tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-54428328296997909392024-03-21T19:08:42.265+00:00Cllr. Michael O' BrienCllr. Michael O' Brienhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02532418357076655101noreply@blogger.comBlogger54125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5442832829699790939.post-58565135757838464022007-05-22T23:07:00.000+00:002007-05-22T23:13:02.404+00:00Michael D goes international<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcPbvmHpes1UTXED5WCe0PguzjBBeMOM1tkiaqP8y6ZSB1MHAfgKAzPigYGbgPKkYWIjW6SBoTPYT4mEnIt9zL7X-bcpXkfGgyaA9I1tLCwbD0MgyaPorXidnuw_eBwFAQ64SZUkMcYGU/s1600-h/Michael+D.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5067526853579252274" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcPbvmHpes1UTXED5WCe0PguzjBBeMOM1tkiaqP8y6ZSB1MHAfgKAzPigYGbgPKkYWIjW6SBoTPYT4mEnIt9zL7X-bcpXkfGgyaA9I1tLCwbD0MgyaPorXidnuw_eBwFAQ64SZUkMcYGU/s400/Michael+D.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div>What can you say Michael D takes his campaign to France. For some unknown reason, a Michael D poster has appeared in bus stop in Brittany. Good old Michael D always looking for the international angle.</div><br /><div></div><br /><div>Any way we are down to one day to go, I have been on the <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">campaign</span> trail for 16 months now and it all comes down to one day.</div><br /><div></div><br /><div>I spent this afternoon in <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">Thomastown</span> and the evening with a large canvas team in <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">Kilkenny</span> City. Seamus <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">Pattison</span> joined me on the canvas again this evening.</div><br /><div></div><br /><div>The <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">Kilkenny</span> Voice has tipped Labour to be battling for the last seat, so get out an vote we need every number 1 possible.</div><br /><div></div>Cllr. Michael O' Brienhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02532418357076655101noreply@blogger.com31tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5442832829699790939.post-15169157403863162592007-05-21T22:05:00.000+00:002007-05-22T08:03:49.607+00:00Over 3,000 and thanksThe hits on my blog have really taken off over the last few weeks, at the last count tonight 3,017 hits have come onto my site since I started. Over 60 so far today alone. Thanks to everyone for visiting and I hope it gives you a small idea of what goes on behind the scenes of a campaign.<br /><br />You will hear it said that Irish people are not interested in politics, however come election time we Irish like to talk about nothing else. Thanks to everyone who have greeted me at the door and promised the No.1. (I just hope enough people follow through with their promise).<br /><br />Also thanks to my many canvas teams across <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">Kilkenny</span></span>. Tonight we had seven different canvas team knocking on doors ranging for <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">Glemore</span></span> to <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">Castlecomer</span></span>.<br /><br />Thanks to my poster team who were out again yesterday and finally to my back off team for organising. With out the back off guys the campaign would not happen.<br /><br />We are in a dog fight for that last seat, so come <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">Thursday</span> lets get out the vote<br /><br />Hope everyone is enjoying the campaign and just over two days to go, lets keep it up.Cllr. Michael O' Brienhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02532418357076655101noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5442832829699790939.post-77732838618505023732007-05-20T21:27:00.000+00:002007-05-20T21:35:25.591+00:00The final daysWe are now down to the final days of the campaign. Friday was spent in North Kilkenny in and around Casltecomer with the local branch. On Saturday I spent the day with one of the Canvas teams covering the City area. I have included a few of the guys who were canvasing with me to the end on Saturday. Sorry for not including everyone, however some of the guys had to head off early. On Sunday, I joined the guys in South Kilkenny canvasing FerryBank.<br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjztiS1qyLyTJoz-1cIoCc8Z1cqNcKES4PoT5ll_ngkk1GAB0dL-S5Iv6qh_0lqKtj5_5ovtxPADX42jK0nhefeoEoClVBfn8RqKdgoBzj_QM8XdVSFR-_xYYJVDxN1qL4jm7nowE80Rw/s1600-h/Labour+Back.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5066759450297639442" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjztiS1qyLyTJoz-1cIoCc8Z1cqNcKES4PoT5ll_ngkk1GAB0dL-S5Iv6qh_0lqKtj5_5ovtxPADX42jK0nhefeoEoClVBfn8RqKdgoBzj_QM8XdVSFR-_xYYJVDxN1qL4jm7nowE80Rw/s400/Labour+Back.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQyazeIGoq4Jx4nfKj7EEp1I2iTlPh2b6_BIQ8N2Z2LmAkWdla36MifYf_AzlK2As8vyhtzATaOlrjZWg55Ut4XtSTjZrQ2D8dbhaAZ-vWeq8i68rRiaicjgvz_7L-bYPo0vsV9EKp3yY/s1600-h/labour+back+2.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5066759458887574050" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQyazeIGoq4Jx4nfKj7EEp1I2iTlPh2b6_BIQ8N2Z2LmAkWdla36MifYf_AzlK2As8vyhtzATaOlrjZWg55Ut4XtSTjZrQ2D8dbhaAZ-vWeq8i68rRiaicjgvz_7L-bYPo0vsV9EKp3yY/s400/labour+back+2.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><div></div><br /><div></div>Cllr. Michael O' Brienhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02532418357076655101noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5442832829699790939.post-50755844015168759632007-05-17T21:39:00.000+00:002007-05-17T21:54:36.869+00:00Only one week leftWell we are in the final straight, with one week left. Over the last week, Pat <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">Rabbitte</span> was down on Monday to visit <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">Kilkenny</span> and <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">Thomastown</span>. We visited the A&e in St. <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">Lukes</span>, which <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">LAbour</span> want to us as a model for A&E's for other <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">hopsitals</span>.