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LAST UPDATE | 15 Nov 2024
BACK IN OCTOBER, Simon Harris told us, “I like elections on a Friday. Friday is a good day to have an election.”
Good for who, Simon? For you? For the candidates? For the turnout statistics?
Because I’ll tell you who it’s not good for. The working parents of the country whose children’s national school will be closed and used as a polling station; yet again. Let’s not forget this is the third time this year we will be going to the polls on a weekday. But Simon says it’s grand. Sure, working parents can just make alternative arrangements, right?
The truth is that in many households around the country, both parents are working outside of the home. Another extra day off school for their young children is another day where at least one parent will have to take it off work.
And before the detractors come pilling in suggesting parents don’t want to look after their own children, don’t embarrass yourself. Ask any parent about getting the luxury of an extra day off to spend with their young children and they’ll say it’s a welcome gift. A day off to have some fun and do nice things with them while they are still young is a privilege. Try making family life work on one salary and come back to me.
Only that’s not what Friday 29 November will be, will it? For most working parents it will likely be another day of utter struggle, calling in every favour in the book to get their children minded for chunks of the day, while they try and juggle working from home, on and off laptops, or smartphones, trying to listen in on calls or answer emails, while trying to be present for their child at the same time. Sounds like the best fun ever, Simon, I literally can’t wait. Almost as fun as the Covid days when the Government illustrated just how much they were willing to ask of working parents when the chips were down.
The simple fact is, not all working parents can take the day off. Not all children are in two-parent households where one can step in or take the day off. Not all working parents have family or friends they can call on to help with the balancing act. For many working parents, the village is gone. And a Friday to boot. A day when many others in offices will already have booked the day off. A day in the run-up to the festive season which sees many events taking place. One mum told me the 29 November is her local women in business networking event she may now have to miss due to her children being off school.
It begs the question, why does it have to be schools? Why not sports centres, community halls, libraries, or churches? The simple answer is money.
Art O’Leary, the Chief Executive of An Coimisiún Toghcháin, Ireland’s independent electoral commission, told Morning Ireland this week, that voting taking place in many primary schools is a matter for each constituency’s returning officer.
“We have 5,500 polling stations all around the country and the selection of venues depends on location, access, and cost,” he said, adding “There is no cost for using a State public building.”
So, the government is not willing to take the hit on this, but they will shell out millions on bike sheds and security huts? What message does that send to the working parents of the country? It all feels a bit confused given the lavish promises being made to us in the various election manifestos.
For example, all the major political parties have backed a move to cap childcare costs at €200 a month per child and €600 per month, per family of more than three children. A very welcome promise, but if it does materialise, what is the fine print? Will it extend to after-school care, and let’s not ignore the elephant in the room that access to childcare services remains a huge issue they have yet to solve?
And finally, Simon, what’s wrong with voting on a Saturday?
According to Art O’Leary, having elections on a Saturday can lead to turnout being down. He said: “We did [vote on Saturday] for the last general election, turnout dropped by 2%, and 2% of a very large number is a huge number.” What he didn’t mention was that the 2020 elections were also during the start of the Covid pandemic, so maybe other factors played a role on turnout being 62.90%.
Lots of things play a role in turnout by the way, such as the weather, the time of the year, or the actual push made to engage voters to turnout. It’s worth pointing out that 2002’s general election which was held on a Friday had a lower turnout than the 2020 Saturday vote. Also, you’d have to wonder about how accurate turnout data actually is, with a country that has no centralised register.
Hands up if, like me, you’re a grown adult who has a vote in the constituency you now live in, as well as a polling card that arrives without fail at your parent’s address every time? Yep. And like so much of how this country is run, it makes very little practical sense.
Niamh O’Reilly is a freelance writer and journalist.
My first DIL. Been on a journey with my own demons, and enjoying every day right now. Such an uplifting experience to join a couple of thousand of runners, joggers, walkers and volunteers in Navan. Crossing the Boyne in the dawn mist is a memory I’ll cherish.
@Shane Breslin: Well done Shane onwards & upwards. Just finished Dil malahide,great experience.
@Tara Murphy: Thank you Tara. Yep every day a little better.
@Shane Breslin: my first one too. First time they did it Ardee and it was a huge success for such a small town. I did it with my daughter and it was such an amazing, uplifting experience, even at that hour!
@Shane Breslin: well done shane.this is my 3rd year doing it in the Phoenix park.its an amazing cause and something to be so proud to be part of.learn to enjoy the simple things in life and love everyday day.life is so short.keep up the good work.❤
@Shane Breslin: well done Shane ..it’s all about human connection , well it’s what I’m learning ..a very special morning .
@Shane Breslin: completed another year of DIL in UCC cork, battled my own demons for many years so this walk is always special to me
@Shane Breslin: Your 600+ likes should tell you something.
Well done to all who contributed and participated
An excellent cause. Well done to all who take part in this worthy cause. There is always someone to talk too, reach out you are never never alone and nothing in life is insurmountable even though at time we may think otherwise.
Thank you Pieta House. Incredible work. Ireland should take a bow for this amazing event that’s now spread world wide.
Just back from Phoenix Park. Fantastic experience. Well done to all.
My first DIL. Been on a journey with my own demons, and talking about it, firstly in private, then even better in public, has been the most powerful drug I’ve ever known. Such an uplifting experience to join thousands of other runners, joggers, walkers and volunteers in Navan this morning. Crossing the Boyne in the dawn mist is a memory I’ll cherish forever. Well done to everyone.
