Comments for An Saoránach

Comment on A New Structure for Ógra by Shane

Shane — Sun, 08 Nov 2009 16:02:38 +0000

Dunny

I think you misinterpreted my comment on 3rd level, I was actually pointing out the exact same point as you – that the 3rd level “scene” has too much sway in Ógra and if you are not “in it” you have little hope of getting elected. Hence my point. Totally agree that we need to ensure that Ógra 3rd level members and those over say 22 are “repatriated” back to their home Ógrai, without this Ógrai are not sustainable. Every cannot just crowd into a Dublin Ógra once they come to live here, we then see an Ógra “braindrain” in rural constituencies.

Comment on A New Structure for Ógra by Donnacha Maguire

Donnacha Maguire — Sun, 08 Nov 2009 15:56:19 +0000

Shane,

One or two comments on your last post. You like many other Ógra people, refer to the Ógra 3rd level scene as if it has primacy. The central unit of ogra must be the Comhairle Dail Ceantair. The party is organised to elect candidates. 3rd level units have too much power. People leave uni at 22, and are lost to the party. We need a person delegate with membership retention following this and to make sure those who graduate get involved with their CDC.

I think if a person is involved with the party, and they put together a manifesto and go to the Conference, they have as good a chance as being elected. I agree Kevin Sammon was an excellent Communications guy; but to be fair there are loads of Kevin Sammonds in Ógra but there is no avenue for them to pursue. Why – because all positions are based on geography and not on the role.

Comment on A New Structure for Ógra by Shane

Shane — Sun, 08 Nov 2009 15:50:57 +0000

Hi Donnacha

On a similar timescale of my involvement, I was pointing out that the positions were in a way directly elected, though through a later appointment structure. I totally agree that the posts should not be seen as runner up prizes, but I think they are posts of such importance that appointments may be justified in the sense that sometimes those without the “popular profile” that may be say 23 or 24, working in a relevant profession and no longer on the Ógra 3rd level “scene” would not have any chance of getting elected to that position. I can see where your “jobs for the boys” scenario has been the case in the past, however I think we are moving in the right direction as regards Ógra being a meritocracy and Youth Committees appointing people based on merit. Good article though.

Comment on A New Structure for Ógra by Donnacha Maguire

Donnacha Maguire — Sun, 08 Nov 2009 15:33:31 +0000

Shane, there hasnt been directly elected positions in ogra in my time, so thats about 7 years or so.

The fact remains that the policy, communications and campaign positions shouldnt be used as runner up prizes. The people who take on these positions should want them from the start. They should go with their ideas to the electorate and get their backing.

And lets be honest, co-options decided by the Youth Committee are just jobs for the boys all over again

There is plenty of talent in Ógra. We need to expand the base of people getting involved in the organisation. The talent is there; we just need to make Ogra more inclusive.

Comment on A New Structure for Ógra by Shane

Shane — Sun, 08 Nov 2009 15:28:34 +0000

Correct me if Im wrong, but weren’t directly elected Campaigns directors etc. kind of the case before, where elected NYC reps were then internally appointed as the Campaigns, External Liaision Officers etc? Personally I favour the appointment of non-elected Officers for some roles as it allows for Ógra to draw on talent that may not neccessarily have the critical mass to get elected under popular vote eg. Kevin Sammon who is a highly skilled communications officer. We all know that many of these elections are really popularity contests….for specific skill roles such as communications officer some “real world professional experience” of PR is neccessary, which sometimes cannot be properly provided from the skills base in Ógra, as most of those have not yet in a similar profession to PR. And for instance, say in a case where Jessica Brennan loses the Leas Cathaoireach campaign (or any losing candidate for that matter), I think it would be shame not to keep her involved as she would be an ideal person to be appointed as a Campaigns Officer.

Comment on A New Structure for Ógra by Donnacha Maguire

Donnacha Maguire — Sun, 08 Nov 2009 14:29:37 +0000

Hi Ger, Thanks for your comments. I have emailed the candidates for the various Ard Comhairle Elections and those deemed elected already. ( I dont have the email addresses for everyone one else). Hopefully we can get a debate started prior to the Youth Conference next year.

