Cork South West
1) Why are you running? 2) If elected, what are you hoping to achieve? 3) Dead or alive, who is your political hero?
Bernadette Connolly, Green Party
1. I am primarily running as we are on a knife edge regarding climate change and biodiversity loss and the younger generations deserve better from those of us who have contributed to the problem. There has been an alarming lack of action by the previous Government. The proposed changes to the Planning Bill nudged my decision further. Having a wealth of experience and a track record of working for the community and on environmental issues, helping to influence and shape policy, I am ideally placed to be an effective TD for Cork South West. I will ensure our precious natural resources are protected and restored and our people and communities thrive.
2. If elected I will work in a collaborative way to implement our Green Party policies which offer the solutions to support people, businesses and communities to make the necessary transition. I will be strongly advocating for rural areas to get a more equal share of investment in transport, energy, health and housing. I will work hard to ensure we meet our obligation in 2020 to protect ten per cent of our marine area and increase it incrementally to 50 per cent in the shortest possible time frame. Also, that the opportunity provided under the new subsidiarity element of the CAP is applied to support farmers to diversity and pay them for the social and environmental services they provide.
3. I’m impressed by Jacinda Ardern, Prime Minister of New Zealand.
Kevin O'Connor, People Before Profit
1. I believe in the potential and ingenuity of people. I believe that the wealth of Ireland is its people, all those who’ve made this island home from around the globe. I believe that real growth and prosperity comes from investing in people. Under the current system, the basic necessities of a 21st century civilisation, housing, healthcare, education and transport are not being delivered with the people’s interests first but with the interests of large private enterprise first. I believe, that not only is the current system immoral, it is a failed economic system that creates incredible levels of inequality. Being a teacher, I see everyday the immense talent and potential the children of Ireland possess. I also see all the barriers being placed in their way, tripping them up and holding them back from reaching that potential. I am running for Cork South West because we deserve real change.
2. If elected, I will join the fight for a fairer and more equitable society where the power of wealthy ruling class is replaced with the power of the people. I hope to achieve affordable housing, properly funded services and better conditions for workers.
3. The person who inspired me politically is the great James Connolly. He was a fighter for real freedom and equality, uniting the working class. He said: “Governments in capitalist society are but committees of the rich to manage the affairs of capitalist class.” Over 100 years later and we are still under the thumb of a wealthy ruling class receiving the lions share of growth and prosperity.
Mairead Ruane, Aontú
1. I am running for election because, having worked in the community and heathcare sector for over 20 years in a leadership role, and having later qualified as a psychologist, I feel I can serve the people of West Cork as an effective advocate with a good understanding of the underlying problems that led to gaps in services, personal challenges and systemic dysfunction.
2. If elected, I intend to empower key individuals and groups within the community to be effective advocates for change and real action. I have worked with many organisations over the years, some of which were begun by one individuals’ passion and determination to achieve change. I am always inspired by the small group, some of whom were women, who were instrumental in the foundation of our State by their actions in 1916.
3. My political hero is ultimately Peadar Tóibín. As I learned in my philosophy lectures, it can take a significant paradigm shift to steer thinking in a new direction and I believe this is what he has done. I have closely followed his career in politics recently from my time spent in Birmingham. There I worked closely with the Irish Catholic community in Digbeth, and through my work in a homeless shelter, I met so many people who watched in disbelief when the abortion referendum was passed. For them it was like watching a life raft drift away, nothing to hold on to. Peadar has established himself as a trailblazer for indigenous values, the Irish language and patriotic ideals. I was compelled to get involved in this movement as a defender of the unborn under the political direction of Aontú and Peadar, whose core values I trust implicitly.
Cllr Christopher O'Sullivan, Fianna Fáil
1. I am running because there are major societal and political issues that have been ignored for far too long. Nobody in my age group can afford a house and the Government has failed to provide an answer to the housing crisis. I can't stand by and watch that happen. We are heading full speed into a climate crisis and politicians are not taking it seriously. I will. Our regional hospital holds the key to eradicating the trolley crisis in our emergency department. Someone needs to be a voice of common sense. The second reason I want to run is that I love this region. It has fabulous potential, and in the Dáil, I can help it realise that full potential.
