From Tiger economy to local politics

GEORGE LEE bemoaned the fact that his policies and thoughts never made it onto the national stage.

But just what were these measures that would refloat the Tiger economy?

A quick scan through comments by him and issues he expressed his concern on in public, reveal he was quite comfortable musing about more local issues.

A glance at his now-defunct party website reveals the pressing issues he thought the nation deserved to know about.

There were the clampers in Churchtown who were “hiding behind walls and waiting to pounce on unsuspecting motorists”.

The effects on residents of south Dublin meant only one thing, the need for the regulation of clampers.

Granted, there were vulnerable people affected by some harsh clamping actions, but was this such a national issue that it needed to be raised with the Transport Minister, as Lee did?

“Irish motorists must be protected from these practices,” he said. But it was hardly an issue that would save the country’s ailing economy.

In a separate interview with a local Dublin newspaper, the former economics editor raised the plight of lollipop ladies in his leafy constituency of Knocklyon.

“The removal of the lollipop lady was to be reviewed after two weeks,” Deputy Lee claimed.

“The council has now extended this period, causing much anxiety among local parents. We need to do all that we can to prevent a tragedy at this junction.”

Again, Lee was promoting the well-being of parents and children. But it was not the sort of lobbying that would overhaul the country’s finances.

Other comments on his website include concern in December – when Lee said he was contemplating his position as a TD – about schooling facilities in Leopardstown, south Dublin.

His press release trumpeted about “uncovering Census data that shows the need for a permanent school building in Holy Trinity, Leopardstown is overwhelming”.

While this was, and possibly is still, a pressing matter for families there, it was hardly the stuff of national debate that Lee has now told the nation he never had a chance to get his teeth into.