A round-up other election news in brief.
Festus out to secure seat on Cork Council
Whoever said that being disabled, a member of an ethnic minority group or a foreign national was an obstacle to entering politics? Festus Peters Asemota, based in Bandon, Co Cork, is seeking election to Cork County Council on a unique platform.
"My dream is to become the first blind, black African-Irish person to become a councillor in Bandon," he says. "Please vote for me in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, to God be the glory a victory for Festus Peters Asemota in the forthcoming local elections will become an epic-making history in the political encylopaedia of the Irish nation state." Mr Asemota, who has been living in Bandon for nine years and co-owns a local shop selling Irish and African goods, has drafted a seven-point manifesto covering the gamut of local issues. And so far, so good on the canvass. "I see myself as a political enigma, as a phenomenon in Irish political history...
I'm expecting a landslide victory," he says.
Fianna Fáil election leaflets feature Samaritans details
How times have changed. Once TDs or councillors distributed useful leaflets detailing people's welfare or tax entitlements on their election literature. Now, in these dark and desperate times, it seems more apt to include contact details for the Samaritans or Vincent de Paul.
At least that's the case in Co Meath, where Fianna Fáil election literature includes contact details for anyone who is lost, lonely or in need of support.
Not everyone is impressed, though. Local Labour candidate Michael McLoughlin was so moved to anger that he issued a statement to condemn the practice. "Fianna Fáil passing around details of organisations that deal with extreme financial and emotional situations is truly ironic given their role in creating precisely these problems," he said. Cllr Nick Killian of Fianna Fáil said the leaflet, distributed in February, provided a useful service and included details of various local organisations and services.
Prospective politician pledges to cut costs
Declarations of frugality are the election pitch du jour, with a candidate in Co Limerick pledging to give one third of his salary to charity.
Independent Kevin O'Connor, who is seeking election in Rathkeale, said: "I will give one third of my salary away to charity in my electoral area each year, and will also only claim for receipted expenses."
The primary teacher added that he would "definitely be the lowest recipient" of expenses, claiming he could fulfil his duties fully with expenses of 30 per cent less than the most frugal current expenses claimant.
Clohessy approved
Labour's Euro-candidate Senator Alan Kelly yesterday announced an endorsement from former Ireland rugby international Peter Clohessy. The sportsman couldn't talk to
The Irish Timeslast night because he was "on a plane", but Kelly's campaign said the candidate had canvassed him for his support. No introduction was needed, as the two "had bumped into each other a few times", said a spokesman for the Senator.
Challenging what's in a name
Yesterday was the last day for new names to be added to the supplementary voter register.
But, according to Patrick Maphoso, an Independent in Dublin city, many names - Irish and foreign - will never make it on to the list because some people are wary of entering a Garda station for the official stamp. "Ireland's election rules create voter suppression and I'm challenging the parties to change them," Mr Maphoso wrote on his blog.
Keen to avoid negative campaign
Erik Eblana, Independent in the Rathmines/Pembroke ward in Dublin, wasn't pleased to find he'll be described as a "non-party" candidate on the ballot paper. Eblana feels this is a negative term and is
annoyed he's not permitted to register any logo or emblem to accompany his ballot entry. Try telling that to Fianna Fáil candidates, most of whom are busy trying to obscure the fact that they're aligned with any political party.
Quotes
"If anyone has a problem. they should have thought of that long before they put their name forward."
Taoiseach Brian Cowen when asked about Fianna Fáíl candidates in Kerry being shy to proclaim their party allegiance
"Putting the two together was unfortunate, and for that we apologise."
A Libertas spokesman on its election literature showing the presidential standard - a gold harp on a blue background.
"We have 297 councillors and obviously we want to hold those, and if we could break the 300 mark"
Fine Gael leader Enda Kenny, speaking in Leitrim
Have Your Say
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