Blog

post script

31st May 2024

 

 

In the week since the local and European elections we’ve had the chance to reflect on our party’s mixed performance at the polls. In the local elections we did well (just under 11% of first preferences cast in the greater Dublin area). Despite the Green surge, and the fact that the Social Democrats were on the ballot paper for the first time, we more than held our own.

In the European Parliament election I was of course disappointed with the outcome. Ciaran Cuffe and his party caught the mood well and they must be congratulated for doing so. Gary Gannon and the Soc Dems brought a different dynamic to the campaign. Down the road it is hard to see how Labour and the Social Democrats can both thrive in an increasingly fractured political landscape. I think we will all have to face up to this fact, and do so in a generous manner.

For my own part I am as committed as ever to our values and principles and I want to work in every way I can to help advance them. I have absolutely no doubt at all that there is an essential place in our city and in our country for a constructive left alternative to the conservative politics that have dominated Ireland for so long.

For the moment I just want to sincerely thank all of my campaign team - Eunan McKinney especially - and each and every member of the party who encouraged and supported me in this campaign. I rejoice in the success of so many of our new councillors, and I urge those who were not successful on this occasion to keep the faith for the battles and opportunities I am certain lie ahead.

Míle, míle buíochas.

Election eve

23rd May 2024

There is so much to say about the experience of these last weeks, but I won’t be saying it tonight!

We finished the campaign in town this evening, at the Trinity LUAS stop. The mood was upbeat and whatever the outcome, I’m proud of our team’s efforts.

The most memorable moment of the day was being approached by a Dubliner who simply shook my hand and said: “I hope you’re elected; you’re a good man”. He promptly disappeared into the crowd.

Thank you, whoever you are, you made my (last) day.

Inspiring

22nd May 2024

 

My first encounter this morning was with the man at Tara Street who declared “it’s time for a Labour come-back”. A few minutes later a woman told me I was great on the telly the other night and she would vote for me. But she was saddened - to the point of upset - at the apparent lack of interest in the election, especially among young people. I agreed with her that the level of engagement has been mixed. But this woman was genuinely worried that politics has almost “disappeared” - there is so little real engagement on issues that matter.

I was still thinking about what that woman said when I met with Michael and Pat Johnson this evening in Sandycove. I know Michael from my time in RTE. He and Pat were founders of the Dalkey School Project over forty years ago. They had to fight huge opposition then. But through intelligent and dogged persistence they succeeded. It was one of those victories that changed Ireland. When we rejoice in the achievements of this generation - like Marriage Equality and Repeal of the 8th - we shouldn’t forget the brave pioneers and reformers of a previous generation. Michael Johnson (whose father was the war-time journalist and author Denis Johnson) and others like him paved the way for this modern Ireland.

What a day: Tara St DART, walkabouts in Henry St. and Grafton St., media doorstep at Stephen’s Green, Blackrock with Deirdre Kingston, Ballybrack with Carrie Smyth and Denis O’Callaghan, Kilnamanagh with Denis Macken, and finishing up the road from home in Wainsfort Manor, Terenure with Pamela Kearns.

Quote of the day: It’s at the beginning of this post!

Will you come in for a drink?

21st May 2024

 

The end is in sight. All candidates reach a point where they just want it to end, but are simultaneously haunted by the prospect that there is more to do. And there is always more to do.

Today was as frenetic as ever. But this afternoon I had a wonderful opportunity to take a trip down memory lane, canvassing in my old neighbourhood of Marino, where I spent my boyhood (my misspent youth was spent in Gracepark Heights Drumcondra, more of which below). Working through Marino with Cllr Jane Horgan-Jones and Senator Aodhán O’Riordáin I met some of the old neighbours who remembered me as a chisler, and also my family.

After a pitstop in Raheny with Shane Folan we proceeded to the Ma’s house in Gracepark, and went around the estate. I touched base with many of the families who remain stalwarts there. My most memorable encounter was with Bill Gibson, our now 96 year old neighbour who gave me a lovely warm welcome at the door. Bill reminded me that he had worked with Jim Jr and Denis Larkin, and spent time on the executive of the Workers Union of Ireland, a trade union of which I was also a member. This sprightly 96 year old called to mind the great and honourable tradition of working class organisation in the cause of Labour, a party that has always put collective interests and the values of equality and solidarity before personal interest or personal profit.

Quote of the day, from Bill Gibson: “Will you come in for a drink?” (I reluctantly declined!).

Remembering Breandán

21st May 2024

It’s been a very long day so I am just going to include a picture I took tonight in the room I was allocated in RTE before the Claire Byrne Live debate (all the candidates had their own rooms!).

Breandán Ó hEithir was a good friend and mentor who inspired me in my young days as a radio producer. He was a wonderful writer in Irish and English, and a deeply insightful observer of an Ireland that seems almost to have disappeared.

Certainly it was a country and a world where civility was valued far more than it is today. And he was the best of company. Ar dheis De…

Dancing around the Maypole

19th May 2024

The final weekend’s campaigning has come to an end and we are into the final stretch now. A European election is not like any other campaign. There is no point in trying to cover the whole constituency through door-to-door canvassing, though I’ve done a lot with our local election candidates. For example this Sunday morning, I was out with Seana O’Rodaigh, our candidate in Skerries, and her enthusiastic team. Seana was sporting a lovely tan from the sunshine days spent canvassing earlier this week!

