Bellygrass and beyond!

Well, I've seen the future and its called bellygrass...

At yesterday's Oireachtas Committee on Climate Change a presentation given by Jerry Murphy of UCC had us all sitting up on our hind legs. He talked about biofuel and grass can be used to make gas for fuel. Since over 90% of Ireland's arable land is in grass this was significant. But what really got our questions coming was his explanation of how "bellygrass" is used in Europe for gas production for buses.

Bellygrass for those of us who don't know- and there are many - is found in cows and pigs slaughtered in our abattoirs.

Currently the bellygrass has to be carted away and spread on land and that costs the abattoir money.

In the future it can go to a digester system, converted to biofuel and used in buses etc..

While no-one has the solution to the problem of methane produced by belching cows, dead cows may provide part of the solution.

Or at least the grass in their stomachs. Don't they have four of them?

Unite 4 Our Planet Forum

Tackling Climate Change is the great challenge of our time. It requires leadership, co-operation and a clear direction.

We also need an integrated response. That's what we're doing in the Labour Party. The four TDs with responsibility for Energy, Environment, Transport and Agriculture have come together under the "Unite 4 Our Planet" initiative. We are pledging to work together across these areas and to engage with experts and the public to ensure we are in a position to meet the challenges of carbon reduction and climate "proofing".

To discuss this we have organised a Forum on Climate Change to be held this Saturday, 9th February in the Mansion House, Dublin. If you'd like to come along, please email campaigns@labour.ie

For more information, please check out the Labour website.

Stop Climate Chaos

It rained on the Parade organised by the Stop Climate Chaos Coalition but that didn't stop us stalwarts togging out in our rain gear and fighting the high winds with our banners. It was good to see a healthy turnout of Labour Youth members. Joanna Tuffy TD, Labour's Environment Spokesperson and myself appear to have been the only Opposition TDs to tog out.

At the Custom House there were speeches. I said I wasn't impressed by Al Gore coming to Dublin to address a rich elite (for a fee of 100,000 dollars it was reported!)while banning the media from hearing his speech. The response from the crowd and from individuals made it clear to me that many other people were annoyed at the insistence by Al Gore of a " pay per view" policy.

Tackling Climate Change is a people's issue if ever there was one and elitism just gets in the way. Nor, I imagine was it what the Nobel Prize people had in mind. Thankfully the UN IPCC have a different approach. The recent open - and free - meeting organised by the EPA and starring Dr. Martin Manning of the IPCC was filled to capacity.

I'm not convinced that the government were listening to the message when Brian Cowen published his Budget. A bit of VRT and a tweaking of motor tax will not have any impact on reaching the seriously challenging target set by the government of 3% reduction per year of carbon emissions.

Maybe that's why the turnout of the Greens at the Parade was so unimpressive. Or maybe they just wilted in the rain...

Back to Uni....

FINALLY I'm out of Health and into Communications, Energy and Natural Resources. It's a steep learning curve for me, a bit like going back to University but I'm learning fast. Its real cutting edge stuff particularly meeting the challenge of global warming. To make a difference means bringing about a dramatic change to our energy usage.

There is a personal challenge fro me in getting to grips with the Communications brief. Technology is moving so rapidly that everyone in this area seems to be straining to keep up. There is a pioneering aspect to both the Energy and Communications brief that make them exciting even though sometimes also impenetrable.

The Green Party chose this Ministry for obvious reasons and I'm happy to support Eamon Ryan when he does the right thing, but so far I've been disappointed that he attempted to bamboozle the public about the collapse of the Greener Homes Scheme and the introduction of a new emasculated and unfunded scheme.

I'm even less impressed that the Greens U turn on the Civil Unions Bill for same sex couples. This is a fine example of when the Greens could have asserted themselves in government but instead, yet again, Fianna Fail rolled all over them.

Labour is very persistent on this issue. We don't intend to let it go.

I'm always interested to hear views on climate change, next generation networks, civil unions, food versus bio fuels, whatever...so get in touch...

Feedback from Canvassers

AS we head into the final days of this campaign, I thought I'd ask for some contributions from canvassers who have been knocking on doors the last few weeks. Here's a taster:


Roisin

The experience has been a positive one, with good reactions on the doorsteps. The people of Bray have been mostly very polite - even those who clearly don't intend to vote Labour. Liz is obviously very well known and respected for the work she's done locally and nationally. In some estates you can skip from house to house with people just taking the leaflet and giving a 'thumbs-up' or a 'don't worry - Labour's got my vote this time'.