So disappointed in the organisers this year who allowed/invited Varadkar to speak……a clear PR exercise for him, as a failed health minister. Otherwise well done all. Brilliant event
@Tony Kennedy: out of curiosity can you name a successful health minister? Civil service never seem to be held to account, hse is always going to have problems!
@Tony Kennedy: just for this, can we just see it as a leader TRYING to do the right thing. Why look on the negative side of things? The whole purpose of this is to bring a positive slant on a very, very serious and heart wrenching aspect of Irish life. I don’t have political affiliations, but I’m glad he walked today. It speaks to me as an acknowledgement of the problem by government.
@Tony Kennedy: well said Tony. I wonder did leo mention the 500 a year that die by suicide….or the fact that as the law stands if you dont leave a note your not included in suicide statistics your in the death by misadventure category
@Deborah Blacoe: acknowledging the problem isn’t enough without taking action on it though as Leo has the actual power to invest the resources that mental health needs. Maybe this isn’t a pr stunt but let’s see what actions he follows up with.
Great to see so many people taking part all the same.
@Deborah Blacoe: let’s see if he follows the acknowledgement with action or is this a pr social media excise. Leo has the power to give mental heath the resources that it needs. Well done to all involved.
@Tony Kennedy: Here we are with an all too rare good news story & some fool decides to try & rain all over it with his own particular brand of negativity. I was out with over 1,000 people in Donegal Town & it was fantastic.
@Shane Carroll: yes, I couldn’t agree more. Actions speak louder than words. And this part of the health service is grossly underfunded. But then again, mental health issues are generally ‘not talked’ about in Ireland. It’s an embarrassment to people. Luckily that is changing, but the attitudes of everyone have to change, including government. I would simply like to see this event as a positive step (no pun intended), not a political football. Politics are for afterwards.
@Deborah Blacoe: I didn’t comment on him walking…..he could have walked quietly and with respect like the rest of us. Charities are usually formed from government failures and now that DIL has become political it loses something special
@Adrian™: Complacency is what has allows us to have the dreadful political set up we have
@Tony Kennedy: It’s seems to me he would be damned if he did talk and damned if he didn’t. As you pointed out, this is not a political organization, but it has grown hugely in size since it’s inception. The population at large are inspired by the notion of walking from darkness into light. The fact of the Taoiseach being there and speaking at it highlights the enormity of the problem and that the government is aware of it. I am inclined to agree with you in general Tony, just on this particular one, the only thing that matters is that we are all united to try to help those who are in such a low place in their lives that they would wish to take such a drastic action. The Taoiseach speaking adds weight to the message for those people that we care, we want to help.
just back from Carrick on Suir. very emotional but beautiful morning.
Big shoutout to denjoes staff in Killarney who worked 10 hr shift and did the walk @4am this morning..
Ready for the off in Wexford !
Just back from Derry, 4th year participating. Great event. Well done to all.
An amazing experience an for a great cause. Well done all….
Don’t presume friends family are living great and happy life’s. Humans get to set in there ways if something feels strange we wont do or if goes wrong will get disheartened and won’t do again.
But do, do it wheather it a friend you had not seen since primary school or a cousin you have not seen in donkey years.
Just pop in and say hello, or if you have their number drop them a tex.
I find it hard to stomach the exact same people who are pushing abortion are so concerned about suicide, the cynic in me thinks it just something to post on social media for some.
@Murr Paul: Posting on Social Media all helps to raise awareness ..thats the point isnt it. Anyone there has contributed, got up in the middle of the night to do 5K and raise funds. The whole DIL movement has Social Media accounts yo raise awareness
@Murr Paul: Nice to see that no-one on the comments section of the #DIL2018 article to turn it into something not related to the actual purpose the event was meant to raise awareness for…..oh wait, there’s always one. Good man.
@Murr Paul: well done,your poor legs must be in bits after walking 5k at four o’clock this mornin morning. I know mine are. Oh you didn’t do it? Must have been too busy dreaming of ways to troll people who actually give a f××k.
@Dec Quinlan: well said pal.
Well done to everyone involved.
Love to be there but it was booked out
@Ciarán Doyle: it’s a walk in a public place… pretty sure you were entitled to join
@Sinead Mooney: no you can’t turn up and join because of the numbers
@Stevie Doran: pretty sure you still can..Can’t imagine that going to court . .!
@Michael: it’s an organised event and from an organisational and security standpoint, you can’t just join, plus it’s to accommodate those who have registered have contributed to the cause. I’m sure if someone is pathetic enough to bring Pieta house to court, they will have their case dismissed.
@Stevie Doran: it’s a walk in the Phoenix Park! Of course anyone can join!
@Stevie Doran: I have walked it for the last 4 years but left it too late to register this year. I went to Bray & walked it with the rest. I will make my donation today to Pieta House. You can turn up & walk with them. Nobody stops you. Everybody’s running/walking for the same reason
Darkness into light is a lovely concept where the Sun comes into view and reminds participants about the motions of Earth that make life possible and all the responses nature and our bodies make each day and each season to our parent star and to look out into the great celestial arena.
In my opinion the more people appreciate nature and what causes the changes in the day or the season the more they feel and the times when they live only in their heads become less harsh.
Try telling your “friends” “relations” tbat you suffer from ‘IT’ & watch them vanish out of your life, #sufferer
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