Election Diary 07.05.09
They didn’t waste any time, did they, the posterers that is. If there are any in your area that are a danger to the public, or are just palain funny, send your pictures of them to editors@limerickblogger.org. Here is a brief run-down of what has been ging on in the last 24 hours. If you are a candidate and wish to have your releases featured below, add editors@limerickblogger.org to your press release mailing list.
- First up, is the launch of Independent European candidate Kathy Synnott’s election campaign, which took place today at the Clarion Hotel in Cork.
- Sean O’Neill (Republican Sinn Féin) says that a positive image of Limerick will be one of the main themes of his campaign. He has also launched a DVD, “Sean O’Neill’s Limerick” which will feature various areas of the city. (see below the fold)
- Independent city council candidate and current Mayor, John Gilligan has expressed his support for the call by the father of Roy Collins to “stand up and be counted” against crime and to show solidarity with it’s victims. Labour spokes person on Health, Jan O’Sullivan has also declared her support. (See earlier post on this)
- The European Central Bank today reduced interest rates to one percent. Green Party candidate Dan Boyle is calling on all financial institutions to pass on the rate reduction immediately. He also said that banks need to remedy what he called “the discrepancy between the historically low interest rate of one percent and fixed interest rate mortgages.”
- The lull in traffic during school holidays would become a permanent thing if improvements to both footpaths and cycle lanes were made. That is the view of Green Party Candidate for the Castleconnell area of Limerick County Council. She is campaigning to get parents to leave the car at home during school runs. see press statement below the fold.
Unedited Press releases are below the fold
Republican Sinn Fein (local) Received 1311 hrs
A Limerick City Council candidate is so concerned about the image of Limerick that he has produced a special DVD highlighting the attractiveness of the city.
Sean O’Neill from Prospect a local community activist said that the people of the city must now build on the positive turnout over recent gangland activity and show the country that Limerick is an attractive place to work and live.
For too long we have put up with the Stab City tag and felt somewhat ashamed of the way the crime gangs were allowed rule in some places but that is ending and now we have to stand up and fight for a more positive image of our city.
Limerick has often suffered from an adverse image nationally but we who live in the city know the reality – our native place is a thriving go ahead modern capital where a wide variety of nationalities and cultures peacefully co-exist in a wonderful setting by the Shannon.
In order for change to take place it is up to each individual to proclaim his or her view – and instead of sitting back and accepting the negative image often foisted upon Limerick, I have gone out with a camera and tried to capture what Limerick means to its citizens.
For my part I have produced a special DVD showing the attractions of Limerick from the river to the castle and People’s Park and I will be focussing on promoting a positive image of the city during my canvassing.
Green Party (Europe) Received 1424 hrs
The decision of the European Central Bank (ECB) to cut interest rates to an historically low 1% is very welcome, the Green Party’s finance spokesman Dan Boyle said today. The move will provide welcome relief for mortgage holders, he said.
Senator Boyle, who is the Green MEP candidate in Ireland South, continued: “I hope that all financial institutions pass on the full decrease immediately. I also believe that banks and mortgage lenders need to remedy the discrepancy between this historically low rate of 1% and fixed interest rate mortgages.
“When banks were selling fixed rate mortgages it was never envisaged that interest rates would reach this low level. I believe that institutions therefore have a responsibility to decrease the charges on their fixed rate mortgages and help to get our economy.” Senator Boyle concluded.
Green Party (local) Received 2309 hrs
Local Green Party candidate Trish Forde-Brennan is campaigning for safer routes to school. The initiative is part of a national campaign by the Green Party to help children get to school in the safest and healthiest way possible.
Trish said: “Every day, hundreds of children in Castletroy and all the villages and towns in County Limerick are driven to school by their parents, because it’s not safe for them to walk or cycle to school. I aim to change that, and if elected as the Green representative for the CastIeconnell area I will ensure that our footpaths, pedestrian crossings and cycle lanes are upgraded and made safe, so that parents are happy to let their children walk or cycle to school every day.”
Trish says that these improvements will reduce existing traffic levels and improve road safety. “We all see the dramatic fall-off in traffic during the school holidays and if we managed to get our children onto buses or walking or cycling, we could see this become a permanent drop. Less traffic means it’s also safer to walk or cycle, so it’s a beneficial circle.”
Trish says that a focussed co-ordinated approach is now needed. “I am working to bring that about,” she said. I have already contacted Limerick County Council and the developer on Monaleen Road about making it safer to walk to the Gaelscoil in Castletroy, but we need a campaign all across County Limerick to make the roads safer for ALL OUR CHILDREN.
Ms Forde Brennan would like parents in schools throughout the county to contact her with details of danger black spots near schools and promises to do everything within her power to get these sorted as a priority.
Research shows that children who walk or cycle to school are healthier, more alert and more likely to achieve academically. Under the National Cycle Policy Framework the Government plans to have 160,000 cycling to work every day. 140,000 children will be targeted nationwide in 2009 for safe cycling training under the same scheme.