Michael Ring: All politics is local

MICHAEL Ring has been Minister for Rural and Community Development for a number of years.

By and large, it is accepted he has done a good job and certainly many towns and villages in Mayo have benefited from his influence.

The talk around Leinster House is that Michael Ring’s office will be abolished and become part of another ministerial portfolio.

If this is the case, rural Ireland will be the biggest loser.

Goodness knows, we have been neglected long enough without giving us another kick in the pants.

Michael Ring has often been unfairly accused of spending too much money in his own constituency.

Fair play to the Westport man.

Sure wasn’t it the people of Mayo who voted him into office.

As Tip O’Neill, the famous American politician, said many years ago, all politics is local.

The big boys in Fine Gael should keep this in mind.

Or is this a classic case of eaten bread being soon forgotten?