Four reasons I'll probably vote Green

[Poc Fada]

1. As boring as it sounds, I heard Dan Boyle talk about pensions on radio a few weeks back and his knowledge of the workings of the finances of the country was very impressive. It was nothing to do with the environment – I thought that’s all they used to go on about.

2. They’re pro-public transport more than roads. We’re currently spending six times more on roads than on public transport. They’ve got a nice proposal for a LUAS across the southside of Cork – seems to make a lot of sense and would take a load of cars out of the city centre.

3. Icebergs and shit are melting which is bad. I don’t know a lot about fixing climate change but I know these fuckers do. More and more people are buying SUVs and the country is an embarrassment on Kyoto. Therefore I assume Fianna Fail/PDs will do fuck all on policy.

4. Fine Gael want to take away compulsory Irish for the leaving. I’m for anything that would increase knowledge of the language but I’d worry this could back fire and might be irreversible. The Green’s have come up with a much more sensible policy. Split Irish into two subjects: essays/comprehensions/oral/aural and another subject with all the culture and stupid stories and poems that you have to learn in leaving cert. Make the first one compulsory and the second one optional.

So far Fine Gael and Labour haven’t come out with any policies I’ve been impressed by. However, The Greens suffer from lack of a big hitter in debates like Pat Rabbitte. Most of the Greens I see are very mellow and are not firey enough to catch Average Joe’s attention. They’re well known faces also seem to be in urban constituencies potentially sidelining rural voters who are every bit as important. With a few months to go yet I think the Greens could be the surprise hit if they can mobilise the young urban voter and get their message and policies across.

[ansypansy]

Mellow but if you get to know any of them personally, very self righteous.

[doppellanger]

So far Fine Gael and Labour haven’t come out with any policies I’ve been impressed by. However, The Greens suffer from lack of a big hitter in debates like Pat Rabbitte. Most of the Greens I see are very mellow and are not firey enough to catch Average Joe’s attention. They’re well known faces also seem to be in urban constituencies potentially sidelining rural voters who are every bit as important. With a few months to go yet I think the Greens could be the surprise hit if they can mobilise the young urban voter and get their message and policies across.

Patt Rabbitte sounds like an academic when he's debating, I think he comes across all pompous compared with Bertie's "pint of plain" accent.

But I agree the Greens stand to make massive gains and I'm looking forward to seeing it.

They do have a rural development strategy that is designed for country folk and they are focusing on education which targets young parents.

As long as they don't bang on about carbon emissions and come up with an original tax plan like cutting VAT rates they should fly it.

[Gael]

Mellow but if you get to know any of them personally, very self righteous.

Because of course this government is a paragon of humility, self-deprecation and ideological sincerity. One picture should say it all:

http://www.oecd.org/dataoecd/31/9/31550392.jpg

[ansypansy]

1462
1463
Scary - these guys (i know that's the same guy) seem great, so honest and humble... but once you start working with them. Ouch!

[Gael]

1462
1463
Scary - these guys (i know that's the same guy) seem great, so honest and humble... but once you start working with them. Ouch!

Is that seriously the best critical analysis of the Greens you can come up with?

[ansypansy]

Well the problem is I've always voted green myself but I just don't know anymore. I can't stand the few I know, and now I'm beginning to wonder.. One thing for sure is if they get in, no one will be able to build a house on their own land in rural areas, not that I want concrete all over the country side but there should be a bit of give and take. I agree with a lot of their policies but from my own experience, that's all they are, policies. I'd worry about the implementation and their economic effect. I think they are a bit like the guardian angels in London long go, where they were supposedly there to protect the commuters but ended up worse than any troublemakers and were total control freaks.

[Professor Piehead]

Patt Rabbitte sounds like an academic when he's debating, I think he comes across all pompous compared with Bertie's "pint of plain" accent.

But I agree the Greens stand to make massive gains and I'm looking forward to seeing it.

They do have a rural development strategy that is designed for country folk and they are focusing on education which targets young parents.

