MEATH WEST GE2020 PROFILE: Candidates make their pitch
SHANE CASSELLS
FIANNA FÁIL
Why are you standing as a candidate in this General Election?
There needs to be an injection of life into delivering for people in our county and I am committed to that. The stagnation of public services across health, transport, education and health is not good enough and our people deserve better.
What issues are of most concern to the people of your constituency?
Crime dominated the campaign in the early weeks as the heinous murder in Drogheda resonated across Meath.
So many parents have given first hand accounts of the frustration of seeing their children not be able get on the housing ladder and responding positively to our plans to change that.
Transport and the Navan Rail is a huge one for many commuters and I am committed to delivering on that.
There are also many issues such as services for children with autism that don’t make the headlines but come up so regularly on the doors.
Why should voters give you their No.1?
I am fighting this election to deliver a better quality of life for every family.
Communities feel abandoned and believe that decency and fairness have been forgotten. I want that to change after February 8th.
We need a new government that has the will and ability to deliver real progress on health, housing, crime and the cost of living.
I am asking for your vote to help create ‘An Ireland for All’.
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DAMIEN ENGLISH
FINE GAEL
Why are you standing as a candidate in this General Election?
This is one of the most important elections we’ve ever had for Ireland and for Meath West.
I want to work as your TD to protect our future. I am ambitious for Meath West and for the country.
As a Fine Gael party, we have ambitious plans for this country. I am asking you to vote ‘Number 1 Damien English’ to protect your future, your children’s future and to protect Meath’s future.
What issues are of most concern to the people of your constituency?
During this General Election campaign people have engaged with me and my canvassing team on many personal, local and national issues. Issues that includes local facilities, community facilities, sporting grounds, our ageing population, services for our young people including mental health services, transport, Navan Rail, increasing local job opportunities, better pay and working conditions, more flexible working arrangements primary, secondary and further education opportunities, health reform, the future of Our Lady’s Hospital, more services for people with disabilities, improving our local communities and much much more.
Why should voters give you their No.1?
I’m asking for your ‘Number 1 Vote’ on Saturday February the 8th. I want to be your strong voice in Dáil Éireann.
I will be the TD who delivers for Meath West. I believe I have the skills and experience to guarantee this.
I will make sure Meath West gets our fair share of the national budget, your taxes and your money, spent locally.
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NOEL FRENCH
FINE GAEL
Why are you standing as a candidate in this General Election?
I want to make a difference, make a change so people’s lives are better. I see lots that could be done in Meath. Navan is crying out for someone to take it by the scruff of its neck and shake things up. Rural Meath and Westmeath need a lot of community encouragement and investment. I want to do the very best for Meath. I try to support and protect our most vulnerable in society.
What issues are of most concern to the people of your constituency?
We need better facilities for our older people and our younger people.
Local employment is very important and we need to maintain and protect our local businesses and traders. We need to increase the numbers of people working locally - there are too many people leaving this area to work in other places and we need to maximise public transport and cycling.
People want a safer society and also want action on climate change.
Why should voters give you their No.1?
I listen, I work and I fight for people and communities. I have been very active in community organisations throughout Meath over the last three decades, being involved in groups in Trim, Ballivor, Kildalkey, Clonard and throughout the county.
I work hard in each of these areas. I stand with the people and work with community groups to deliver. I am a strong local voice providing leadership and working for people. I answer all emails, messages and phone calls and I do my best to solve local and individual problems. I work with people of every party and none for the betterment of people’s lives.
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JOHNNY GUIRKE
SINN FÉIN
Why are you standing as a candidate in this General Election?
For five years now Fine Gael and Fianna Fáil have been telling us we need to support them in order to “keep the recovery going.”
They tell us that the collapse they caused is now over. But every day I have people coming into my office who have less in their pockets now than they did during the worst of the recession. Their rent is higher and the cost of living has skyrocketed.
However, Sinn Féin has the solutions. They have the people to deliver those solutions nationally and I want to play my part in delivering those solutions to the people of Meath West.
What issues are of most concern to the people of your constituency?
People are dying on our streets while others have had to make homes out of spare rooms and couches or hotels and hostels. The fact that 4000 children will be homeless in this state tonight is not only a catastrophic failure of government, it is a source of national shame.
Meanwhile, our health service lurches from crisis to crisis as overworked and underpaid frontline staff are stretched to breaking point.
We also need to tackle the ever spiralling cost of living crisis and the prohibitive costs of childcare, as well restoring public services after over a decade of cuts and begin to put real resources into tackling the mental health issues we face, Ireland’s silent epidemic.
Why should voters give you their No.1?
If you elect me on Saturday, you can count on getting a passionate and determined public servant. Someone with a background in community focused, grassroots activism. Someone who will fight for you every day as I have done for the past six years on Meath Co Council.
Clockwise from tep left: Seamus McMenamin (GP), Johnny Guirke (SF), Noel French (FG), Ronan Moore (SD), Sarah Reilly, (FG).
JOHN MALONE
RENUA
Why are you standing as a candidate in this General Election?
I believe I have the experience and insight to benifit the people of Meath West constituency. It covers a wide area of towns, villages and rural areas, farmers and others in the countryside. I have many years experience of doing business in the area and have seen the decline in these towns and villages. I intend to devote my time and energy to deal with this neglect.
What issues are of most concern to the people of your constituency?
The put upon people of Meath West have the worries and headaches that people in every town and village in the country have.
Lack of structures and closure of essential services.
What do you do if there is no Garda station. What do you do if crime comes to your door? What do you do if there is no post office or bank and you have to travel miles for same? Sex education for children. What next? Who is listening to people’s complaints? Renua Ireland is listening and John Malone will take up the cause.
