THURSDAY
Sending wrong message
I’d normally be cynical about calls for the Dáil to be recalled. The calls are usually mere political opportunism, some opposition party breathlessly demanding the immediate return of the Dáil in order that a perceived crisis is urgently addressed.
Such calls are no doubt sometimes genuine, but mostly it’s opportunism, those making the call delighting in embarrassing the government of the day. They are well aware that calls for the Dáil to reconvene will resonate with those voters who still have the will to care. Cue ordinary men and women in the street muttering stuff like ‘Did you see that shower are still on holidays? The country is in crisis and the TDs aren’t to be seen anywhere…’.
Besides, if the chamber is reopened in the midst of some emergency, does anyone seriously think that venting TDs will achieve anything that would be more beneficial than public servants (elected and non-elected) working away behind the scenes?
All of the above said (I did say I’d normally be cynical on this issue) it hasn’t been a good look for the Dáil not to have sat over the past fortnight (or so). Storm Éowyn had a devastating impact on the country, particularly in the west of Ireland. I do think that the failure to recall the Dáil this time has sent a bad message to the public.
Even if it had only been a symbolic gesture, reconvening the Dáil – particularly with a new Government having just taken office – would have sent a positive signal to people. It would have given the Taoiseach and his ministers an opportunity to show leadership (beyond soundbites in the media). It would have given people a voice (through their TDs) and most importantly of all, would have indicated that the plight of those most grievously impacted was being formally acknowledged. Instead, we had photos in the media of politicians (the Taoiseach included) attending the Ireland-England game at the Aviva.
I think had the Dáil been recalled on this occasion, it would have sent a message of symbolic solidarity, if nothing else, to those communities that were most affected. A message to people who – due to storm-induced circumstances – didn’t see Ireland v England in the rugby, or Ireland v Scotland last weekend either for that matter.
FRIDAY
Senator Scahill
Word comes through that Gareth Scahill is one of Micheál Martin’s 11 Seanad nominees (the Taoiseach having received a list of five choices from Fine Gael leader and Coalition partner, Simon Harris).
It’s an impressively swift rise up the political ladder for the Castlerea businessman. Up to just over eight months ago, he hadn’t yet held political office at all, now he’s a member of the Oireachtas – and the clear front-runner for Fine Gael in this constituency ahead of the next general election.
Scahill comfortably won a Council seat last June. However, his foray into local politics has turned out to be short-lived, as he will now have to vacate his Council seat following today’s elevation to the Seanad.
Before entering politics, Gareth Scahill had already established himself as a dedicated community activist. His rise to Oireachtas level is positive for Castlerea, and for the constituency. I wish him well in his new role.
SATURDAY
Eurovision latest!
When I realised that last night’s Late Late Show was a Eurovision Special, I was delighted… and availed of the opportunity to catch up on some end-of-week sleep on the couch.
Having very intentionally avoided every second of the show, I would have embraced having no knowledge of how our latest search for long-lost Eurovision credibility unfolded, but such hopes were shattered when I inadvertently heard a segment on Newstalk this morning.
Before I could take evasive action, the ever-enthusiastic reporter Henry McKean was breathlessly informing broadcaster Anton Savage that the winning song last night – and now our entry in this year’s Eurovision – is about a Soviet dog that died in space.
I’m all for originality – and we certainly haven’t had many songs about dogs that died in space – but I must admit to being quite stunned.
It felt like I had been transported into a Monty Python sketch, but it was really happening… Anton and Henry were now discussing the story behind Laika Party, the song that Norwegian singer Emmy will perform for Ireland in the upcoming semi-final.
Apparently a Soviet crew brought a dog called Laika into space on Sputnik 2 back in 1957, but the animal sadly died of hyperthermia. Now Laika’s back in the news, with the songwriting team penning a different outcome for the dog, in which it survives and parties in space. Of course that’s not what happened.
68 years on, it might be a bit much to expect a ‘sympathy vote’ for Laika to help reverse Ireland’s recent Eurovision woes. Time will tell!
SATURDAY
In the cinema…
A visit to Omniplex Cinema in Roscommon is always a pleasure. Tonight, we had a ‘family night out’ and went to see ‘A Complete Unknown’.
While it’s slow moving, and perhaps not to everyone’s taste, I thought this Bob Dylan biopic was enjoyable, the music very evocative. Timothée Chalamet was excellent as a young Bob Dylan.
SUNDAY/MONDAY
County mourns Tony
The sudden death of Cllr Anthony Waldron has come as a terrible shock. We were very good friends for many years, and it was always a pleasure to meet with this most unassuming of gentlemen.
The people of Ballintubber, Castlerea, Roscommon town and the entire county indeed are shocked by Tony’s untimely passing. We pay tribute to a great Roscommon man on pages 14 & 15 (see also page 10). Rest in peace, Tony.
TUESDAY
A walk in the park
A relaxing walk in Loughnaneane Park, where peacefulness reigns. There is hardly any noise, except for the sound of a saw, operated by a man in the distance.
Like Mote Park, and the Demesne in Castlerea, and other cherished local amenities, the recent storm impacted here; there are hundreds of branches tidily gathered together on the ground, as the clean-up operation continues.
The man with the saw, who is working on that clean-up in a cordoned off area, is being watched by a robin and a small dog. It’s obvious it belongs to the man (the dog, not the robin).
Several walkers pass, at least half of whom have a dog with them. Imposing in the distance stands Roscommon Castle, which has survived stormier days than we saw on January 24th. In the pond, the ducks embrace the tranquillity of another day, another year.
