Comments on: Any questions for Batt O’Keeffe? http://www.tomrafteryit.net/any-questions-for-batt-okeeffe/ Tom Raftery, social media consultant, speaker, blogger and podcaster Fri, 21 Nov 2008 22:18:54 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.6.3 By: Damien Mulley » Blog Archive » Resources for when politicians call http://www.tomrafteryit.net/any-questions-for-batt-okeeffe/#comment-105406 Damien Mulley » Blog Archive » Resources for when politicians call Tue, 01 May 2007 07:51:36 +0000 http://www.tomrafteryit.net/any-questions-for-batt-okeeffe/#comment-105406 [...] various bloggers or maybe you can use this list from the EastMeath blog or maybe any of the ones directed to Batt O’Keeffe. Conor O’Neill has some good ones in relation to the TB outbreak in [...] [...] various bloggers or maybe you can use this list from the EastMeath blog or maybe any of the ones directed to Batt O’Keeffe. Conor O’Neill has some good ones in relation to the TB outbreak in [...]

]]> By: John Doe http://www.tomrafteryit.net/any-questions-for-batt-okeeffe/#comment-105360 John Doe Fri, 27 Apr 2007 19:02:45 +0000 http://www.tomrafteryit.net/any-questions-for-batt-okeeffe/#comment-105360 Ask him why he's illegally already placing posters up in public when an election has not yet been called. Also, why the public have been effectively deprived of the use of the watergrasshill bypass (a publicly funded road) unless they pay a toll for the fermoy bypass. The obvious solution was to put the exit north of wgh village. Ask him why he’s illegally already placing posters up in public
when an election has not yet been called.

Also, why the public have been effectively deprived of the use of the watergrasshill bypass (a publicly funded road) unless they pay a toll for the fermoy bypass.
The obvious solution was to put the exit north of wgh village.

]]> By: Anonymous http://www.tomrafteryit.net/any-questions-for-batt-okeeffe/#comment-105356 Anonymous Fri, 27 Apr 2007 14:48:50 +0000 http://www.tomrafteryit.net/any-questions-for-batt-okeeffe/#comment-105356 When are we going to get broadband in rural areas ?, why was the group broadband scheme cancled by the goverment, do they care about rural communities ? Can we make it tax attractive for compines to let there workers work from home ?? Thanks Pat When are we going to get broadband in rural areas ?, why was the group broadband scheme cancled by the goverment, do they care about rural communities ?

Can we make it tax attractive for compines to let there workers work from home ??

Thanks
Pat

]]> By: Uldis Bojars http://www.tomrafteryit.net/any-questions-for-batt-okeeffe/#comment-105355 Uldis Bojars Fri, 27 Apr 2007 13:35:15 +0000 http://www.tomrafteryit.net/any-questions-for-batt-okeeffe/#comment-105355 <blockquote>In a way haven’t they already privatised water in Galway by selecting just one company the public can purchase cheap water from.</blockquote> Dedan, not so sure about "already privatised water in Galway". The "buy one and get one free" may be a private action by Galway water producer / bottling company. How else would they get people to buy bottled water that says "Galway" on it?

In a way haven’t they already privatised water in Galway by selecting just one company the public can purchase cheap water from.

Dedan, not so sure about “already privatised water in Galway”.

The “buy one and get one free” may be a private action by Galway water producer / bottling company. How else would they get people to buy bottled water that says “Galway” on it?

]]> By: Brian Greene http://www.tomrafteryit.net/any-questions-for-batt-okeeffe/#comment-105353 Brian Greene Fri, 27 Apr 2007 10:39:16 +0000 http://www.tomrafteryit.net/any-questions-for-batt-okeeffe/#comment-105353 ok i take back despise and accept very healthy disregard. Your father an MEP no less! So how did it go? did it go? is it your or their mp3 to release? are we nearly there yet are we nearly there yet are we nearly there yet call the damn election, I just got 10,000 leaflets to drop tonight.. to a network.. Batt get Bertie to call it, his days are numbered. ok i take back despise and accept very healthy disregard. Your father an MEP no less!

So how did it go? did it go? is it your or their mp3 to release?
are we nearly there yet are we nearly there yet are we nearly there yet
call the damn election, I just got 10,000 leaflets to drop tonight.. to a network.. Batt get Bertie to call it, his days are numbered.

