All the promises have neutralised each other, so it’s a beauty contest

It already seems it’s the promises they can’t make that might mean all the difference.

Tue, 01 May, 2007 - 01:00

Fergus Finlay is a former political activist and adviser to three governments, the former head of the children's charity Barnardos, a writer and a broadcaster.

If the Taoiseach, for instance, were to promise that FF, not the PDs, would run the Department of Health, it would be a vote-winner. That’s a promise he probably wishes he could make, but can’t

WHEN President John F Kennedy addressed our parliament, Seamus Pattison had been a TD for just two years. Elected for Labour in Carlow/Kilkenny in 1961, he went on to serve a remarkable 46 unbroken years representing the people of those two counties with incredible distinction and approachability. He was particularly associated with Kilkenny, of course, and served as its mayor three times.