<br /><br />On Tuesday, we canvased areas in <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6">Thomastown</span> and <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_7">Inistoge</span> during the day. That evening, I canvased with our City members.<br /><br />On Wednesday, I spent the day in <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_8">Mooncoin</span> and <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_9">Piltown</span> with some of our South <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_10">Kilkenny</span> members and <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_11">Tomás</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_12">Breathnach</span>. Thanks for the guys for the cup of tea after the canvas in <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_13">Piltown</span>.<br /><br />Today was spent in <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_14">Thomastown</span> and <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_15">Graignamanagh</span> with <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_16">Cllr</span> Anne <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_17">Phelan</span> and then onto <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_18">KCLR</span> FM to be interviewed on the Farming Show.<br /><br />On the door steps, there is a real feel for a change in Government made up of Labour and Fine <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_19">Geal</span>. The one thing that I have noticed in the last week is a fall off in the Green vote because people considering voting Green not sure if that vote will put FF back in power.<br /><br />The next week is going to be funCllr. Michael O' Brienhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02532418357076655101noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5442832829699790939.post-26363816668386062662007-05-14T22:30:00.000+00:002007-05-14T22:32:47.116+00:00Pat's statement when visiting the A&E in KilkennyLabour’s plan for ending the chaos in A&E, which we are highlighting today, sets out a comprehensive and deliverable set of measures to improve conditions in A&E and across the health service. In drawing up our plan, we taken on board many of the lessons learned in St Lukes Hospital in Kilkenny. St Lukes is known throughout the health service as a hospital that works, and which has avoided the worst problems experienced in A&E units across the country. As I have seen on my previous visits to Kilkenny, there are a number of elements in making A&E departments function effectively, that we need to replicate.<br />As I have repeatedly emphasised, bed capacity is critical, both in terms of acute in-patient beds, and in respect of step-down facilities. That is why Labour is committed to building 2300 hospital beds and 1500 step-down beds.<br />We also need better organisation of A&E units and better liaison with local medical practitioners. A particular feature of St Luke’s is its Medical Assessment Unit, where patients can be seen, assessed and if necessary admitted to hospital without having to spend hours in A&E. Equally, it is important to have strong relationships with local GPs, to speed up admission to hospital based on a diagnosis made in the GP’s surgery. Too many people are spending too much time sitting in A&E, waiting to be seen by a less experienced doctor, when their GP has already assessed their condition.<br />Of course, we cannot exactly replicate the St Luke’s model in every hospital in every particular, but we can learn the lessons. Labour’s A&E plan sets out a series of measures to be put in place in A&E units across the country. These include medical assessment units, separate queues to treat minor injuries, better liaison with GPs and better facilities for GPs to diagnose problems before people go into hospital in the first instance.<br />We also need rigorous enforcement of cleaning protocols to end the phenomenon of dirty hospitals.<br />With these changes, and with the team-work approach which is so evident in St Luke’s, we can make a real difference to the A&E situation.Cllr. Michael O' Brienhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02532418357076655101noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5442832829699790939.post-49487063880513338502007-05-11T21:49:00.000+00:002007-05-11T21:53:51.451+00:00Party Political BroadcastSome people have being asking about the Labour Party Political Broadcast, which was direct and to the point.<br /><br /><object width="425" height="350"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/eEQNbKdh1fg"></param><param name="wmode" value="transparent"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/eEQNbKdh1fg" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" wmode="transparent" width="425" height="350"></embed></object><br /><a href="http:/http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eEQNbKdh1"><br />http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eEQNbKdh1</a><br /><br /><object height="350" width="425"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/aVcyO1DTpHk"><param name="wmode" value="transparent"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/aVcyO1DTpHk" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" wmode="transparent" height="350" width="425"></embed></object><br /><br /><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aVcyO1DTpHk">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aVcyO1DTpHk</a>Cllr. Michael O' Brienhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02532418357076655101noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5442832829699790939.post-13014837943346367842007-05-11T21:34:00.000+00:002007-05-11T21:41:41.218+00:00Labours Battle Bus visit's Carlow Kilkenny<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAi0ze9m3hlbxAJb-s_ZxBrsjkwi_YQsgIZaHx0QFq_usD9lgClL1qx53o8afuqQPnotiuySLf2JHgigiIe0iOM6d3EYnmQ7EfG6U2NBLDW_DJUgCl4yAxvzKd7nEIhH5di8mlW03xIHU/s1600-h/battle+bus.