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Replying To yew_tree:  "I really don't understand the "pothole" anology when describing local policies. If local politics means them keeping a hospital open, keeping the local factory open, funding for the local GAA pitch, cancer services, local public transport, broadband, bypass for a traffic choked town….then why do people think people should not vote for these valid local issues?"
Because tds shouldnt be doing this. thats the role of local policitians. TDs within national parliment should be concerned more with determing policy more than getting things for their area often with little regard to an overall national or even regional policy.

KillingFields (Limerick) - Posts: 3911 - 29/01/2026 18:03:31    2653954

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Replying To KillingFields:  "Because tds shouldnt be doing this. thats the role of local policitians. TDs within national parliment should be concerned more with determing policy more than getting things for their area often with little regard to an overall national or even regional policy."
Local politicians have very little power when it comes to serious infrastructure issues. That's not going to change anytime soon.

TheFlaker (Mayo) - Posts: 8736 - 30/01/2026 09:09:03    2653989

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Replying To KillingFields:  "Because tds shouldnt be doing this. thats the role of local policitians. TDs within national parliment should be concerned more with determing policy more than getting things for their area often with little regard to an overall national or even regional policy."
No while you have Constituencies.

Seanfan (Roscommon) - Posts: 347 - 30/01/2026 11:01:09    2654021

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Replying To KillingFields:  "There hasnt been any change in the past 12/18 months. it was a bit of a misnomer that only the captain could approach the ref. The statement about bundee is hard hitting and theyre clearly trying to stop this any more.
Leinster players are very bad for yapping to/at officials and we've seen some get chastased for doing so but not enough.
Rugby does seem to be trying to stop more chat/abuse towards officials. hopefully this bundee ban will impact things for the better going forward"
I disagree there has been far more shouting on the field from players and this has coincided with a lot more younger refs coming on the scene in the URC, weather its a defibrate tacit from the management its hard to say but it should have been clamped down on a lot earlier than the Aki case. It should have been dealt with by the IRFU far earlier and now they are paying the price for it.

zinny (Wexford) - Posts: 2159 - 30/01/2026 12:18:02    2654044

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Replying To yew_tree:  "I really don't understand the "pothole" anology when describing local policies. If local politics means them keeping a hospital open, keeping the local factory open, funding for the local GAA pitch, cancer services, local public transport, broadband, bypass for a traffic choked town….then why do people think people should not vote for these valid local issues?"
You worryingly ignored the context "Pothole politics" was mentioned under, about the unknown levels of influence that lobbying has on Irish TD's and Irish government policy, something that seriously needs to be investigated. There needs to be transparency around who is influencing Government policy or TD's in general, and also transparency over how much said lobby groups actually contribute to Ireland in real terms versus the benefits or favorable terms they receive.

Regarding the "Pothole" analogy, it was in reference to voters who will repeatedly vote for the same TD election after election, not based on the merit of said TD's work or even their Parties work in the Dail, but because said TD makes a few calls in the run up to a General election to get a few potholes filled on rural back roads they live along or with planning etc. Basically local stuff that isn't the TD's responsibility, but said TD is happy to sort it, because it keeps them elected without scrutiny of their actual job performance or who they really work for.

Commodore (Donegal) - Posts: 1589 - 31/01/2026 22:58:02    2654233

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