Why should voters give you their No.1?
The voters and people of Meath West have choices.
They have voted for parties that have been in power for many years. What is the result of their time in power?
Look around. How many shops, family businesses have closed. Decay and decline is all too familiar. Give Renua Ireland and John Malone your no 1 vote. The more No. 1 votes the better chance for a difference than the same people again. Give us your 2, 3 and 4 votes and so on if you are voting for someone else.
SEAMUS McMENAMIN
GREEN PARTY
Why are you standing as a candidate in this General Election?
I’m standing because this is a critical time to act on climate change. Other parties talk about it but only the Green Party will act in the way we need. if we don’t it will cost us all a lot more down the line.
As a GP I see the effects of short term political thinking on health, housing, transport and believe I should be standing up for the people of Meath and Westmeath so that no one is left behind
What issues are of most concern to the people of your constituency?
Health and housing/homelessness are coming up but public transport and the rail link to Navan is by far the biggest issue in the constituency. Poor quality of life from long commutes and less family time is now the norm for a lot of people. Many houses are still empty at 8pm when I’m canvassing as people are still coming home from jobs in Dublin. This needs to change.
Why should voters give you their No.1?
We would direct 2/3 of Dept of Transport funding to public transport. Of the 60 projects being developed this year not one is for a major public transport initiative. This would provide funding for a rail link to Navan.
The recovery is leaving many people behind. The cost of living means that many are paying more to try to keep going. We need to target improved quality of life for all. Governments need to plan for the future not just the next election.
The climate crisis is worsening and current Government plans are weak and ineffective. We need to change our dependence on carbon in a way that rewards people rather than punishing them and improve quality of life for all.
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Clockwise from tep left: Shane Cassells (FF), John Malone (REN), Damien English (FG), Peadar Toibin (Aon)
RONAN MOORE
SOCIAL DEMOCRAT
Why are you standing as a candidate in this General Election?
The Social Democrats are a new party that is more about the next generation than the next election but there was no candidate running in Meath West last time round. So I joined the party and we built a branch here making history by being elected onto Meath Co Council last year. Now I am running as the general election candidate. I am doing so because I believe we need a fairer, better run country, where decisions are made based on evidence and best-practice to benefit everyone, not just a few, and where people have an improved quality of life.
What issues are of most concern to the people of your constituency?
Health, housing and climate change are as important here as elsewhere and lack of effective public transport is a huge issue.
For many more the quality of their life is being eroded as they live-to-work in a country where the cost of living spirals ever upwards. Meath has had a surge in population without an injection of additional resources meaning we are the worst funded county in Ireland while North Westmeath is also left behind.
Why should voters give you their No.1?
I am a hard-working, progressive voice from a new party that has already achieved success in opposition, which offers the potential for positive change in Meath West. I want to help create an Ireland where our work and life is balanced, where our mental and physical health is prioritised and where we all do better, together. The Social Democrats message is really resonating here and we know we have a strong chance to gain a seat.
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SARAH REILLY
FINE GAEL
Why are you standing as a candidate in this General Election?
As a councillor for over 10 years, I am an experienced, competent, capable public representative. Having topped the poll for Fine Gael in the three elections I have contested I’m a credible alternative. More importantly I care for the future of our constituency and its people.
What issues are of most concern to the people of your constituency?
To ‘Make Meath West More Family Friendly’ I see the need for:
‘improved connectivity & infrastructure’ to and within the Meath West area including our rail line and a more reliable bus service with strengthened capacity.
‘Enhanced rural & urban employment’ – to include creative and flexible working practices.
‘Better disability services & employment opportunities’ – There is significant investment and restructuring required.
‘Support our farmers with the climate action challenge’ - I’ll help bring balance to the debate which has been one sided to date.
Why should voters give you their No.1?
Spending more time commuting than any other county in the country we are time poor.
My plan will put time back in people’s pockets. It will deliver better work life balance. It will mean more people will be able to live local and work local.
I see that our services for people with disabilities are inadequate. I see skilled, educated people with disabilities failing to secure employment. I will work to deliver positive changes.
I’m committed to supporting our farmers; the guardians of our countryside. They need to be enabled to make changes if required and to diversify if they so choose.
VOTE Sarah REILLY NO.1
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PEADAR TOIBIN
AONTÚ
Why are you standing as a candidate in this General Election?
We are living at a time of great division where many people are locked out of healthcare, housing and decent public transport. I believe that we all live under the same sky. We are all responsible for each other and we must ensure that no one is left behind.
Meath is particularly hard hit. Meath has the lowest funding of any county in the state in a range of critical investment areas. With regards jobs, public transport Gardaí, healthcare, housing and mental health service. It’s clear we need change.
What issues are of most concern to the people of your constituency?
As chair of the save Navan Hospital campaign, I with others, brought 40,000 people on to the streets of Meath and we will continue to fight for the hospital.
The lack of jobs in the county is forcing more than half the workers in the county to commute out of the county. This happens no where else. Navan is the biggest town in the country without a rail line. Bringing the Rail Line to Meath is my priority.
Why should voters give you their No.1?
I am asking people to vote for me on my record of work in the county. In addition to being the chair of the Hospital Campaign and the Rail Campaign, I am the chair of the Safer Meath Campaign that is working to get more Gardaí into the county. I have also been the chair of the Meath Housing Campaign to solve the housing crisis and the Meath Schools Campaign for more school places in the county.
My two offices have helped thousands of people each year and I have been a very vocal spokesperson for the county in the national media and the Dáil.