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAi0ze9m3hlbxAJb-s_ZxBrsjkwi_YQsgIZaHx0QFq_usD9lgClL1qx53o8afuqQPnotiuySLf2JHgigiIe0iOM6d3EYnmQ7EfG6U2NBLDW_DJUgCl4yAxvzKd7nEIhH5di8mlW03xIHU/s400/battle+bus.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5063420538646632402" border="0" /></a> Pat <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">Rabbitte</span> and the Labour Battle Bus will be visiting <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">Thomastown</span> and <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">Kilkenny</span> City on Monday morning. So if you around on Monday look out for us and call over to us for a quick chat.<br /><a href="http://www.labour.ie/manifesto/"><br />http://www.labour.ie/manifesto/</a>Cllr. Michael O' Brienhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02532418357076655101noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5442832829699790939.post-24635740930687324152007-05-10T23:04:00.001+00:002007-05-11T16:32:22.048+00:00Backing the nurses<p align="left"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5063337847641282498" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQ6Y70Dce252VnnzljDVklOpke5q_U36yXdRvBKezUe-hK6OLqpfm33Z9hjiO7deKmuvlqjJfXYPVCRJtajrzkDTPCqL7t8ERMCU-GwR-3eYcASq59oeGpde8EUmZP9e-JeM35f7LC2HA/s400/nurse+pic1.bmp" border="0" /></p>I was delighted to support the local members of the Irish Nurses Organisation and the Psychiatric Nurses Association in their work stoppage on Wednesday outside St. Luke's Hospital. It sems ludicrous that Mary Harney, who's turning into a fine replacement for Thatcher, and the so-called negotiator we have for a Taoiseach have led us all to this mad point where virtually all the workers in our hospitals, from doctors down to ancillary staff are either engaged in or threatening industrail action. I stated plainly to the nurses that I fully support their claim for a 35 hour week, something that is long overdue. I see this evening that the Taoiseach is offering to carry out a feasibility study into providing this- nearly 20 years too late!!<br /><br />What a joke that one of our most respected groups of workers are offered a study into a 20 year old demand. I also told the nurses that I support their demand for decent pay although not be easy to acieve while the nurses stay outside benchmarking. I agree with Michael D. Higgins that it is vital for bith the ICTU and the Taoiseach to get involved to ensure this dispute does not lead to long-term damage to the industrial relations climate. Hopefully we'll see Liz MacManus as the next Minister for Health to sort this out first-hand.Cllr. Michael O' Brienhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02532418357076655101noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5442832829699790939.post-80943043450499814092007-05-10T11:28:00.000+00:002007-05-11T22:02:22.438+00:00Mr Tayto<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbNvqLRQJeFTHyy62S6shGoXF3QfIl5ea6yrWkIdgd18GeHZOeBV8oFTvCxE6R1gwv58TDqci4Ppb8j1C8ykh_YOf_F7AD3OdiactOoFyvcQsc7FieSKC3Q4avOokMuNebs82vxmEqwgU/s1600-h/eamonn-gilmore-td-phones-labour-hq-to-tell-them-how-good-mr-tayto-is-may-8th-2007.jpeg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbNvqLRQJeFTHyy62S6shGoXF3QfIl5ea6yrWkIdgd18GeHZOeBV8oFTvCxE6R1gwv58TDqci4Ppb8j1C8ykh_YOf_F7AD3OdiactOoFyvcQsc7FieSKC3Q4avOokMuNebs82vxmEqwgU/s400/eamonn-gilmore-td-phones-labour-hq-to-tell-them-how-good-mr-tayto-is-may-8th-2007.jpeg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5062892914799220642" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a href="http://www.mrtayto.ie"><br /><span style="text-decoration: underline;">http://www.mrtayto.ie/</span></a><br /><br /><br />Taking a small break this morning from my campaign, I am across Mr Tayto and his election campaign. Great to see Tayto Crips bring a bit of fun to the campaign and we all look forward to Mr Tayto visiting Carlow / Kilkenny. Now to call and see if they are interested in talking about a vote transfer agreement.<a href="http://www.mrtayto.ie/"><!--"--></a>Cllr. Michael O' Brienhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02532418357076655101noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5442832829699790939.post-64021748201505867172007-05-08T11:54:00.000+00:002007-05-08T12:03:25.207+00:00Election debate<a href="http://www.kclr96fm.com/menu.htm"></a><br /><br />The Kilkenny Chamber of Commerce are hosting an election debate in Kilkenny City this evening. Sue Nunn of KCLR FM will be in the chair directing the questions.<br /><br />The event starts at 8.00 so if you are around Kilkenny City this evening, pop in and take the opportunity to ask the candidates a question.Cllr. Michael O' Brienhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02532418357076655101noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5442832829699790939.post-85959908698711509882007-05-07T20:30:00.000+00:002007-05-07T21:16:48.513+00:00Lance Armstrong and a Kilkenny hurling stick<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBOu2futdtuaekGiKgHPRjAF2V_iHi9TmC-0R9JEUv_y0C_UTOQtLjZq7wRJiVfpbQ-Mpmn6Qr5cR28Lpqgontegw9m8q3BLa7wF_l0aSoUHPMRrIsoUglCjSMd4XJPpq9-ZhSTw1V1go/s1600-h/lancewithstick.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBOu2futdtuaekGiKgHPRjAF2V_iHi9TmC-0R9JEUv_y0C_UTOQtLjZq7wRJiVfpbQ-Mpmn6Qr5cR28Lpqgontegw9m8q3BLa7wF_l0aSoUHPMRrIsoUglCjSMd4XJPpq9-ZhSTw1V1go/s400/lancewithstick.