Breen confident but not complacent

OUTGOING Fine Gael TD Pat Breen is confident that his eight-year record representing the county won’t be forgotten come February 25.

He has been picking up whispers suggesting that his seat is safe. Whispers that he is exceptionally keen to drown out, however, as he is adamant that no sitting TD can consider themselves safe in the Ireland of 2011.
“It’s a nightmare for someone like me to have that out there. And I’m hearing it; ‘Pat Breen is safe’. There’s no politician safe. This is something that I’m very concerned about but at the same time, I believe that with the work we’ve done in this office, I believe people will put their trust in me,” he told The Clare Champion.
Having spent his entire eight-year stint as a TD in opposition mitigated against Deputy Breen having substantial influence in Dáil Éireann. However, he feels that he has represented Clare to the best of his ability.
“I think I’ve achieved a lot as an opposition TD because it is very difficult to achieve anything nationally as an opposition TD. Yes, you can lobby government and keep government to account but as an opposition TD, your [his] greatest achievement is the fact that I’ve dealt with nearly 6,000 people over that eight-year period. I think I have delivered a lot personally to people that had queries in relation to health, social welfare and other areas. I hope that that work will stand up to me in this General Election because I think that hard work will always achieve success,” he believes.
At the same time, Deputy Breen accepts there is a balance to be found somewhere between ‘parish pump’ and national politics.
“A new government will have to bring in more reform and more openness to the political system. The days of parish pump and cute hoorism are gone. We have very good county councillors in Clare, who are well able to handle the local issues that relate to Clare County Council. As a TD you have to balance that. You have to work together with your county councillors. I do believe that any new TD’s role is going to change. Fine Gael is going to offer a referendum in relation to the abolition of the Seanad. If that goes and if we reduce the number of TDs, it will put extra pressure on existing Oireachtas members. Our area will focus more on legalisation and lobbying on behalf of our county for funding,” he predicted.
While out canvassing, Deputy Breen said most people are upset at the economic turmoil that has beset the country.
“There’s a huge amount of engaging at the doors in relation to policy. There’s huge apathy out there. Anger, frustration, particularly over the last month since many people have been affected by the Universal Social Charge, the high price of VHI, the reduction in Children’s Allowance and the huge price of fuel. People are at their wits end,” he said.
“You have to try and give people hope. For a lot of people there’s hopelessness out there. They don’t see a future, particularly young people. We have witnessed it ourselves in West Clare where many GAA clubs are badly caught with many young people forced to emigrate because they see no future here. That’s why I believe we need to restore confidence to democracy in this country. Not just changing government but changing politics as well,” he suggested.
Retention of acute services at the Mid-Western Regional Hospital, Ennis, meaningful job creation policies, the stabilisation of Shannon Airport and investment in all levels of education are among his primary personal polices and that of his party. Deputy Breen also stresses that there will be no boundary extension into Limerick under a Fine Gael-led government.
“That matter has been clearly clarified by Enda Kenny. There will be no change in the boundary. There’s no need for a change. What’s needed is an emphasis on jobs in the region. Changing a county boundary is not going to have any effect on that. I can assure you that if we’re in government that will not happen,” he promised.
As for the figure TD’s are paid (€92,500 per annum excluding expenses) he said he will accept whatever further cuts are implemented if any are.
“I have no problem accepting whatever cuts a Minister for Finance proposes in relation to the reform of the whole public sector. The Taoiseach earning more than President Obama in a small country of four million people is out of touch with the situation. The same with ministers and with the pensions they receive afterwards. I think it’s sending out the wrong signals at a time of recession,” Deputy Breen maintained.