Fine Gael has once again taken the spotlight for their exceptionally corny candidate promotional videos during the local elections, outdoing heavy competition. As the official general election looms, the party’s overly enthusiastic creative team appears to be stepping up their efforts in fabricating advertising nonsense. Their primary focus has been producing content that places former Dublin North West TD, Noel Rock, on a pedestal ever since his announcement of running again.
Among the videos, one features the Taoiseach enthusiastically interacting with the public in a shopping centre, suggesting we can expect more of the same in the near future. A particular video that has gained notoriety involves Minister for Public Enterprise, Paschal Donohoe, and Noel Rock positioned seemingly at the entrance to a residential area.
Paschal, speaking to the camera, admires ‘The Rock’, Dwayne Johnson, in his youth, citing the different events and films he admired him from. Yet, he now declares his sole admiration and support for Noel Rock, describing him as a uniquely outstanding TD of Dáil Éireann when he worked with him.
In this video, Noel Rock is silent until the end, thanking Paschal for his flattering endorsement. The overwhelming emotion provoked by these videos suggests that by the start of the coming elections, there won’t be any sick bags remaining in the country.
In other election news, Kate O’Connell has successfully reached her GoFundMe goal as she proceeds independently.
Campaign management is known to be financially burdensome. Recognising this, political groups and established independent candidates have been meticulously preparing their financial resources for election well before the campaigning even begins.
Kate O’Connell, a known figure to return again to Fine Gael, was assumed to be a solid candidate. Her re-entrance at the party’s annual event in Galway was celebrated quite prominently, suggesting her being welcomed on board by the new party leader.
However, it came as a shock when she expressed her reluctance on Sindo’s platform in a heartfelt talk with Fionnan Sheahan. She had reportedly declined the Prime Minister’s offer to represent the party in Dublin Bay South. She claimed that she didn’t wish to be another candidate’s back-up and announced her intention to compete as an Independent.
Fine Gael wasted no time in responding, stating that although there had been dialogues with Kate and others, she was not formally invited to compete.
By choosing to campaign solo, Kate, a former representative and successful pharmacy business owner in South Dublin, loses access to the usual financial aid and support system provided to party nominees. In her efforts to accommodate her expenses, she instigated a fundraiser, ‘Help Kate Get Elected’ on GoFundMe site, with a goal of €10,000.
On a Friday evening, just shy of two weeks since its initiation, Kate’s fundraiser had surpassed its goal, amounting to €10,180 received from 30 donations. The first contributor was Mary Newman, one of Kate’s sisters and a former Fine Gael competitor in Tipperary. As previously stated, this fund is already being applied efficiently, epitomised by the prominently displayed campaign advertisements and requests for primary vote preference decorated across the windows of Rathgar pharmacy.
Elsewhere, an Instagram post was shared by Emma Blain, another Dublin Bay South Fine Gael candidate alongside Dublin’s Lord Mayor James Geoghegan, showing her with Lucinda Creighton in a friendly pose. Lucinda, another former party representative, has a known competition history with O’Connell.
The forthcoming election is undoubtedly intriguing. But what about Mattie McGrath? Is he out of favour?
Barney, an 11-year-old shelter dog and faithful companion to People Before Profit TD, Bríd Smith, is widely known across Leinster House. Smith often takes Barney to work with her and he has his own space in the back of her van. When on Oireachtas duty, Barney has his naps in the van, split up by leisurely walks around Stephen’s Green and Merrion Square. He also enjoys a walk about the plinth while Smith and her team interact with the press.
Smith claims, Barney has been spending more time with her due to continuous Halloween fireworks that triggers his fear in their home in Ballyfermot.
The TD’s close bond with Barney has caught the attention of Mattie McGrath, the Rural Independent TD and ardent supporter of the greyhound industry. McGrath starkly opposes Smith’s belief that greyhound racing is a inhumane sport that shouldn’t be funded by the government.
