MEATH EAST GE2020 PROFILES: The Candidates make their pitch
THOMAS BYRNE
FIANNA FÁIL
Why are you standing as a candidate in this General Election?
I am standing in the election because I believe a change is badly needed.
Particularly with housing and health, we need the radical action which Fianna Fáil is proposing. I also believe that I have been a strong voice for the people of Meath in recent years and I want to continue that work.
What issues are of most concern to the people of your constituency?
Housing, health, public transport and law and order are the most pressing concerns to constituents. Our facilities in the commuter belt are not up to scratch in terms of transport and childcare.
We need a rail line to Dunshaughlin and Navan badly.
Our rural areas also need help.
Why should voters give you their No.1?
I am a hard working TD who is never afraid to speak my mind.
I am always on the ground in the constituency, representing residents when they need help.
My professional and international legal background has been invaluable in solving problems and creating legislation.
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JOE BONNER
INDEPENDENT
Why are you standing as a candidate in this General Election?
The current elected TDs are simply not listening to the people. If the people want to change this situation I am giving them the option to elect someone who will represent the people - not some political party.
If you do want change - then vote for me.
What issues are of most concern to the people of your constituency?
The Government has totally lost contact with reality - for example their policies on housing and health are not acceptable.
Meath East consists of many dormitory towns with people having to spend up to four hours per day travelling to and from work.
There is no work/life balance.
Why should voters give you their No.1?
If the electorate vote in the same way they will get the same result - another Fianna Fail/ Fine Gael coalition government.
If you want change vote for Joe Bonner - a true independent with nearly 20 years experience of representing the people of East Meath as a councillor. I do not have a party machine that ‘hoovers up’ No. 2 and No. 3 votes - I need your No. 1 votes.
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REGINA DOHERTY
FINE GAEL
Why are you standing as a candidate in this General Election?
I am standing in this election to ensure that all my neighbours and constituents in Meath benefit from the economic recovery and I want to be their strong voice in the next Dáil fighting for improvements in those quality of life issues that affect so many families.
What issues are of most concern to the people of your constituency?
I have always fought, and will continue to fight, for good local services, recreational amenities and sports facilities.
In terms of childcare, we’ll be giving families an increase in support worth up to €400 a month and extending ECCE subsidy by eight weeks. In terms of commuting, we’ll continue to invest in roads, we’ll get the train to Navan up and running and, crucially, we’ll bring more jobs to the county so people who live in Meath can work in Meath.
Why should voters give you their No.1?
As a Minister, I have introduced new entitlements to parental leave, a free hot school dinners scheme, better working conditions for those on low pay, payment increases for pensioners and targeted assistance to vulnerable children and older people. I want to continue this work.
I am asking the voters of Meath East for their permission to continue to be a strong experienced voice on their behalf.
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Clockwise from top left: Helen McEntee (FG), Sean McCabe (Greens), Sharon Keogan (Ind), Emer Toibin (Aontu), Deirdre Geragthy Smith (FF), Regina Doherty (FG).
DEIRDRE GERAGHTY SMITH
FIANNA FÁIL
Why are you standing as a candidate in this General Election?
I believe that Meath East, and south Meath has been ignored by government. We have seen no delivery or capital investment for many years. I want to be a strong new voice in a new progressive Government. We need more local jobs, better public transport, to resource local services and build more public amenities .
What issues are of most concern to the people of your constituency?
Commuter chaos - we have serious challenges due to the lack of rail line to Navan and poor bus services; A shortage of GPs and childcare places; lack of protections for pensioners; need for more local amenities / parks; problems with access to health and mental healthcare.
Why should voters give you their No.1?
I will be a strong, new, local and community-driven voice for Meath East representing communities’ needs within a new government in Dáil Éireann. As a new Fianna Fáil TD for Meath East I will deliver for the constituency, just as Fianna Fáil has in the past when we delivered rail to Dunboyne at Pace; delivered the M3 motorway and brought new schools and local services.
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ANNIE HOEY
LABOUR
Why are you standing as a candidate in this General Election?
I am standing for election because we need more young voices in Leinster House, and we need people who are living the day-to-day problems that are affecting us all. There are thousands of people just like me living in Meath East and we need a strong voice who I will go in and fight for our future.
What issues are of most concern to the people of your constituency?
The issues that come up again and again on the doors are housing, health and commuting. Constituents are worried about how we will solve the climate crisis in a fair and sustainable way.
Why should voters give you their No.1?
I want the people of Meath East to have a future where everybody has a secure job, with fair conditions and decent wages. I will be the strong leader that we need on tackling the climate crisis head on, and to ensure that rural Ireland is not left behind. I want to ensure a fair start for every child, and to provide genuine equality of opportunity.
I will be the voice for those who get up early in the morning or in the middle of the night to commute unsustainable hours into work even though we may never be able to afford their own home or start a family.
I want to lead the charge as we fight for a better future for all of us.
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SHARON KEOGAN
INDEPENDENT
Why are you standing as a candidate in this General Election?
Meath is the most underfunded county in the country. Meath East is a commuter area that has inadequate infrastructure, public transport, childcare and housing. Meath East needs a TD that will deliver these services and put people first. The existing TDs have failed to deal with these issues and continue to blame “red tape”. I say let me do it!
What issues are of most concern to the people of your constituency?
Affordable housing, waiting list for services like mental health and services for children with special needs, community safety and drug crime
Why should voters give you their No.1?
I put people first. I have a no nonsense approach to politics and believe in providing solutions. I have a strong track record of effective local delivery. You can rely on Sharon Keogan to get it done.
I believe you have to see it to be it. I’ve been a grass roots councillor for the last six years and been on the ground supporting the people I represent in their every day lives. I understand the struggles and needs and work every day to provide a solution for them. An Independent TD will always put people first.