It was a busy weekend in the city. On Saturday there was the ‘Raise the Roof’ march (which I attended in support of my old union SIPTU), the Leinster v Munster Pro14 semi-final at the RDS (I was canvassing in Dundrum and Churchtown and sorry to miss), and many local events, fetes and festivals. We called in to the Rathfarnham Parish Fete at the High School on Saturday morning - for yet more tea and cakes and some exceptional book bargains.

I gcomhra le Chormac O’Braonain i gCrois Araild inniu

Down the road the 10th annual Harold’s Cross Community Festival finished up on Sunday afternoon with high-quality live entertainment. We bumped into Cllr. Mary Freehill along with her campaign manager, Cormac O’Braonain who very kindly introduced me - as Gaeilge - to the young women at the Irish language stall.  This exceptional festival is organised and managed entirely by local volunteers, including Tony McDermott a former colleague of mine on South Dublin County Council. Tony gave us a fascinating account of the background to the Maypole which was one of the featured attractions in Harold’s Cross Park this afternoon.

Interesting fact: Apparently there were two maypoles in late eighteenth century Dublin, one sited at Finglas and the other at Harold’s Cross.  Tony and colleagues borrowed the festival  maypole (made entirely from recycled materials) from contacts in Leitrim. Over in Finglas an inaugural Maypole Festival recently took place. Locals recycled and renovated an old mast sourced from a boat in Howth!

Alex’s chocolate

17th May 2024

One of the most memorable days of the campaign so far. Our morning canvass was in Barrow Street at Grand Canal Dock DART. We got there early, wondering where the spring weather had gone! On then to the Alex hotel for a hustings session organised jointly by Educate Together and the Children’s Rights Alliance. I have long admired both organisations. Parents, activists and children were assembled to quiz the candidates on subjects such as climate change, ethical education and voting rights for sixteen year olds.

Of all the many conversations, meetings, and engagements I’ve had in these weeks of campaigning none has had more impact than the testimonies of people at a meeting hosted by Family Carers Ireland, facilitated by John Masterson. Breda Daly has cared for her sister for over 30 years. Her story was powerful: “If I got a bit more respite” she said, “I think things would be a lot better for her and for me”. She was followed by Teresa McNally who told a remarkable story of caring for several family members over many years, including her mother, her husband and her son. Teresa said that “her positive attitude and tai chi” had gotten her through.

This is one of the richest countries in the world. It is indefensible that the government will not prioritise the needs of carers. Their demands are modest, and worthy of our full support.

We visited Nutgrove shopping centre and Stillorgan shopping centre in the afternoon, finishing up in Knocklyon this evening with Paddy Cosgrave.

Moment of the day: being presented with a bar of  “Alex’s chocolate” by the nice man who went back in to Nutgrove to purchase it specially.

It was an “Alex” kinda of day!

Strictly Come Dancing

16th May 2024

All smiles on Baggot Street Bridge

Well done to Coolock’s community station Near FM for hosting a live radio debate tonight, presented by Declan Ralph, who like me is a past pupil of Chanel College Coolock.

Media coverage of this election campaign has been poor to non-existent. Maybe the broadcasters are unsure how to handle debates involving such a large number of candidates. But they could make a bigger effort than they have. European Movement Ireland also had a debate today which they live-streamed. Most of the candidates took part, and Pat Kenny did a very good job in moderating the discussion, showing that it can be done - and done well.

The night time Near FM debate ended a day that started early at Pearse Street DART with Alan Kelly TD and our crew. On to Mount Merrion and some very pleasant interaction at the Supervalu. The coffee afterwards in the Merrion Tree Bistro was easily the best in this entire campaign - in truth the best coffee I have ever had!  After the European Movement event I joined Barry Andrews and Frances Fitzgerald at a DCU Brexit Institute debate to answer some very searching questions. From there it was straight to Baggot Street Bridge to continue our charm offensive with commuters. Later in Coolock we canvassed with councillor Alison Gilliland who is truly on top of her game.  Leaving Alison and her crew I was accosted by a man who pulled up in his car, jumped out, and offered his No. 1 vote if I could remember who he was!  I couldn’t.  When he revealed his name (Percy Singleton, a great name not easily forgotten) I immediately placed him as an old neighbour from Marino.

Quote/moment of the day: the candidates were all asked what was there favourite TV programme. I startled the audience by revealing that mine is Strictly Come Dancing.

Labour’s revival

15th May 2024

The Austrian students in O’Connell Street who wanted a photo for their travel blog 

This morning we were at Connolly Station with Brendan Ryan TD who seemed to know everyone coming in from his Dublin Fingal constituency.

When the Labour Party vote collapsed in 2016 we were shattered. We knew it would be a difficult election, and that we had lost support as a consequence of our participation in government. We expected a bad result for the party, and we were right. Our first-preference vote was less than 7% nationally. And we failed to pick up transfers in the way we always have in the past. It was a disaster.

In the three years since the general election we have been re-building our organisation, and doing so very effectively under Brendan Howlin. It is heartening to see so many young people running in the local elections in Dublin, and over half of our candidates are women. This bodes well for our future. We have held our core support, and many more people are telling us that they are prepared to vote for us again - having taken a break the last time! Of course some mistakes were made while we participated in government; but we did an enormous amount of good too. People are prepared to look at Labour again. That’s definitely the message Brendan Ryan and I were getting this morning. It was the same later in Willow Park and Cedarwood in Dublin 11. Andrew Montague is an excellent councillor. His area has changed following the last boundary review but there is massive recognition for the work he does on Dublin City Council. It was a pleasure to canvass in the sunshine with Andrew and his team.

