A Crime Survey from Dun Laoghaire Progressive Democrat TD, Helen Keogh in 1996.
Crime is one of the political constants, being seen to be tough on Crime or tougher than the others.
So here we have a survey asking about Crime and then asking the constituent to send it back to the TD. Needless to say I’d assume that people who had been victims of crime would be more inclined to return the survey. So hey presto the TD can say “In a survey of constituents I did 50% had been robbed…. etc etc”
It was in 1997 that Fianna Fail ran with its Zero Tolerance policy.
Helen Keogh Crime Survey -Progressive Democrats- Dun Laoghaire 1996 March 7, 2010
Hugh Hall, John Guinevan -Progressive Democrats- Cork East 1987
From the 1987 General elections in Cork East, where the Progressive Democrats ran two candidates Hugh Hall and John Guinevan. Between them they got over 10% of the vote, however it wasn’t enough to see either elected.
Kate Walsh -Progressive Democrats -Kildare North 2002 March 2, 2010
Originally elected to Kildare County Council as an Independent, the Late Kate Walsh joined the Progresive Democrats in 2000.
In 2002 , the highly respected candidate polled 3,919 in Kildare North but failed to win a seat. Kate Walsh was appointed to the Seanad by the Taoiseach, Bertie Ahern in 2002.
Kate Walsh passed away on the 24th April 2007
Pat Cox -Progressive Democrats -1992 Cork South Central February 23, 2010
The then Progressive Democrat Pat Cox from the 1992 General Election in Cork South Central where he won a seat.
Pat Cox left RTE to run for the Progressive Democrats in the 1989 European Elections where he topped the poll in Munster. This leaflet is from his 1992 Dail Campaign.
In 1994 it was expected that he would remain in the Dail, instead he took on former Party Leader Des O’Malley and held his MEP seat as an Independent. In Brussels he was elected president of the ELDR group in the European Parliament in 1998 and in 2002 he was elected President of the European Parliament. He continued in that role until 2004.
He is now President of ‘The European Movement’.
There are some awaiting his return to Irish Politics.
‘A New and Exciting Option in Irish Politics’- Progressive Democrat booklet 1986 February 22, 2010
From 1986 a booklet ‘A New and Exciting Option in Irish Politics’ from the Progressive Democrats.
Given the current climate, where it is seen as an ideal opportunity for a new party to emerge, it makes interesting reading.
There is a message from Des O’Malley who states “The Progressive Democrats came into existence in response to inherent weaknesses in the
Irish political structure and the disaffection of very many people with the manner this country has been governed in recent years…”
There are a number of different sections to the booklet. These are “Origins and aims of the Progressive Democrats”, ‘What is the philosophy of the party?’,
“Right or Left?” , ‘What about The Economy?’, ‘How can you reduce taxation?’, ‘Can you reduce unemployment?’, ‘Will you tackle difficult social issues?’,
‘Waht hope for Northern Ireland?’, ‘How will party policy be framed?’ and ‘After the next Election?’. And of course ”How do I join?’.
It gives an idea as to what the parties policies were initially and also what was attractive about them.
‘Orchestrating a better Future’ -Frank McNamara- PD -Dublin South Central 2007 February 3, 2010
Former Late Late Show pianist Frank McNamara from his 2007 General Election campaign in Dublin South Central. He polled 474 votes (result at electionsireland.org)
‘Orchestrating a better Future’ has to be one of the corniest slogans around.
The aim to “cut income tax to 18% and 38%” seems a long way away now.
Tom Allen-Progressive Democrats -1991 Local Elections North Inner City January 27, 2010
Tom Allen of the Progressive Democrats from the 1991 Local Elections in the North Inner City. Tom Allen failed to win a seat. As far as I’m aware ,Allens Chemist is still on the go.
Tom also had a decent sporting pedigree and was involved with Clonliffe Harriers, Dorset United and Whitehall Gaels to name but a few. The pity for him was that most of these were based outside his electoral area.
Liz O’Donnell -Progressive Democrats -1992 General Election -Dublin South January 22, 2010
From her first General Election in 1992, Liz O’Donnell of the Progressive Democrats in 1992.
