Laois local elections 2009

[shoe in]

Spent the last two hours chatting with 2 of the FG councillors and they gave me the name of the likey fourth candidate on their ticket in the Portlaoise area. As he is a close aquaintance of mine I gave him a call and he tells me that he is giving it strong consideration and will give the answer in the next few weeks. Should he go, I can see FG been in a very strong position to take 3 seats and should he succeed in taking that third seat, I would see him been more policy orientated than playing the party political line. I will not be disclosing his name as this would not be in order at this point.


Michael Moloney MCC (I) Laois CC

I suppose if that were to happen it would change things somewhat, How well did FG transfer in portlaoise in 04?

your right to keep that information to yourself fairplay mick.

I got the heads up myself last night about an independent who will be running in portlaoise, but i will keep it under my hat for now.
My source is also in FG and very reliable

[Swingingdoor]

I’m glad Councillor Moloney now seems to be prepared to discuss issues rather than speculating on the numbers game.
I don’t accept what he says about elected representatives just being rubber stamps for council management. I can’t accept they have “no role in deciding how to eliminate the housing waiting lists,” as Councillor Moloney said.
Come their budget meeting in two weeks time, Councillors can and should decide how best to address the scandalous situation whereby there are now, according to Councillor Moloney’s figures, 1170 names on the house waiting list here in Laois.
Councillor Moloney can waffle on all he wants about the “current fiscal situation.” That type of hot air means absolutely nothing to a family who are stuck in a dingy over priced apartment. What they want is real movement on the issue and a home of their own.
Doing nothing is not a solution. In fact, doing nothing will only compound matters.
Councillor Moloney says before the credit crunch, demand for housing had collapsed.
The demand for housing collapsed because greedy developers and builders were screwing ordinary people with inflated prices. They priced themselves out of the market and killed the goose that laid the golden egg. They have no one else to blame only themselves, hence the reason why there are so many new builds lying idle and not just in Portarlington or in Portlaoise.
It’s a buyers market. The council, if we take Councillor Moloney’s suggestion, could go to the market and buy up housing units in bulk at knockdown prices. The major savings from rent supplements could then be transferred to local authorities to purchase these houses.
If Councillor Moloney’s suggestions are such good ones can he go to his fellow councillors and convince them to instruct council management at their annual estimates meeting to take them on board?
But I don’t think Councillor Moloney has the determination or confidence to argue his position in the chambers. His opening gambit as we have quite clearly seen is (and it’s his quote) “As I said at the outset we have no say in these matters, we rubber stamp end of story.”
With such a defeatist attitude like Councillors Michael Moloney’s one, on this issue, one has to wonder why should anyone, particularly any one of the 1170 on the house waiting list, even consider giving him a vote come June?

[Trans-Siberian]

I’m glad Councillor Moloney now seems to be prepared to discuss issues rather than speculating on the numbers game.
I don’t accept what he says about elected representatives just being rubber stamps for council management. I can’t accept they have “no role in deciding how to eliminate the housing waiting lists,” as Councillor Moloney said.
Come their budget meeting in two weeks time, Councillors can and should decide how best to address the scandalous situation whereby there are now, according to Councillor Moloney’s figures, 1170 names on the house waiting list here in Laois.
Councillor Moloney can waffle on all he wants about the “current fiscal situation.” That type of hot air means absolutely nothing to a family who are stuck in a dingy over priced apartment. What they want is real movement on the issue and a home of their own.
Doing nothing is not a solution. In fact, doing nothing will only compound matters.
Councillor Moloney says before the credit crunch, demand for housing had collapsed.
The demand for housing collapsed because greedy developers and builders were screwing ordinary people with inflated prices. They priced themselves out of the market and killed the goose that laid the golden egg. They have no one else to blame only themselves, hence the reason why there are so many new builds lying idle and not just in Portarlington or in Portlaoise.
It’s a buyers market. The council, if we take Councillor Moloney’s suggestion, could go to the market and buy up housing units in bulk at knockdown prices. The major savings from rent supplements could then be transferred to local authorities to purchase these houses.
If Councillor Moloney’s suggestions are such good ones can he go to his fellow councillors and convince them to instruct council management at their annual estimates meeting to take them on board?
But I don’t think Councillor Moloney has the determination or confidence to argue his position in the chambers. His opening gambit as we have quite clearly seen is (and it’s his quote) “As I said at the outset we have no say in these matters, we rubber stamp end of story.”
With such a defeatist attitude like Councillors Michael Moloney’s one, on this issue, one has to wonder why should anyone, particularly any one of the 1170 on the house waiting list, even consider giving him a vote come June?

I agree that councilors are more than just ' rubber stamps '. They can highlight this issue publicly and they have lobbying powers.
Saying councilors have no role in eliminating housing waiting lists is typical of Moloney speak.

He is just trying to justify his lack of work and effort as an elected rep. I have said already on this thread that his work rate is appalling but he still claims his expenses.But i think the electorate will finally wake up to this type of politics next june.

And attending 10 o clock mass every morning in portlaoise just looks like it is Michael, a cynical attempt to endear your self to that portlaoise electorate you think you can get a vote from.That and attending funerals wont get you a single vote.The Portlaoise town council area will be the most hostile you have ever canvassed.

