This article is from page 4 of the 2010-03-02 edition of The Clare People. OCR mistakes are to be expected so download the original SWF or the rendered page 4 JPG
THERE is an urgent need for states- men and leadership in politics, not just in Government but in all parties.
That was the message from the out- going Chairman of the Clare branch of Fine Gael Dick Pilkington, whose three-year term came to an end last night (Monday).
The Cree man, who has been re- placed at the helm by local election candidate Rodger Fox, was critical not only of the leadership shown in the Government parties, but within his own party, of which he has been a member for most of his life.
“The body politic has gone beyond a joke,” he said.
“Tam calling on the Fine Gael party to show leadership. Is there a states- man among the whole lot of them?” Nemes) Col 0B
“It is unfortunate that when people are elected they are institutionalised and it is time they broke the shack- ie
The outgoing chairman said he was sad and disappointed to see George Lee leave the party and the Dail, but explained he understood his reasons for taking this step.
Mr Pilkington called for change across all aspects of politics.
“Politicians need to be held ac- countable, it is the tax payers’ money
they are managing. Would they con- tinue to run a private company in the same way they are running the coun-
try?” he asked. “The health services need to be addressed urgently as the quality of
the health services you receive de- pends on the size of your wallet,” he added.
The Fine Gael man said he was dis- heartened by the growing number of unemployed in the county, and asked how much longer people were going to accept things before they revolt.
With more than half a century of party politics behind him, the Cree man was selected as Director of Elections for Fine Gael in Clare for the last local elections.
He was also the chairman of the Clare branch of the main Govern- ment opposition party previously in the 1980s.
At the party’s AGM in Clare last night he welcomed the guest speaker Agriculture spokesperson Michael Creed TD.
“Has Irish agriculture got someone to rescue them at last?” he asked. “I hope Deputy Creed will now raise the profile of the party in rural ar- Cr TS
Mr Pilkington then wished the in- coming members of the executive of the Clare branch of Fine Gael well CLIT M barca UsCoIU mo mON TOMO) REleer