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5061919314432694162" /></a><br /><br />Getting away from politics for a minute, I came across a excellent news story during the weekend. Tony Griffin the Clare hurler is cycling 7000km to raise money for a cancer charity.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.tonygriffinfoundation.com">http://www.tonygriffinfoundation.com</a> it is a charity worth supporting. <br /><br />What caught my eye was the photo of Lance Armstrong getting a hurl, which was made by Dowling's of Patricks street in Kilkenny City. Shows you that even the seven times winner of the Tour de France knows class when he sees it.<br /><br />Log onto Tony's site and donate. I know that I will be.Cllr. Michael O' Brienhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02532418357076655101noreply@blogger.com14tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5442832829699790939.post-4342428805208799352007-05-05T22:44:00.000+00:002007-05-11T22:00:36.518+00:00Now 2,750 hits (2,500 hits)Just checked the hit rate on my election blog and it broke the 2,500 mark this evening.<br /><br />So a quick thanks to everyone who has logged onto the blog and I hope is gives a small insight into an election campaign.<br /><br />Thanks to everyone,<br />Mike.<br /><br />Quick update the hit rate to the blog has really jumped this week. I have very good hit rate for <a href="http://www.mycandidate.ie">http://www.mycandidate.ie. </a><br /><br />Thanks to everyone for visitingCllr. Michael O' Brienhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02532418357076655101noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5442832829699790939.post-53898715555602611122007-05-05T18:20:00.000+00:002007-05-07T18:26:16.673+00:00Mobile O'BrienA Photo of my mobile advertising trailer. A nice idea that my campaign team thought up.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKCT2olbYcAC6aMWsXxkdqO3rXR3qUVpaKeSis_vV2iPv2BxrzsbW8wKVyrjDPG2bCMml_PaYyyp-vPVy2XhABYdE-PWQggsrg-fVslIwm9SqL_eeBGEoK9ZC_eTyopjrcLwSikS5QeeE/s1600-h/DSCF0279.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKCT2olbYcAC6aMWsXxkdqO3rXR3qUVpaKeSis_vV2iPv2BxrzsbW8wKVyrjDPG2bCMml_PaYyyp-vPVy2XhABYdE-PWQggsrg-fVslIwm9SqL_eeBGEoK9ZC_eTyopjrcLwSikS5QeeE/s400/DSCF0279.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5061143553144723298" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOPaq0ZvyrWUkuB5L_CzeLTKGX0j4nd7297YR4GMK0wYM8vdk-kq4VdkVe5YXFZMDp8ZIVRIgi-0PQ3PBKbmwXZN_fvWUlF1OCb3DrAp93HAM5g4SP_tROo3vT7pf6tySk1Fqe1P1ks1Y/s1600-h/Gowran_Sewerage.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOPaq0ZvyrWUkuB5L_CzeLTKGX0j4nd7297YR4GMK0wYM8vdk-kq4VdkVe5YXFZMDp8ZIVRIgi-0PQ3PBKbmwXZN_fvWUlF1OCb3DrAp93HAM5g4SP_tROo3vT7pf6tySk1Fqe1P1ks1Y/s400/Gowran_Sewerage.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5061205018421696370" /></a><br /><br />Behind this fencing is the sewage tank for a housing scheme in Gowran in Kilkenny. The developer is using a 40ft container to take the sewage for a new development in the village. This is not the only time this has happened in Kilkenny.<br /><br />Any way we are off, a busy week canvasing, spent the week across Kilkenny. <br /><br />Sunday was out with my poster teams getting the posters up. In most places we were the first party and in Kilkenny City it was ourselves and FF. <br /><br />Monday was in Kilkenny with the City guys knocking doors.<br /><br />Tuesday was in Thomastown and Graignamanagh, with Wednesday in Ferrybank in South Kilkenny.<br /><br />Thursday was back into the City and Friday we covered Clogh and Moonenroe. I formally registered as a candidate on Friday as well.<br /><br />Today it was back into the City with the City branch canvassing. Overall a very busy week getting out early and back to base very late at night. However the party members all over the county have been great turning out in force to help with the canvasing teams. A special thanks to my posters team who worked all day Sunday to make sure we got our posters out and up well before the other parties.Cllr. Michael O' Brienhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02532418357076655101noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5442832829699790939.post-13027271349483798672007-04-30T22:52:00.000+00:002007-04-30T23:01:37.506+00:00A picture tells a thousand words-See the pledge videos hereThe Labour Party has really adapted to this whole blogging stuff, and here you see how we're now using Youtube to spread our message. This is my first venture into putting video clips on my site, so here goes. The point of these two video clips is to higlight two of Pat Rabbitte and my pledges to you on the key things we will deliver if you elect us as part of the Government for change. To those of you without broadband in Kilkenny, my apologies if you can't access these.<br /><br /><object width="425" height="350"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/5vWv3VNkzeI"></param><param name="wmode" value="transparent"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/5vWv3VNkzeI" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" wmode="transparent" width="425" height="350"></embed></object><br /><br /><br /><object width="425" height="350"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/vjL5wXc7ro0"></param><param name="wmode" value="transparent"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/vjL5wXc7ro0" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" wmode="transparent" width="425" height="350"></embed></object>Cllr. Michael O' Brienhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02532418357076655101noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5442832829699790939.post-59185155593769058062007-04-26T20:36:00.000+00:002007-04-26T22:04:44.445+00:00Marking Seamus Pattison's Retirement<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkQCbR8eOAPUMV-ZxMx9OR5thSCUvMqHSeh2BQLefvbtBQn0UgV44-kq8tCr6x05gCComUUZ26CXG46Y-5BdXqdlCLunDJfd-KlTbCsgLp38-AOCernoak7HDagz3vTx0oblYzcAf1o5w/s1600-h/Mike+and+Seamus.