DRAPIER: It is indeed the merrie, merrie month of May and what do we see all around us? The sun is bursting from the sky, the hedges are brimming with foliage and every pole in the land is full of beaming politicians. Posters, posters, posters everywhere.
With regard to the smiles, we see some politicians with broad embracing grins, some with resolute half smiles and some with a grim type of grin, like Joe Higgins. One thing they all share in common, they all want to be elected to somewhere.
Drapier has observed nearly all of the posters. Certainly, all of the European ones. So, looking at Europe first, there is no doubt that the most striking poster is that of Mary Lou McDonald, running for Sinn Féin in Dublin. It is bouncy and even exuberant and catches and retains the eye, followed closely by Royston Brady "wearing his resolute face" and emblazoned with varying slogans. The slogans can be summed up as CDE - Commitment on one poster - Drive on another poster - Energy on another poster, but what really catches the eye is the sheer volume of the Lord Mayor's posters. These are literally everywhere.
A report has reached Drapier of a southside housing estate where going to bed, the residents of the 300 houses went to sleep with virgin poles, so to speak, and woke up to find each of them emblazoned with several posters of young Brady. That I believe is replicated all over the city.
Gay Mitchell looks purposeful and also looks like taking a seat. Likewise, Proinsias De Rossa. The race is on between Eoin Ryan and Royston Brady and big betting money is already being laid on this contest. It is too early to call with three weeks yet to run. Sinn Féin will definitely be in the hunt for a seat, but will Mary Lou get the transfers? It is all to play for yet in the Dublin European Constituency. The Greens have an enigmatic poster - deep water and no names!!
In the East constituency (Leinster) most definitely Liam Aylward will be ahead on name recognition alone, followed by Avril Doyle and followed by Peter Cassells. The Cassells posters are interesting, showing him bearing the words "The Leinster Leader", a good play on words.
Cassells is attracting a strong trade union vote, both from Fianna Fáil, Fine Gael and from the traditional Labour voters. He is a respected figure and has fully earned that respect over various years, being the icon of the trade union movement. Seamus Kirk will do well, but there are not two seats for Fianna Fáil here.
In the North West constituency, (formerly Connacht/Ulster) whoever compiled Madeleine Taylor Quinn's posters should get a knighthood, or a full time job in Saatchi & Saatchi. The contest between Dr Jim McDaid and Seán Ó Neachtáin is gaining momentum as the days go by. Dark tales of poster-stripping by night and rumour-mongering by day abound. Jim McDaid has adopted a slightly lordly air about the whole contest, while Seán Ó Neachtáin, having come through the crucible in his nomination process, has his practical skills well honed by now. The money is on Ó Neachtáin. Jim Higgins will make it for Fine Gael.
A lively anecdote is being bandied about and it makes rare telling. Dr Jerry Cowley TD was on Marian Harkin's campaign platform, when she launched herself as an Independent for the North West constituency. The good doctor next popped up when Dana named him as her replacement in the European contest. The final sighting of the said doctor was when he ushered Seán Ó Neachtáin around his native Mulrany. Could that be just called the joys of being an Independent?
Drapier cautions again, don't rule out Dana Rosemary Scallon. She upset the apple cart before and she could well do it again.
And what about the South constituency (Munster)? The same rivalry is on again between Brian Crowley and Gerry Collins. Gerry's chances have been greatly enhanced by Pat Cox ruling himself out of the contest. Simon Coveney is well pleased with that decision also, as is Senator Brendan Ryan. Kathy Sinnott is in the field here and no doubt will have a team around her. However, Brendan Ryan has a strong track record, particularly in the field of education and social change.
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Following the brief perusal of the European field, what is one to make of the local elections? The candidates have been very resourceful and have perched their posters looming down on the European hopefuls, or peering expectantly up at them from further down the pole.
A lot hangs on these local elections. There are strong local candidates of whatever party. They will come through because many of the areas will have kept confidence and faith in their local candidates. For new candidates it is more difficult. Fianna Fáil will lose some, but not many, likewise Fine Gael. Labour and Sinn Féin will gain, more so in the case of Sinn Féin. Independents and Greens also. PD candidates have a good slogan - "others talk, we deliver".
As the saying goes, the sun shines on the just and the unjust fellow and so the candidates with high hearts and high hopes are marching around selling their wares. Good luck to all of them. Democracy flourishes when there are so many willing to put their names forward.
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What is one to make of the McDowell/Sinn Féin row? It is Drapier's belief that the public is getting fed up of this wrangling. Clearly the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform has an agenda. Could it be that he sees the electoral Dáil contest in 2/3 years with Sinn Féin in the ascendancy and the agile Michael will be climbing lamp-posts again to warn us of the dangers of including Sinn Féin in any future Government negotiations?