The election

[Devin]

Here's why I'll be voting Green:

- Climate change is the outstanding issue facing the world today, and the current government is not doing anywhere near enough to tackle Ireland's contribution. The Green Party have the will and the knowledge to do so.

- The Greens are a small party but with the PR system may be in a position to hold the balance of power and greatly influence the next government (much as the PDs have done in this one). Green policies are comprehensive and, in my opinion, combine the best of moderate left-wing principles with the commitment to prosperity of the right.

- With PR I can give my first preference to my local Green Party candidate (there is a Green running in each constituency) and my second preference to my favourite of the larger parties, and so on. Even while voting for a 'small' party I can still exert some influence on the make-up of the next government.

Green Party policies are available at www.greenparty.ie - please take a moment to visit and see what the Greens are really about (I think you might be surprised - you won't find one mention of granola or banning SUVs).

[Brian]

This election campaign is the worst I've ever seen, and it's still less than a week old.

I'm not gonna vote, and instead spend the day looking out at the miles and miles of lamp-post canopies that are thicker than the rainforests' ever were, and try to figure out just where all those rainforests are going!

I'm hating politics this year. I'm really really hating it!

[quinny]

It’s unbelievable, going the future shorts thing in cork last night, that tool Michael McCarthy must had 1000’s plastered on the way up

At least 2 on EVERY pole in Innishannon and about 100* more plastered on the half way round about.

I didn’t pass through Bandon or any other populated area so can only imagine what there like.

Whatever hope he had of getting my vote he certainly won’t get it now, for that reason alone


*Maybe not quite that high

[Devin]

Was it Ennis that banned posters this year? Brilliant idea. Now on to banning outdoor advertising altogether... Imagine how wonderful that would be (although I'd lose work on the deal - a sacrifice I'd willingly make).

[John Murphy]

Originally Posted by Devin

Was it Ennis that banned posters this year? Brilliant idea. Now on to banning outdoor advertising altogether... Imagine how wonderful that would be (although I'd lose work on the deal - a sacrifice I'd willingly make).

According to the law, it is illegal to erect election campaign posters/signs are on poles or other structures in public places unless you have the written permission of the owner of the structure the poster is on.

So obviously local authorites in Ennis didn't provide that permission. And I think they're dead right. The amount of posters in some places is shocking.

For example, driving through Dundrum village to get to the multi-story car, I found myself being distracted by no less than 9 posters right beside each other on the wall - all of the same candidate. And then underneath that the same again only of a different candidate. That is what I call pointless, pointless advertising. Would they not be better off donating some of that money to a better cause, rather than spending it like that? Secondly I'd love to know did they get the permission for the use of that wall. Any person/company allowing that pasted on their property needs help or else is getting a hefty backhander for allowing it.

Another interesting sight was the placement of two posters on a streetlight in Donnybrook village. Completely blocking the traffic lights on the one side of the road. And of course all the RSA do about it is send out a press release saying - "Blah, blah, blah ... We have received a number of complaints ... Blah, blah ... investigations underway ... BLAH!!"

Okay, sorry guys, rant over

[Devin]

The only great achievement of the North Korean 'utopia' - no outdoor advertising.

[Paudie Baggott]

Originally Posted by John Murphy

The amount of posters in some places is shocking.

Like the footpath which is where alot of them are ending up. And I'm sure despite this blantently unenvironmental postering campaign some if not all of the parties will have increased policies for protection of the environment as one of their reasons to vote their party into power. But then again a hyprocritical politician is hardly a new animal.

[Paudie Baggott]

Originally Posted by Devin

The only great achievement of the North Korean 'utopia' - no outdoor advertising.

North Korea and Ennis. A great meeting of minds.

[Devin]

I'm still voting Green.

The difficulty with the posters is that if you're the only party not doing it, you're going to lose out - my fiancée remarked recently that X party had no posters up in our immediate area. She assumed that meant that either they weren't running a candidate in the constituency (they are) or that they don't give a sh*te about the area (this, on the other hand, might be true).

Second difficulty - recycled paper falls apart in the rain.

I've worked as an activist for two political parties in my time (once as a believer, once as a teenager for cash). No-one wants to drive around plastering posters all over the place, but if one does it everyone gets stuck doing it. And you can be sure Fianna Fáil will do it. I reckon banning it altogether is the way to do. And ban the leaflets in my mailbox, too. And ban Michael McDowell while we're at it, just on principle (hopefully he'd appreciate the irony).

[Brian]

Originally Posted by Devin

The difficulty with the posters is that if you're the only party not doing it, you're going to lose out.

You know and I both know that is no excuse.

[Devin]

I'd agree that it's a choice.

Which political party would willingly hand such a huge advantage to its competitors? Given that outdoor is the most cost-effective advertising there is (and that small parties are already competing on a slanted playing pitch given the level of corporate donations to larger parties), do you really think it'd be wise?

[Brian]

If they were smart they would make it a point in their campaigns, and they'd certainly get news coverage as the first party to ever try it. They could milk it right through this really short campaign anyway.

[Devin]

I whole-heartedly agree. :-)

[Gizmodeon]

What I've been trying to find for the last 2 hours online is some mention of the friggan Film industry by some of the candidates in my area

absolutely zip so far
Does anyone know of any possible plans in the future from any of the parties? IFTN doesn't seem to mention much either

[Devin]

http://www.greenparty.ie/en/in_the_d...ilm_board_bill

Fianna Fáil manifesto has a mention on page 24. It's downloadable from their website.

Fine Gael website was rubbish - some mention of film, but impossible to sort through recent entries from years-old ones.

Labour - couldn't find anything more recent than a statement against the removal of tax benefits for film-makers shooting here, which dated back to 2005 (tax benefits were reinstated shortly afterwards, I believe - not crediting Labour with that, mind...)

Didn't bother with the shinners or the PDs websites. Life's too short. :-)

[Devin]

From Labour's art4all policy statement (can't find a date on it):

(Labour proposes)
Increased support for the indigenous film industry
Ireland's film industry is in a transitional phase. Still regarded as
one of the top locations for film making internationally, and with
a major contribution to the Irish economy each year, the position
of the industry is nevertheless precarious, as the uncertainty
over the future of section 481 last year made only too obvious.
As with other areas of the Irish economy the industry is hugely
dependent on outside investment, and the maintenance of this
investment and of Ireland's reputation as a film friendly country
must be a top priority. But film making in Ireland can only be
secured long term with the development of a strong and active
indigenous film sector, one that can set its own agendas rather
than always having to fit in with transnational ones. It is vital
that the Film Board is adequately resourced, so that as wide a
cross section of indigenous films as possible gets made.

Labour recommends that an independent report be
commissioned to look at the operations of the Film Board and
particularly at whether or how the Board's role could be
developed in order to maximise the production of all types of
quality indigenous films, low budget, medium and large scale.
In addition a properly monitored film friendly tax environment
should be maintained for the foreseeable future.