As long as they don't bang on about carbon emissions and come up with an original tax plan like cutting VAT rates they should fly it.

At least he's not falling asleep or doing a crossword.

[Gael]

One thing for sure is if they get in, no one will be able to build a house on their own land in rural areas

Based on which policy exactly? Direct citation please? All their policies are on their website for easy reference(http://www.greenparty.ie/en/policies ), so where is this doomsday scenario for rural Ireland written exactly?

[ansypansy]

Maybe you should read their policy on rural housing: "We believe that the best way to maintain and increase population numbers in rural areas – based on the evidence of the recent census results (Census 2002) - is to support villages, as villages have held their population better than scattered communities in the open countryside" Green Party "In order to encourage sustainable development in rural areas we will encourage local authorities to buy or to Compulsorily Purchase land-banks around villages and to provide serviced sites at cost to residents of the area and to people who wish to work in the area." Green Party Ahem - Compulsorily Purchase? Whos land?

"Promote rural planning policies that give preference to those who make an economic contribution to the rural community in which they wish to live, and who will participate in, and contribute to, the life of the local community. Green Party

They're talking about the son or daughter who takes over the farm or family business. What about the other children? Best to make them live in the village. What about the right to choose where we live? Obviously, there must be some control, but traditional one off houses can be help to sustain rural communities. they don't have to be a blemish on the countryside and I'm sure they would lend a lot of support to the elderly living in farm houses.

[Some user]

If you go to places like Castlegregory in Kerry or lots of West Cork the amount of awful looking and empty bungalows everywhere is a crying shame. I think its those people building bland summer houses that need to be penalised rather than the rural communities themselves.

I think there's some sense in their proposal about villages. For one it would quell the issues regarding drink driving in rural Ireland. I feel sorry for any old fella living on his tod up a mountain who can't drive home from the pub on a weeknight after a few pints. Without sounding too airy fairy, their happiness is more important than their wealth.

I dont know any green party members personally. Ive never got the sense they were self righteous but when Al Gore's film came out last year if I was a green party member I think youd get a buzz off the 'told you so'. I think Dan Boyle organised showings of it in Cork - I know a few people who went after he posted a message here.

In any case I think 'self righteous' is better than 'arrogant'. Take Liam Lawlor, Ray Burke, yer man Fahy in Galway last week for example. Or the transport guy Martin Cullen. I think you have to have some conviction in what you stand for if you're in politics and some might read this as arrogance or self righteousness.

The Greens have stead fast policies that they believe in whereas the other parties change theirs to win votes. Look at the Green Bertie thread!

[EDDIEB]

1. As boring as it sounds, I heard Dan Boyle talk about pensions on radio a few weeks back and his knowledge of the workings of the finances of the country was very impressive. It was nothing to do with the environment – I thought that’s all they used to go on about.

2. They’re pro-public transport more than roads. We’re currently spending six times more on roads than on public transport. They’ve got a nice proposal for a LUAS across the southside of Cork – seems to make a lot of sense and would take a load of cars out of the city centre.
Great Idea but proposing to put 20 cent on a litre of petrol will push up inflation and help destroy competitivness

3. Icebergs and shit are melting which is bad. I don’t know a lot about fixing climate change but I know these fuckers do. More and more people are buying SUVs and the country is an embarrassment on Kyoto. Therefore I assume Fianna Fail/PDs will do fuck all on policy.
Icebergs are melting for millions of years - thats what they do

4. Fine Gael want to take away compulsory Irish for the leaving. I’m for anything that would increase knowledge of the language but I’d worry this could back fire and might be irreversible. The Green’s have come up with a much more sensible policy. Split Irish into two subjects: essays/comprehensions/oral/aural and another subject with all the culture and stupid stories and poems that you have to learn in leaving cert. Make the first one compulsory and the second one optional.
Compulsory Irish has been a failure and its time which should be spent on science subjects - make it optional

So far Fine Gael and Labour haven’t come out with any policies I’ve been impressed by. However, The Greens suffer from lack of a big hitter in debates like Pat Rabbitte. Most of the Greens I see are very mellow and are not firey enough to catch Average Joe’s attention. They’re well known faces also seem to be in urban constituencies potentially sidelining rural voters who are every bit as important. With a few months to go yet I think the Greens could be the surprise hit if they can mobilise the young urban voter and get their message and policies across.


