They say that young people are apathetic about politics. "They" should have been out in Kilmessan National School this morning. I faced a grilling from pupils. And what a range of questions:
- how much do you earn?
- What do you like about your job?
- If FF are a republican party, why won't you go into government with Sinn Fein?
- Where did FF get your posters printed?
- Do you know my Grandad Councillor Noel Leonard?
- What is your policy for young people?
- Why should Mammy and Daddy vote for you?
- What soccer team do you support and many more.
It was a very interesting and demanding hour. congratulations to the pupils and their teacher Mr O'Donnell. It was part of an education process where Mr O'Donnell asked the pupils to vote for the politicians running in the election they'd most like to meet. Four were selected and I was honoured to be one of these. Seeing the bright-eyed in interest in politics is very encouraging.
I opened an estate agent's office in Enfield for Tom Fox. The Fox family are good friends of mine. Denise, Tom's daugther, is going to run the office. Tom is still confident that the property market will continue to show robust growth - depending on who's in charge of the country.
Back to the canvassing then which was interrupted by the launch of the Ladies and Gents' pitch'n'putt National matchplay championships at Stackallen Tennis & Pitch'n'Putt club. They're a great club - well organised and well respected in the Pitch'n'Putt world.
And then yet another official ceremony for another great club, Kiltale GAA gave me the honour of unveiling their floodlights and their new 'hurling wall'. This is the first such training facility in the county where our young players can hone their hurling skills. It's a great club, representative of the reestablishment of the GAA club at the centre of the community.
Back to Simonstown Gaels GAA club where our canvassers had gathered to watch the debate. There was little doubt in anybody's mind that Bertie had effectively pulled Enda and his contract apart. But then again we would say that wouldn't we! But even objectively I felt the Taoiseach had done enough to show that FG's proposals didn't stack up.
The funeral of the great Trim man, John Cusack today, puts the the stresses and strains of election and politics into perspective. There was a huge turnout as people from all over the country to Trim to pay tribute to this man who has contributed so much to this town. He will be sorely missed. I offer my sincerest condolences to Marie, Aoife, Katie, Johnny and Denise.