Later we met up with Joe Costello and did a lively sweep up and down Stoneybatter, finishing up door-to-door in Kirwan St cottages. Then on to meet up with Cllr Rebecca Moynihan in Dublin 8.

Quote of the day: “You will have my fifth preference ahead of (candidate name) who will be sixth” - the journalist/commentator I met outside the Gresham Hotel. I have been wondering all day who his No 4 will be!

Opening the mind

14th May 2024

A conversation that will stay with me  

Tara St DART was all go before 8am this morning and it set us up nicely for the day. We travelled to Killester, then back to the city centre, out to Sundrive Road, on to the Kimmage Cross Roads (my own neck of the woods!) to canvass with Mary Freehill, down to Ranelagh for the commuter rush hour, canvassing nearby with Cllr. Dermot Lacey, and ending with Paul Gordon in Lakelands, Stillorgan.

A bonus of running a campaign is that you meet so many fantastic, engaging people. At mid-morning coffee in Killester I met Brendan, who handed me a flyer promoting his initiative: the ‘Opening the Mind Conversation Club’. They have a session on Thursday 23 May next in Malahide Library where participants will discuss three questions:

“What purpose does the daily reporting of recent court trials serve? Who benefits?”

“If there was one gift you could give to everyone in the world, what would it be?”

“The most important decision we make is whether we believe we live in a friendly or hostile universe. (Albert Einstein). What do you think?”

A really terrific idea: get people together to grapple with challenging questions, creating an opportunity to listen, to engage, to “open the mind”.

The timing isn’t great for me but go along if you can next Thursday 23 May.

Quote of the day: It has to be Einstein’s one above (I’m on the side of the friendly universe people).

 

Finishing up in Dun Laoghaire

13th May 2024

IBEC invited European Parliament candidates to a hustings session at 8.30 this morning. After a relatively easy day yesterday it was no trouble to get up and out early, and on such a magnificent morning. We were pressed on a good range of issues including tax sovereignty, whether we would uphold the “Irish business model” in Europe, the creative arts, and funding for education and training - for example through the Erasmus programmes.

Dun Laoghaire canvassing - great weather for it 

We spent most of the day in Sandymount, Blackrock and Dun Laoghaire - in glorious sunshine. Such a contrast to the rain last week. I needed to finish up in Dun Laoghaire this evening to attend the final Council meeting before the election. It has been a real privilege to sit with the Labour group for the past two years. A more public-spirited and decent group of people it would be difficult to find. I respect and admire them all immensely.

There are hard-working, assiduous councillors across the political spectrum. But I wish we could enhance their standing and powers. We do not really have a system of local government; it is more a system of local administration. This is why I am in favour of a directly-elected Mayor for the whole city of Dublin, with a budget and real clout. The Mayor could be supported by a ‘cabinet’ and made accountable to elected councillors with real power and influence. This would require radical change. And it would require political courage on the part of the government and the Oireachtas to decentralise power. How else can we mobilise the people of Dublin to make the changes and advances that our city so clearly needs?

Quote of the day from the man taking a stroll on Sandymount strand: “Can you help me with the drawings for the drainage in my back garden?”

 

 

James Connolly remembered

12th May 2024

On this day in 1916 James Connolly was executed at Kilmainham Jail. Although our world is a very different one from his, Connolly remains an inspiration. My grandfather Martin White was a Clonmel man and a life-long trade unionist. He was a Labour supporter and a candidate for the party in the local elections in Dublin in 1955. I often wonder if he might have been present at the foundation meeting of the party in Clonmel in 1912. He and my Dad Bob White, a railwayman like his father, instilled in me a respect and admiration for Connolly and Larkin that has endured.

Today we commemorated James Connolly at Arbour Hill, where he is interred with the other leaders of the Rising. There were speeches by the Labour Party leader Brendan Howlin and the President of SIPTU Padraig Peyton, followed by a deeply moving reading by Maeve Connolly of her grandmother Nora Connolly O’Brien’s account of her father’s dying hours.  A rousing version of James Connolly by Gerry O’Reilly brought the formal proceedings to a close.

The commemoration is organised every year by the stalwart Joe Costello, who is busy campaigning to return to Dublin City Council. I’m looking forward to campaigning with Joe again for Labour in the week ahead.

Quote of the day: “We are not the country of Nigel Farage and Tommy Robinson” - Keir Starmer MP

Festivals and fetes

11th May 2024

After the Darkness into Light event at Marlay Park it was a couple of hours rest and then off to meet Aideen Carberry at Knocklyon Shopping Centre. I’m heartened by the number of times people tell me they remember my time as a local councillor and TD (in a good way!). When the Dail constituency boundaries were adjusted in 2013, Rathfarnham, Knocklyon and Ballyboden were moved to Dublin South-West. It was a big loss for me, and a significant factor in my failure in 2016 to retain the seat I had won for Labour in 2011. Now I am campaigning again on this familiar ground and really hopeful that the goodwill shown will translate into votes. If today is anything to go by, I think it will, but we have a way to go.

From Knocklyon we were off to Tallaght with Aideen and her team for the launch of Tallafest. This is an annual festival that goes from strength to strength. It was lovely to meet Jim Lawlor, Life President of Tallaght Community Council, as well as many other local volunteers. From Tallaght then to Kilternan for the Parish Fete, a tasty hot dog, and good vibes with Lettie McCarthy, our incredibly energetic local councillor for Glencullen, who was accompanied by her actual dog, Homer! Back across then to Rathfarnham for the Whitchurch Parish Fete. There we ran in to Canon Horace McKinley. I love meeting Horace and we always have a stimulating conversation. Like me, he is a really committed European. He is worried about the rise of the far right, and about what history tells us when democratic values are undermined. He told me about a recent piece he has written on the German theologian and ant-Nazi dissident Dietrich Bonhoeffer, which I look forward to reading. Indoors then for tea and cake - always a pleasure.

