Wexford TDs are ‘political zombies’

June 1984

Wexford TDs should have signs around their neck saying ‘I am mechanically operated. Press the button and I’ll work,’ it was suggested this week.

The suggestion came from Cllr. Padge Reck, who said the level of political representation from Co. Wexford is ‘unbelievably low’.

‘I would describe them as political zombies,’ he said, ‘and any area with only zombies representing it in the Dáil will get knocked.’

Cllr. Reck was speaking at a meeting of the Corporation on Tuesday night, on the need for an immediate meeting with the Minister for the Environment about Wexford’s main drainage scheme.

A preliminary report has been on the Minister’s desk for at least six months, he said, and yet no response has been forthcoming.

‘Our TDs simply aren’t doing their job. They should have signs around their necks saying ‘I am mechanically operated. Press the button and I’ll work. Write out what you want and I’ll just pass it on.’

Cllr Jimmy Hayes recalled that the Minister was wined and dined in the Talbot Hotel a few months ago. ‘I think we would have been far better off using far more stick than carrot that time,’ he said.

‘It is very common for Ministers to suffer from amnesia when it comes to Wexford,’ he added.