CARL O'BRIEN'Ssideways look at Election 2011
If it's politicians you're after 'Right Hook' is wrong place
THERE ARE still two weeks to go before polling day but one radio host believes the public are now so cheesed off with politicians he has banned them from the airwaves.
George Hook, who presents The Right Hook on Newstalk, has taken the unusual step of promising listeners “politician-free programmes” in the fortnight ahead of the election. At the start of his show yesterday, George described the ban as a “Valentine’s Day gift to listeners” and promised his show would focus on the issues rather than politicians.
“People are bored of politicians chattering on the radio, telling porky pies and getting their facts wrong. They don’t want to be lectured by people who had their noses in the trough for years and have suddenly discovered fiscal rectitude,” he told Campaign Trail.
Given George’s obvious antipathy to the political classes, one has to wonder if any of them consider boycotting his show post-election.
Bruton's day at work a bit of a cakewalk
THERE WERE plenty of iced cup cakes but no waffles in sight at Manning’s Bakery on Thomas Street yesterday when Fine Gael spokesman on enterprise, jobs and economic planning Richard Bruton unveiled the party’s plan to boost small businesses.
But the waffle did appear in the party’s press invite, which said Bruton would be getting “an insider view” of running a small local business while at the bakery.
From whom?
In fact, a well-placed spy says he simply stood behind the counter in apron and cap with party colleague John Perry before addressing the press. He didn’t even bother speaking to the store’s owner Irene Manning, who understood he was “very busy”.
So much for an insider view.
'Pluto' Hyland ready to electrify electorate with nuclear plans
WHO SAID politics is boring? John “Pluto” Hyland, who is running as an Independent candidate for Dublin Central, is promoting a range of colourful policies in a 40-page manifesto published on his campaign website.
Hyland, who owns the Lucky Charms Spirited Renderings tattoo parlour on Dorset Street, wants to ban all private schools and hospitals, to decriminalise cannabis and to see the development of a “people’s” electric car – in the spirit of Germany’s Volkswagen Beetle. He also wants a people’s electric scooter modelled on the Vespa.
These vehicles would be manufactured in Ireland, creating thousands of new jobs and helping to cut greenhouse gas emissions.
But the coup de grace of Hyland’s campaign manifesto is undoubtedly his plan to build three 1,100MW nuclear power stations.
“I was very anti-nuke when I was younger but that was prejudice . . . Nuclear energy has a very good safety record. We can’t sit here like a Viking village with candles waiting for the lights to go out,” he told Campaign Trail.
Hyland, who previously spent six years travelling the world on a motorbike, says he was motivated to run for a seat because of the current state of the country.
Graffiti a fact of life for poster boy
DYLAN HASKINS, the baby-faced Independent candidate in Dublin South East, is the latest election hopeful to have attracted the attentions of local wags. One of his attractive election posters on Aungier Street bears his dynamic campaign slogan: “It starts here.”
One cheeky passerby wielding a spray can has added the word “Puberty”.
ELECTION ONLINE: THE BEST BITS FROM YouTube
The guys at UpStart, who are bringing a touch of creativity to the Irish election, give us a behind the scenes look at their campaign.
tinyurl.com/4njm5zt
Here is a satirical election diary written by comedian Abie Philbin Bowman, which was broadcast on the Late Debate
tinyurl.com/63q7ktt
QUOTE OF THE DAY: MICHEÁL MARTIN
"I believe there is a basic principle that severance should only be paid to those who lose their jobs"
The Fianna Fáil leader changes his party's policy on severance pay for politicians
HEADLINE OF THE DAY
THE WILLIE MACHINE STILL AT FULL THROTTLE
A Limerick Leader headline on a story about irrepressible Fianna Fáil TD Willie O'Dea and his campaign for re-election.
ONLINE
WATCH
Analysis by Political Editor Stephen Collins of week two of the campaign
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Comment by Deaglán de Bréadún and Slugger O’Toole on the latest podcast
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Get the latest news from the campaign trail as it happens
www.irishtimes.com/ indepth/election2011/