Killeen calls it a day

THE general election race in Clare has been blown wide open with the shock announcement by Minister for Defence, Tony Killeen that he is not to seek re-election. Mr Killeen, a TD for almost 19 years, has decided to exit the national political stage due to health considerations.
Minister Killeen informed An Taoiseach Brian Cowen of his decision on Wednesday afternoon before breaking the shock decision in an exclusive interview with The Clare Champion.
With the heat being turned up on Fianna Fáil, there is an expectation that the party will be under pressure to retain its two seats in Clare, while Fine Gael, riding high in the polls, is pretty much assured of holding its two seats.
Mr Killeen’s decision should boost party colleague Timmy Dooley’s prospects of re-election but it could also leave the door ajar for an independent or Labour candidate to fill the void at the expense of Fianna Fáil. The party is to hold its selection convention on Sunday week to choose a running mate (or mates) for Mr Dooley. As always, Clare is living up to its reputation of being an unpredictable constituency.
The 58-year-old former teacher from Kilnaboy joins an increasing number of Government deputies who will not be seeking re-election. He would dearly love to be in the thick of the action but his decision “follows medical appraisal and advice in recent weeks”. He says he can reflect on the fact that he was privileged to represent the people of Clare on the national political stage for two decades.
Tony Killeen has given sterling service to the county since he became involved in politics in 1985 when elected to Clare County Council where he served two terms. From day one, he was singled out as a man of great potential and he held the chair of the local authority from 1989 to 1991.
Mr Killeen topped the poll when first elected as a TD in November 1992 and was returned at three subsequent elections.
A founder member of Shannon Status committee, Mr Killeen played a leading role in the campaign to protect the airport’s role as the country’s sole transatlantic gateway. When the Government decision was more favourable to Dublin Airport he, along with fellow Fianna Fáil deputy, Síle de Valera resigned the party whip for a period in 1993.
Minister Killeen has served on a number of Dáil committees. In 2004, he was appointed as Minister of State at the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment with special responsibility for Labour Affairs. In June 2007, he was appointed as Minister of State at the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government and Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources with special responsibility for Environment and Energy. In May 2008, he was appointed as Minister of State at the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food with special responsibility for Fisheries and Forestry.
Mr Killeen was finally brought into the Cabinet fold last March when appointed as Minister of Defence following the resignation of Willie O’Dea. It is unfortunate that health issues should dictate the timing of his departure from public life but no doubt Mr Killeen still has much to contribute to the Fianna Fáil party in Clare as well as finding time to pursue his own personal interests.

House prices tumble
THE scale of the crash in the property market has been brought sharply into focus this week with confirmation that the average cost of buying a home is now back to 2002 levels. This follows a 13% drop in overall asking prices last year, according to property website, MyHome.ie or 14% if you go with Daft.ie figures.
Both property watchdogs disagree to some extent on prices but this is largely down to their specific systems of calculations and variables across cities and regions. They are broadly in agreement on the point that prices may slide a little further.
In Clare, property prices have fallen by around 36% from the peak of the property boom around four years ago. The average asking price for a three-bed semi is now €175,000 – down 18.6% from the previous 12 months – and the average price of four-bed semi stands at €219,000, says MyHome. The average asking price in Clare in the final quarter of 2010 was €195,000, a fall of €110,000 from the peak, according to Daft, which doesn’t differentiate between three or four beds in quoting this figure.
What this means is, it’s increasingly becoming a buyer’s market – for those who have money saved or can raise a mortgage. Unfortunately, given the current economic situation, a huge number of would be home owners do not tick either box. The State’s extra take from wage packets, beginning this week, will also be a major factor in determining whether or not many people can put a foot on the first rung of the property ladder.
Nevertheless, MyHome report author, Annette Hughes, who is director of DKM Economic Consultants, said with affordability now back to mid-1990 levels, some of those who were priced out of the market during the boom years may be enticed back into the market during 2011. “There is undoubtedly an overhang of potential buyers waiting to enter the market when conditions improve and confidence is restored. The arguments supporting house purchases as a long-term investment decision may once again win out, particularly in good locations,” she said.
Managing director of MyHome.ie, Angela Keegan said the decline in prices in the final quarter of 2010, the lowest since the first half of 2009, and the recent stamp duty changes announced in the budget could be seen as a first step to normalising trading in 2011.
The latest property prices update has prompted Respond! Housing Association to repeat its call for the establishment of a national house price database. According to the housing charity, the Government has failed to fulfil its commitment to introduce legislation to provide reliable, accurate and timely information on a property market still in decline.
Spokesperson, Aoife Walsh maintains that the lack of transparency in the property market, including the lack of reliable sales prices, is dampening confidence and delaying recovery. 
“It is essential that correct, timely information is available to anyone who is thinking of purchasing a new home. With a weakened property market, this house price database would assist both buyers and sellers. It would help the market to function properly and regain some level of normality,” she added. Respond! also believes a national house price database would assist NAMA when trying to assess land and property values.
While there certainly has been a big dose of reality over the last while, helping to cool the property market, serious efforts must be made to make the dream of home ownership attainable for as many individuals and families as possible. As it is, there’s no shortage of “for sale” signs on new and second-hand homes all over the country. Also, there are plenty of unfinished estates to be completed. There’ll be no shortage of buyers if the price is right.