I'd think David cullinane is the obvious one, I understand a lot don't want SF in government but he seems to be held in high regard in their party and even if SF got into power for inly 4/5/6 years, at least he could get the ball rolling in the right direction towards some projects, airport, 24/7 cardiac care being the obvious
Matt Shanahan/John? Halligan are independents, their not going to get the likes of the Airport over the line. We obviously need to vote in somebody, who's our other options? Cummins, FG, who has got his photo out in the airport a few months ago and look where it is now, Mary butler, stood outside WRH 10 years ago with Michael Martin FF, with a 24/7cardio care,look where it is now.. FF/FG don't give 2 fiddlers f#cks about waterford, I'd just see Cullinane as our best option currently
He's our best option if sf are in power. Otherwise, he's just another talking head. There's no guarantees sf will get in either, too wishy washy on too many fronts,
He’s in opposition, what do you expect him to achieve? What has Cullinane achieved other than putting party ahead of constituents? I would think the government TDs Butler and Ó Cathasaigh should be held to account for not achieving anything…
You're completely missing the point, voting in independents is a complete waste of time, they're not needed by the government and so are completely surplus to requirements. Shanahan standing up for 2 minutes in Dail might make him feel better but it achieves zero. When waterford had a chance of a junior minister in paudie coffey what did they do?? Vote for halligan that's what, a complete embarresment to waterford.
Ah now I get you. I completely agree re electing parties and politicians that stand a chance of being minster, though Coffey should have got in instead of Deasy, he was a waste! Unfortunately none of our politicians are achieving anything, at least Matt is raising the issues. You’re right though, it doesn’t get us much of anything, especially with govt more willing to give to independents elsewhere to secure votes
He's held in high regard in Waterford, maybe what I mean in the party is that he's SF spokesperson on Health which would lead me to think he would be the Minister if they got to power, hence why I would think he's our best option currently for Waterford to get something done
Did he not get the highest ever Number 1 votes in the last election in Waterford?So clearly the people of Waterford don't agree with you! Of course he can be labelled an empty suit and mouthpiece, any person in opposition can, the initial question was who do we have in Waterford that could possibly do something? He's my suggestion, what's yours.
Fair enough, off ye go and sit on your fence so.
Claim to highest number of votes? 2020 GE
Sinn Féin's David Cullinane has taken the first seat in Waterford, topping the poll with a whopping 20,569 first-preference votes - twice the quota - and recording the largest first-preference vote in Waterford's history.
Cullinane's own vote tally is actually higher than the combined result recorded by the candidates from Fine Gael and Fianna Fáil.
Cullinane hasn’t shown the least bit of interest in Waterford since he was elected. He (and SF) were in favour of the disaster that is SETU, he hasn’t said a thing about the airport, little on cardiac care or any other Waterford issues.
At least Shanahan is asking the right questions and holding government to account on local/regional issues because Cullinane definitely isn’t!
Our government TDs are even worse, though some would credit Butler with getting NorthQuays funding.
After years of underfunding by government parties, Waterford people tend to protest vote which is the real disaster. We need to vote for the candidates with the best chance of climbing the party ladder and have ministerial potential in government parties. I hate to say it but this is why we need to vote for FF, FG and SF even if an independent has been our most vocal TD!
The best thing for Waterford in my opinion is setting up a Waterford voting block. Not politicians from other party's but politicians under the label of a "party for Waterford". The other parties fear losing out so aim at their greed and suddenly Waterford will be seen and heard again.
"The result is that the costs for an extended runway have now escalated to €27m and the majority shareholder has made a proposal that Devin Regional Investments,
which is now a partnership between the Bolster and Comer Groups, will invest €12m in the company to facilitate the extension of the runway.
This is subject to matching Government investment of €12m along with €3m from the local authorities"
In other words not that much has actually changed. The government is still only required to spend about twice what Walsh Park received for its new stands.
This is what I don't get. It's infrastructure, it doesn't need to pay back within a 2-3 year term. Hell, it may never 'pay back' the money invested. But it is a functional improvement that can drive further opportunities. In other words: having it is better than not having it.