Two further stops North of the Liffey. Firstly, a pitstop at the Sustainable Living Festival at the Botanic Gardens in Glasnevin. The gardens are truly beautiful this time of year. I finished the day with Marie Sherlock (“you are the lady who is on the TV”) and her brilliant team.  We did a canvass on and around the Navan Road, finishing up in time to watch Leinster go down, sadly, to defeat in Newcastle.

Quote of the day: A crie de couer from candidate Aideen Carberry:  “I’d love a hot dinner!”

How to make it ‘sexy’?

10th May 2024

To sunny Leeson Street bridge before 8am to meet commuters.  I’m told by quite a few that they already have my ‘Vision for Dublin.’ Even though we need to reach new people all the time it is heartening to know that it registered.  I do wonder about the extent to which the European elections are featuring in peoples’ minds with two weeks to go. Certainly Brexit creates a new and more urgent context. But persuading people that the European Parliament is critical to all our lives is very much a work in progress.

With Frans Timmermans in Donnybrook

At a mid-morning event in Donnybrook with Frans Timmermans (Commission Presidency candidate for the Party of European Socialists, Labour’s group) a journalist asked me whether I thought Timmermans’s presence in Dublin would have any impact. I recognise that it would not lead the evening news. However, I believe strongly that having him here is a powerful statement that Labour is not a sole player, but rather is part of the broad European movement of social democracy. Frans is an impressive campaigner and it was great to accompany him to the wonderful housing development at Beech Hill.

How to render the European Parliament more relevant was one of the questions the candidates were asked at an event organised later by the Association of European Journalists. Some of us were tempted to put the question back to the journalists themselves. But my answer was the same as it always is: the Parliament and the institutions will be noticed and supported by the citizens of the EU and its Member States when they are seen as relevant to their lives. That’s why the next Parliament has to confront and solve the everyday pre-occupations of ordinary people: insecurities concerning the cost and availability of housing in our cities, the future of work in the digital age, climate change. I believe that social democracy is the only route to making Europe relevant again.

Spent the afternoon dodging hail showers (!) canvassing in Clondalkin with Robert Dowds and in Lucan with Joanna Tuffy and their respective teams.

Quote of the Day: Deaglan de Breadun’s question at the AEJ - “have the panel any ideas on how to make the European Parliament sexy?”

 

 

Canal Bank Walk

9th May 2024

People are surprisingly friendly first thing in the morning and most are happy to take our leaflet. But it’s much harder in the rain, as Brendan Howlin and I found this morning on the canal bridges. Umbrellas are useful but risk defeating the purpose of the exercise - which is at least to be seen. We managed a decent hour and adjourned for porridge in Fallon & Byrne up the road in Rathmines. Back in to town then to attend a briefing on cycling organised by my friend Ivana Bacik, a canvass along Dawson Street, and on to the Grand Canal dock where sadly we were thwarted again by the incessant rain. Just sitting in ‘Fresh’ would normally be a calming experience but for a candidate seeking to “press the flesh” it is a stressor.

Onward to Churchtown for a pleasant hour chatting to many former constituents and being faithfully promised their votes.

I had not one, but two “hot dates” with Ivan Yates today: on Newstalk at 5.30 to discuss broadband, and later to The Tonight Show at Virgin Media. The government’s decision to award the rural broadband contract to the only remaining bidder has been widely criticised, especially the price tag of €3 billion. It is a complete misnomer to refer to a “preferred bidder” when there is no-one else involved. When we were in government we passed legislation that would have allowed ESB to deliver broadband and they went on to express an interest in doing so through SIRO. As Minister I refused to allow eir to cherry-pick for themselves the more profitable areas of rural Ireland. I insisted on maintaining the integrity and viability of the State intervention area. But my decision was reversed by the current government. I think this fatally undermined the whole procurement process. It led to the departure of SIRO. Later eir withdrew, complaining that the process was becoming  too complicated. Mind you they are still getting a big piece of the action under the plan announced this week.

As the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform said in their memo (and it’s my Quote of the Day):

“The lack of a competitive process in arriving at the final bid is…a real concern…in terms of assessing the value for money of the final proposed solution”.

How will we ever know? Not a good outcome at all.

 

Raining on my parade

8th May 2024

Carrie Smyth was right in her text late last night: it would be raining hard this morning. We postponed our morning canvass at Shankill DART. It gave me some time to catch up on emails, and especially on requests from various organisations to sign campaign pledges. We have terrific support from our head office and research team but I still want to make sure I read each of them, and understand clearly the issues they are raising. It’s a good way for NGOs to promote their campaigns and get commitments from future MEPs. All part of this essential democratic process.

Trocaire and Social Justice Ireland had their hustings in the Mansion House mid-morning, with a good turnout of candidates taking refuge from the rain. I admired the way two closely-aligned agendas - climate justice and advancing equality - were combined in one meeting, really well moderated by journalist Mick Clifford. Global tax justice, the Stability and Growth Pact and ‘leaving it in the ground’ were amongst the questions we were asked to address.