Personally the greens have some good transport ideas and the current government have neglected Cork so they will gain in some areas of the country.

[FrostyBrew]

Yeah, they want to get a LUAS for Cork, which is badly needed. They seem to be the only party to have promised anything decent for the Cork area that I've heard of.

[doppellanger]

They're talking about the son or daughter who takes over the farm or family business. What about the other children? Best to make them live in the village. What about the right to choose where we live? Obviously, there must be some control, but traditional one off houses can be help to sustain rural communities. they don't have to be a blemish on the countryside and I'm sure they would lend a lot of support to the elderly living in farm houses.

What I reckon they are talking about is holiday homes and people commuting from the cities.

One-off housing is not sustainable in the long term.

[Proinsias]

Maybe you should read their policy on rural housing: "We believe that the best way to maintain and increase population numbers in rural areas – based on the evidence of the recent census results (Census 2002) - is to support villages, as villages have held their population better than scattered communities in the open countryside" Green Party "In order to encourage sustainable development in rural areas we will encourage local authorities to buy or to Compulsorily Purchase land-banks around villages and to provide serviced sites at cost to residents of the area and to people who wish to work in the area." Green Party Ahem - Compulsorily Purchase? Whos land?

"Promote rural planning policies that give preference to those who make an economic contribution to the rural community in which they wish to live, and who will participate in, and contribute to, the life of the local community. Green Party

They're talking about the son or daughter who takes over the farm or family business. What about the other children? Best to make them live in the village. What about the right to choose where we live? Obviously, there must be some control, but traditional one off houses can be help to sustain rural communities. they don't have to be a blemish on the countryside and I'm sure they would lend a lot of support to the elderly living in farm houses.

Ireland's current policy of "It's my land, I'll build what I want", along with every new house being detached on it's own plot of land is ridiculous. It creates some of the worst sprawl in europe and makes shit of local service planning.

You don't have the right to choose where you want to live, you never have. You live where you can afford to live and where you're able to put a house. If that means that houses have to be grouped together as opposed to half a mile apart, so be it

[Proinsias]

Damnit, double post.

Er, Ireland's urban planning is shit. Beamish is a perfect example.

There, that's fixed it.

[doppellanger]

Damnit, double post.

Er, Ireland's urban planning is shit. Beamish is a perfect example.

There, that's fixed it.

what's wrong with Beamish? Are you on about the railings?

[Proinsias]

what's wrong with Beamish? Are you on about the railings?

The entire monster that is that building.

This:
http://www.tomandpilar.net/images/beamish_back.jpg

The Mock Tudor looks nice when you put a colour filter over the picture
http://www.cork-guide.ie/cork_city/beamish-crawford.jpg

This doesn't though:
http://davespicks.com/pictures/vacation1999/hiimages/Cork02Beamish.jpg
What the hell are those two grey bits on the side? And all the metal piping complimenting it nicely?

What's this building doing right next to it? Nice to see they kept the look consistent...

http://www.realbeer.com/nmvbp/graphics/jpeg/beam0303.jpg



Have they put the roof back on Mannix's yet?????

[doppellanger]

The entire monster that is that building.

This:
http://www.tomandpilar.net/images/beamish_back.jpg

The Mock Tudor looks nice when you put a colour filter over the picture
http://www.cork-guide.ie/cork_city/beamish-crawford.jpg

This doesn't though:
http://davespicks.com/pictures/vacation1999/hiimages/Cork02Beamish.jpg
What the hell are those two grey bits on the side? And all the metal piping complimenting it nicely?

