Cauldron of Mayo politics moves to butt of Nephin!
by Caoimhín Rowland
The cauldron of local politics made a move north from Aras na Chontae and Dáil Éireann to the butt of Nephin this past month.
The GP service saga has received the full backing of all political party TDs in the county, with even Michael Ring and Alan Dillon singing in harmony.
A last-minute switch of meetings by the community in the GP-bereft hamlet meant its public meeting landed on the night of the Fine Gael election candidate convention in Castlebar.
It was less Machiavellian a masterstroke from meeting organiser Gerry Loftus and more Lahardane logistics.
The originally slated Friday evening public meeting was re-routed to Monday due to a funeral in the village.
“A lot of work goes into planning party conventions, I am not happy with the change,” Michael Ring stated on the third meeting of the Lahardane community, unaware of the reasons behind the change of date.
The third meeting held on a Saturday morning was billed as an ‘Emergency Meeting’ by the Rural Ireland Organisation, which Gerry Loftus founded and used as a conduit to drive the community forward in their quest to retain a GP service.
Every blue shirt in the land arrived in Lahardane.
Councillors, deputies and election hopefuls all appeared to lend their voices to the parish of Addergoole. The TDs knew the story, having been filled in by countless stressed locals looking for representation on the matter.
Michael Ring spoke like a dog with a bone, Rose Conway-Walsh too.
But coming to the end of the meeting, Alan Dillon, typically strait-laced and diplomatic, made a point of addressing comments made by Fianna Fáil Councillor Blackie Gavin at the second public meeting on the night of Fine Gael’s convention.
Gavin had embarked upon a tirade against the former GAA star.
“When there is work to be done on the ground (he would not be using the pick and the shovel). It’s all about high-speed politics, everything on Twitter and social media.
“Where are they (FG) tonight? Tomorrow if there’s a thousand euros to be announced for this village, they’ll put it up online to get the thumbs up.”
Gavin clearly felt the need to prod the only sitting opposition in the county town.
Lisa Chamber’s planned departure for Europe has left a gaping void for Fianna Fáil in Castlebar as she, if elected to Brussels, is unlikely to contest the next general election.
Serving FF Dáil representative, Minister of State Dara Calleary, has also been working behind the scenes for Lahardane and was instrumental in arranging the crucial meeting with the HSÉ.
Blackie Gavin couldn’t resist a pot-shot at Dillon in his absence. It was trademark and entertaining but it was heard back in the Fine Gael convention.
Dillon’s response to the tirade was cold, calm and direct.
“I want to put it on the record how disgusted I am by the remarks made towards me by a councillor at the last meeting.”
This was Dillon not taking it lying down, showing signs he will not be a punching bag for councillors' fun.
The deputy has come into his own in recent times - more media appearances and improved public speaking skills have helped. But the environment in Mayo will always see TDs being criticised at times.
Essentially, we are close to a year out from a general election, no later than February 2025 but realistically autumn of 2024.
With no direct rival from Fianna Fáil, there’s a fertile breeding ground for Dillon amidst widespread voter dissatisfaction.
His surrounding team is strong after periods of transition in the backroom team and now he is making a name for himself. Of course, any hint of a ministerial appointment will not come under Varadkar’s tenure, it seems.
A Harris or Jennifer Carroll McNeill leadership is preferable for the public accounts committee’s Jeremy Paxman.
Fine Gael has opted for star-name recognition selections in the past. Maria Walsh sauntered to Brussels as a well-known name, as did Dillon to Leinster House.
Fianna Fáil has no up-and-coming star or even a mooted candidate from high society or sport.
Dillon’s and Walsh’s selection may have initially reeked of desperation but they’re both young, offer something different and hold the potential to keep the Fine Gael flag flying in Mayo for future generations.
Fianna Fáil has little to offer an ambitious politician, with no obvious successor to Lisa Chambers waiting in the wings.
Perhaps Blackie is angling for a spot to challenge Dillon for his spot in Dáil Éireann?