In his quest to challenge Smith’s commitment to animal welfare, McGrath has repeatedly focussed on Barney’s lifestyle. On a Tuesday, when Smith was out of the chamber, McGrath questioned Smith’s treatment of Barney, noting that she brings the dog to work in different weather conditions.
When Smith learned about McGrath’s remarks the next day, she confronted him in the cafeteria. She labelled McGrath as “a nasty man” and clarified her stance on the issue. In her words, she plans to make people see McGrath’s true intentions.
To further address the matter, she lodged an official grievance with the Ceann Comhairle. In her complaint, she mentioned McGrath’s consistent indirect suggestion of her being cruel to Barney. Smith expressed her disapproval of McGrath using her pet, Barney, to question her regard for animal rights.
It should be known that my political party has always been a staunch advocate for animal welfare. So, the deputy’s repeated false and personally-targeted statements are unacceptable, and his comments need to be retracted and avoided in the future. I also request the Dáil record to be amended accordingly. Here are links to the deputy’s statements, beginning with the newest one.
This matter may seem unusual to the Ceann Comhairle as grievances typically pertain to humans not animals. However, if this matter suggests an Oireachtas member’s poor treatment of an animal, it may fit within his jurisdiction, potentially resulting in referral to the Committee on Procedures for judgement.
A crossbred collie-springer called Barney, an out-of-work sheepdog originally hailing from Leitrim, chose not to respond yesterday while he was enjoying a bone.
Mayor Kazumi Matsui of Hiroshima gave a significant speech to the Seanad this Thursday.
“It’s my pleasure to visit Ireland for the very first time,” Matsui addressed the Upper House. “A land rich in art, culture, green landscapes and natural beauty. Visiting Leinster House, a place that has witnessed Ireland’s trials and triumphs over the years, is a sheer delight. Given their long history of facing hardships, Irish people have a deep understanding of the suffering of others and a particularly resolute wish for peace.”
He conveyed that the atomic bomb, which obliterated Hiroshima in 1945, has continued to affect the city’s residents to this day, as its impact is still felt not only as a historical event but also as a current reality.
The Mayors for Peace organisation was launched by the Hiroshima mayor in 1982. Today, it stands as a global network involving over 8,400 cities, relentlessly working towards the elimination of nuclear arms and the establishment of enduring global peace.
The mayor’s visit marked a key event for Seanad, providing Senators an opportunity to express their backing for the inhabitants of Hiroshima and their commitment towards global disarmament and peace. An assembly of about twelve Senators were present to listen to his address.
On Friday, a signing event for an initiative in Ireland, recognized as significant in the promotion of peace in a world that continually grows more precarious, took place at Leinster House Library Reading Room, facilitated by Ceann Comhairle Seán Ó Fearghaíl. 21 town mayors and civic leaders throughout the nation pledged their support to the cause. Ó Fearghaíl, who previously guided a delegation from Oireachtas to Hiroshima, emphasised on necessity of unity among humanity amidst adversity, which is the fundamental principle of the ‘Mayors for Peace’ organisation, and stressed the continued efforts towards creating an improved future.
Tuesday saw Irish Prime Minister, Simon Harris, offering a change of perspective to those from the Oireachtas food service team, by inviting them to his ministerial office for a tour and tea. John Walsh, the restaurant manager, and Julie Lyons, the head chef, led the group which comprised of various staff members, including chefs and waitstaff. The team shared their astonishment about this uncommon visit to a usually off-limits ministerial corridor where the Taoiseach operates.
Members of the catering team, who hailed from various parts of the globe, were both surprised and delighted to have their pictures taken with the Irish Prime Minister in his workspace – an experience they were eager to share with their loved ones back home. The visit also involved an introduction to the rarely frequented dining room of the Taoiseach, and a small kitchen attached to it that Harris was previously unaware of. Descendants of their culinary predecessors, pastry chefs Tony O’Brien and Lillian Murano, honoured the visit by offering the first Oireachtas Christmas puddings of the annual season to the Taoiseach.