Next stop Ranelagh. RTE were along to record for their Six-One package on Dublin. The rain was never far away for the rest of the afternoon but it didn’t get in the way of a strong canvass at teatime at Stephen’s Green LUAS.

Final stop tonight was to attend a function to celebrate three years progress of the exceptional community initiative ‘Imagine Dundrum’.

The halo effect: Nice to accompany Mary P. Corcoran at ‘Imagine Dundrum’ 

Quote of the day: the only person at home on an entire street in Ranelagh who leaned out her upstairs window saying “I’m working to a deadline, I’ve no time to talk to you”.

 

No ‘one way’ to be Irish

7th May 2024

Tonight I attended a hustings event organised by the Migrant Rights Centre. Representatives of immigrant groups and communities questioned candidates on our views, and recounted their own experiences of Irish immigration laws and processes. There was a good deal of frustration in the room, and a sense that the system is unfair, painfully slow, and too often insensitive. I spoke at tonight’s meeting about the importance of safeguarding labour standards, wage levels and social security for all workers. As an employment lawyer I have a sense of the particular vulnerabilities faced by immigrant workers. They need additional supports in order to achieve their basic employment rights.

I believe strongly that Europe must strive to be a welcoming continent. This will be a guiding principle for me if I am elected to the European Parliament. The laws and procedures applied by Member States, including Ireland, must also reflect this principle. I also believe that Irish MEPs - no less than others - must challenge and confront racism and xenophobia, and do so directly in the European Parliament when necessary.

A very positive development in the local elections is the number of candidates we are seeing from immigrant communities. They include Labour’s Yulia Ghumman in Swords, and others around the country. Having councillors like Yulia as members of local authorities can only enrich our democracy, as well as raise awareness of the many obstacles and difficulties faced by immigrants and their communities.

As I said at the meeting: there is no ‘one way’ to be Irish.

We hit the ground running today, with an early stop to meet city centre commuters (interrupted by BBC radio for a short interview), a mid-morning trip to Drumcondra, walkabouts on Henry St. and Grafton St., finishing up at a city centre LUAS stop. And there’s 16 more days of this?

 

Politics on the East Pier

6th May 2024

The May bank holiday was an initiative of the Labour Party in government back in 1993. It marks May Day, which has long been celebrated as international workers’ day.

The world of work is changing rapidly. Many people nowadays have little or no “switch-off” time because even after normal working hours they are for example seeing emails pop up on their phones. It is becoming more and more difficult to achieve what the 19th century social reformer Robert Owen sought in his famous slogan: “Eight hours’ labour, Eight hours’ recreation, Eight hours’ rest”

We all benefit from time with family and friends, time for recreation, time to contribute to our communities, and time away from work to recharge the batteries. European measures like the Working Time Directive have ensured that workers have guaranteed rest periods, maximum working hours, and decent holidays. We should extend these rights. Ireland has one of the least number of public holidays in the European Union. A new public holiday to celebrate the achievements of the European Union would be a  great idea.

I’m afraid I didn’t take my own advice today to fully observe the holiday. Instead I spent time on the campaign trail with Juliet O’Connell, one of our two great candidates in Dun Laoghaire. Lots of banter at the East Pier!

It’s a dog’s life

5th May 2024

Dogs seem to be featuring prominently this weekend in on-line coverage of the European election campaign so I thought I should add two stories of my own.

“Buffy is the most famous dog in Clontarf” announced Ruth Shanahan, when we ran in to them both. Ruth recounted how she became custodian to Buffy - apparently the entire story was covered by a national newspaper last year. Across in Rathfarnham, canvassing with Paddy Cosgrave, we truly were involved in a lost-dog event. Paddy’s daughter phoned the grateful owner and held on to Ollie until she arrived. No need to alert social media though; all in a day’s work!

      

Bluffy of Clontarf (Jane Horgan-Jones in background); Paddy’s daughter handling the Rathfarnham Rescue 

Most important business today was an appearance on RTE’s The Week in Politics. It’s always stressful trying to prepare for television debates because you simply do not know how things will unfold. Aine Lawlor had an opening question for each candidate. Naturally (and properly) we were given no advance warning as to what it would be. Mine was about a piece I wrote early in the campaign about Fine Gael’s decision to run Mark Durkan as their second candidate in Dublin. It was a curveball. I survived. The debate went on to cover defence issues, climate change, and the tech companies. It’s all on the RTE Player.

Quote of the day: “We have shirked the question of taxation of tech companies and digital taxation for long enough” (that was me on the telly).

Coasting through North Dublin

4th May 2024

Today began at the Marlay Park market quaffing some of Bryan’s brilliant coffee and ended at Floraville in Skerries where a 24-hour static cycle was in progress in aid of Skerries Youth Support Services. Well done to all the participants. Donate if you can!

Now that the posters are up (and causing heartache to candidates!) there is an awareness that elections are on the horizon. But it’s not always clear who is running for what, and still less what they stand for. We have to find ways of engaging people more in the political and electoral process. Baldoyle was certainly showing the way today. Cllr.Brian McDonagh (Howth/Malahide) and I were pleased to be at the Community Centre to mingle with other candidates and record a short video pitch.  I bumped into local elections candidate, Jimmy Guerin, who attended the same school as me- Chanel College Coolock- back in the last century!

