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The first count has been declared from the county centre in Arklow and no candidate reached the quota. RTE coverage kicked in just after the declaration of the valid poll and quota - RTE website has no details yet but Dick Roche topped the poll, followed by Joe Behan. Billy Timmins is running 3rd on votes cast. Nicky Kelly hasn’t polled as well as expected although Liz McManus looks in a good position to retain her seat.
Further details on the count will be available on the RTE website
Hard to believe, but there are only a few short hours before the polls open. It’s been an eventful campaign and there can’t be a person in the country who could say that that our politicians aren’t passionate about this country and how we progress over the next 5 years.
It is easy to sit back and say “ah sure they are all the same, I’m not going to bother voting.” - well, quite frankly that is just a cop out. Turning out to vote is something that ‘levels the playing field’. My vote is as important as the next man or woman. Education, status, wealth or religion don’t matter when it comes to the count. A ballot paper cast by a wealthy person looks exactly the same as one cast by a person of lesser means. It only takes a few minutes out of the 2.6 million minutes since the last election, so there really is no excuse!
Billy Timmins says, ‘Thank You’ to the people of Wicklow/East Carlow
I met thousands of people over the past months as I travelled almost every housing complex, every village and town in the constituency.
Everywhere the response was warm, honest and encouraging. I am honoured that so many people think so well of me, even if not all intend to vote for me or my party. However, the essence of democracy is voter participation, and I fully respect the integrity of all voters.
That said, I am happy that Fine Gael party members and supporters conducted the most thorough canvass campaign for several decades. People who had drifted away from the party in recent years were delighted to wear our colours with pride in 2007.
My immediate and extended family were, as always, constantly at my side and tending to all the details vital to a successful election campaign. I thank Fine Gael members, officers and branch members for canvassing every house in the constituency, often twice.
I am sorry I missed people when I called to their houses. Many people were at work when I called during the day, others were out shopping on Saturdays or away for weekend.
My heartfelt thanks to you all. Enjoy the summer break, an election-free zone.
Deputy Leader of the Labour Party and Candidate for Wicklow, Liz McManus has said that the Labour Party is determined to resolve the school accommodation crisis and the increasingly urgent need for school building and refurbishment.
Ms McManus commented, “School accommodation is facing a crisis in Ireland, and the drip-drip of stories about special needs pupils being tutored in broom cupboards and children forced to delay starting school until they are six years old is only the beginning. In Co. Wicklow, schools such as St. Brigid’s in Greystones, St. Catherine’s School in Newcastle and Brittas Bay National School are crying out for improved accommodation.
“Over the coming decade, school places will need to be found for around 100,000 extra children. Yet we cannot even provide adequate accommodation for the existing school population.
“The need for a major programme of school building and refurbishment is increasingly urgent, yet the government has been happy to ignore even its own promises to do something about it.
“Labour’s plan for a national school building programme will signal the beginning of properly planned school accommodation that can grow with its community. Our strategy to tackle the crisis as quickly as possible has four steps:
· Give the National Development Finance Agency the task of tracking residential development and population patterns, and of developing a model that will be able to predict when and where demographic change will lead to a demand for school places.
· Give the NDFA the power to procure land and build world class schools and large extensions according to guidelines established by the Department of Education
· Future-proof new schools against the anticipated needs of communities.
· Allow the state to be the patron of new schools where necessary. These schools will cater for children of all denominations and of none.
“In some parts of the country, children are being educated in schools built a century ago. If new schools are to last as long, they should be built to a design and standard that takes a long view.
“Labour is offering real, sustainable solutions to our school accommodation crisis. Quick-fix Fianna Fáil promises and solutions such as the provision of prefabs, simply won’t cut it any more.”
Timmins calls on the Irish to outpoll the French
In his final pre-election statement Wicklow/East Carlow TD, Billy Timmins, called on the electorate to exceed the 85% turnout in the recent second round of the French presidential election.
“The overall turnout in the last general election in the Republic of Ireland at 63% was 3% below that of the previous election and this decrease is an ongoing trend.
“Most worrying statistic of all is At the last general election in the Republic just over 40% of those aged 18–19 voted. Youth disenchantment with politicians and the political process must be reversed.