(Clockwise from top left) Thomas Byrne (FF), Seamus McDonagh (WP), Joe Bonner (IND), Annie Hoey (Lab), Andrew Keegan (SPBP)
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ANDREW KEEGAN
SOLIDARITY PBP
Why are you standing as a candidate in this General Election?
It was the moment to target the worst employment minister in the history of the State. With giving business a free pass and increasing pension age it is up to workers to take her on and get rid of this Governemtn by voting for PBP.
What issues are of most concern to the people of your constituency?
Infrastructure such as road, rail and bus services are a joke, waiting too long and as soon something starts it gets bogged down.
Proper future for school leavers, career prospects are low pay and zero contracts.
An end to bogus employment for farming retail, hospitality and construction.
Child care and investment in health services.
Why should voters give you their No.1?
As a TD I will take a carpenter’s wage and use the surplus to fight for campaigns that want a better situation in our communities.
I will fight against bogus self-employment and zero hour contracts.
Fight for housing for all through a universal public housing building plan that will also stabilise the construction sector to allow more homes to be built. We all pay tax, but those of high wealth such as Apple and Vulture Funds contribute next to nothing to our society. We need just and fair taxation.
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SEAMUS McDONAGH
INDEPENDENT
Why are you standing as a candidate in this General Election?
I was born and raised in Wikinstown and know Meath has been neglected since the beginning of the state. The present coalition FF FG has failed to give homes to people, to safeguard the planet and failing to provide decent work. To give working people in Meath a better future, we need socialist policies that make our economy work for all of us, not just the wealthy elite. The housing crisis is the single biggest issue impacting on working people - we need a major programme of public housing construction and proper rent controls to put downward pressure on the cost of housing,
What issues are of most concern to the people of your constituency?
Housing, climate change tolls on M3, public transport, health, childcare, mental health and abolition of all blood sports.
Why should voters give you their No.1?
Because I am the only candidate representing the interests of the working class in Meath. I am the only socialist republican in the County and I will always put the interests of the people first.
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SEAN McCABE
GREEN PARTY
Why are you standing as a candidate in this General Election?
I am standing in this election because I am concerned about rising inequality in this country and the risk that climate change poses to the lives of our children and grandchildren.
I know we can treat our people better while repairing and restoring nature. But we need the right plan. We need better public transport, a stronger local economy, warmer homes and cheaper electricity.
What issues are of most concern to the people of your constituency?
1. We need better public transport – Meath has the highest commuting times in the country.
2. We need long term, sustainable planning – too many people are living in homes built without the amenities they need.
3. We need facilities for young people – across the county there are limited services to allow young people to develop their talents.
4. We need a new deal for farmers – too many farmers are working too hard and being paid too little.
Why should voters give you their No.1?
I have spent my life working for people living in vulnerable situations. I want people to vote for me because I believe I have a clear plan for a just transition to a low carbon economy that will improve the lives of people in Meath and across Ireland while also ensuring a safe world for future generations.
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HELEN McENTEE
FINE GAEL
Why are you standing as a candidate in this General Election?
I want to continue working on behalf of all the people of the diverse constituency of Meath East from the rural borders of Cavan and Monaghan to the commuter towns of the south and everywhere in between.
What issues are of most concern to the people of your constituency?
Meath East’s population is growing, that means we need more childcare and school places, better broadband, continued investment refreshing infrastructure, more homes and continued support for our farming and rural communities. As a local TD and Minister I am at the forefront in campaigning for investment for Meath East alongside Meath Co Council and local community and sporting organisations. I have also worked tirelessly to protect our country from the worst impacts of Brexit. I want to continue this work on your behalf with your help.
Why should voters give you their No.1?
I know how to get things done. I want to continue to fight for and provide new school places and new facilities and infrastructure to match our fast growing population. To this end I need your Number 1 vote please.
DARREN O’ROURKE
SINN FEIN
Why are you standing as a candidate in this General Election?
I’m standing as a candidate because I believe Ireland needs change. We have major crises in health and housing, amongst other things, and people are incredibly frustrated in their day-to-day lives. We deserve better and as a TD I want to help make that happen.
What issues are of most concern to the people of your constituency?
Childcare (high cost, no places, system broken).
- Transport (daily congestion - roads infrastructure completely inadequate to deal with today’s demands, insufficient funding for roads maintenance and repair).
- Pensions (degrading to ask people to sign on the dole at 65)
- Health, Housing, Bad planning.
Why should voters give you their No.1?
As we start a new decade and face into the realities of a new relationship with our neighbouring Ireland this General Election provides an opportunity for people to reflect on everything we’ve been through as a country in the last 10 years and in the last 100 years. It allows us think too about the type of Ireland that we want to create. Sinn Féin is a party with a clear vision for a peaceful, prosperous and united Ireland. We have the people, the policies and the conviction to see it realised.
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EMER TÓIBÍN
AONTÚ
Why are you standing as a candidate in this General Election?
To make a difference to the quality of life of the people of Meath East. Incredible hardship and suffering endured by many.
We want to bring back fairness, accountability and competent governing. As an Aontu councillor, I see the full affects of poor goverance on so many people.
What issues are of most concern to the people of your constituency?
Housing, access to healthcare, care provision to children and adults with disabilities. Underfunded and under-resourced CAMHS across Meath. Improve Home Help hours.
Places in ASD units in very short supply.
Ease the commuter torture through the Meath on Track Campaign. affordable childcare.
Why should voters give you their No.1?
Have worked in community activism and on political issues for many years. Ran for the council to help improve living conditions for Meath people. As a TD for Meath East, I can help far more people, push for improvements and lobby for increased funding. And contribute to policy formation to prevent such levels of deprivation and mismanagement occuring across so many government departments.