We have many new candidates standing for Labour in the local elections across Dublin, over half of whom are women. I am proud that the Labour Party has always led from the front on gender equality. Seana O’Rodaigh is our candidate in Balbriggan. She is an exceptional person and will make a terrific councillor. I was delighted to make a short video message with her during our canvass.  You almost feel like a TV reporter doing these pieces-to-camera but I think it’s a great way to spread the message and keep a focus on the issues people are raising. Earlier I was with Shane Folan and his team in in Donaghmede. Shane is a big hit on the canvass trail and we received a warm welcome in Greenwood Estate.

In Donaghmede this morning with Shane Folan and some of his team.

Quote of the day is Seana O’Rodaigh’s observation that “Balbriggan is the fastest-growing, youngest, most diverse town in Ireland”.

 

Come the revolution?

3rd May 2024

Question: does capitalism have to be overthrown before can we tackle climate change?

Some at least of my fellow candidates think so. I respect their view, but I think it is unrealistic. My politics is about reining in the worst excesses of capitalism. That’s why I am for regulation, for State intervention, and for laws that protect the rights of employees. I am for what Joseph Stiglitz has recently described as “progressive capitalism.” I am for social democracy. I do not believe that we will abolish the market. But we definitely need to control it, and we need to recognise the potential of the State as the great progressive force it is in the economy.

Tonight the Environmental Pillar organised a hustings debate, attended by many of the Dublin candidates. The idea came up that climate change could not be tackled without abolishing capitalism. How that can be achieved in the next twelve years (the time everyone agrees we have to deliver radical action on climate change) was not explained.

We must fulfil our commitments on the Paris agreement. This can only be achieved through an enhanced role for the State. But we cannot exclude the private sector; not when you consider the levels of investment required - for example in off-shore wind. And we risk creating despondency amongst a generation of motivated young people if we tell them that progress can’t happen without the revolution.

It was a day that began early at the Red Cow LUAS with Robert Dowds, our excellent candidate in Clondalkin, and former TD. The most engaging experience all day was at Westland Row at teatime. Lots of warm good wishes. Will they translate into votes? Three weeks to go before I’ll know.

            

Coffee infusion with the boss before the Enviro hustings; Westland Row earlier

Indo interlude and a spooking in Phibsborough

2nd May 2024

The days are getting longer - in more ways than one. First business this morning was at Leeson Street bridge to meet commuters coming down the canal on foot from Charlemont LUAS, together with huge numbers of cyclists. They all converge at an area adjacent to the old kiosk at the junction Adelaide Road and Lower Leeson Street. At peak time there is a big build-up here of people waiting for the lights to let them cross the road on foot or by bike. We are very slowly accommodating our city’s streets to the bicycle. As a regular cyclist I recognise this, but so much more needs to be done to make Dublin truly cyclist-friendly.

With Kevin Doyle and Philip Ryan

My next appointment was at Independent House in Talbot Street to be interviewed for The Floating Voter podcast hosted by Group Political Editor Kevin Doyle. We were joined by Philip Ryan, Indo Deputy Political Editor. I was certainly put through my paces! Naturally they were interested in how the election might go, and especially how Labour would do. I recounted my experience of positive canvass outings in recent days - a complete contrast to 2014 and 2016. I also got a chance to discuss elements of my ‘Vision for Dublin’ pamphlet. I am making the case for fair treatment and adequate pay for creative workers. Freelance work has always been a feature of this sector. But at least in the past freelancers had some face-to-face relationship with the employer. Now it’s more a case of uploading your work into an amorphous digital space.

After the Indo it was on to Northside shopping centre with Alison Gilliland; then to Blanchardstown with Joan Burton; onwards to Phibsborough for a short on-street canvass; then to the Beacon Quarter for a presentation by Sandyford BID; and finishing up in the Marlay estate with Peter O’Brien.

Quote of the day: I’m told in a text from a Phibsborough resident of my acquaintance that I must have “spooked” someone when I was there earlier: “because Paschal Donohue is out canvassing us here tonight”.

Lovely hurling

1st May 2024

Our last two general election campaigns were in freezing cold winter weather so it’s a joy to be up and at it early on these lovely spring mornings. The city is always full of promise and expectation at 7.30am and so it was this morning in Dun Laoghaire. There are human surges just before each scheduled DART and the idea is to get a few seconds’ face-time with as many people as possible and at least get the leaflet into their hand. A good number of people stop - especially those I know. I wouldn’t describe the prevailing mood as cheerful at this hour, but there is a reassuring sense of respect and even admiration for the two candidates - me for Europe, and Valerie McDermott for the Council.

I spent most of today on the north-side. There was a lovely moment when I called to Kay Lyons and her sister Joan. Kay and another now-deceased sister Connie were famous All-Ireland camogie champions in the 1950s and 60s. As a young child, I lived next door to these great sporting pioneers until moving a short distance away in 1971. At that stage we had grown to a family of nine. Marino has always been strong GAA territory and of course remains so. The estate was one of the first public housing schemes built by the Free State. It’s amazing to think that the Lyons family must have been among its very first residents in the late 1920s.

Sisters Joan and Kay Lyons, neighbours from my childhood in Marino

It was an honour to be invited to the launch this evening of ‘Live While You Can’ - Fr Tony Coote’s memoir. Tony Coote was 53 when he was diagnosed a year ago with motor neurone disease. His fortitude, grace and humour spill off the pages of this inspiring work. The Church of St Thérèse in Mount Merrion (where Fr Coote is PP) was the somewhat unorthodox venue, but it was packed to the rafters.  It’s hard to imagine another venue that could have accommodated the crowd of more than one thousand. The book sold out.

Quote/moment of the day: realising that I must have picked up some early lessons in ground hurling from the lovely ladies of Marino.