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5057841245764279922" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkQCbR8eOAPUMV-ZxMx9OR5thSCUvMqHSeh2BQLefvbtBQn0UgV44-kq8tCr6x05gCComUUZ26CXG46Y-5BdXqdlCLunDJfd-KlTbCsgLp38-AOCernoak7HDagz3vTx0oblYzcAf1o5w/s400/Mike+and+Seamus.jpg" border="0" /></a> In the coming week, we will see the dissolution of the government and an election called. For many of us this means the campaign to win a seat in the next <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">Dáil</span>, enters it final stages. However in <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">Carlow</span> / <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">Kilkenny</span> we are also marking the retirement after 46 years of Seamus <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">Pattison</span>.<br /><br />Seamus has served both the Labour Party and people of <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">Carlow</span> / <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">Kilkenny</span> with great honour and dignity over these years. It is a credit to him that he was elected continually over many elections and through good and bad times for the Labour Party. I am proud to have worked on many of his campaigns and we had many long nights waiting for results to come in, but no matter what Seamus always pulled through.<br /><br />It is only fitting that we thank Seamus and I personally am proud to be running as part of a strong team on behalf of the Labour Party to retain Seamus' seat and work for the people of <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6">Carlow</span> / <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_7">Kilkenny</span> as he has done for many years.<br /><br />It is popular now for varying vested interests to say that the people in each county should only vote and transfer to candidates living within their own counties. However Seamus is proof, if proof is needed, that it is the calibre of the person elected and not where they live that is important.<br /><br />Seamus, thanks for the good years and I am grateful to you for the help and advice you have given so far in my campaign.<br /><div></div>Cllr. Michael O' Brienhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02532418357076655101noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5442832829699790939.post-11954951392771172722007-04-18T21:08:00.000+00:002007-04-18T21:20:27.065+00:00Call the Day Bertie<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijlyLXKTwNCVBW1gMak0Dm1LMwOk1P-1AyZ2ElG2lhmbOs9beUs8x8JeK6KoIdWcjwYfQ8f_lQmaidkuUgBUr7yPFWAhSdyo6CB9Q1vZ7mRMnF3u_wbcphkfIiufByBgAOCU1WmsoZD-4/s1600-h/The+bridge.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5054880223253072370" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijlyLXKTwNCVBW1gMak0Dm1LMwOk1P-1AyZ2ElG2lhmbOs9beUs8x8JeK6KoIdWcjwYfQ8f_lQmaidkuUgBUr7yPFWAhSdyo6CB9Q1vZ7mRMnF3u_wbcphkfIiufByBgAOCU1WmsoZD-4/s400/The+bridge.JPG" border="0" /></a> We had Pat <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">Rabbitte</span> down to visit last <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">Friday</span> and I would like to thank everyone who we met on the canvas trial. It is always nice to get a warn sunny day to get out and meet people, however the question on <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">every ones</span> limps was when will the big day be.<br /><br />So come on Bertie call the election and come out and face the voters.Cllr. Michael O' Brienhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02532418357076655101noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5442832829699790939.post-90123378705019510742007-04-14T22:31:00.000+00:002007-05-05T22:52:43.847+00:00Extend the Line<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVpTrm85nykwcWzpuq7LsMJ1RdSFGwLHgtCn-PlQdAgBf5nXoGnPLiuf0r7Z9cCT7hZwQDg6anCDsD0WgVpgNRG373_ZepHQQ5gS65kUg_x69GLWM4DyeNHrQDOn5sW6GsNZyG0L6N7LQ/s1600-h/bridge+into+killinick.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVpTrm85nykwcWzpuq7LsMJ1RdSFGwLHgtCn-PlQdAgBf5nXoGnPLiuf0r7Z9cCT7hZwQDg6anCDsD0WgVpgNRG373_ZepHQQ5gS65kUg_x69GLWM4DyeNHrQDOn5sW6GsNZyG0L6N7LQ/s400/bridge+into+killinick.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5061213204629362562" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br />As a former employee of Irish Rail, I have a great love and interest in railways and am fully supportive of the further development of the rail network in Ireland. However in South <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">Kilkenny</span> we have a situation of timber freight being transported into Waterford train station. It is then off loaded onto trucks and transported by road to the timber processing plant five miles away, near the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">Bellview</span> Port. What makes this crazy is that the rail line passes within a mile of the timber plant and also when the timber is transported by road it passes through <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">Ferrybank</span>, which is a built up residential area.<br /><br />It is time that <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">Coillte</span>, Irish Rail and Waterford Port Company to put their heads together and resolve this situation. The solution is so simple; all is needed is a small rail spur to be built directly into the plant. This would eliminate the need for the timber lorries to travel through <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">Ferrybank</span>. The Irish Exporters Association estimate that "One freight train takes 50 40-foot heavy good vehicles off the road, which results in a whole load of savings to the economy in the form of reduced road congestion, pollution and road accidents”<br /><br />This should be a win win situation for everyone, the people of South <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">Kilkenny</span> get less lorries on the road and there is no need to pay the cost of transporting the timber by road from Waterford Station to the timber plant. Once again all that is lacking is the will and determination to make it happen.Cllr. Michael O' Brienhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02532418357076655101noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5442832829699790939.post-52038190894994908392007-04-12T20:47:00.000+00:002007-04-12T20:52:15.805+00:00Billboards every whereJust a quick foot note on the last blog entry. I am now told that the guys putting up the posters made another mistake. One of our billboard's with Jim and myself was put up in Cork City about two week's ago.