Party Day

I'm keeping you in suspense about Galway for now because it deserves its own post,

but more pressing matters have arisen in Leinster House.

George Lee was an economics advisor for the most popular television station in Ireland, RTE.

A TD in South Dublin passed away. There was a by-election, Lee ran under the Fine Gael banner. And he won, by a great majority. This was last June. He announced his resignation from the Dail and Fine Gael yesterday because he (apparently) had "virtually no influence or input" on Irish economic policy. Lee was (is?) a very popular public figure, and his constituents generally thought he was doing well. He even came in third place in a recent poll on who would be the next President (behind the previous Prime Minister)! Besides the empty seat and the underrepresented Dublin-South constituents, the issue is a supposed poor reflection on the leader of Fine Gael, Edna Kenny. There was concern that he would have to step down over this, but he seems to have the support of the rest of the party.

There were many a media member and whispers and jokes transpiring.

Hayes said, "you're present for a big day for the party"

During my tea break, the table of Brian and other middle-aged assistants were talking about it--and I chimed in too!

Yay for knowing whats going on and being able to intelligently contribute!

The bottom line is that Lee didn't seem to want his job anymore, and was a child about it. The way to influence policy is not to give up and leave. He could've switched parties, or been an Independent. He could've put in more time. A lot of people think he showed up expecting to be crowned King and treated accordingly because he was famous. It just seems like a rash, odd decision that didn't benefit anyone, or improve the situation of Lee or Fine Gael...