Paul Kehoe going to funerals

[croppyboy]

I had previously heard Paul Kehoe described as coming from the 'Hows your Father' school of politics.

I was at a funeral in Wexford yesterday when lo and behold who arrives up to the grave side full of sympathy and mouthing his name with every hand he shook but the man himself.

Now maybe he knew the deceased and family well.. but maybe he didn't..and he didn't have to be so overt about identifying himself to all and sundry..

People will say this is an age-old politician tactic - being cynical it could be seen as blatant vote-grabbing, being charitable it could be noble for a public rep to mark the passing of a constituent in this way..

But I'm not convinced..

[Mozalini]

I think it's only right that politicians attend constiuents funerals as a public representatitive. I understand it's a form of canvassing and politicians of other parties will even go to funerals of a supporter of a different party. For instance I know a family can be quite hurt if a politicain the deceased showed great support in fails to turn up when other he/she hated are there.

[NeilW]

I think it's only right that politicians attend constiuents funerals as a public representatitive.

What utter crap - T.D.'s are elected as legislators and parliamentarians, not as bereavement councillors. The amazing thing about this hearse-chasing activity from some politicians is that it is so completely transparent that it must have no positive effect and yet they still continue to do it. Your own TD in Galway West turned up to the removal of my granny after she died suddenly earlier this year. I know full well that she had never once met him in her entire life yet he still turned up, shook hands down the line, signed a book and left. Wasn't there some legislation he could have been researching? Some community group he could have been helping? What was the point of turning up to this and doubtless countless other funerals of people he had never met?

My over-riding impression when I thought about it afterwards was complete and utter sympathy for this man who, instead of enjoying a comfortable and relaxing retirement, has been pulled back into this funeral-attending, baby-kissing fray in order to save a seat in Galway West for his party. He can't have enjoyed turning up to my granny's funeral and it got him zero extra votes or higher preferences.

[qtman]

I think it's only right that politicians attend constiuents funerals as a public representatitive. I understand it's a form of canvassing and politicians of other parties will even go to funerals of a supporter of a different party. For instance I know a family can be quite hurt if a politicain the deceased showed great support in fails to turn up when other he/she hated are there.

I think it is appropriate for politicians to go to the funerals of constituents, as long as they are discreet about it.

I don't think its appropriate for politicians to go to funerals with the purpose of being seen. e.g. walking up the middle of the aisle 5 minutes after the funeral mass has started, which is the usual tactic.

[Limerick Lad]

Attending constituents funerals is part of the clientism that is a feature of the nature of constituency politics in Ireland particularly outside of Dublin and politicians of all the major parties do it.

[NeilW]

and politicians of all the major parties do it.

I agree that it's not a party-political point. It should be phased out though. Does it happen in any other countries that anyone is aware of?

[michael1965]

That's one of the big differences between rural and urban Ireland. In rural Ireland, everyone is supposed to know each other, and that applies to politicians more than anyone else. So it really can be an insult if they don't turn up at a funeral.

It's so different in Dublin. Reminds me a couple of years ago Sean Haughey got into a spot of bother over a funeral, where he was ushered into a seat, and found himself sitting amongst the relatives. Many people present were incensed at this apparent opportunism. Luckily for him, the story ended up on the Joe Duffy show, and he was able to explain what happened, which was an innocent enough mistake. Ironically, unlike many politicians, he actually did know the deceased.

[LIMARE]

Attending funerals is and will always be central to the role of any deputy. I fully agree that this is not what they are elected for but it is a fact of political life along with planning representation, medical cards etc. I can guarantee that any rural deputy has spent more time at funerals than he spends on his feet in the Dail and if you ask his constituents that is what they want

[ff]

I think it's only right that politicians attend constiuents funerals as a public representatitive.

What utter crap - T.D.'s are elected as legislators and parliamentarians, not as bereavement councillors. The amazing thing about this hearse-chasing activity from some politicians is that it is so completely transparent that it must have no positive effect and yet they still continue to do it. Your own TD in Galway West turned up to the removal of my granny after she died suddenly earlier this year. I know full well that she had never once met him in her entire life yet he still turned up, shook hands down the line, signed a book and left. Wasn't there some legislation he could have been researching? Some community group he could have been helping? What was the point of turning up to this and doubtless countless other funerals of people he had never met?

My over-riding impression when I thought about it afterwards was complete and utter sympathy for this man who, instead of enjoying a comfortable and relaxing retirement, has been pulled back into this funeral-attending, baby-kissing fray in order to save a seat in Galway West for his party. He can't have enjoyed turning up to my granny's funeral and it got him zero extra votes or higher preferences.

Yes that’s a pretty fair point. It seems to be even more evident in the run up to an election too.

The line that needs to be drawn is that it should only be done if the constituent is known to the TD. Living in a rural area doesn’t really justify it, given not everybody would have grown up in that area nowadays.

Definitely not in an effort to be seen and a networking opportunity.
If this happened at any of my relatives Id be furious and rightly tell them to f**k off.

Other instances that make me sick include hypocritical TD’s attending funerals of travel community members when its clear they pretty much condemn them on other fronts.

[jerryp]

Well known Cork TD, won't name him, but when he was a city councillor he was also a sacristan or some such in his local church. A few days before local elections I was at a funeral where he shook hands and sympathised with the first two lines of relatives behind the hearse and finished off with each by saying : " You won't forget me next Thursday "