]]> By: Tom Raftery http://www.tomrafteryit.net/any-questions-for-batt-okeeffe/#comment-105351 Tom Raftery Fri, 27 Apr 2007 10:09:42 +0000 http://www.tomrafteryit.net/any-questions-for-batt-okeeffe/#comment-105351 @Brian - despise is a strong term! My own father was a politician so I can't be said to despise politicians. A healthy disregard might be more accurate! @Brian - despise is a strong term! My own father was a politician so I can’t be said to despise politicians. A healthy disregard might be more accurate!

]]> By: Twenty Major http://www.tomrafteryit.net/any-questions-for-batt-okeeffe/#comment-105350 Twenty Major Fri, 27 Apr 2007 10:00:40 +0000 http://www.tomrafteryit.net/any-questions-for-batt-okeeffe/#comment-105350 Ask him if he thinks his campaign would attract more publicity if he wore a costume, drove around in a rocket powered car and called himself Battman. Ask him if he thinks his campaign would attract more publicity if he wore a costume, drove around in a rocket powered car and called himself Battman.

]]> By: Brian Greene http://www.tomrafteryit.net/any-questions-for-batt-okeeffe/#comment-105349 Brian Greene Fri, 27 Apr 2007 09:30:57 +0000 http://www.tomrafteryit.net/any-questions-for-batt-okeeffe/#comment-105349 Quentin, i would strongly guess that Batt will not be briefed even if he could be, and the volume of emails (as seen here) will be quick n fast. I guess before the interview even happens that Tom will afford his interviewee dignity and respect that the podosphere would generally cringe at, but this will be the norm and sure I would do the same myself. once tom did not afford an interviewee dignity and respect, the chap did not turn up (on skype). Tom proceeded to ask the questions to the absent guest. The answers were filled with silence. I like Tom but I could have punched him for that, and I was not the absent guest. We will meet all sorts on the way up and we will whiz past them on the way back down; be nice to people. :) have a nice day. puke. Ask Batt to affirm FF policy on nuclear power in Ireland. Ask what if anything FF are planning to do to mark the 50th anniversary of the Windscale fire in October. Quentin, i would strongly guess that Batt will not be briefed even if he could be, and the volume of emails (as seen here) will be quick n fast. I guess before the interview even happens that Tom will afford his interviewee dignity and respect that the podosphere would generally cringe at, but this will be the norm and sure I would do the same myself.

once tom did not afford an interviewee dignity and respect, the chap did not turn up (on skype). Tom proceeded to ask the questions to the absent guest. The answers were filled with silence. I like Tom but I could have punched him for that, and I was not the absent guest.

We will meet all sorts on the way up and we will whiz past them on the way back down; be nice to people. :) have a nice day. puke.

Ask Batt to affirm FF policy on nuclear power in Ireland. Ask what if anything FF are planning to do to mark the 50th anniversary of the Windscale fire in October.

]]> By: Quentin Gargan http://www.tomrafteryit.net/any-questions-for-batt-okeeffe/#comment-105348 Quentin Gargan Fri, 27 Apr 2007 07:54:02 +0000 http://www.tomrafteryit.net/any-questions-for-batt-okeeffe/#comment-105348 Hmm. I wonder if this is a slightly flawed process. Had you planned to give Batt O'Keefe all the questions well in advance of the interview? Would you like us to email you a few sneaky ones that his spin doctors cannot get to craft a reply to so we can find out how eloquent he is when it hasn't been scripted, choreographed and rehearsed? Hi Batt (I presume you're reading this at least as often as we are!) Hmm. I wonder if this is a slightly flawed process. Had you planned to give Batt O’Keefe all the questions well in advance of the interview? Would you like us to email you a few sneaky ones that his spin doctors cannot get to craft a reply to so we can find out how eloquent he is when it hasn’t been scripted, choreographed and rehearsed?

Hi Batt (I presume you’re reading this at least as often as we are!)

