    Mute Gary Kearney
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    Mar 20th 2020, 3:35 PM

    @Jazz Buckler: I was waiting for the bike says the day post

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    Mute Lisa McDonnell
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    Mar 20th 2020, 7:32 AM

    Not everyone in Dublin drives and there are people who still have to get to work to keep things going. Public transport has been a life saver for me.

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    Mute The only INFP in Ireland
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    Mar 19th 2020, 7:50 PM

    Will only be using buses for hospital appointments from now on

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    Mute Ivan Assache
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    Mar 19th 2020, 8:08 PM

    @David Jordan Dr Who is a fictional character. He certainly did not appear in Hong Cong.

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    Mute Ros Kelly
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    Mar 20th 2020, 9:32 AM

    Any chance that the (few) bus drivers that love to jam on their brakes sharply (even with less traffic about!!) would calm their driving down? This seems like a sport to a rare few drivers – to jam on and cause passengers to lurch forward forcing them to grab onto the virus-laden handrails. Please, please drive a little more smoothly.
    Also agree strongly that all drivers be supplied with masks, gloves and hand sanitiser – even the few brake-jammers out there!

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