Trevor Quinn travelled to Ballina and Claremorris last week to see Fianna Fáil leader Michéal Martin receive a warm Mayo welcome (15-02-2011)
THE words ‘load of ould fellas’ scribbled on a damp Dublin reporte’rs notebook in rain-swept Claremorris on Wednesday afternoon summed up the rebuilding process that confronts Fianna Fáil leader Michael Martin as he seeks to reinvigorate his ailing party’s fortunes during this difficult election campaign.
The journalist in question may have been a little crude and perhaps unfair in her observations, but the fact remains that a great deal of trust has been lost with even the most loyal of Fianna Fáil supporters. New blood and renewed energy in the guise of young candidates like Lisa Chambers may be a necessity to provide some fresh impetus.
Mr Martin appeared in jovial and confident mood in Ballina following his successful and impressive performance on the TV3 debate with Labour leader Eamon Gilmore the previous evening. One buoyed supporter said humorously “It’s great to have a leader that looks so good on camera,” almost inadvertently referring to his predecessor’s lack of affection for the camera."
The Fianna Fáil leader was in Mayo to launch his party’s tourism strategy where he outlined his party’s vision to increase national visitor numbers to eight million by 2015. Mr Martin confirmed the objectives had the potential to create 15,000 additional jobs in the tourism sector and he said Ballina was a “beautiful part of the country” and an ideal place to launch such an initiative.
Deputy Martin criticised the superficial nature of the policies endorsed by the other main parties insisting Fianna Fáil would tackle the economic issues in an honest and transparent fashion. He used Eamon Gilmore’s banging of the table and “Frankfurt way or the Labour way” quote as an example of irresponsible and dishonest communication stating: “I’ve never believed any of that. I thought it was just done for the campaign”.
Speaking about Deputy Dara Calleary Deputy Martin said: “He is a person who adds value to the political debate in this country. He is a rising star in this party. He has ability, enthusiasm and he is a great representative here for Fianna Fail in Ballina.”
24-year-old Ballyheane candidate Lisa Chambers was described by Mr Martin as being “young, bright and dynamic” and he said he was delighted that such a talented candidate was putting herself forward in the constituency. He received warm applause from supporters as he departed the Manor Hotel on route to Claremorris via Mid West Radio.
Arriving in Claremorris Mr Martin carefully navigated his way through a scrum of photographers and addressed the local branch of the Fianna Fail Cumann in a positive and endearing manner. “I know you’re fighting up against the wind,” he told them, “but you know, there’s many an All-Ireland we won in Cork fighting against the wind,” he added to laughter.
Next he brazenly took on the wintry conditions briskly walking around the town and visiting supermarkets such as Supervalu and Tesco. Here he coyly approached shoppers deep in Kenny country offering a firm handshake, steely eyes and a reassuring smile. Most people were glad to engage with the new leader.
One woman who did just that was 37 year old Sharon Reilly from Brickens in Claremorris. She spoke with Mr Martin about her three and a half year old son Ben who suffers from cleft lip and palate. The rare condition requires ongoing medical attention which Ben receives at Temple Street Children’s Hospital.
In recent weeks details have emerged of cost-cutting measures at the hospital, where some children already wait up to three years for an appointment and the hospital is to close its doors to all patients except for those admitted through the emergency department for a period of four weeks in 2011.
The €11 million savings will see MRI scans, medical admissions, elective operating lists and outpatient clinics shut or cancelled. Mr Martin listened attentively to Ms Reilly’s concerns and anxiety over the closure and said, “I will look in to it for you and do my best”.
As the Fianna Fail leader and his entourage departed out of the supermarket Ms Reilly said that as a father she felt Mr Martin had empathised with her but she said she had “no confidence or trust” in Fianna Fail.
The new Fianna Fáil leader performed admirably but he has a lot of work to do if he is to successfully convince young people and their families that his party can inspire the younger generation.
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