]]> By: Morgan Stack http://www.tomrafteryit.net/any-questions-for-batt-okeeffe/#comment-105343 Morgan Stack Fri, 27 Apr 2007 01:48:03 +0000 http://www.tomrafteryit.net/any-questions-for-batt-okeeffe/#comment-105343 I'd like to know WHY Fianna Fail would want to implement electronic voting WITHOUT a Voter Verified Audit Trail (VVAT) by which we can VERIFY the counts? Anything less constitutes giving away our democracy, limited as it is. Morgan Stack. I’d like to know WHY Fianna Fail would want to implement electronic voting WITHOUT a Voter Verified Audit Trail (VVAT) by which we can VERIFY the counts?

Anything less constitutes giving away our democracy, limited as it is.

Morgan Stack.

]]> By: simon http://www.tomrafteryit.net/any-questions-for-batt-okeeffe/#comment-105339 simon Thu, 26 Apr 2007 23:01:12 +0000 http://www.tomrafteryit.net/any-questions-for-batt-okeeffe/#comment-105339 Ask him will he join his party colleague Mary O'Rourke and sign the petition http://www.petitiononline.com/Thursno/petition.html supporting our call for weekend elections. And if not why does he think that Thursday is the best day for an election when international evidence says that is not the case. If you want more info on the question just ask or check Irishelection.com some quick points here. http://www.irishelection.com/03/taoiseach-wrong-on-thursday-poll/ Ask him will he join his party colleague Mary O’Rourke and sign the petition http://www.petitiononline.com/Thursno/petition.html supporting our call for weekend elections. And if not why does he think that Thursday is the best day for an election when international evidence says that is not the case. If you want more info on the question just ask or check Irishelection.com some quick points here. http://www.irishelection.com/03/taoiseach-wrong-on-thursday-poll/

]]> By: Brian Greene http://www.tomrafteryit.net/any-questions-for-batt-okeeffe/#comment-105337 Brian Greene Thu, 26 Apr 2007 21:35:45 +0000 http://www.tomrafteryit.net/any-questions-for-batt-okeeffe/#comment-105337 ask him to sign my petition http://www.rte2fta.com/ http://www.petitiononline.com/rte2fta/petition.html for real, sign it or state why not. on the other part of this meme, the propaganda element, 1. Tom ain't FF 2. Tom ain't political or Political 3. Tom despise's politics and the people in it, politicians am I wrong Tom? ask him is it correct to airbrush politicians? http://www.briangreene.com/bhg/2007/airbrushed-politics/ ask him to sign my petition http://www.rte2fta.com/
http://www.petitiononline.com/rte2fta/petition.html for real, sign it or state why not.

on the other part of this meme, the propaganda element,
1. Tom ain’t FF
2. Tom ain’t political or Political
3. Tom despise’s politics and the people in it, politicians

am I wrong Tom?

ask him is it correct to airbrush politicians?
http://www.briangreene.com/bhg/2007/airbrushed-politics/

]]> By: VoteTube » What would you ask an Environment Minister? http://www.tomrafteryit.net/any-questions-for-batt-okeeffe/#comment-105330 VoteTube » What would you ask an Environment Minister? Thu, 26 Apr 2007 19:43:20 +0000 http://www.tomrafteryit.net/any-questions-for-batt-okeeffe/#comment-105330 [...] to ask Batt O’Keefe, Minister for State for the Environment a question, through the person of Tom Raftery. E-voting? Water? Electoral register? Where to [...] [...] to ask Batt O’Keefe, Minister for State for the Environment a question, through the person of Tom Raftery. E-voting? Water? Electoral register? Where to [...]

]]> By: Declan http://www.tomrafteryit.net/any-questions-for-batt-okeeffe/#comment-105327 Declan Thu, 26 Apr 2007 16:20:05 +0000 http://www.tomrafteryit.net/any-questions-for-batt-okeeffe/#comment-105327 In a way haven't they already privatised water in Galway by selecting just one company the public can purchase cheap water from. In a way haven’t they already privatised water in Galway by selecting just one company the public can purchase cheap water from.

]]> By: Green Ink http://www.tomrafteryit.net/any-questions-for-batt-okeeffe/#comment-105325 Green Ink Thu, 26 Apr 2007 15:51:19 +0000 http://www.tomrafteryit.net/any-questions-for-batt-okeeffe/#comment-105325 @Sharon: I don't think Tom should be accused of FF propaganda for doing his job. Tom, ask Minister O'Keeffe if the neglect of Irish drinking water supplies is paving the way for privatised water the same way the neglect of the Health Services is doing for private health care. @Sharon: I don’t think Tom should be accused of FF propaganda for doing his job.
Tom, ask Minister O’Keeffe if the neglect of Irish drinking water supplies is paving the way for privatised water the same way the neglect of the Health Services is doing for private health care.