 

What is the point?

30th April 2024

“What is the point of it all anyway?” was the question posed by a woman in Kennington, Templeogue this afternoon. “Nothing ever changes”.

Politicians in search of a vote don’t readily look for an argument at the doorstep. But there are times when a point is hard to pass over. The woman was - is - very frustrated. She feels there is nothing anyone can do to change things - housing, the health service, she mentioned climate change too. I replied that we have to strive to make the changes we want to see. Even if it’s slow and frustrating (and from experience I can say it is both) we cannot give up on the promise of a better world. She wasn’t convinced. “Get rid of the whole lot of you - all parties” she argued, politely but indignantly. Then who would represent us, I asked, who would make the decisions about public services, taxation and the rest? She felt that there should be some kind of management system, but wouldn’t be drawn on how these managers would be chosen.

There is huge and widespread frustration about our politics and about decisions made by governments. The Children’s Hospital comes up a lot. I think it may be the lightning rod - or one of them - in these elections. But this only masks a deeper problem that goes to the heart of our democracy: trust, or its absence. How can we restore and rebuild trust in our politics and in our political system? We can replace completely our entire crop of politicians. In most elections nowadays we throw out the government. But the problems and the challenges that must be addressed don’t go away. The rallying cry of populists - on the left and the right - is to sweep away the “elites” in the interest of the people.  But then what? I don’t think I persuaded the woman in Kennington. She wants change. But it won’t come easily. And it certainly won’t come without politics.

Paul Gordon recording the race results at the Stillorgan-Mount Merrion Community Games.

Labour does local brilliantly. Today I worked with three of the best councillors Dublin has, and with our new candidate in Stillorgan, Paul Gordon. It was Portmarnock station with Brian McDonagh before breakfast; a great lunchtime and afternoon canvass with Pamela Kearns in Templeogue; the Stillorgan-Mount Merrion Community Games at teatime; rounded off by a canvass in Kimmage with Mary Freehill (led by the youthful Cormac O’Braonain, a rising star in the Labour Party).

Quote of the day: the man who praised Pamela by telling her that she knows her “parishioners” and “looks after them well”.

Spiritual as well as temporal welfare - that’s Labour for you.

25 days to go and … thank you Spain!

29th April 2024

The Spanish election brings great news: the success of Labour’s sister party, the PSOE. It’s a boost for our movement across the EU in advance of the European Parliament elections. Social democracy is very much alive in Europe. Of course our politics needs to address new challenges. As I said at our lively and successful Labour launch yesterday, people face new insecurities all over the world. Insecurities about the future of work, about housing in our cities, and most of all, insecurity as a result of climate change. I honestly believe that it is only through social democracy - a renewed social democracy - that we can effectively address these problems. That’s why it’s so great to see the result in Spain. It bodes well for Labour and for the whole constructive left.

Pedro Sanchez and Frans Timmermans

First thing this morning I attended an interesting breakfast briefing on IBEC’s European election manifesto (they have their “hustings on 13 May and I will be there). Mid-morning it was off to the Mansion House to take part in a really stimulating and informative candidate hustings organised by Inclusion Ireland. I gave my commitment to supporting their manifesto for people with intellectual disabilities. I will work hard in the European Parliament if I’m elected to help achieve their objectives - these include supports for community living, more action to eliminate discrimination, and strengthening accessibility measures.

We were competing with a street preacher at the top of Grafton St at lunchtime. He had the benefit of his PA system, but we managed to meet plenty of Dubliners and to hand out my well-received “Vision for Dublin”. In fairness one of my fellow candidates complimented me on it this morning! Just finished a teatime canvass now with Michael O’Sullivan, our candidate for Ballyfermot-Drimnagh in the local elections. Everyone knew Michael. He is a true Labour man - decent, hard-working, completely embedded in his community. He will be a terrific councillor for this area.

Highlight of the day: the lady on Walkinstown Road who when told I was Labour replied “yiz are down long enough now, it’s time ye were back”.

Brexit fiasco could supplant European Parliament elections warns White

23rd March 2024

If the uncertainty and chaos surrounding Brexit continues, it could dominate the European Parliament elections, and crowd out necessary debate on many critical questions facing the European Union and its citizens, according to Labour’s Dublin candidate Alex White.

“The UK is due to leave the EU on 29 March, just eight weeks before the European Parliament elections. Whatever happens in Westminster this week, it seems likely that Brexit will be a significant back-drop to those elections. Paradoxically a member State on the way out could get more attention than the needs and aspirations of those remaining”.

Speaking in Brussels this morning White said:

“Millions of Europeans want to see the European Union addressing real and pressing issues such job security in the digital economy, and the need for greater ambition to address climate change. Endless wrangling over the nature and timing of Brexit is delaying the necessary debate on how to plan our future in a rapidly changing world.

“It would be far better if the UK were to stay in the European Union. But if they must go, they need to settle their intentions now, so that we can move on to the big issues that confront us all.

“I am in Brussels today to discuss many of these problems with colleagues from the S&D group in the European Parliament, as well as with activists and experts on workers’ rights in the gig economy, data protection, and the energy transition”.

Time to act on climate change

22nd March 2024

bikealex

A year ago, almost to the day, Ireland’s Transition to a Low-Carbon Energy Future was published. This White Paper was approved by cabinet on my recommendation as minister, following months of careful deliberation, expert research and analysis, and with inputs from government departments, specialist agencies, businesses, and communities across the country. It deals with many critical issues, including renewable energy (by no means confined to wind, but recognising its significant contribution), energy efficiency, the enormous advances in technology that can be harnessed, the opportunities for business and for jobs in Ireland, and most importantly of all, the necessary transition from passive consumer to active “energy citizen”.

