The people I meet everyday.: Terms and Conditions.I am an imbecile.I believ...

The people I meet everyday.: Terms and Conditions.

I am an imbecile.

I believ...: Terms and Conditions. I am an imbecile. I believed the hype. I saw their shiny ads and like a sucker I was drawn in. The introductory of...

Terms and Conditions.

I am an imbecile.

I believed the hype. I saw their shiny ads and like a sucker I was drawn in. The introductory offer seemed too good to be true. In the end, it was, and I paid for it. Why? Because I didn't read the fine print.


No one likes being ripped off. Even the most thorough and intelligent of us get swiped in some way. Businesses have to make money, logic we all understand, but those three words above give companies licence to extract as much money out of their customers, sometimes without moral justification.

I was talking to a company today, that used to provide me with a service I no longer use. I spoke to a lady, who clearly stayed unemotive throughout, who informed me that according to their records, I had NOT cancelled my subscription to their service. So, for the past three months I was charged E70 per month for a service I wasn't using. Not only that, but because they have a 31 cancellation service, I was probably going to be liable for another months billing!

The most frustrating aspect of it all is that I know I cancelled it - but I have no evidence that I did. They state they have a record of all calls made and the time I called to cancel, wasn't registered on their system. The conspiracy theorist inside me said it was very convenient from their point of view, but now I was riddled with self doubt. Did I cancel it or did I imagine it?

I work in a business that is almost entirely based on the emotional connection between customer and company. Satisfaction with our company, from the customer viewpoint, is very high in comparison with similar companies. We provide a service that is excellent, and yet we are harsh on ourselves that it could be so much better.

We do understand various different scenarios where the customer is dissatisfied. We try our best to resolve the issues as soon as possible, so that the customer may consider buying from us in the future. The main difference is that we are humans, dealing with humans.

We don't read from a script and pride ourselves from thinking outside the box. We listen to a person with a problem and make judgements accordingly. We DON'T repeat the same line eight times when posed with a legitimate customer query. This type of stance doesn't allay the customer fears that they are not being listened to. It merely annoys the customer even more.

So when you're next purchasing a service from a home provider, follow these simple steps.

Firstly, speak to a human. Use relaxed banter and commonality to establish a relationship. If this person is not a robot, you may find an actual answer to your question. Be aware that some of them do not deviate from their training manual. Get the things you want - no more, no less.

Secondly, pay for your product or service via Direct Debit. This gives you the control to stop a payment by contacting your bank. Do NOT give them your direct bank details. I found this to be an expensive lesson. You could potentially save yourself a major headache in the long run.

Thirdly, ask for your contact details to be deleted from their marketing department. They may have commercial partners that they may share your information with - make sure this doesn't happen. I got calls from this company for 18 days consecutively, and they never call at an appropriate time. I told them today that this borders on harassment.

Lastly, ask about the terms and conditions of your contract. Ask them to forward details on to you via email. Some nefarious ones, have odd cancellation policies on many products and services, which incurs a further few quid from your pocket. I understand that reading these mundane pieces of information are mind-numbingly boring, but it's necessary.

Compare and contrast prices before you make a decision. We all love a bargain and don't mind telling others when a service is excellent.

Equally, we should scream it loudly when we are unfairly swindled.

Why I LOVE Ireland.

The colours of this country are brightest when the sun shines. I'm not talking about the different shades of green on the ground or in the trees - I'm referring to the people.

Dublin Zoo.

Irish people are the envy of others all around the world. Why? Because we have an innate ability to talk. Our favourite subject is the weather and our comparative lack of sunshine. We love moaning about how many rainy days in a row we've had and where trees used to stand before wind blew them down.

We're happiest when the sun shines for a few consecutive days. We start conversations with "this might be our summer!" Of course, we have no idea how long the good spell will last and are begrudging on ourselves enjoying it. 

Rivervalley Park.

We wear clothing that hasn't been seen since the "last summer that lasted three days." They may fit a little tighter and the colours may be gaudy, but we don't care. The orange ball in the sky is giving us Vitamin D direct into our veins. As a result of almost year-round sun deprivation, we tend to expose all manner of white and freckled skin to soaring temperatures. Despite medical advice of the harmful effects of skin exposure to the sun, we still reticently apply suncream - for fear that we won't get "a daycent colour."

Irish people are happiest when the sun blesses us for a prolonged period of time. If you ask any Irish person about world issues while they're out enjoying the sunshine, they will reply with " I don't really care what's gong on in the world- sure isn't the sun shining?"

Malahide - someone isn't warm enough.

Over the last week I have driven on dry roads and seen aspects of the country I hadn't seen in some time. Scenes that have been blocked by both weather and dullness have radiated through the greyness. Blues of lakes and rivers have contrasted deeply against the greens hues of grass and trees. The shine from car bonnets has been mistaken for dipped headlights.