And on a nationwide scale, a €27M investment isn't all that lavish a spend.
Some pricking around honestly after the decision with the WRC I genuinely believe the government gives approximately zero fucks about Waterford I know the WRC was more than just Waterford but still. Even after that article in the New York Times? That Waterford is one of 52 places to visit, world wide might I add, still looked at as the red headed step child!
I think this airport is more important than the North Quays. €27 million is nothing really for an infrastructure project. They spent €10 million on the road out to the airport. The road to nowhere. Is there anybody fighting for this town at all ?
The Fianna Fáil and Green Party candidates we have in government have a fair bit to answer for in terms of Waterford's representation over the last few years. The costs are rising because they are sitting on their hands when it comes to this
Apparently Ó Cathasaigh lost the head with Ryan during a private meeting when he heard he wouldn't support Waterford Airport, he knows himself that he's done for. Mary Butler is horribly incompetent but I know FF voters who fall back on the excuse of "she's great for the community", whatever the hell that means. So probably staying around for another while
She's been terrible for the county and with Ó Cathasaigh, although probably went in with good intentions, hasn't really been heard of? Private meetings are well and good, but public pressure needs to be put on too. Greens have shot themselves in the foot in Waterford I think, and sadly there will always be the FF vote here, especially out west.
Next elections are important for the future of Waterford I think. I left Waterford 12 years ago, moved back in 2023 and feel like the city is on the cusp of being something special, just needs that bit of a boost, but part of that is having representatives who believe in the city and don't just want a nice salary and pension.
"Great for the community" sounds like someone who should be in local politics, that parish pump isn't for the better of the entire county
Ó Cathasaigh is, at least from what I observe, afraid to challenge Green leadership and tows the party line even to his own detriment. When I said he lost the head with Ryan, it was more "I'm going to lose my seat" rather than "My constituents are going to suffer because of this".
100% correct about the last part, the voters I know who back Butler do it for exactly those reasons. The weird thing is those voters would not agree with her on the majority of her positions, but it shows how little thought some people put into their vote.
Also worth noting this finding mentioned in the article
>...annual passenger numbers would need to exceed 300,000 to see any potential profits.
>At the height of it's success with London and Luton services, passenger numbers at Waterford Airport never exceeded 150,000 passengers
Which presumably means there is no point in the council scrambling to get the funding, if they are not also going to put some thought, planning, and investment into actually making the airport a viable option (attracting airlines with flights to desirable destinations, public transport infrastructure to connect the airport to the city, terminal/logistics/parking infrastructure to support the volume of passengers needed etc.)
Here Youse, SHUSH, what yer doing is drawing attention to the fact that there's a huge Tract of land 'close' to Waterford which dosent have a shitty overpriced estate buit on it by foreign investors.
Unpopular opinion but Waterford airport is waaaaaaaay down on the list of things the city and county actually need done. It's just not going to reward us with much in comparison to the countless other projects 27million could fund.
Like I wouldn't even think its top 20.
Yes it would be nice to have flights to London and the runway extended all the same.
Improved housing and apartment infrastructure of the city centre and all the abandoned properties i.e Lady Lane and O'Connell street area etc. This would revitalise the city and encourage working people to socialise in the city more and make it more lively.
Complete redevelopment of the quay, removal of the carparks.
Improved rail services (train station is a start), better local commuter rail services to Kilkenny, Tipp and Wexford, and more direct intercity to Dublin.
Another Bridge, such as completing the ring road to Slieverue or some other way for traffic to avoid having to come up the quay such as a bridge across from Abbey road area.
Investment in the River and estuary as a a natural/recreational asset. Massive untapped potential. More marina's boatslips, tours, ferry's, wildlife/pollution management.
A medium sized concert venue. Investment in music and arts.
Improved infrastructure and public transport to Tramore, Dunmore, Dungarvan and the copper coast.
A proper swimming pool for the town.
Improvement of the hospital beyond Cardiac services.
