12 GAZETTE 26 May 2011
COMMENT Leader of the opposition reconnects with the party
ASLAN
A magnificent challenge for Fianna Fail
30 years of music
MICHEÁL MARTIN TD
FOLLOWING a difficult General Election, Fianna Fail faces a magnificent challenge in the months ahead, particularly in Dublin. I believe that we will meet this challenge, renewing the party and reconnecting with communities across our capital city, because Fianna Fáil stems from a great tradition. It stems from a tradition where the needs of the people and the country come first. It will be no easy task, but it will be done. I have been the leader of Fianna Fáil for less than four months and, in that period, I have travelled the length and
breadth of Ireland. I’m currently meeting members of the party and the public all across Dublin in every constituency. The message I am getting from the thousands of members and supporters is loud and clear. It must now be our objective to do our outmost to rectify past errors and to secure a better future for every single person on this island. If we return Fianna Fail to the core principles that for so many years won the support and loyalty of the Irish people, we will not only renew our party, we will renew a vital, positive force in the life of our nation. For example, in the area of education, Fianna Fáil was founded as the party
of the ordinary working person 85 years ago and became a vehicle for educational opportunity and social advancement across Ireland. Almost every major milestone in education expansion at all levels owes its origins to visionary Ministers for Education, such as Paddy Hillery and Donogh O’Malley, to name but a few. As the new leader of Fianna Fail, educational advancement for all citizens is at the core of my political philosophy. I want Fianna Fáil to be the great party it once was and to be in touch and responsive to the needs of people in Dublin and across Ireland. For this reason, I am determined to open up the Fianna Fáil Party and
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Micheal Martin TD talking with Cllr Cormac Devlin
I want to see more young people a nd women becoming active in our organisation. Eamon de Valera said when Fianna Fáil was founded: “We hope in particular that the young people of the country, the young men and women, who have not yet definitely affiliated themselves to any political organisation, will join Fianna Fáil and use it as
a medium through which they will give their services to the community and to the nation.” I am determined that, in today’s Ireland, Fianna Fail will nurture and promote the involvement of more young people in politics. In Dublin this will be particularly important in the years ahead. For people interested in making a positive differ-
ence in their community, and for those who want to improve the quality of life in this country, my message is clear: Fianna Fáil is the party of opportunity - where you can help shape policy and where you can make a real difference. Fianna Fáil wants to hear from you. Email your ideas or get information on joining the party at renewal@fiannafail.ie
“I think people like us because we’re so real. Ever y mistake we’ve made, we’ve been honest about. People see X-Factor, and those people aren’t real. “People see everything we’ve gone through, we’re honest that we’ve made mistakes. Christy’s book, and the Aslan book, are both very real. And then people see us give 110% to everything we do.” At the minute, it is all systems go for Aslan, as they prepare to mark an historic 30th year in the business, looking to “tell the story of Aslan”. These celebrations will be marked with a film, a new studio album and, possibly, a 30th anniversary gig.
Rodney O’Brien, Joe Jewell and Alan Downey
“We want the album to be perfect so we’re taking our time over it. Years ago, we’d lock ourselves away for weeks at a time to do an album, but we can now take our time over it and do days here and there. “It would be nice to mark the 30th anniversary.” Aslan play the Clarion Liffey Valley on Saturday, May 28, taking to the stage after the Champions League final. Tickets are €15 and available from the hotel on 01 628 5000. On July 2, they take to the stage in Vicar St, with tickets available from Ticketmaster, priced at €33.60.