For future reference, I would suggest that 8.30 is probably late enough on a week night. We had experience of a few parents looking murderously at us or sprinting through the house to ask us not to ring the bell, as the new baby had just been put to bed. Henry and I also met a Rottweiler and a Great Dane on the same evening, but we lived to tell the tale.

For me, it's been a learning experience for a number of reasons:
- I've been able to observe the experienced 'pros' at work (Liz, John, Henry, Ann ) and learned a lot about local issues by listening to their conversations with the voters;
- I've learned that a big smile and an assertive friendly greeting disarms even the most defensive householder;
- It's been a great way for a blow-in like me to get to know the geography of the town, not to mention get ideas for landscaping my front garden!


Sandra

People are sick of the to do over Bertie's money - well we knew that. Not too interested in 'issues' unless Liz is with you. If they do express an opinion it is generally favourable towards Liz and/or vicious towards FF. Other than that.......could we have the sun back please?

And, as ever, how much more rewarding it is doing the local authority estates than the posh areas - with the 'gated communities' there always seems a subtext that they don't need politics.


Clodagh

We canvassed the north ward of Bray and overall got a very good response. We even made one lonely old lady who has just moved to Ireland very happy – just to get a visitor! However, we were asked about same sex marriage, we answered and we were then called…murderers and the door was slammed in our faces.

Tommy

1 Overall a very positive response, there is a mood for change.
2 Liz is highly respected.
3 On going water situation Rocky Valley Drive / Glencormac / Ballybawn. People very frustrated and annoyed.

"Why are all those posters of dead people everywhere?"!

ONE of the things in this campaign is the great interest shown by children for the Election posters. One child was quoted recently asking his mammy, "Why are all those posters of dead people everywhere?"! The children that I'm meeting at the doorsteps are very excited to be meeting someone (a live person!) from the posters. This must be something to do with the power of TV that has trained young eyes towards visual images. Or maybe its the celebrity culture that gets them excited. When it comes to the adults, who have a vote, posters have minimal effect.

Yesterday I launched Labour's A&E plan. 2,300 beds needed and we're determined to implement them. If Noel Browne in the hungry 40s could provide 2,000 beds in three years it is not beyond the bounds of possibility to do it now.

I notice that as days pass Brian Cowen is getting more shrill. He seems to think people like bombast, aggression and aggressive tactics. I'm not convinced. In fact what is interesting about this campaign is how thoughtful the discussions on the doorsteps are. People's thoughts on childcare, health, transport are being expressed. And the constant refrain is that it's time for a change of Government - which is a reflection of Labour's slogan to make a change and that "Ireland can do better with Labour."

Campaign Team on Hospitals and Roads

As a member of Liz's campaign team I am unfortunately immobile at the moment but will still be occasionally contributing to the blog.

Last week was my first time ever to be admitted to hospital. I understand how hospitals can be a daunting experience for Margaret (see video below) and others.




Last week I had an accident and was waiting on the side of a public road to be assisted. The ambulance drove past us despite being flagged down and we had to rephone the emergency services.

On admittance to the ambulance and hospital, I have to say the standard of care was excellent. I did however find that the doctors and nurses were so busy that their time had to be largely dispersed. Obviously they couldn’t help this as emergencies will always happen. This does mean that the doctors/nurses just in a lot of cases do not have time to do the job. I was waiting to be discharged for at least half an hour – this is a simple thing that requires someone saying to me – you can go now. It would also have meant a freed up cubicle quicker.

Three days later I returned to the same A and E department for a wound check. Patients were being told – “there are no beds in the hospital” – the corridors of the A and E were full of patients on trolleys.

This country clearly needs Labour in Government to deliver the clear commitment of 2300 more beds in cleaner hospitals.

While I was in hospital other patients were admitted after another major crash on the N11. As Liz has pointed out many times that this section of the road is dangerous and needs to be upgraded urgently.


Ian

(on behalf of campaign team)

On the campaign trail

THE biggest battle so far for me in this campaign is fighting off sunburn. The sun is as relentless as the mood for change is.

People want change. Even FF people want change. Some of theme are going so far as to tell me that they want the Fianna Fail Party to be in Opposition for a while.

Labour's core commitments on health, childcare, carers, crime and first time house buyers are reflected in the conversations on the doorsteps. There is growing public confidence that an alternative government will be a better government. It's an exciting contest and I'm enjoying every minute of it.