Dan Boyle

@theformerdanboyle.bsky.social

Past Lord Mayor of Cork. Former TD. Former Senator. Chronic campaigner. Lover of life. Cultured cultist.

An anniversary worth marking is the 40th anniversary of the first Green to be elected to public office in Ireland. In 1985, Marcus Counihan was elected onto Killarney Urban District Council. It surprises many that it was so long ago, or that it happened there first.

I've heard another prospective Irish presidential candidate declare they are not a "politician ". I'm so tired of that cliché. Anyone who seeks or holds public office is a politician. Most politicians are publicly motivated, and seek to do their best for the public.

I see a Cork TD is suggesting that there should be no tax on tips. A distraction and a nonsense. The real question that should be asked is why we treat income from capital and investment differently to income earned through wages/salaries.

Embracing difference isn't about replacing anything. Whether it is race, ethnicity, gender, sexual preference, ability, religious or political belief, it is about those dominant in society not thinking themselves better by being virtue of their difference.

I bought a Sunday newspaper today. First time in a while. I brushed past reporting on the events of the day. To be truthful, it depresses me. The extent to which greed and selfishness and hate now seem to inform political debate is horrible. We have to do better than this.

I have listened to a moving address from the Palestinian Ambassador to Ireland, Jilian Wahba Abdalmajiid, at the Spirit of Mother Jones Festival. A full attendance listening in support and solidarity in total opposition to the genocide being inflicted on the Palestinian people.

Dog whistling, the making of public statements which imply those with migrant backgrounds are more likely to be sexually deviant, should be made a criminal offence. It creates situations where migrants safety is undermined.

My office today. A conference on unaccompanied migrant children. I'm here with the European Committee of the Regions. We have visited a centre for adolescent boys built for 150 but catering for almost twice that number. These are European problems.

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In what may be the shortest ever retirement, I'm doing this again already. It is always an honour to represent the office of the Lord Mayor, and I am a team player. The Lord Mayor himself is willing our hurlers to victory. I'm wishing the Lee Swim well.

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I will leave this here. As Lord Mayor of Cork I want to state emphatically that Cork remains a city of welcomes, a city of inclusion. A city that has become better and stronger because of the experiences and traditions of the many who have chosen to work, learn and live among us.

I'm looking forward to hosting this tomorrow. Beneficiaries include Shine Centre for Autism; Alzheimer Society of Ireland; Cork Simon Community and Deaf Enterprises. Today, I bought a tux jacket for €15 from the Irish Cancer Society shop. Theme is Second Time Around!

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On May 15th we observe Nakba day and remember the victims of the 1948 ethnic cleaning of Palestine, a cleansing which is still ongoing. At least 50 people have been killed so far today and 80 yesterday. 130 people and likely more in two days.

Nakba 77 on a black background with the 7’s in the red and green of the Palestinian flag