What's this building doing right next to it? Nice to see they kept the look consistent...

http://www.realbeer.com/nmvbp/graphics/jpeg/beam0303.jpg



Have they put the roof back on Mannix's yet?????


Those are old photos - they have put in new railings since.

In fairness though it is a factory, I think functionality is more important than aesthetics in this case.

[Proinsias]

Those are old photos - they have put in new railings since.

In fairness though it is a factory, I think functionality is more important than aesthetics in this case.

I disagree. It's supposed to be one of Cork's landmark buildings. In theory at least.

No reason why a factory has to look ugly...

[Professor Piehead]

Those are old photos - they have put in new railings since.

In fairness though it is a factory, I think functionality is more important than aesthetics in this case.

Fed up with that building, give that Mr. Beade a ring, even if it's a listed building he can get guaranteed planning permision after a few convenient 'mystery fires'. Go wild with any plans for the site as the government will lobby any bank on his behalf.

[doppellanger]

I disagree. It's supposed to be one of Cork's landmark buildings. In theory at least.

No reason why a factory has to look ugly...

Well, who is going to pay to prettify it? Should the taxpayer or ratepayer cough up just to make a private company's building prettier? I could think of better things to spend money on.

[Proinsias]

Well, who is going to pay to prettify it? Should the taxpayer or ratepayer cough up just to make a private company's building prettier? I could think of better things to spend money on.

Well, to be honest, they've let it decay and developed with complete disregard to the surroundings so at least part of the cost should fall on them but at the same time, the developments were assumably approved by the council so they should carry some of the burden of crappy decisions.


Personally I think protecting landmark buildings in Cork is something worth putting money into. Our history is almost as important as our present and unfortuantely there aren't that many historic buildings round Cork City centre.

[Wumble]

There's be none at all soon, if Eoin O' Callaghan has his way.

Cork: The Box City

[Pablo Escobar Gaviria]

well i wont be voting Green....

[Proinsias]

There's be none at all soon, if Eoin O' Callaghan has his way.

Cork: The Box City

We don't need the past anyway.


I mean, St, Finbarr's is in prime development land. In fact, I'd say you could get 400 apartment units on that site. We'll start the bidding at €200 million.

[jungle]

I thought you meant the hospital for a minute. That's a completely wasted site, especially since the maternity hospital moved off it. All that land among some of the most expensive real estate in the city and the health service is starved of funds. Crazy. Of course as it's an old workhouse, there'd need to be a bit of sensitivity about any development there.

But the cathedral... Surely even Owen O'Callaghan couldn't, could he...

On a side note, for some reason, Protestants refer to St Finn Barre. Never been sure why the difference.

[Proinsias]

I thought you meant the hospital for a minute. That's a completely wasted site, especially since the maternity hospital moved off it. All that land among some of the most expensive real estate in the city and the health service is starved of funds. Crazy. Of course as it's an old workhouse, there'd need to be a bit of sensitivity about any development there.


Like, erm, er, another hospital, i.e. redevelop the place to be what it was intended to be?

[jungle]

Like, erm, er, another hospital, i.e. redevelop the place to be what it was intended to be?

With the South Infirmary down the road, it's not an area of the city that needs another hospital. Better to sell the land and build a new hospital somewhere round Blackpool.

However, something a bit more imaginative than semi-detached houses would be called for...

[Proinsias]

With the South Infirmary down the road, it's not an area of the city that needs another hospital. Better to sell the land and build a new hospital somewhere round Blackpool.

However, something a bit more imaginative than semi-detached houses would be called for...

A massive mansion.

[jungle]

A massive mansion.

Not ambitious enough

The site for the post-independence parliament and presidential palace

[Proinsias]

Not ambitious enough

The site for the post-independence parliament and presidential palace

The geographical centre of the New Empire.

[Tube a Pringles]

The geographical centre of the New Empire.


Mallow?

Back to the drawing board........

[Proinsias]

Mallow?

Back to the drawing board........

I was thinking it could be the exact centre between the far reaches, from the plains of Iceland to the hills of Tuscany.