Voices from the floor: Delegates have their say

MARY BRENNAN, mayor of Shannon, believes "an awful lot of the changes that are being made have to be made to better our country.

“ But I do feel that maybe handled badly.”

The town councillor said “people feel they’re being bullied and they’re being told they’re like bold children”.

It was a case of “we’re telling them what to do, we’re not asking them”.

It is her first ardfheis.

“I never had anything to do with politics before and probably I went in hoping I could make a big difference.”

Somewhat chastened by her experience “I now realise that your wings will be clipped along the way”.

She adds: “I thought it would be very different. I realise that it’s very much a man’s place but maybe things will improve that way.”

MICHAEL O'CONNORfrom Clogheen, Co Tipperary, is delighted with the Taoiseach.

“I think Enda Kenny is doing a brilliant job. He’s a good manager of his team. He’s a great ambassador for the country and I think he’s good to delegate power to his Ministers.”

AUSTIN KELLYfrom Borrisoleigh, Co Tipperary, acknowledges the challenges confronting the party. "We know it's going to be tough, but we're headed in the right direction."

CLLR LIAM AHEARNfrom Tipperary was pleased with the debates and by Minister for Agriculture Simon Coveney in particular. Highlighting the referendum, he said it "is going to be a huge hurdle but I'm impressed by Simon there and he's our director of elections" for the vote. But "I feel sad about the protest and even if they got the million I thought that it was still not great.

“I suppose to bring in a new tax isn’t easy but the Mahon tribunal didn’t help it. It was a shot in the arm for the people outside today protesting. “