It's also been the best few days to reinforce colours to my son. He's only a little over two and is still getting to grasps with the English language. This is a perfect opportunity to demonstrate what Ireland looks like in full colour. The words yellow and silver now have clear distinction and don't mould into the same colour.

Howth Head.

It is the people that make this country what it is. We are a nation of geniuses, begrudgers, bowsies and storytellers. We all know people who have a "gift of the gab" and those that are "cute hoors".

It is this mix of chancers and thinkers - that normally would never enter a room together - all agree when one thing happens - when the sun shines.

Weather is something that unifies us all. It is a national sport in Ireland. It is an ice breaker and an introduction all rolled into one. It sets the mood and can bring about the strongest and most honourable traits in humanity. It bashes and broils us, but never stops us talking about it. The fluctuation inspires the conversation.

Mother Natures' sun doesn't grace herself on these shores all that often, so we feel that we have to make the most of it. We make excuses to have makeshift barbecues, go for walks and enjoy being outdoors. What has struck me over the last week was how friendly strangers have been to me.

I'm one of those odd people that says hello no matter what the weather. I may only be nodding my head or saying a brief hi, but I try to make an effort. Over the last week I have noticed that utter strangers are being more friendly than I. They have said hello before I can mutter a reply.

Mayo coastline at dawn.

Is it because of the their better mood, caused by the sun? Can you imagine where this country would be in tourism terms if we had a guaranteed sunny summer every year?

Things could be so much better if the sun shined everyday in Ireland. Or would it be?

Would we ever have had the begrudging nature that is instilled in everyone's DNA? Would we ever have had the amazing writers and academics - if they all had the opportunity to go outdoors and play?

Would we have the most skilled and technologically advanced workforce in Western Europe? Would we trade this all for gifted athletes with fabulous outdoor facilities? I'm not so sure.

In the words of Pat Shortt "Sure it'd be a great country - if only we could stick a roof on it."
Would we have the comedy without the weather though?

Since I wrote this initially, wouldn't you know it, the weather has changed. Therin lies the juxtaposition of the Irish psyche. Always changing, whilst talking.

Who I WILL and WON’T be voting for tomorrow.

Taoiseach Enda Kenny

All the views in this article are completely my own. I am not affiliated to any political party or association. Ask anyone who knows me and they will tell you I am not easily swayed. I have always had a tendency to be stubborn and single-minded.

My social media experiment about tomorrow's general election was simple, and I’m so glad I did it now. I had interaction with many of the local candidates and raised issues that are pertinent to my family. 

What it revealed to me was that one politician blatantly lied (no way!), another was a snob about canvassing apartment blocks and one candidate who deserves many votes will more than likely be one of the first to be excluded.

On Monday last, I tweeted the following message to all candidates. I live in an estate called Ridgewood and have never seen a political candidate canvassing in the twelve years we have resided there.

ABC1's refers to middle or high income earners who are reasonably well educated.

“You ever canvassed in Ridgewood Swords? Estate full of ABC1's. 12 years here and candidates not bothered to knock on doors.”

I had five responders within an hour. First up was Independent runner Roslyn Fuller. This was quickly followed by a limp short reply from Senator Darragh O'Brien of FF. These were the only responses I got from either over the last few days.

Next up was Sinn Fein’s Louise O’Reilly. She was eager to connect but also quick to contradict.

But most patronising and flippant was Alan Farrell TD.After our brief tweet exchange, there was no further communication between us.  He won't be getting any vote from me.

Most impressive was first time Dail runner, Lorraine Clifford Lee of FF. Unlike her FF counterpart, she was eager to chat and hear my concerns. She was polite and wanted to listen.

Of the fifteen candidates running in Dublin Fingal, twelve had Twitter accounts. Only five responses was fairly telling about how some of them see Twitter as a resource.

On Wednesday, I sent all fifteen an email and friended them all on Facebook. I sent them all the same message on both platforms. So I definitely connected with all of them in some way. They could not say I didn't contact them.

I got messages through Facebook from Terry Kelleher (AAA-PBP)  and Brendan Ryan TD (LAB). Terry was very forthright and his policy of putting money back into the pockets of ordinary people, like myself, struck a chord.

Then the response from Brendan Ryan was a flat out lie. Although I wasn't at home, my wife was. She was at home all day and the doorbell never rang. His team didn't call and his "office" were available to talk me through any of his policies. That just said to me that he wasn't available to talk to the ordinary people who put him in the Dail in the first place.

The next message was from Louise O'Reilly (SF). In fairness to her, she was informative and trying to be helpful. Some of her policies made sense to me, especially the one concerning childcare. And that is concern number one for us.

But the most farcical acknowledgement I got, was from the Secretary of James Reilly TD (FG). It would be passed onto him - but if it wasn't relevant to him, she would pass it onto the government department that it may be pertinent to. Utterly laughable.

