As an Independent Councillor I invite my colleagues to
consider the following: Fine Gael and Labour – with no mandate –
eviscerated local government in Ireland during their time in office. Minister
Hogan stomped all over our tried and trusted system and with malice
aforethought sought to sate the publics need for reform by offering up the
sacrificial lamb of local government.
Furthermore it is my opinion that Fine Gael has
designs on cutting local government even more through the introduction of
regional assemblies. Even Fine Gael Councillors would want to have amnesia or no
self-respect to support FG candidates for the Seanad. Turkeys voting for
Christmas comes to mind.
I know it’s not popular to champion local government and in
particular local councillors. But I also know that local councillors are
extremely busy, extremely dedicated, extremely knowledgeable local activists
working in an underfunded, underappreciated sector that is used as political
cover by Leinster House.
All political parties do is pay lip service at Seanad
election time and then promptly get back to ignoring Councillors once elected.
We, as Independent Councillors have the opportunity to
achieve something really historic in this election. We will, I hope, grasp this
opportunity to make a meaningful change to how the parties have hijacked and
abused the Seanad (after trying to abolish it lest we forget) and I would
invite any thinking party colleagues to join us.
HISTORY IS IN OUR HANDS.
Councillor Mary Roche
Candidate ADMIN Panel
Seanad Election 2016
