SOME of you may have seen me and my fellow politicians on the latest edition of You're A Star on RTE One. The show, which started last week, features 10 acts from the worlds of entertainment, sport and politics singing for our survival in the name of charity.

I think it is fair to say my group, 'the politicians', will not be embarking on singing careers any time soon. It has been the most exhilarating and nerve wracking experience of my career . . . it makes debating in the Dail feel like a walk in the park. However, when fighting the backstage nerves, I remind myself of the reason we are in the show . . . to raise funds for our chosen charity the Irish Hospice Foundation (IHF). Since its establishment 20 years ago, the foundation has carried out tremendous work in developing hospice and palliative care throughout Ireland.

The foundation's philosophy is that no one should have to face death or bereavement without appropriate care and support for themselves and their families. To date, the Irish Hospice Foundation has supported a range of services for both adults and children throughout the country.

They have enabled thousands of terminally ill patients to live as normally as possible by helping them control their symptoms and by providing emotional and practical support.

I would like to thank all of you who have tuned into the programme and pledged your support so far. Our very deserving charity needs all the money we can raise.

The Rebels will fight for the final Headline

IT'S the perfect time of year to be a Cork GAA supporter . . . as the crunch end of the season approaches the Rebels are usually to be seen in the thick of the action. This weekend is a case in point . . . at the time of printing our footballers will have played Donegal, so as a typical Corkman I'll presume that we have won. The hurlers are playing today, facing the men of Waterford in what promises to be a titanic struggle.

When I get a chance to relax away from the hustle and bustle of the world of politics, it is to sport that I usually turn.

In Cork we are very proud of all our sportspeople, whatever their discipline. But it is in GAA where we have most particularly excelled, producing men of the calibre of Christy Ring (the greatest hurler of all time) and Jack Lynch. Hurling has always had a special place in the hearts of Cork people, and nothing stirs the passions more than the sight of the red jersey in full flow. Trips to the Munster final in Thurles are the stuff of legend and weekends in Dublin for All-Ireland finals are the highlights of many a Cork person's year.

Today I think that we will be booking another trip to the final . . . it will be tough, as any match at this stage of the championship is, but I believe that the carrot of a three in a row will be enough to see the Rebels through.

One point of note . . . I agree wholeheartedly that it was wrong of the GAA to stage the two Cork games this weekend on separate days. Surely it would have made more sense to have the two Cork teams playing on the same afternoon, facilitating their many thousands of loyal followers?

Some flexibility with the fixture list would have enabled thousands of Cork fans to easily see both sides in action.

Instead many have had to choose between both matches, which is unfair to teams and supporters.

To all those going to Croke Park today for the games I say enjoy them and may hurling be the true winner.

Budget battles have already started

ALTHOUGH it's only August, speculation has already begun on the contents of next year's budget. This is unsurprising as it will be Brian Cowen's last budget of this government's term and is so much at stake for all politicians.

There is no doubt that over the next three to four months the opposition will call for increased spending in certain areas and for spending cuts in others, for certain taxes to be increased and for others to be abolished. It all depends on which member of the Fine Gael or Labour frontbenches is speaking at the time.

Though, of course, if it is the Fine Gael leader, it is highly possible that all these demands will be contained within one speech!

In December, we will be accused of "trying to buy the election" and we will be attacked for heartless indifference for refusing to spend more on a range of areas.

But what we need is an open and honest debate between political parties about budget policy. The public have a right to demand their representatives set out their alternatives. As Brian Cowen has pointed out, it is remarkable, but true, that in the last four years no opposition party has published a detailed alternative budget. This is a direct effort to avoid having to accompany tough talking with tough decisions.

Billy Kelleher is a Fianna Fail TD and Assistant Government Chief Whip. Kevin Rafter is on leave