The PDs Anne Colley won a seat here in 1987 but lost it in 1989. Liz O’Donnell won the seat in 1992 and held on to it until her defeat in the 2007 General Election.
(Liz O’Donnell at electionsireland.org)
She had a spell as Minister of State at the Department of Foreign Affairs with responsibility for Overseas Development Assistance and Human Rights. She was also for a time Deputy Leader of the Progressive Democrats.
“Left-Wing Government? NO thanks!” -Progressive Democrats 2007 January 19, 2010
From the 2007 General election. The Progressive Democrats quote Labour, Sinn Fein and Green Politicians to illustrate what they would do if a Rainbow Left Coalition got in.
Amongst the quotes
Pat Rabbitte – “It’s my job to comfort the afflicted and to afflict the comfortable”
Gerry Adams- “We are actively looking to be in government after the election”
Green Party Policy on housing -“The Green Party wants to apply commercial rates to second homes and to investment properties”
UK Conservatives ‘Tree’ logo inspired by old Progressive Democrat ‘Tree’ logo? January 18, 2010
Just noticed that the current UK Conservatives Tree logo is very similar to one our own Progressive Democrats used for years.
mmmm… maybe the Tories were inspired. Whilst not exactly the same , it certainly has the ‘inspired by’ feel about it.
Tom Parlon- Progressive Democrats -2007 GE Laois-Offaly January 17, 2010
From the 2007 General Election, former IFA president Tom Parlon. Parlon then a junior Minister was big on decentralisation.
Having won a seat in 2002, he lost it in this 2007 election. (Parlon on ElectionsIreland.org) . He then became DG of the Connstruction Industry Federation.
Sean Quirke -Progressive Democrat -Enniscorthy 2004 LE January 13, 2010
Sean Quirke PD candidate in Enniscorthy in the 2004 Local Elections. Despite an excellent GAA pedigree (Chairman of the Wexford County Board and member of Oylegate/Glenbrien) and some other impressive community activity such as helping in pilgrimages to Lourdes and being involved with the Irish Rural Dwellers Association, Sean failed to get in.
Amongst his priorities was ‘Ensuring decentralisation is delivered to Enniscorthy’. Theres a message too from Tom Parlon, Minister for OPW, complimenting Sean.
Ronan Garvey -PD -Clontarf 1999 LE January 6, 2010
A trodden Ronan Garvey (sadly I pick these things up when I see them on the ground) from the 1999 local Elections in Clontarf where he failed to be elected. The leaflet has details of the PDs proposed Transport policy for the Dublin area. Much of which has come to fruition since.
“Don’t throw it all away” -2007 Progressive Democrats December 18, 2009
Saw these and couldn’t resist….
Victor Boyhan -Progressive Democrats- Blackrock 1999 LE December 17, 2009
Victor Boyhan of the Progressive Democrats for the 1999 local elections in Blackrock. He won a seat, lost it in 2004 and was elected as an Independent in 2009. Boyhan grew up with Paul McGrath and some of his 2009 literature had recommondations from Paul McGrath as opposed to Liz O’donnell as we have here. (I’ll post that in due course)
John Dardis – Progressive Democrats – 1994 European Elections- Leinster December 14, 2009
John Dardis, a former Agricultural journalist served four terms in the Seanad and failed 3 times to win a seat in the Dail.
In this 1994 European Election he polled 12,591 votes and was never in the running for a seat.
The 9th of June 1994 was also the PDs first electoral outing under new Party Leader Mary Harney.
Bob Quinn -Progressive Democrat- 2002 Dublin South Central December 10, 2009
Former president of the Students Union of the National College of Ireland Bob Quinn from his 2002 campaign. He received 1,377 votes.
The PDs used a lot of these cartoons on their 2002 literature.
Anne Colley -Progressive Democrat- Dublin South- 1987 December 5, 2009
Anne Colley, Daughter of George Colley, Granddaughter of Henry Colley (who lost his seat to Charles Haughey!) from the 1987 general Election.
With such a background it was no surprise when she joined the Progressive Democrats and subsequently topped the poll with well over a quota.
She lost her seat in the 1989 election and retired from politics.
Irish Election Literature 
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