<br /><br />Goes to show you that we get our message around.<br /><br />Any way Pat <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">Rabbitte</span> is visiting us tomorrow and I will blog an update over the weekendCllr. Michael O' Brienhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02532418357076655101noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5442832829699790939.post-8238459115408345402007-04-09T18:11:00.000+00:002007-04-10T21:46:02.588+00:00Election Bill Board's<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGLfcoSx_OcvuI01eBWc28ZYsJqB3kEMvrMQKbRc7nF9mxVGUxJ9Gj5DTiUOv-MfHwfQuUiq2xbZy0LqKcmGHfJ5e32rUcEDpJ5xivlZOrSzv61hR9h9EHbOmXaj9YHDtKUuVMUny0tUE/s1600-h/KellsRd_KK_29Mar_06_Poster.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5051496627657942882" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: pointer; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGLfcoSx_OcvuI01eBWc28ZYsJqB3kEMvrMQKbRc7nF9mxVGUxJ9Gj5DTiUOv-MfHwfQuUiq2xbZy0LqKcmGHfJ5e32rUcEDpJ5xivlZOrSzv61hR9h9EHbOmXaj9YHDtKUuVMUny0tUE/s400/KellsRd_KK_29Mar_06_Poster.JPG" border="0" /></a><br />Thanks to the people who have complimented us on our bill boards. They have been very effective in raising our profiles across both counties. The fact that the person putting up the posters for our ad agency made a mistake and put one of my bill boards up in <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">Carlow</span> and one of Jim's bill boards up in <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">Kilkenny</span> has been fun as well. It is amazing the <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">conspiracy</span> theories that this has caused. I have enjoyed listening to people <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">explain</span> to me that they had it on "good information" that this was a secret Labour Party <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">strategy</span> to show favour for one candidate over another. One of the local newspaper reporters was printing this as fact this week. I now know what the expression savaged by a dead sheep feels like.<br /><br />If we had known the mistake the guys made was going to cause so much fun, we would have had all the bill broads put up in the wrong places. Just goes to show that the truth should never stand in the way of a good story.Cllr. Michael O' Brienhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02532418357076655101noreply@blogger.com27tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5442832829699790939.post-40777157231744448602007-03-30T20:06:00.000+00:002007-03-30T20:28:30.942+00:00Health Survey Results<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOv1oQvhbkpWhDTItSRnv8as0VEvsBysoKbGZFqAXtpX1EhEOWRIS7johSebl0z9jgGN6b_0HQ6MO0BxEzYfzzrFzAY4eqjvVuKVXJrzZQW9I_TnjjNYYGOdsW7imiLxZSkdsi5Boxzhw/s1600-h/Seamus+P.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOv1oQvhbkpWhDTItSRnv8as0VEvsBysoKbGZFqAXtpX1EhEOWRIS7johSebl0z9jgGN6b_0HQ6MO0BxEzYfzzrFzAY4eqjvVuKVXJrzZQW9I_TnjjNYYGOdsW7imiLxZSkdsi5Boxzhw/s400/Seamus+P.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5047816959716411506" border="0" /></a><br /><p class="MsoNormal"> <span style=""> </span><span style=""> </span><span style=""><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style=""><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style=""><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style=""> </span><span style=""> </span>During January the as part of Labours National Health Survey we dropped 2,500 surveys into homes across <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">Kilkenny</span> and the results certainly make interesting reading. Seamus <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">Pattison</span> TD and myself launched the survey <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">locally</span> in mid <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">January</span>.<br /></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style=""> </span><span style=""> </span><span style="font-weight: bold;">The national survey shows 42% of people wait for over 6 hours in Accident and Emergency services, but this is only 20% in the </span><span style="font-weight: bold;" class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">Kilkenny</span><span style="font-weight: bold;"> area. The same applies for those admitted to a hospital bed with 85% of </span><span style="font-weight: bold;" class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">Kilkenny</span><span style="font-weight: bold;"> respondents waiting less than 12 hours for a bed, compared with a national figure of 49%</span>. Unfortunately, this seems to lead to <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6">Kilkenny</span> being at the bottom of the pile for funding of the facilities we are demanding, rather than being rewarded. The good results are a credit to the staff in the hospital and we should be proud of them, however the government need to address the funding short falls.</p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style=""> </span>The other national figures in the survey are truly shocking. The divide between public and private patients is astonishing. 