By Keith Clarke

The debate put together by Monaghan Harps GAA included many sound-bites like; over-run with Immigrants, over heated economy, cronyism, poor health service, €18 Billion deficit, debt Relief Scheme’s, farting cows etc.

Independent Cllr. Seamus Treanor said  “The Immigration policies have placed severe pressure on this country's economy”. He went on saying the Irish Economy couldn’t afford to sustain the present levels of immigration.  He said, “In 2002, we as a people welcomed Eastern European workers into this country at the height of the so-called Celtic Tiger. We were told to expect 5000 (immigrants) by Prionsias de Rossa and at the moment we are in economic downfall and we have 600,000 immigrants in this country today. In 2010 when the new PPS numbers were being issued 70,000 of them were to foreign nationals”. 

Sinn Fein’s Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin spoke at length in relation to pay cuts within the circles of elected representatives.  He said “As everybody else right across the board are taking significant cuts in there income, it is absolutely correct that elected representatives should understand and have to contend with the exact same sets of circumstances.  TD’s have taken cuts not only in terms of what they're paid but also in terms of their expenses that they receive however we at Sínn Feín have put together proposals for the curtailment of ministerial pay and ministerial pensions no pension should be paid to a Minister, while they are serving houses of the Oireachtais, but should only be paid post they're working life.”     

Independent Candidate John Mc Guirk said, "We want to reduce the size and number of cattle by 10% in Ireland because they fart too much, that's the official policy of every party on this stage.  We need to grow the largest economy in this country which is the agriculture industry.”

Green Darcy Lonergan - Ms Lonergan spoke of options that can be looked at and went on, "There is a huge section in tourism in this country that we can do." She spoke some in relation to John McGuirk's comment about the agriculture industry; "We are in no way against farmers and trying to make their farm small and cows farting and that (laugh from the crowd). We are trying to move farming in a new direction, organic farming modify free foods, that is the way that the market is going at the moment.  Germany has already beaten us in wind energy, we always seem to be one step behind and we are trying to get the advantage and we can do this.”  Darcy asked Independent Candidate John McGuirk, “How do you propose to reduce the Carbon emissions if you don't believe in the Carbon Levy, because if we don't reduce these emissions and meet the EU requirements, we're going to be handed as punishment bill and I think you will all agree we don't need added expenses at this time”.

Fínna Faíl Deputy Margaret Conlon, spoke of how a consensus would have to be implement in order to lower the interest rate.  Respiration Services In Monaghan General Hospital, we're spending €50 billion and we are taking in €31 billion, I’d like to know Seamus where are we going to get the money to pay the doctors the teachers the nurses the Gardaí?”  She saved her last word for John "I'm proud of my record, I never had any trouble speaking, I'm known for shooting from the hip.  I didn't get called to be a part of the team because I was part of a political dynasty, I was asked to run for the party based on my ability to do the job and John, you have been round a lot of parties and you're wearing the coat of many colours at this stage.  We have heard all the problems, you have identified everything that was wrong but you didn’t give us one single solution here tonight.”

Independent John McGuirk's response to Deputy Margaret Conlon was "I believed I gave two solutions for starters, one being the employers PRSI and in relation to pay-cuts for public servants. You said we couldn't borrow on the open market and we had to shop around, but you didn't say why not because you spent all the money.  If you want solutions Margaret Here's one, sell off the deposits in Anglo, AIB and Irish Permanent, bring in new banks into the market and get them lending again." 

Fine Gael Cllr Heather Humphrey’s said, “We need to get rid of over regulation and red tape, we have become slaves to the system instead of the system serving us, we are working to serve it.  I feel we should tape into one of our great community assets which are our local Credit Union, Fine Gael are committed to providing TAX relief for people struggling to meet their mortgage repayments. Our Health Service is a complete shambles, I do not believe that to access to health care should be determined by the size of your wallet in your pocket, it should be based on need. Fine Gael under it's Fair Care Policy will reinvent the Health Care System, cut waiting lists and provide access for all. We are committed to the development of additional health care services at Monaghan General Hospital”.

Fine Gael Cllr Sean Conlon said that he “urged all to study the policy documents of each one of the political parties and work out, which one of those policy documents will best suit you and your family and for the Irish people”.  Sean stated there are a lot of white noise in the media, a lot of spoofery, there are a lot of people that love the limelight and are not publicity shy and they live for these moments.  “It's very clear that Fine Gael does not want to sack any one from public service, what we want to do is look at the people that are in back office administration who retire and can not be replaced.  We want to protect front line services.”  Conlon went on to say that he “did not come here tonight to criticise anyone’s opinion but to show how Fine Gael proposes to over-hall the health care system, by bringing in the Dutch model, having no favourbility towards the rich and have a more "ethical" approach. "Everyone is entitled to the same level and I believe this is of real benefit for the future as the model will follow the patient so we create public trusts in hospitals like Monaghan”.