Will He, Won't He? Kildare South TD Cathal Berry Reflects On Constituent Feedback Post-Harris Meeting

Friday, 5 April 2024 10:41

By Martin Osborne

Deputy Berry said the meeting was positive and frank.

Simon Harris has met with Independent TD for Kildare South, Cathal Berry, in a bid to secure his support.

Deputy Berry said the meeting was positive and frank.

He said high up on the agenda was "quick impact".

He said: "Yeah, we had a very constructive meeting yesterday, for sure - half an hour, one-to-one, a very, very positive meeting. I suppose what I'm doing now is just, I'm chatting to my constituents, chatting to my supporters, taking their counsel, taking their wisdom and taking their advice."

He said he has been hearing two arguments over the past 24 hours.

One train of thought is to "run down the clock" with people telling him "you've done enough, get ready for a general election. But the slightly larger majority are saying no, actually, Kildare, the county, hasn't had a senior minister for 20 years since Charlie McCreevy," he said.

He added: "And we're completely underrepresented at the cabinet table. And it's completely unfair for a quarter of a million people to be so underrepresented.Yes, we won't be able to get a senior cabinet minister, but can we work around it, and can we get influence to the cabinet?

"So that's one of the things that are coming back. And the second one is that, you know, that you were hired for a five year term is what they're saying. And don't be chickening out now, don't be backing out now. There's an expectation that you'll honour that commitment in full. Don't look for the shortcut. Don't look for the easy option. So, I've a lot of people to speak to over the next weekend, and we'll make a call then."

Listen back to the discussion on Kildare Today.

More from Local News

Taxi Driver Protest Suspended Pending Outcome Of Talks

The action has been suspended pending the outcome of a meeting at Government buildings next week.
Lights Could Make Anti-Social Behaviour Worse: Council Says No To Security Lighting At Kilcock Playground

A motion from Social Democrats Councillor Peter Melrose had called for lighting to improve passive surveillance, but officials say previous attempts in other playgrounds failed to curb antisocial behaviour - and in some cases made it worse.
BREAKING: Green Light For €1.3bn Drainage Scheme Serving Kildare After Court Agreement

The major project is seen as crucial to the provision of future housing infrastructure.
Kildare Man Nigel Cullen Awarded With National Bravery Award After Saving Young Man From House Fire

Audio

More than 17 people have been recognised at this year’s National Bravery Awards in Leinster House
Council Diverts €17K Carbury Castle Resoration Funding To Christmas Lights - Maynooth Gets Lion's Share

€11,000 has been assigned to Maynooth, as part of €17,000 redistributed from the Carbury Castle Restoration Project under Local Property Tax rules.
Lakeside–Dara Park Redevelopment: Newbridge Residents Urged To Take Part In Survey

An online anonymous survey is now live and will remain open until 4pm on Friday, January 16th, 2026.
Irish Troops Come Under "Small-Arms Fire" In Lebanon

Defence Minister Helen McEntee is condemning the incident, and says it's an unacceptable breach of the UN Security Council Resolution.
€17,000 Paid Out For Pothole Damage In Kildare - But Some Claims Now Deemed ‘Act Of God’

IPB Insurance, which manages complaints on behalf of Kildare County Council, is the insurance company some people appear to be having issues with.