84% of private patients are seen by a consultant within three months, compared to just 30% of public patients. 98% of private patients virtually all are seen within six months, compared to 58% of public patients. As many as 22% of public patients have to wait longer than a year to see a consultant, compared to 1% of private patients.</p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style=""> </span>This proves to me that in this country wealth and not need determines a person’s access to <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_7">health care</span>. If there has ever been a reason to change a government this has to be it. Knocking on doors, you meet people on waiting lists and you see the suffering they have to endure because they cannot afford to buy their way up the queue. You cannot but be angry when you see people left to suffer and the state ignoring their suffering. </p>Cllr. Michael O' Brienhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02532418357076655101noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5442832829699790939.post-51915641604561888182007-03-27T21:53:00.000+00:002007-03-27T22:06:04.822+00:00INTO meeting<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVA5wq1P3DLMVHSCoPqVNjijhP8JZPM4_bL_q7IwBMVCWl-fPSRSSIR9bvPI88j_Hm2TOV1T1VKcmaMR85v8_S0zDfDsH8c7L3zbjVHvg-szTm5MNecYEbZ8UiaexNY7a8ObQaw2ycx9o/s1600-h/Pat+and+child.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5046725943546162018" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVA5wq1P3DLMVHSCoPqVNjijhP8JZPM4_bL_q7IwBMVCWl-fPSRSSIR9bvPI88j_Hm2TOV1T1VKcmaMR85v8_S0zDfDsH8c7L3zbjVHvg-szTm5MNecYEbZ8UiaexNY7a8ObQaw2ycx9o/s400/Pat+and+child.jpg" border="0" /></a> I attended an INTO organised meeting last night to highlight the governments failure to address the issue of class sizes. Great credit to the organising committee and it was great to see such a huge turn out of teachers and parents. The meeting was organised in the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">NewPark</span> Hotel in <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">Kilkenny</span> and attracted about 800 people.<br /><br />The latest figures for <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">Kilkenny</span> showed that, 58% of children are in classes of between 20 and 29 pupils and 30% are in classes with over 30 children. Education is so important and to have teachers trying to teach in classes of 30 and more is madness. Any child that needs a little extra attention will struggle in such an environment.<br /><br />I am glad to say Labour have being trying to address this matter in the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">Dáil</span>, however we have not being getting the support of the government. Needless to say that did not stop the government TD’s turning up last night and express their support for INTO demand to reduce class sizes.<br /><br />When you think that the government is willing to spend €600 million to buy out a toll bridge and not willing to fully address the need to invest across the education system you can see where their priorities are.<br /><div></div>Cllr. Michael O' Brienhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02532418357076655101noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5442832829699790939.post-78674364870549163292007-03-25T20:27:00.000+00:002007-03-25T20:54:00.259+00:00New Labour Councillor in Carlow<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigFomSanQu2YSYb2ygRxkJRt7YGuFe7gBgJHqOTqke7AhSoh5NvaW1QZ_dD2O32hBZB94yEdzqqaMfnBUJftXZVgS2UCS6NyMtDnvIHXmGidBlrOMka9mCRCioGYTIwG_R5hrG_lUki_Y/s1600-h/William.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigFomSanQu2YSYb2ygRxkJRt7YGuFe7gBgJHqOTqke7AhSoh5NvaW1QZ_dD2O32hBZB94yEdzqqaMfnBUJftXZVgS2UCS6NyMtDnvIHXmGidBlrOMka9mCRCioGYTIwG_R5hrG_lUki_Y/s400/William.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5045968238346693074" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br />On Sunday I was in <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">Borris</span> in <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">Carlow</span> where the Labour branch was selecting the person to replace Michael Meany as the local Labour Councillor. <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">Borris</span> has always been a <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">traditional</span> Labour strong hold and Michael's passing has been a big loss to us all.<br /><br />The meeting was very well attended and chaired by Jack Wall TD, who explained the <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">procedure's</span> and voting to the members. The two candidates seeking the nomination were William Quinn and Seamus Hayes both of the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6">Borris</span> branch. In a very tight race, William came out the winner by just one vote. Fair play to Seamus as he was the first to congratulate William and offer his full support going forward. William Quinn is a 49 self employed contractor and small farmer from <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_7">Spahill</span> and continues on the long tradition of small farmers in the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_8">Carlow</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_9">Kilkenny</span> Labour Party. William was widely involved coaching juvenile hurling and football and was a founder member of <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_10">Borris</span> Community Games.