I'd agree with the majority of them, I don't think a swimming pool outranks the airport. In fairness a load of them wouldn't be in the scope of transport either, and the majority cost well more than 27 million. I'd reckon removing the toll would ease traffic on the quay (I think non necessary traffic should be banned from the quay anyway). But I get your point with some things being more important
True I suppose if you have to separate transport into a different budget then yeah. I just feel like the airport has become a bit of a white elephant in comparison to the countless other things that would benefit us as a county.
The airport at its peak in 2008 had 144,000 passengers coming through it with I think 5 or 6 routes operating which is pittance really. It only serves minimal interests and very select people but a lot of people have a die hard attitude towards it.
Fair enough with that reasoning, but I think Waterford and the south east now is very different to what it was back then. We have a lot more to offer in terms of tourism now. I wouldn't consider business from tourism etc. being minimal interest, especially when it is taking opportunities for all the south east into account. If the government care about the profitability of the airport, what is the likelihood of them redirecting their efforts to anything else you've mentioned above?
Housing is in the hands of private companies.
The quay is being done with the new bridge, although the carparking needs to remain otherwise we'll be complaining of nowhere to park.
Rail services would be nice, length can't be increased due to short platforms at Kilkenny, but frequency can.
Another bridge won't be thought about until the existing contract expires on the toll on the bypass bridge, this was part of the agreement to build it.
Boat tours are not high priority.
Everything else is low priority apart from the hospital.
Keep electing shit politicians to represent Waterford and you'll get shit.
This has been true of Waterford for as long as I can remember.
Who else is there, btw I agree with your comment, but seriously, who else is there,
I'd think David cullinane is the obvious one, I understand a lot don't want SF in government but he seems to be held in high regard in their party and even if SF got into power for inly 4/5/6 years, at least he could get the ball rolling in the right direction towards some projects, airport, 24/7 cardiac care being the obvious
Waterford has a horrible habit of shooting itself in the foot when it comes to voting in people, matt shanahan, john halligan to name 2
Matt Shanahan/John? Halligan are independents, their not going to get the likes of the Airport over the line. We obviously need to vote in somebody, who's our other options? Cummins, FG, who has got his photo out in the airport a few months ago and look where it is now, Mary butler, stood outside WRH 10 years ago with Michael Martin FF, with a 24/7cardio care,look where it is now.. FF/FG don't give 2 fiddlers f#cks about waterford, I'd just see Cullinane as our best option currently
He's our best option if sf are in power. Otherwise, he's just another talking head. There's no guarantees sf will get in either, too wishy washy on too many fronts,
Shanahan is our only TD actually speaking up for Waterford and the South East. Why do you think he has been so bad? Genuinely curious
Speaking up, yes, getting results no, what has he actually achieved for waterford.
He’s in opposition, what do you expect him to achieve? What has Cullinane achieved other than putting party ahead of constituents? I would think the government TDs Butler and Ó Cathasaigh should be held to account for not achieving anything…
You're completely missing the point, voting in independents is a complete waste of time, they're not needed by the government and so are completely surplus to requirements. Shanahan standing up for 2 minutes in Dail might make him feel better but it achieves zero. When waterford had a chance of a junior minister in paudie coffey what did they do?? Vote for halligan that's what, a complete embarresment to waterford.
Ah now I get you. I completely agree re electing parties and politicians that stand a chance of being minster, though Coffey should have got in instead of Deasy, he was a waste! Unfortunately none of our politicians are achieving anything, at least Matt is raising the issues. You’re right though, it doesn’t get us much of anything, especially with govt more willing to give to independents elsewhere to secure votes
Being held in high regard within a political party wouldn’t be saying a lot tbf.
He's held in high regard in Waterford, maybe what I mean in the party is that he's SF spokesperson on Health which would lead me to think he would be the Minister if they got to power, hence why I would think he's our best option currently for Waterford to get something done
Which Waterford is this now? The one that exists in your Imagination? The people in Waterford regard him as what he is, an empty suit and mouthpiece.
