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).