<br /><br />Well done William and I look forward to working with you in the coming busy months.Cllr. Michael O' Brienhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02532418357076655101noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5442832829699790939.post-91092854504468845912007-03-19T17:21:00.000+00:002007-03-19T17:38:50.353+00:00Go on the ShamrocksWell the election campaign has really started this week, from here to election day it is all go. My election campaign is now in full swing and our <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">billboard</span> adverts are appearing across <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">Carlow</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">Kilkenny</span>. Thanks to my supporters for the complements. The canvas is keeping me from blogging as much as I would like, but I promise more updates on running an election campaign over the next few weeks.<br /><br /> However the week cannot pass with without sending my <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">congratulations</span> to two local hurling clubs on winning all Ireland honours. The <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">Ballyhale</span> Shamrocks had a great win this weekend in the All Ireland Senior Club finals. This was a really <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6">enjoyable</span> match to watch and it is great to be in <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_7">Croke</span> Park to see a local club do so well over the weekend.<br /><br /> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_8">Danesfort</span> Fort started the week off so well, by winning the Junior title the weekend before. I did not make it to that match but from all reports another cracker of a match.<br /><br /> To top it all off we got our national league campaign back on track by defeating Limerick today. Well done lads, the conditions in the stand today was rough enough for us fans, good work on the pitch in difficult conditions.<br /><br /> Then of course there was ireland beating Pakistan in the cricket, there was an upset.Cllr. Michael O' Brienhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02532418357076655101noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5442832829699790939.post-78997280149854428572007-03-11T22:01:00.000+00:002007-03-12T09:31:44.168+00:00Another broadband failure<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhr2-qCNfMULyojq_s9C_Y1B6XUZfpZreT8_nP70abYW3wrJGMt70Jp_nvzvx2nNWdd_5d8XMLw-cUrxyc0RoNM72ANJ3CYq24J973C_Wt-khqhXg84eBSUooGGBNe_WcAtmM8blHMgtUQ/s1600-h/pic.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5040799525009163650" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhr2-qCNfMULyojq_s9C_Y1B6XUZfpZreT8_nP70abYW3wrJGMt70Jp_nvzvx2nNWdd_5d8XMLw-cUrxyc0RoNM72ANJ3CYq24J973C_Wt-khqhXg84eBSUooGGBNe_WcAtmM8blHMgtUQ/s400/pic.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><div></div><br /><div></div><br /><div>The failure to be able to supply broadband to rural Ireland was again highlighted this week. Over 150 local Kilmoganny residents have signed a petition asking Eircom to upgrade their local exchange to support broadband. It is ridiculous that local communities that are crying out for broadband have to organise petitions and campaigns. The people of Kilmoganny have rightly argued that a digital divide now exists between urban and rural area's. My parties Communications Spokesperson Tommy Broughan TD has contacted the Minister, Eircom and the Communications Regulator in relation to broadband for Kilmoganny.<br /><br />What makes the matter worse is that Minister Dempsey scrapped the rural Group Broadband Scheme last month after investing more than €5million in it over the two years. He has admitted that the rollout of the rural broadband scheme had been ‘too slow’ after only 7,200 people signed up for the scheme out of a potential 400,000 subscribers.<br /><br />I again make the point that is now up to the government to enter the wholesale broadband market. On the right of my blog you will see the varying ways broadband could be supplied to Kilmoganny. The government should via a semi state company upgrade the remaining exchanges or invest in other technologies to supply broadband. If the North of Ireland can claim 100% broadband coverage, it shows up what a mess we have left develop on supplying broadband in the republic</div>Cllr. Michael O' Brienhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02532418357076655101noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5442832829699790939.post-54102794602781569842007-03-11T21:44:00.000+00:002007-03-12T09:34:51.075+00:00Another mortgage rate increaseThe <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">ECB</span> increase of another .25% <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">certainly</span> was food for thought and came up on the door steps on this weeks canvas. For many young people around <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">Kilkenny</span> the increases are starting to hit home.With the latest reports from daft.<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">ie</span> for 2006 showing the average price for a three bedroom house in County <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">Kilkenny</span> reaching €277,000 the rate rises are being felt. The increases over the last year and a half have added €270 euro per month to a 30 year mortgage.<br /><br />The total failure of Part 5 to provide social housing has left many young people with no option but to take on a huge amount of debt. More and more of my political <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">representations</span> are on housing.<br /><br />As a country we need to take a long look at our housing policy and help young people hard pressed to make the monthly repayments. Merely hoping the market will somehow work itself out is not an option. Being in public life and knocking on doors you get a good feel for the mood on the ground. I can tell you the mood has changed, over the last year. The talk of buying property oversea's and multiple foregin holidays has being over taken by talk of repayments and when the rate increases will end.Cllr. Michael O' Brienhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02532418357076655101noreply@blogger.com0