By far the most impressive reply was from Independent councillor Dr. Marcus De Brun. He took the time to email me back personally. His email was frank and honest, not like the usual political nonsense. A lot of his policies were a bit outlandish, but there was an awful lot of common sense there too.

The three candidates I have been most impressed with are Lorraine Clifford Lee (FF), Dr. Marcus De Brun (IND) and Terry Kelleher (AAA-PBP). They have shown a willingness to interact and talk about the issues that concern my family and I.

One other that, Louise O'Reilly (SF) has been proactive and industrious. For that alone, she deserves a fourth preference vote. For her commitment and persistence, she has to be admired - even if I don't completely agree with all of her policies.

I've been most disappointed with one particular sitting TD representing the constituency. Clare Daly TD (IND), who I have voted for in past elections, has not been in contact at all. Considering she worked in the airport like myself for many years, I thought we might connect somehow and have several things in common. I was wrong.

It just tells me that those who were elected to the Dail five years ago have lost touch with the common man and woman. They do not live in the real world.

So that's why I am advocating voting for the underdog in tomorrow's election. Vote for the people who resonate with you most. Vote for those who represent you best.Vote for those who can speak on your behalf. Exercise your right to vote tomorrow - for the right people.

The People I DON'T Meet Everyday.


I should change the name of this blog, exclusively, for the next few days. I have lived in Swords since 1997, and NOT ONE politician, councillor or election candidate has EVER darkened my door.

Lorraine Clifford Lee (FF)

Dr. James Reilly TD (FG)

Do I feel well represented by my local TD's? Honestly, I don't. I am not important enough to them. So maybe it's about time, I became relevant.

They haven't spoken for me because they have never taken the time to speak to me. This morning, I will let all fifteen candidates know who I am. As it isn't a good idea to ignore an educated member of the electorate.

Brendan Ryan TD (LAB)

The vast majority of them don't live in the same realm of the middle class. Some will portray that they do, so that they exist in the same circumstances as you. I simply work to pay bills.

Roslyn Fuller (IND)

I earn a decent wage, but a huge quantity pays taxes, utilities, direct debits and puts food in the fridge. There is very little left over in my bank account. I even went on Primetime last week to talk about how the lack of childcare and school places in Swords will have in the near future as the young population is growing exponentially. This is relevant to us as it may impact our young son, Harry.

Alan Farrell TD (FG)

Dr. Gerry Molloy (RENUA)

I have not had a wage increase since 2007. It feels like I'm living in a pay freeze. The company I work for, has had its own troubles since 2001. Various working agreements cut conditions in a move to lower its cost base. We understood the situation and realised that everyone would have to part shoulder the financial burden.

Since 2007 though, my take home pay has decreased by over 10%. I am now working 30% more for less wages. My pension has been decimated massively due to the economic downturn and bad investments. My contributions for 17 years were almost worthless.

Terry Kelleher (AAA-PBP)

Joe O'Brien (Green)

For those begrudgers who say "you're lucky to have a job"- I say this - I work damn hard at what I do and I am excellent at what I do. If people think they can do a better job than me, I would like to see them try.

Is the country getting back on it's feet? Maybe so, but I am seeing no return in my pocket. If anything, in the past ten years I am paying more taxes. In 2006, I wasn't paying property tax. Or the national embarrassment that is water tax. My car tax was lower. My car and home insurance was at a much lower rate. I was paying less PRSI and PAYE tax direct to the national coffers.

Darragh O'Brien (FF)

Marcus De Brun (IND)

The cost of living is back on the increase, yet I feel stuck. Do I see light at the end of the tunnel? No, I don't. The traditional parties spout the usual playground tit-for-tat "my policies are better than yours" nonsense, but it leaves me even more disillusioned. Any basic understanding of non-verbal communication reveals their disdain for each other and more importantly, us, as an electorate.

On Friday 26th February next, the Irish people go to the polls to cast their vote and more importantly, express their displeasure of the current state of affairs in this country.

Louise O'Reilly (SF)

Clare Daly TD (IND)

I have never gotten as involved in any election as much as this one previously. I have absorbed as much as I possibly can each day. I have watched many news reports, online outlets and terrestrial streams. I am current with most policies of many parties, especially those that pertain to my family.

I have never been so convinced about how important our votes are next Friday. I don't know which way I will vote and there is still time for the candidates to sway me.

This morning, I will give them a chance.

Tony Murphy (IND)

Barry Martin (AAA-PBP)

In this current world of social media, I will take my issues to them. I will inform all fifteen, what affects my family and what they intend to do about it. I will bombard all candidates via email, Facebook and Twitter with my concerns. I will also leave them a contact number, just to see if any avenue is taken by any candidate, to get in touch.

I will give them four days to allay my concerns.

Otherwise, I will inform my many friends on Facebook (1,342 - many of whom registered to vote in Dublin North) and Twitter (3,421 followers) on Thursday evening, about who has been proactive. Or totally inactive. The choice is theirs.



*No image available for Fergal O'Connell (IND).