I had sight of an email this week from Michael Collins, the leader of Independent Ireland, to Norma Foley, the Minister for Education. The subject? The school bus servicing the C184 route between Inis Ogra and Laragh National School, in his constituency. Apparently the existing bus is too small to accommodate all those who wish to use it, and Deputy Collins is seeking the support of the Minister in convincing the operator to upgrade from a 33 seat wagon to a larger 50 seater.
It’s a useful insight, I think, into the kinds of issues that occupy a lot of political time, behind the scenes. The school bus is self-evidently a major issue for the up to 17 children, and their families, who might be accommodated on a larger vehicle. Collins – a perennial poll-topper in his constituency – is doing the kind of work that reliably makes you a poll-topper. Minister Foley, meanwhile, is doing the kind of work that gets you remembered in Irish politics by those you help. If Deputy Collins and Minister Foley work together, then there are families who will always remember that it was the local TD and the Minister who brought the bigger school bus to Inis Ogra.
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