]]> By: Steve http://www.tomrafteryit.net/any-questions-for-batt-okeeffe/#comment-105320 Steve Thu, 26 Apr 2007 14:05:28 +0000 http://www.tomrafteryit.net/any-questions-for-batt-okeeffe/#comment-105320 Does he see it as fair that politicians can vote for their own payrises rather than have the public determine if they deserve it? Can they show the benefits of them getting paid that amount of money and what do we get per minister, per EURO? What will they do to improve the level of service and work being given and done by the Civil Service offices? What will they be doing to ensure that jobs stay in Cork and that more will be taken down this way? Why are they all a shower of bastards? (Im not sure if you will ask that one :) ) You may have to excuse my questions but as Damien knows, I am not a fan of politics or politicians and think they are all (well nearly all) a corrupt law onto themselves who care little about the people they allegedly represent Does he see it as fair that politicians can vote for their own payrises rather than have the public determine if they deserve it?

Can they show the benefits of them getting paid that amount of money and what do we get per minister, per EURO?

What will they do to improve the level of service and work being given and done by the Civil Service offices?

What will they be doing to ensure that jobs stay in Cork and that more will be taken down this way?

Why are they all a shower of bastards? (Im not sure if you will ask that one :) )

You may have to excuse my questions but as Damien knows, I am not a fan of politics or politicians and think they are all (well nearly all) a corrupt law onto themselves who care little about the people they allegedly represent

]]> By: Declan http://www.tomrafteryit.net/any-questions-for-batt-okeeffe/#comment-105319 Declan Thu, 26 Apr 2007 13:57:24 +0000 http://www.tomrafteryit.net/any-questions-for-batt-okeeffe/#comment-105319 I've three questions, Simple one to start with 1) Everyone seems to be passing the buck when it comes to the Galway water crisis. Do you believe that the time has come for the council and the government to set aside their squabbles and act together to fix the problem as speedily as possible? Bit more controversial 2) Do you think the current press release and photo opportunity culture around government departments distracts from the day to day running of the country. And finally 3) Since Ministers are quick to take credit for projects when they are announced do you believe those same Ministers should be held to account and resign if those projects run drastically behind schedule and above budget? Where do you believe a Ministers responsibility for projects ends? After he announces it or after he delivers it? I’ve three questions,

Simple one to start with
1) Everyone seems to be passing the buck when it comes to the Galway water crisis. Do you believe that the time has come for the council and the government to set aside their squabbles and act together to fix the problem as speedily as possible?

Bit more controversial
2) Do you think the current press release and photo opportunity culture around government departments distracts from the day to day running of the country.

And finally
3) Since Ministers are quick to take credit for projects when they are announced do you believe those same Ministers should be held to account and resign if those projects run drastically behind schedule and above budget? Where do you believe a Ministers responsibility for projects ends? After he announces it or after he delivers it?

]]> By: Conor O'Neill http://www.tomrafteryit.net/any-questions-for-batt-okeeffe/#comment-105318 Conor O'Neill Thu, 26 Apr 2007 13:35:20 +0000 http://www.tomrafteryit.net/any-questions-for-batt-okeeffe/#comment-105318 The decision to stop offering BCG in Cork against all best practice worldwide could have far reaching long-term impact on health in Cork. What is the Minister doing as a local representative with both the Minister for Health and the HSE to ensure that the current waiting list for BCG is cut from 6 months to 6 days in Cork? Is the Minister aware that this has the potential to be an election loser in Cork if something isn't done immediately? The decision to stop offering BCG in Cork against all best practice worldwide could have far reaching long-term impact on health in Cork.

What is the Minister doing as a local representative with both the Minister for Health and the HSE to ensure that the current waiting list for BCG is cut from 6 months to 6 days in Cork?

Is the Minister aware that this has the potential to be an election loser in Cork if something isn’t done immediately?