“I hope that as many third level students as possible will take time out from their studies and travel home to exercise their vote. It’s a great pity that the general election is being held on a Thursday.
“Turning out to vote on election day is proof of a commitment to the development of Ireland in the 21st century. Beginning the pattern of voting while still young establishes a positive pattern of civic action for the rest of one’s life. The voices of the young become the choices for the nation and the bright future it is sure to embark upon”, concluded Deputy Timmins.
Cllr. Andrew Doyle urges constituents to vote on May 24 to ensure new public hospital, more jobs, better class sizes and a third level facility for Co. Wicklow
Cllr. Doyle also asks voters to make sure their ballot paper is correctly stamped by returning officer to ensure vote is not spoiled
In the final countdown to polling day, Cllr. Andrew Doyle, Fine Gael General Election candidate for Wicklow, is urging constituents in Co. Wicklow to exercise their democratic right and vote on May 24.
Cllr. Doyle says this election offers voters the opportunity to elect an alternative Government which will ensure the people of Wicklow have the quality of life they deserve in 21st Century Ireland.
He is also asking constituents to ensure that their ballot paper is correctly stamped by their returning officer to ensure the vote is not spoiled.
Cllr. Doyle is focused on a variety of local Wicklow issues for the upcoming General Election including:
The establishment of a proper public general hospital for Co. Wicklow. Wicklow, Carlow and Leitrim are the only counties nationwide which don’t have a proper fully equipped general public hospital. A ridiculous situation, when you consider that 126,194* people now reside in Co. Wicklow.
Free GP visits for every child under 5 and free health insurance for every child under 16
Further development of a Third Level Facility at Clermont Campus in Rathnew, Co. Wicklow
Ensuring construction begins as soon as possible on the final piece of the N11 corridor from Rathnew to Arklow before any more lives are lost on this lethal stretch of road.
A fair slice of exchequer funds to our Local Authority in order to run Co. Wicklow effectively
Working with the farming community and others to develop a comprehensive alternative energy package to reduce our dependence on fossils fuels and ensure that we live up to our Kyoto responsibilities
Cllr. Andrew Doyle says it is time for a change of Government:
“The people of Co. Wicklow know this Government won’t do in the next five years what they haven’t done in the past ten. They won’t deliver health services that work. They won’t make the streets safer. And they won’t spend the people’s money well. Their time is up. It’s time for a change and we now have an opportunity to elect a government that keeps its word and delivers services that the people of Co. Wicklow need and deserve.”
Cllr Doyle is also asking constituents to ensure their vote is cast correctly to ensure it is not declared a spoiled vote:
“You will receive a voting card in the post but make sure to bring along with some form of identification such as a passport or driving licence to your local polling station. An official at the station will give you a ballot paper and pen, and you then go to an available booth. Please take the time to ensure that the ballot paper is properly stamped before you go to the booth, otherwise your vote may be deemed spoiled.”
“The ballot paper will list all the candidates alphabetically, and if will also have their picture and party logo. You rank by number who you would like to give your vote to in order of preference, including as many or as few of the names on the paper as you like. You then return to the official’s desk and place your vote in the ballot box.”
Andrew Doyle has been a Councillor for Wicklow since 1999 and was Chairman of Wicklow county Council for the 2005/6 term. During that time, Doyle has worked tirelessly for the people of Co. Wicklow. Some of the issues and projects he has been involved in include fighting to secure funding for the Glen of Immal/Wicklow Mountain rescue Team and Wicklow Uplands Council.
He played a leading role in enhancing community care in Wicklow and promised schemes for funding of local cemetery committees. Andrew has also promoted and supported responsible policy initiatives taken by Wicklow County Council, including provision of adequate employment, land and development of sustainable tourism.
Funds available for Fine Gael 2,300 hospital beds proposal – Timmins Contrary to government propaganda filling the airwaves today , Fine Gael’s hospital bed proposal will not come at the expense of any other items in the Acute Hospitals Sub Programme of the National Development Plan. The NDP does not cost any of these items and the government has no strategy to deal with the Health Service shambles created by this government.
