Niall Collins is a through and through Fianna Fail man. Coming from a family steeped in the party, starting with his Grandfather James who held the same seat between 1948 to 1967 to his uncle Michael Collins who retired from politics in 2007 after being found guilty of obtaining a tax clearance certificate under false pretenses, citing health reasons. Limerick is reeling from the economic downturn as much as any part of the country and recent admissions from the government about the future of the regeneration plan have further aided the steady decline.
BUT fear not, Niall has a plan, a new vision, for his part the most important issue at present is the upcoming meeting between Munster and Leinster in the Magners League. Niall is confused as to why the IRFU and the powers that be have not decided to move the match from Good Friday to Thursday.
In a "blog" press released by the Fianna Fail HQ Collins muses
The rugby-supporting public are very concerned at the proposed fixture date of Good Friday. This will be a full house game in Thomond Park and with Setanta providing the TV coverage many genuine rugby people will not get to see the match because they have neither subscribed to Setanta, nor have a ticket and the pubs will be closed.
In my view the game should be moved to the Thursday – why can’t this be done? – can somebody from Munster Rugby please enter the debate on this and tell us why it can’t be moved. We can achieve a win/win for all if the game is moved. It’s about allowing the public the opportunity to see the match, it’s a reasonable request and maintains the religious tradition also.
In fairness to the vast majority of publicans I have spoken to, they want Good Friday off with their families. Indeed many schedule major repair and maintenance works in their premises for Good Friday and don’t need this inconvenience. It was a reasonable request from Leinster to move the game from Saturday to facilitate their turn around period for the following week.
Collins' has his own reasons for the date change over the relaxation of the Good Friday pub closures. A quick trip to http://www.fiannafail.ie/people/niall-collins/ opens pandoras box as you will notice that Niall holds the majority of his clinics on Fridays in local pubs in Limerick West - Every Friday - Kilfinane – Healys Bar at 4.30pm. Kilmallock – Flanagan’s Bar at 5pm. Bruff – Jack Clancy’s Bar at 6pm. Kilteely – Aherns Bar at 7pm. Galbally – O’Connell’s Bar at 8pm.
Niall Collins we salute you, not only are you doing the decent thing for the rugby supporting public but you are also helping yourself(to a day off) in the long tradition of Fianna Fail, a masterful act of smoke and daggers that Drumcondra's finest would be proud of, to be sure to be sure.