]]> By: Damien Mulley http://www.tomrafteryit.net/any-questions-for-batt-okeeffe/#comment-105317 Damien Mulley Thu, 26 Apr 2007 13:16:20 +0000 http://www.tomrafteryit.net/any-questions-for-batt-okeeffe/#comment-105317 To expand on Paul Lee's comments. There was a piece on TodayFM about Batt and Sli Eile. TodayFM said they had invited Batt on all week and he did not accept the invitation. On it Matt Cooper and Sli Eile slated Batt for getting private documents and correspondence between Sli Eile and the Southern Health Board (at the time) and also from Cork County Council and giving them to the residents association to use as amunition for them to prevent the Sli Eile project from being a auccess. Vincent Browne has also been quite critical of this. Does Minister O'Keeffe believe he abused his power and influence in the health board and county council to get those documents? Why did he not use an FOI request or suggest it to the residents? Would that information actually have been disclosed under an FOI? Does the Minister regret his decision? Would he do the same for any other residents assocation in his constituency? Does the Minister not see that people think he did this in order to get support in his new constituency and his act was nothing more than politiking? Does the Minister think that former mental health patients should be kept away from the general public? Has the Minister met with the Sli Eile group to discuss this whole issue? On other topics: There is a growing trend for Ministers and members of the Government to hide behind regulators, new groups such as the HSE and so forth. Whenever anything stupid or incompetent happens now, they are made to take the blame, not the Minister in charge. Does the Minister support this policy of blame diversion? What should Ministers resign for and for what reasons should a party member lose the whip? The Minister voted against the proposed Civil Unions Bill. Why is that? Does the Minister support equality which includes civil unions? The Minister sat on the board of the Southern Health Board, during which the policy of no TB shots for kids was ongoing. Was the Minister aware of this policy? Did anyone bring this to his attention? Who does the Minister think should be brought to account over the terrible TB outbreak in Cork? Can the Minister suggest one thing wrong with his party and what needs to change? To expand on Paul Lee’s comments. There was a piece on TodayFM about Batt and Sli Eile. TodayFM said they had invited Batt on all week and he did not accept the invitation. On it Matt Cooper and Sli Eile slated Batt for getting private documents and correspondence between Sli Eile and the Southern Health Board (at the time) and also from Cork County Council and giving them to the residents association to use as amunition for them to prevent the Sli Eile project from being a auccess.

Vincent Browne has also been quite critical of this.

Does Minister O’Keeffe believe he abused his power and influence in the health board and county council to get those documents? Why did he not use an FOI request or suggest it to the residents? Would that information actually have been disclosed under an FOI?

Does the Minister regret his decision? Would he do the same for any other residents assocation in his constituency?

Does the Minister not see that people think he did this in order to get support in his new constituency and his act was nothing more than politiking?

Does the Minister think that former mental health patients should be kept away from the general public?

Has the Minister met with the Sli Eile group to discuss this whole issue?

On other topics:
There is a growing trend for Ministers and members of the Government to hide behind regulators, new groups such as the HSE and so forth. Whenever anything stupid or incompetent happens now, they are made to take the blame, not the Minister in charge. Does the Minister support this policy of blame diversion?

What should Ministers resign for and for what reasons should a party member lose the whip?

The Minister voted against the proposed Civil Unions Bill. Why is that? Does the Minister support equality which includes civil unions?

The Minister sat on the board of the Southern Health Board, during which the policy of no TB shots for kids was ongoing. Was the Minister aware of this policy? Did anyone bring this to his attention? Who does the Minister think should be brought to account over the terrible TB outbreak in Cork?

Can the Minister suggest one thing wrong with his party and what needs to change?

]]> By: Talk to Batt at Irish Election http://www.tomrafteryit.net/any-questions-for-batt-okeeffe/#comment-105316 Talk to Batt at Irish Election Thu, 26 Apr 2007 13:15:59 +0000 http://www.tomrafteryit.net/any-questions-for-batt-okeeffe/#comment-105316 [...] for a series of podcasts in the run up to the General Election.  Questions are invited here. Is this a first in terms of commissioning podcast interviews of politicians? Share and Enjoy: [...] [...] for a series of podcasts in the run up to the General Election.  Questions are invited here. Is this a first in terms of commissioning podcast interviews of politicians? Share and Enjoy: [...]

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