I see from your account of the Dáil debate on climate change that the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment stated he wanted “a complete review of our renewable energy policy” (“Denis Naughten stresses need to persuade on climate change”, December 9th). It strikes me as strange that in the course of the Dáil debate little or no mention was made of the fact that all of these issues – including diversifying our renewable energy portfolio into solar, bioenergy and offshore technologies – have been so recently and comprehensively considered. I would strongly urge the Government not to turn back now on any of the progress made – whether in the White Paper or in the renewable energy plans of 2010 and 2012. The last thing this area of policy needs is more uncertainty or delay. What we need now are big and bold steps; even a pause could be a serious and costly mistake.

In the reorganisation of departmental functions, climate change policy and the environment are now merged with energy and natural resources. This largely makes sense, since the energy sector is so critical to addressing climate change. Future policy decisions regarding oil and gas exploration will have to be made in the light of the imperative to decarbonise, given that the White Paper marks the first time an Irish government has expressly stated, as a matter of settled policy, that we are going to eliminate – yes, eliminate – fossil fuels from our energy mix. A central element of the White Paper was a commitment to establishing, by the third quarter of 2016, an “Energy Forum” to bring people together to plot our exit strategy, and to do so in a manner that recognises both the enormity of the task, and the very real and exciting opportunities the transition will bring.

The Government intends to broaden this forum beyond what we had in mind in the White Paper, and that’s fine, so long as it means increasing rather than reducing the level of ambition involved, and that it gets under way soon.

Finally, while of course we need to persuade, we also all need to get real.

The evidence is clear; the only question now is whether we are going to act – and act together.

Concern at results of civil service Employee Engagement Survey

29th January 2016

Today I expressed my concern at the widespread perception among civil servants that their work was not valued by the public. Responding to yesterday’s publication of the Civil Service Employee Engagement Survey, which found that just 15% of civil servants believed the public valued their work, and warned that this could have a “corrosive effect” on staff morale and public service delivery.

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Alex calls for increased investment in energy efficiency, renewables and clean transport

20th January 2016

SEAI_launch

Speaking at the launch of the 2016 Better Energy Communities grant scheme, which will distribute €20 million to community-based energy efficiency projects this year, I outlined that better-than-expected public finances will allow the Government to review its capital plan earlier than the proposed 2017. Large-scale capital investment is essential in energy efficiency, renewable energy and green transport.

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Alex White welcomes Leopardstown ‘living wage’ pledge

10th December 2015

I welcome today’s announcement that Leopardstown-based SSE is to become the first large business in Ireland to become a ‘living wage’ employer. From New Year’s Day, the energy utility will guarantee to pay all its employees at least €11.50 an hour.

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Six Nations free-to-air announcement a positive development

11th November 2015

tv3_rugby

Minister for Communications Alex White today (Wednesday) said the announcement that the Six Nations Rugby Championship will continue to be broadcast live on a free-to-air terrestrial TV channel until 2021 was a positive development, which he would take into account when considering the future designation of the tournament.

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LOCAL SCHOOLS URGED TO APPLY TO €40M SUMMER WORKS SCHEME

5th November 2015

I urge local primary and post-primary schools to apply to the latest Summer Works Scheme, which opened today,  before the November 27th deadline.
A total of €40 million is being made available for the scheme next year. It funds small and medium scale building works such as gas, electrical and mechanical works, roof and window upgrades, and structural improvements.

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Alex White welcomes 300 new jobs in Sandyford

14th October 2015

Today I welcomed the announcement that Sage is to employ 300 people in a new headquarters in Sandyford. Sage is the world’s leading small business accounting, payments and payroll solutions provider.

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Speech to the BGE Inaugural Leadership Conference

24th September 2015

I want to start by acknowledging the critical part that Irish business has performed – and continues to perform – in the sustainable recovery that our country is now experiencing.

In doing so, I also want to share some thoughts about the relationship between business – particularly SMEs – and the State. Because I believe that our continued economic success depends, in large part, on the Government supporting and driving innovation throughout the economy. This is in addition to its traditional role of providing the environment,   infrastructure and public services that businesses need if they are to enjoy sustained success.

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WHITE WELCOMES ENERGY PRICE CUTS

10th September 2015

As Minister for Energy, I welcome Bord Gáis Energy’s (BGE) announcement that it is to reduce its residential gas unit rate by 2.5%, and its electricity unit rate by 2%, from 1st October 2015. BGE estimates that the price reductions will reduce annual domestic energy bills by €44.59, or by nearly €100 when added to earlier BGE price cuts.

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ALEX WHITE WELCOMES OPENING OF MOUNT CARMEL HOSPITAL

4th September 2015

Dublin South TD Alex WhWP_20150903_011ite has welcomed this week’s official opening of Mount Carmel Community Hospital in Churchtown. The hospital, which currently employs 60 staff, has been redeveloped as a dedicated community hospital for the Dublin area after the HSE bought it for €11 million in April 2014.

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Secretarial Assistant

10th August 2015

The Labour Party is seeking to recruit a dynamic professional secretarial assistant based in Dublin. The role will involve administrative organisation of constituency office affairs including a full range of secretarial duties and direct communication with constituents/correspondence. This is a busy and demanding role, which required a high degree of confidentiality and sensitivity, flexibility and keen personal initiative.

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