Election Diary: Polling Day

Well it's been an awesome 14 months or so, but it had to come to an end sometime.

In six hours time, voters across Tallaght Central are going to the polls.

I am immensely proud of the campaign we have run. I have engaged dozens of young people in active politics, in what has been the most substantial youth-driven campaign in Ireland - in one of the largest LEA's. I have brought real Labour values and politics to thousands of residents in community campaigns and through our political messages. It is worthwhile and of itself to have put forward such a campaign, but its legacy will be stronger still with an electoral mandate tomorrow.

I am asking blog readers to do just 3 things.

1. Vote Dermot Looney #1 in Tallaght Central, and transfer to my Labour colleagues, then keep left against the government.

2. Please vote Proinsias de Rossa #1 for Europe and do likewise. If you are not living in Tallaght Central, please vote for your local Labour candidates to build the real alternative in Irish politics.

3. Choose the friends you have in Dublin 12, 6w and 24. Then text, email, call, tweet, or send messages on facebook or bebo to them asking them to vote Dermot Looney #1. Take those 5 minutes now to make the difference.

There were many events and moments on the canvass today which I would love to blog, but tiredness and the early start tomorrow mean they will have to wait. Hopefully, there may be some opportunities to post during the quiet times tomorrow. In the meantime keep your eye on www.irishelection.com - who tonight called our web campaign "ace" - for the latest news.

I'll leave you with this.

As a young child I was deeply touched and inspired by Nelson Mandela's long walk to freedom and the queues and queues of people in South Africa's first free election. Those votes were won by an incredible struggle against a racist apartheid regime that seemed untouchable. Our right to vote comes from equally noble and oft-bloody struggles, from the Suffragette movement and the campaign to extend the franchise to more than just men of property, to the independence movement in Ireland and the great democratic revolutions of trade unionism and the Land League. Building the future is most prominent in the politics I espouse, but remembering the past must provide the foundation. Be sure to vote - and use it well!

Dublin Bus Service Changes

In the past, I have spoken to a number of blog readers from across Dublin 6w, 12 and 24 about bus service changes.

The cutbacks in Dublin Bus are an assault on ordinary working people and environmentalist principles. I have campaigned with my Labour colleagues against their implementation but, sadly, today is the day when much of them come into effect.

You can see the new restricted timetables for local buses below;

77 - Grand Canal Dock/Ringsend to Jobstown
77a - Grand Canal Dock/Ringsend to Tallaght (The Square)
77x - Ellensborough to UCD Belfield via town
150 - Fleet Street to Rossmore
210 - Liffey Valley Centre to Tallaght (The Square)

A number of local routes have been withdrawn entirely - including the 15x, 50x, 202 and 206.

Service changes to more routes, including the 19a (Jamestown Road to Greenhills) service, will be made on May 10th.

For a full list, please see http://www.dublinbus.ie/en/News-Centre/Travel-News/Service-Changes-/

I am committed to working as a candidate and, hopefully, a Councillor to bring better bus services to our area. You can read more of my blog posts on transport here and here.