2. Get social houses built. Fast track climate action and biodiversity legislation and policies. Attract investment to Cork South West.
3. I like Barack Obama.
Cllr Paul Hayes, Sinn Fein
1. I'm running as I'd like to use my political experience, as a former town councillor in Clonakilty, and into my second term as a county councillor, and my life experience as a father of a young family, working in a small business, to bring about positive change for my community. I can see the limitations, at council level, to get things done, such as progressing projects, be it housing or infrastructure etc., so I'd like to try to overcome these limitations and realise the potential to progress issues at a national level.
2. I want to fast track plans for social and affordable housing on council land, that have been gathering dust on previous ministers desks. I want to introduce imaginative initiatives to cut our water wastage and carbon footprint, including incentivised and grant aided solar energy and rainwater harvesting systems for private new builds and all future social housing schemes. I want to see proper investment in the main road arteries into South West Cork. I want to enhance the services available in our local hospitals including Clonakilty and Bantry. I want to create a viable and sustainable fishing industry, which has for too long been the poor relation to agriculture in this country and I'd start by creating a dedicated Ministry for the Marine.
3. It would be a toss up between Martin McGuinness and Nelson Mandela. Both had a shared background, growing up as second class citizens in their own country, peaceful protests ruthlessly put down, leading to armed conflict, then a path to peace and both were true statesmen serving in respective governments.
Cllr Alan Coleman, Independent
1. I am putting my name forward because I feel I have the experience and ability to represent the people of Cork South West. For the last nine years I have been chair of the county tourism committee and on the board of Visit Cork which has seen a huge increase in the county councils promotion of tourism. While all politicians are now talking about climate change, I have been taking actions on the issue for the last 15 years, being the only Irish person on the board of Energy Cities - a European body committed to supporting an energy transition to a low carbon society. As evidence of that commitment, on our farm we have a micro turbine generating electricity.
2. As a farmer I understand the challenges we face to keep farming profitable and viable for the next generation. Maintaining rural services and the roll out of broad band are key issues I'll work on. Bandon town centre needs a regeneration package when the major works there are complete. I would support legislation to tackle the causes of high insurance premiums on business and people. Priorities would include investment in our roads, housing and community hospitals and childcare. If you give me your vote I will work for your community in Dáil Eireann.
Senator Tim Lombard, Fine Gael
1. It’s all very well for other parties to promise everything but someone must pay for it and that’s the key thing - Ireland needs a strong economy, full employment and fair taxes that can deliver services that will benefit everyone. Ireland needs a strong and experienced team in government to face the real challenges facing us and our economy over the next decade.
2. Agriculture; we need to continue to promote the agricultural industry and thereby continue the development and growth of the food industry. We need a fair price for our product. We also need to work on ‘generational change’, to ensure we get more young people into farming. Climate change; this is one of our biggest challenges. We need people to understand farming and the real issues we face as we work towards reaching the 2050 carbon targets. I believe I have the understanding both from my farming background and as a member of the Oireachtas Committee on Climate Action to lead and support a coherent response to this. Education; I want to see a more coherent approach to creating a pathway through primary and secondary education for children, and all children with special needs, to ensure they reach their full potential. Economy; Fine Gael has proved it can be trusted to ensure that our economy continues to grow and remain strong. When you see how strong the economy is, this is why we need to have a Fine Gael led government. A strong balanced economy is key to making us strong in other areas.
Cllr Holly Cairns, Social Democrats
1. I'm running for election because I believe that Cork South West deserves better. Better representation, better services and a better future. We need a progressive voice in Cork South West.
2. My main priority is to ensure that the Social Democrat led and cross-party agreed plan to totally reform the health service (Sláintecare) is fully funded and implemented. As a farmer and an environmentalist, I want to start looking at practical and fair solutions to the climate crisis.
3. Social Democrats co-leader Catherine Murphy TD for standing up to vested interests and never backing down.