Its amazing how perceptive our older generation can be.I know these people well and they will listen to and trust their own.You will meet a new type of politics in this area soon.

[shoe in]

I agree that councilors are more than just ' rubber stamps '. They can highlight this issue publicly and they have lobbying powers.
Saying councilors have no role in eliminating housing waiting lists is typical of Moloney speak.

He is just trying to justify his lack of work and effort as an elected rep. I have said already on this thread that his work rate is appalling but he still claims his expenses.But i think the electorate will finally wake up to this type of politics next june.

And attending 10 o clock mass every morning in portlaoise just looks like it is Michael, a cynical attempt to endear your self to that portlaoise electorate you think you can get a vote from.That and attending funerals wont get you a single vote.The Portlaoise town council area will be the most hostile you have ever canvassed.

Its amazing how perceptive our older generation can be.I know these people well and they will listen to and trust their own.You will meet a new type of politics in this area soon.

I think where the man chooses to go mass is his own business, As i understand it Michael lives in the emo parish.

[Anthony ml]

Transiberian!!!! How could you !! Are you trying to suggest that Councillor Moloney has being attending the parish of Peter and st: Paul in a bid to get votes.

I hope you are not trying to suggest that said Councillor is a Hearse chaser.

Does any of the Townsfolk of Marybouragh who post on this forum think that the Mountmellick native would be bold enough to put his name on the ballot.

As one of the candidates who will be seeking election in Portlaoise, I dont view him as a contender.
Very few people in political life are fully tuned in to the needs of ordinary hard working people.

When people like our mutual friend are busy trying to obtain favour via the church and at sporting events, I will be in areas of disadvantage helping the Unemployed, lobbying for drug treatment service,s and the full opening of our A+E which is not at full capacity.

I will be campaigning to get all children in to proper classrooms.
The situation with prefabs being used is not acceptable.

You will be hearing more from me.

The people come first.

[Trans-Siberian]

Transiberian!!!! How could you !! Are you trying to suggest that Councillor Moloney has being attending the parish of Peter and st: Paul in a bid to get votes.

I hope you are not trying to suggest that said Councillor is a Hearse chaser.

Does any of the Townsfolk of Marybouragh who post on this forum think that the Mountmellick native would be bold enough to put his name on the ballot.

As one of the candidates who will be seeking election in Portlaoise, I dont view him as a contender.
Very few people in political life are fully tuned in to the needs of ordinary hard working people.

When people like our mutual friend are busy trying to obtain favour via the church and at sporting events, I will be in areas of disadvantage helping the Unemployed, lobbying for drug treatment service,s and the full opening of our A+E which is not at full capacity.

I will be campaigning to get all children in to proper classrooms.
The situation with prefabs being used is not acceptable.

You will be hearing more from me.

The people come first.

Indeed the people do come first. So will you be standing for re-election or election?
And which party if any?

[hill walker]

I agree that councilors are more than just ' rubber stamps '. They can highlight this issue publicly and they have lobbying powers.
Saying councilors have no role in eliminating housing waiting lists is typical of Moloney speak.

He is just trying to justify his lack of work and effort as an elected rep. I have said already on this thread that his work rate is appalling but he still claims his expenses.But i think the electorate will finally wake up to this type of politics next june.

And attending 10 o clock mass every morning in portlaoise just looks like it is Michael, a cynical attempt to endear your self to that portlaoise electorate you think you can get a vote from.That and attending funerals wont get you a single vote.The Portlaoise town council area will be the most hostile you have ever canvassed.

Its amazing how perceptive our older generation can be.I know these people well and they will listen to and trust their own.You will meet a new type of politics in this area soon.

Nice work mate, So at least now we know where he is standing, and it certainly explains his recent dirty tricks campaign.

Sorry I couldnt resist myself , And we know where the no.2 votes wont be going.

This is like something out of a hitchcock novel, Id say the priest found him out.

[whatsnext]

so we are going to have a few independent candidates next year
Michael Moloney in Portlaoise,

Paul Mitchell, Francis Emerson and Stephen O'Leary in Emo, are the any more independent candidates out there.

[feet first]

Some of the treads have taken a turn for the worse. Surely everyone goes to mass for their personal and diverse reasons, attending mass is a virtue not a vice.

Nothwithstanding . the shape of Laois county council will look very different after the next election.
Emo will definitely be different , with probably two indepdents assuming that Michael Moloney and Paul Mitchell will get in , and possibly Emerson.

Portlaoise with a seventh seat , will include a new seat , Not FF but possibly an new ind. or a 3rd FG. ( anyone know who this new FG canditate is)

Mountmellick may have a different look , with possibly a new FG seat.

Borris will have one less so all is to play for.

Luggacurran the same.

Stradbally will probably look the same.

Lets hope that the New look council will be vibrant

[Swingingdoor]

We now know Councillor Moloney’s position on the council’s house waiting list and his defeatist policies on how it can’t be addressed by councillors (including him) in the county
Can he please explain his policies on how he sees the dreadful state of many of our roads around the county being addressed?
Or can we take it, because he’s a Councillor, he has no say in the council chambers in how this issue can be tackled?
I’d be interested in his reply to both these questions, as I’m sure would the other electorate be in Laois.