Fine Gael create first spokesman on Dublin

TAKE it from the horse’s mouth: solving Dublin’s problems is no easy task.

Senator Brian Hayes, will focus on the capital’s traffic.

As Fine Gael leader Enda Kenny cruised along St Stephen’s Green at nine miles per hour, led by a horse called Charlie and a driver called Michael Collins, Senator Hayes seemed to have all the answers to the capital’s problems. Unveiling the party’s new voice for the capital, Mr Kenny said the appointment came on foot of an internal party report which highlighted the lack of any government figure tasked with looking after Dublin’s interests.

Unfazed by Fianna Fáil’s assertion that Fine Gael could hold a meeting of all its Dublin TDs in a phone box, Mr Kenny, launched his own attack on the Government. “This Government’s performance in office reeks of lack of leadership. This is most glaringly obvious in Dublin,” he said, blaming the Government for traffic congestion, a behind-schedule LUAS and an over-budget port tunnel.

For his part Senator Hayes said he was honoured and excited at the prospect of defending the rights of his fellow city folk.

“As a native of the city, with a young family, I can readily identify with the types of issues that affect Dubliners on a day to day basis,” he said, promising the city’s transport nightmare would be his priority.