2009 was a tough year for almost everyone as the impact of the economic recession took hold. But what does 2010 hold? Aine Ryan got the views of our five TDs on the Government’s future in 2010, the Brian Lenihan/TV3 saga and their own own personal resolutions for 2010.
Michael Ring
Will the Government fall in 2010?
YES, I believe the government will fall during 2010. I don’t like elections but the people of the country need a new direction, they need new leadership. This government has made a mess. I think NAMA (National Assets Management Agency) and the banks will bring them down. I know the bill has gone through the Dáil but there is the complex process ahead of evaluating the prices of property. And, furthermore, I predict all the main banks will have to be nationalised before the end of the year.
Was TV3 wrong to reveal that Minister Brian Lenihan had received a cancer diagnosis?
WHAT TV3 did, and other media outlets followed-up on, was the most outrageous attack on a family ever to have taken place in this country. Any form of sickness is a private matter. It’s beyond time that the media was controlled about such infringements. I wish Brian Lenihan well.
Have you a New Year’s Resolution?
I need to lose a stone weight but would be happy to even lose a half-a-stone. Ice cream is my big downfall and I have a sweet tooth. So I’m going to give it up from Mondays to Fridays and get out walking.
Beverley Flynn
Will the Government fall in 2010?
NO, I don’t think the government will fall in 2010. We have got through the three main hurdles: Lisbon, NAMA and the budget. I think the public realises that these particularly difficult decisions had to be made and I am confident that the Fianna Fáil and Green Party government will still be in power at the end of 2010. Admittedly, it has been a very painful time for people and that further tough decisions must be made. But hopefully we will also see the start of the recovery as well.
Was TV3 wrong to reveal that Minister Brian Lenihan had received a cancer diagnosis?
I THOUGHT it was absolutely appalling how this news was announced. I think that when someone has an illness, and particularly a serious illness, their privacy must be respected. Any human being, and their families, should have time to deal with such news. This rush to get the news out about Brian Lenihan’s illness showed scant regard for the man.
Every single person I spoke to – even those who were abhorred by his budget – was appalled by this rush to announce this sad news. It was a disgrace.
Have you a New Year’s Resolution?
I’M starting the year off by climbing Croagh Patrick on New Year’s morning. I climbed it for the millennium New Year’s Day also. I think it’s a good symbolic beginning. And I want to lose a bit of weight and keep my spirits up for my family and the country.
John O’Mahony
Will the Government fall in 2010?
I THINK it is likely it will fall and we could have a County Mayo Taoiseach by the end of the year. A lot of the fallout from December’s budget – like the Children’s Allowance and social welfare cuts – will only be implemented in the New Year.
When these cutbacks start to hurt people’s pockets, this will cause another wave of anger. And the backbenchers will hear all about it and they have shown they have a lot of power and influence recently.
Was TV3 wrong to reveal that Minister Brian Lenihan had received a cancer diagnosis?
I DO think it was very wrong. A person’s private difficulties should be respected. The intrusion was absolutely unfair, even though the news would probably have emerged. But it would have been announced in a more structured way. I wish Brian Lenihan well and his family at this difficult time.
Have you a New Year’s Resolution
ON a sporting level I wish and hope to bring the Mayo team as far as possible and that we have a very successful year. Of course, it would be great to win the All Ireland final. Politically, I will work towards the creation of a new government and a Mayo Taoiseach.
Dara Calleary
Will the Government fall in 2010?
NO it won’t. I think that we set out four major objectives and we achieved them all. The Lisbon Treaty was passed, we renegotiated the Programme for Government, we introduced NAMA and the budget was passed. I think these four things have ensured the stability of the government for 2010. That is not to say that anyone of us is taking things for granted. There is also a chance that we may see small seeds of recovery, perhaps, in the last quarter of the year.
Was TV3 wrong to reveal that Minister Brian Lenihan had received a cancer diagnosis?
I WAS absolutely disgusted by the manner in which this was handled. Anybody who has had any illness knows that a person and the family needs time to come to terms with such news. And from what I read in a Sunday newspaper, the fact that TV3 was banging down his door demanding that he had 48 hours to make a statement, or the news would be broken, is appalling. We are all wishing Brian Lenihan well and reflecting on the fact that he has put in a very tough 20 months.
Have you a New Year’s Resolution?
NO. I never make them because I always break them by January 2. I might surprise myself though during the year.
Enda Kenny
Will the Government fall in 2010?
I’VE been calling for a General Election for a long time now but the possibility of that happening soon has receded. The Government’s strength is in fact its fragility. They are terrified to go to the country and the Greens are locked in. An election would cause serious problems for Fianna Fáil and would wipe out the Greens.
But the reality is an election will have to happen within 120 weeks and whenever it happens the Fine Gael party will be ready and waiting.
Was TV3 wrong to reveal that Minister Brian Lenihan had received a cancer diagnosis?
Yes it was wrong. But there’s nothing new in this. I saw the same thing with my own father. He died of cancer in 1975 and before he was in his grave they were speculating about who would take his seat. I wish Brian Lenihan the best and that he has a speedy recovery. Politicians understand the family sensitivities around such news and these sensitivities were not taken into account in this case.
Have you a New Year’s Resolution?
MY political resolution is to prepare the Fine Gael party for contesting the next General Election and for entering government. I’m also planning to do a 100 cycle kilometre race around County Mayo over the May Bank Holiday weekend, for breast cancer research.
And I want 100 other cyclists to donate €100 each for the privilege of cycling it with me!