I like your idea about Regional Conferences. I think it would be a good way to stimulate activity on a more localised basis.

Comment on A New Structure for Ógra by Ger Fogarty

Ger Fogarty — Sun, 08 Nov 2009 11:58:59 +0000

V good ideas. i agree. i think hat the regions should be reorganised in line with euro constituencies. also the nyc has to be made more relevant to ordinary members. instead of meeting in dara’s oofice, lh or hq arrange for meetings to be hosted by cdc’s or regional councils. there needs to be better communication. the new website should have a members area for online resources for officers and a facility to update contact details and membership details of units. a forum will also be v good to stimulate ideas and debate. politics.ie basically started off ypd members site. events promoted etc. where new members join their details need to be passed on to local cdc’s or their college cumainn where relevant. if none are set up it should be the responsibility of the ac rep to assist new members in starting them. aside from regional council (elected executive) meetings there could be an annual regional youth conference/consultative weekend to bring ordinary members policy to youth committee at times outside of nyc. this conference could be used to elect officer board for the year as well as boosting profile in smaller towns and being an attractive event for new members. there needs to be a national officer training day. macra has a great one every year v useful. we held one in nt which went v well. finally a reputable committee needs to be established to review the organisation structure. i’d lobby strongly for these ideas to be put in place. the committee should also compile a comprehensive constitution for ogra and all its units setting out its structure all the way down to how meeting are held and standing orders for same. an a – z guide. a bible for all those young new members who want to start setting up a new tlc or cdc. there was a good start last year with the revised youth scheme i got off sein for recruitment but it lacked a cohesive set of rules. our structures must be firmly tied with some parts of the senior party so we can genuinely drive reform from the bottom up.

Finally den i’d like to see what our l-c candidates think of these ideas. perhaps you could email ur blog adn post their comments?

Comment on Some ideas for Minister Lenihan by Connaire

Connaire — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 23:47:18 +0000

1. Lower the VAT on Sustainable Products and remove the grants such as the Greener Homes Scheme. By removing the grants you will save but by lowering the VAT you will stimulate the construction sector.
2. Introduce a Carbon Tax on homes based on the BERs.
3. Raise the higher band Income tax
4. Remove the free artist tax (if not already done) – not sure
5. Reduce the VAT in Construction to a simple 15% instead of the 2/3 rule creating hassle for the sector, this can help stimulate business
6. Allow compaies to roll 50% of their tax obligation into the next finacial year in order to get out of the recession
7. Instruct tender operators that the restriction for public sector work should be lifted. i.e. do not impose max 6 No. tenders, open a tender bid up to ALL thoses that meet the specification in order to reduce costs and obtain the most competive bid within say 10% of a notional contract sum

Comment on Is there room for Liberals in Fianna Fáil? by William

William — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 16:04:11 +0000

From an ELDR perspective, do you think a party where this occurs as a question is the right type of party for membership? Fair enough, they made that decision, but I can't quite understand why, especially given that some of those who wished to stay within the UEN group were the FF MEPs.

Comment on Gay People in Sport by William

William — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 15:04:14 +0000

I do have to question your statistics. We don’t “know” that one in nine people are gay, it’s really something we’ll never know. I think it’s probably much lower. The classic 10% figure comes from Kinsey, whose survey was self-selecting, and classed those who had some homosexual attraction or experience in their life as bisexual, however much it had an impact on their later life. They wouldn’t necessarily be people who would identify as bisexual in later life. I’m not sure where the 11% for Ireland comes from, but I’m sure it could be similarly criticized. As for your class in school, that’s a classic sample size fallacy.

And I think there must be a lower percentage among men who play sports. Whatever causes homosexuality in men, it’s not unreasonable to think that it can often be associated with less of an interest in sport. This obviously can’t be generalized, given both yourself and the subject of your blog piece.

Obviously this doesn’t mitigate any criticism of the culture where it’s that bit more difficult from sports players to be openly gay.