On the road with Pat

Posted on April 02, 2007 at 03:31 PM

Party Leader's Diary - Tuesday 13 March

My day started with a walkabout Carlow town with our two candidates, Cllr Michael O'Brien and Cllr Jim Townsend. When speaking to those I met, I heard story after story about their struggle with getting a bed in hospitals for themselves or for members of their families. It is a story that I hear on all visits - the wait on trolleys, endless queues and cancelled appointments.

While I was at the Sevenoaks Hotel, one of the journalists I met asked me if I was a betting man would I put money on Labour winning a seat in Carlow-Kilkenny. I told her that if I was a betting man, I would be in Cheltenham - but that Labour was in good stead to win a seat here. After that meeting and visiting the Tourism Ireland tour, it was on to KCLR studios for an interview and then off to Tipperary South.

Driving in to Clonmel, we arrived at Phil Prendergast's constituency office where there was a great crowd to greet us and welcome us to Tipperary South. After cutting the ribbon to officially open her office and answering the questions from some other local journalists, we visited a school which my colleague, former Education Minister Niamh Bhreathnach opened in the nineties. There I met with teachers and staff and also members of the student council who may just be keen on my profession! Can recommend the sandwiches in the Galtee Inn where I was able to quickly catch the title race from Cheltenham.

On to Cork East. I met with Sean Sherlock outside the local council offices, where we got a quick tour. We also walked around the town of Fermoy to meet with local residents. It is tough to see an area with such potential have to tackle job loss after job loss - Cork has been hit badly by recent announcements, particularly in manufacturing. As I mentioned to those I met, the need for upskilling will be essential - as will be the proper implementation of the spatial strategy.

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