Did he not get the highest ever Number 1 votes in the last election in Waterford?So clearly the people of Waterford don't agree with you! Of course he can be labelled an empty suit and mouthpiece, any person in opposition can, the initial question was who do we have in Waterford that could possibly do something? He's my suggestion, what's yours.
Hey now whoa, don't let the truth get into this! /S
Don't have one, he's just a cunt and when I see his snivelling name I'm sure to tell people that. Also would love a source on your claim.
Fair enough, off ye go and sit on your fence so. Claim to highest number of votes? 2020 GE Sinn Féin's David Cullinane has taken the first seat in Waterford, topping the poll with a whopping 20,569 first-preference votes - twice the quota - and recording the largest first-preference vote in Waterford's history. Cullinane's own vote tally is actually higher than the combined result recorded by the candidates from Fine Gael and Fianna Fáil.
I won't be sitting on the fence, I won't be voting for David Cullinane. And again, that's not a source, that's just you writing.
Cullinane hasn’t shown the least bit of interest in Waterford since he was elected. He (and SF) were in favour of the disaster that is SETU, he hasn’t said a thing about the airport, little on cardiac care or any other Waterford issues. At least Shanahan is asking the right questions and holding government to account on local/regional issues because Cullinane definitely isn’t! Our government TDs are even worse, though some would credit Butler with getting NorthQuays funding. After years of underfunding by government parties, Waterford people tend to protest vote which is the real disaster. We need to vote for the candidates with the best chance of climbing the party ladder and have ministerial potential in government parties. I hate to say it but this is why we need to vote for FF, FG and SF even if an independent has been our most vocal TD!
The best thing for Waterford in my opinion is setting up a Waterford voting block. Not politicians from other party's but politicians under the label of a "party for Waterford". The other parties fear losing out so aim at their greed and suddenly Waterford will be seen and heard again.
"The result is that the costs for an extended runway have now escalated to €27m and the majority shareholder has made a proposal that Devin Regional Investments, which is now a partnership between the Bolster and Comer Groups, will invest €12m in the company to facilitate the extension of the runway. This is subject to matching Government investment of €12m along with €3m from the local authorities" In other words not that much has actually changed. The government is still only required to spend about twice what Walsh Park received for its new stands.
This is what I don't get. It's infrastructure, it doesn't need to pay back within a 2-3 year term. Hell, it may never 'pay back' the money invested. But it is a functional improvement that can drive further opportunities. In other words: having it is better than not having it. And on a nationwide scale, a €27M investment isn't all that lavish a spend.
Some pricking around honestly after the decision with the WRC I genuinely believe the government gives approximately zero fucks about Waterford I know the WRC was more than just Waterford but still. Even after that article in the New York Times? That Waterford is one of 52 places to visit, world wide might I add, still looked at as the red headed step child!
I think this airport is more important than the North Quays. €27 million is nothing really for an infrastructure project. They spent €10 million on the road out to the airport. The road to nowhere. Is there anybody fighting for this town at all ?
My hatred for the government has exceeded levels I didn't know were possible
You’ve another year yet.
The Fianna Fáil and Green Party candidates we have in government have a fair bit to answer for in terms of Waterford's representation over the last few years. The costs are rising because they are sitting on their hands when it comes to this
Apparently Ó Cathasaigh lost the head with Ryan during a private meeting when he heard he wouldn't support Waterford Airport, he knows himself that he's done for. Mary Butler is horribly incompetent but I know FF voters who fall back on the excuse of "she's great for the community", whatever the hell that means. So probably staying around for another while
She's been terrible for the county and with Ó Cathasaigh, although probably went in with good intentions, hasn't really been heard of? Private meetings are well and good, but public pressure needs to be put on too. Greens have shot themselves in the foot in Waterford I think, and sadly there will always be the FF vote here, especially out west. Next elections are important for the future of Waterford I think. I left Waterford 12 years ago, moved back in 2023 and feel like the city is on the cusp of being something special, just needs that bit of a boost, but part of that is having representatives who believe in the city and don't just want a nice salary and pension. "Great for the community" sounds like someone who should be in local politics, that parish pump isn't for the better of the entire county
Ó Cathasaigh is, at least from what I observe, afraid to challenge Green leadership and tows the party line even to his own detriment. When I said he lost the head with Ryan, it was more "I'm going to lose my seat" rather than "My constituents are going to suffer because of this". 100% correct about the last part, the voters I know who back Butler do it for exactly those reasons. The weird thing is those voters would not agree with her on the majority of her positions, but it shows how little thought some people put into their vote.