Fine Gael front bench member, Billy Timmins, explained exactly how Fine Gael will fund its plan for 2,300 beds: “Money is not the barrier to providing these vital hospital beds – what’s missing is political will. Fine Gael knows that the most significant problems in the Health Service cannot be resolved without a dramatic increase in hospital bed capacity. For example, services like additional cancer care cannot be delivered without extra beds.
“In Government FG will deliver 2,300 extra hospital beds at a capital cost of €850m. The 2,300 beds will be the new Government’s priority project in the €2.4 billion Acute Hospitals Sub Programme of the NDP.
“To say that these beds will come at the expense of other programmes such as a children’s hospital, cancer control strategy or radiation oncology is a farce. Contrary to the Taoiseach’s assertion, the NDP DOES NOT COST any of these other programmes. FG will deliver these items and any re-distribution of funding, if required, can only be finalised after these programmes have been costed.
“Moreover, the only reference to a number of beds in the NDP is that of the ESRI recommendation. How many beds is that? 2,300.
“In Government, Fine Gael will do the work the outgoing government failed to do and will apply the rigorous analysis and accountability that is required, including cutting out waste. If after this process additional funding is required, the new government will distribute the required funds into the sub-programme. The first stop for those funds, if required, will be the €4.9b unallocated reserve of the €184b National Development Plan.
“Government parties are now engaging in a desperate effort to stem the mood for change by trying to confuse the electorate at the 11th hour about hospital beds. This is an issue that they have persistently failed to resolve despite €100bn of public money, three Ministers and ten years of chaos in our health services.”
STATEMENT BY LIZ McMANUS
Deputy Leader and Spokesperson on Health
17 May, 2007
MCMANUS SLAMS GOVERNMENT’S FAILURE TO CLEAN UP WICKLOW
The Deputy Leader of the Labour Party and Candidate for Wicklow, Liz
McManus is calling on the government to commit to the clean up of illegal
dumps at Whitestown and Tinnapark, Co. Wicklow. “I have been shown an
answer to a parliamentary question to the European Commission tabled by
Proinsias de Rossa MEP. The question refers to a visit by Commission
officials last September to the sites of illegal dumps in Wicklow as part
of its follow-up on the European Court of Justice’s ruling of April 2005
about Ireland’s non-compliance with the Waste Framework Directive, ” said
Liz McManus.
“As of September 2006 the sites at Whitestown and Tinnapark had remaining
issues with regard to the unauthorised disposal of waste/ The delays and
failure to clean up the sites in question, because Ireland has already lost
a case to in the European Court of Justice, could result in substantial
daily fines against Ireland, amounting to tens of thousands of euros per
day. This failure to clean up these sites is a disgrace, particularly as
Co. Wicklow is home to the current Minister for the Environment.”
Liz McManus, TD
Deputy Leader and Spokesperson on Health
STATEMENT BY LIZ MCMANUS
Deputy Leader of the Labour Party & Spokesperson on Health
Friday, 18 May, 2007
LABOUR WILL GIVE ALL CHILDREN ONE YEAR’S FREE PRE-SCHOOL EDUCATION
Deputy Leader of the Labour Party and Labour Party Candidate for Wicklow
Liz McManus has said that the Labour Party is committed to providing one
year’s free pre-school education for our children. Ms McManus said this
was one of Labour’s key ‘Commitments for Change’ that it would implement
after the General Election.
“In the rapidly growing communities in the towns and villages of Co.
Wicklow I continually meet young couples struggling to afford quality
childcare for their children.
“Many young parents are forced to care for their children at home
because of the absence of affordable childcare. They find themselves
caught in an unfortunate Catch 22: they want to return to the workforce
and their careers as soon as possible, but are unable to pay the high
cost of available childcare services.
“Therefore, despite being willing and ready to work, one parent often
must remain at home to look after their children.
“The Labour Party wants to ease the burden for these families. We want
to develop a quality childcare infrastructure, starting with one year’s
pre-school education for all children. Such a measure has been
recognised internationally as an absolutely fundamental part of any
childcare package. It is a basic foundation of early childhood
education.
“Young couples throughout Ireland in communities throughout Co.Wicklow
have to cope with many pressures in their lives: buying a home of their
own; long commuting times; the more general high cost of living. They
should not have to worry about the cost of the first stage of their
child’s education.
“This important measure will help those families and will ensure their
children get the best possible start in life.”
