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Ireland’s Best Ever TD

Sean Lemass, dragged Ireland out of the dark ages. Didn't hold it against his opposite numbers the fact that Free State agents kidnapped and murdered his brother, didn't mention the civil war and wanted to move on.
That was common place for those who lived through the Civil War. They rarely spoke of it again. I remember watching an interview a number of years ago with Máire Mac an tSaoi who was the daughter of Sean McEntee. She said it was never spoken of when she was growing up and that indeed she was forced to invite the children of Free Staters to birthday parties and the like. That generation made sure the division and hate was not passed to their children.

Indeed her godfather was Des Fitzgerald (Garret’s father) if I can remember correctly.
 
That was common place for those who lived through the Civil War. They rarely spoke of it again. I remember watching an interview a number of years ago with Máire Mac an tSaoi who was the daughter of Sean McEntee. She said it was never spoken of when she was growing up and that indeed she was forced to invite the children of Free Staters to birthday parties and the like. That generation made sure the division and hate was not passed to their children.

Indeed her godfather was Des Fitzgerald (Garret’s father) if I can remember correctly.

Not in the Dail it wasn't. White hot, hatred filled exchanges up to the 50s at least.
 
Speaking of Cosgrave, even as a dyed in the wool FFer I do feel privileged to have met him. He was nearly 90 at that stage and was in Cork when Peter Barry was made a Freeman of the City. He was frail but courteous and willing to have a chat.
 
I'm not a Sinn Fein supporter, I'm apolitical for the most part but Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire is or, at least, seems like an honest broker.

In any dealings that I've had with him on local issues he's been forthright, knowledgeable and won't glad-hand anyone.

He is - good operator on the ground and knows his brief. Himself and O' Broin the only Shinners to have common courtesy to applaud Harris in the dail when he was appointed taoiseach.

Rare misstep was during pandemic when he got caught up with idea to give teachers, public transport workers, taxi drivers, hospitality staff, etc vaccine priority along with health workers.
 
He is - good operator on the ground and knows his brief. Himself and O' Broin the only Shinners to have common courtesy to applaud Harris in the dail when he was appointed taoiseach.

Rare misstep was during pandemic when he got caught up with idea to give teachers, public transport workers, taxi drivers, hospitality staff, etc vaccine priority along with health workers.
And even at that I think it came from a good place.
 
Peter Barry, Some of the old school Labour party were very good,
Superb statesman on the European and world stage and an excellent Foreign Minister in dealing with Thatcher.

However he was in office in a huge period of decline for industry and jobs.

Great at the away games but poor when at home similar to Simon Coveney and neglected his home patch.
 
He is - good operator on the ground and knows his brief. Himself and O' Broin the only Shinners to have common courtesy to applaud Harris in the dail when he was appointed taoiseach.

Rare misstep was during pandemic when he got caught up with idea to give teachers, public transport workers, taxi drivers, hospitality staff, etc vaccine priority along with health workers.
He got badly caught up in the recent immigration row with mixed messaging as a rare miss-step.
 
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