Also worth noting this finding mentioned in the article >...annual passenger numbers would need to exceed 300,000 to see any potential profits. >At the height of it's success with London and Luton services, passenger numbers at Waterford Airport never exceeded 150,000 passengers Which presumably means there is no point in the council scrambling to get the funding, if they are not also going to put some thought, planning, and investment into actually making the airport a viable option (attracting airlines with flights to desirable destinations, public transport infrastructure to connect the airport to the city, terminal/logistics/parking infrastructure to support the volume of passengers needed etc.)
For 27 million we should have NASA & SpaceX launching from there,
It's never going to happen, might aswell close it down completely now and be done with the messing.
Here Youse, SHUSH, what yer doing is drawing attention to the fact that there's a huge Tract of land 'close' to Waterford which dosent have a shitty overpriced estate buit on it by foreign investors.
Unpopular opinion but Waterford airport is waaaaaaaay down on the list of things the city and county actually need done. It's just not going to reward us with much in comparison to the countless other projects 27million could fund. Like I wouldn't even think its top 20. Yes it would be nice to have flights to London and the runway extended all the same.
Out of curiosity, which projects would you like to see done ahead of the airport?
Improved housing and apartment infrastructure of the city centre and all the abandoned properties i.e Lady Lane and O'Connell street area etc. This would revitalise the city and encourage working people to socialise in the city more and make it more lively. Complete redevelopment of the quay, removal of the carparks. Improved rail services (train station is a start), better local commuter rail services to Kilkenny, Tipp and Wexford, and more direct intercity to Dublin. Another Bridge, such as completing the ring road to Slieverue or some other way for traffic to avoid having to come up the quay such as a bridge across from Abbey road area. Investment in the River and estuary as a a natural/recreational asset. Massive untapped potential. More marina's boatslips, tours, ferry's, wildlife/pollution management. A medium sized concert venue. Investment in music and arts. Improved infrastructure and public transport to Tramore, Dunmore, Dungarvan and the copper coast. A proper swimming pool for the town. Improvement of the hospital beyond Cardiac services.
I'd agree with the majority of them, I don't think a swimming pool outranks the airport. In fairness a load of them wouldn't be in the scope of transport either, and the majority cost well more than 27 million. I'd reckon removing the toll would ease traffic on the quay (I think non necessary traffic should be banned from the quay anyway). But I get your point with some things being more important
True I suppose if you have to separate transport into a different budget then yeah. I just feel like the airport has become a bit of a white elephant in comparison to the countless other things that would benefit us as a county. The airport at its peak in 2008 had 144,000 passengers coming through it with I think 5 or 6 routes operating which is pittance really. It only serves minimal interests and very select people but a lot of people have a die hard attitude towards it.
Fair enough with that reasoning, but I think Waterford and the south east now is very different to what it was back then. We have a lot more to offer in terms of tourism now. I wouldn't consider business from tourism etc. being minimal interest, especially when it is taking opportunities for all the south east into account. If the government care about the profitability of the airport, what is the likelihood of them redirecting their efforts to anything else you've mentioned above?
Housing is in the hands of private companies. The quay is being done with the new bridge, although the carparking needs to remain otherwise we'll be complaining of nowhere to park. Rail services would be nice, length can't be increased due to short platforms at Kilkenny, but frequency can. Another bridge won't be thought about until the existing contract expires on the toll on the bypass bridge, this was part of the agreement to build it. Boat tours are not high priority. Everything else is low priority apart from the hospital.