Tag Archives: Sinn Fein

ELECTION 2024: Sinn Féin’s Deirdre Ferris Elected After Fifth Count

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Cllr Deirdre Ferris is held aloft after her election.

SINN Féin Cllr Deirdre Ferris has been elected to the Tralee Municipal District of Kerry County Council this afternoon after the fifth count.

The count consisted of the distribution of the 386 votes of Sinn Féin’s Paddy Kevane which saw Cllr Ferris receive 96 votes to put her over the quota of 1,688, finishing with 1,723 votes.

Mistura Oyebanji of the Social Democrates has now been eliminated and her 471 votes will now be distributed. There are a number of candidates in with a chance of taking the remaining four seats.

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Leading the pack is Cllr Sam Locke on 1,160, followed by Sinn Féin’s Paul Daly on 1,155, Fianna Fáil’s Anne O’Sullivan on 945 and Angie Baily of Fine Gael on 874.

See full results of fifth count below…

Quota: 1,688

Baily, Angie (Fine Gael) – (+8) 874

Daly, Paul (Sinn Féin) – (+66) 1,155

Donnelly, Sinéad (Fine Gael) – (+18) 743

Dunne, Anluan (Green Party) – (+15) 702

Ferris, Deirdre (Sinn Féin) – (+96) 1,723 ELECTED

Foley, Cathal (Sinn Féin) – (+76) 814

Locke, Sam (Non-Party) – (+41) 1,160

McEllistrim, Thomas (Non-Party) – (+13) 844

O’Brien, Terry (Labour) – 1,721 ELECTED

O’Sullivan, Anne (Fianna Fáil) – (+8) 945

Oyebanji, Mistura (Social Democrats) – (+15) 471

Sheehy, Mikey (Fianna Fáil) – 2,114 ELECTED

Sweeney, Jacob (The National Party) –  (+6) 582

• There were 24 non-transferable papers. 

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Sinn Féin Candidates Gather For Launch Of Local Elections Campaign

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Sinn Féin candidates in the upcoming Local Elections in Kerry with Sinn Féin TD Pa Daly and Director of Elections Martin Ferris at the Rose Hotel last night.

SINN Féin officially launched its local election campaign in Kerry last night at an event held in the Rose Hotel in Tralee.

Sinn Féín is running 13 candidates across the six local electoral areas in the county. They are running four candidates in the Tralee Electoral Area — Paddy Kevane, Deirdre Ferris, Cathal Foley and Paul Daly.

Launching their campaign Kerry TD Pa Daly told the audience: “If you want change, you have to vote for it in the council elections, in the EU election and in the General Election when it comes.”

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“The number of candidates that Sinn Féin are running in the local elections here in Kerry is testament to our ambition to deliver positive change in every area.”

“We want councils to deliver for communities on housing, on planning and on delivering better local services.

“We are determined to elect the strongest possible team of Sinn Féin councillors to hopefully work with a Sinn Féin led government after the next general election delivering the largest social and affordable home building programme in the history of the state.”

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Sinn Féin Candidate Calls For Minor Injuries Clinic To Be Located In Tralee

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Paul Daly.

A SINN Féin candidate in the Tralee Electoral Area for the upcoming local elections, has called on Minister Stephen Donnelly to ensure that the proposed Minor Injuries Clinic is located in Tralee.

At March’s meeting of the Southern Health Regional Forum, the HSE confirmed it is planning to develop a local injuries unit in Kerry. Paul Daly is one of four candidates running for Sinn Féin in the upcoming Local Elections on June 7.

“Minor injuries clinics see patients who have sprains, breaks , sports injuries, cuts and other serious but not life threatening injuries,” said Mr Daly.

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“These types of cases cannot be treated by a GP or a pharmacist, but they also clog up A&E departments when more serious and life threatening problems need to be treated as a priority.”

“Such clinics have been established in a number of other locations, most notably in Gurranabraher in Cork. Over 16,000 attend the Cork clinic annually with waiting times average less than one hour.

“The clinic opens 8am to 8pm daily and takes a lot of pressure off the over-burdened ED. This can be a game changer for the people of Tralee and Kerry. I know that a capital submission is on the way to the Minister for decision.”

“The ideal location is Tralee as it is close to UHK with its facilities and also with closer access for patients from North Kerry and West Kerry. Any other location does not make sense,” concluded Mr Daly.

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Paddy Kevane To Run For Sinn Féin In Local Elections

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Paddy Kevane.

Sinn Féin has added a fourth candidate to run in the Tralee Local Electoral Area in the Local Elections which are due to be held on June 7.

Paddy Kevane was ratified by the party’s Ard Chomhairle on Saturday, having been selected by party members in Tralee.

Mr. Kevane will join sitting Councillors Cathal Foley and Deirdre Ferris, as well as Derrylea native and primary school teacher Paul Daly on the Sinn Féin ticket.

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A lecturer at the Munster Technological University in Tralee, Paddy Kevane is well known for his community and charity work around the town and surrounding areas.

With a Law Degree and a Social Care Degree, he is the former President of St. Vincent de Paul in Tralee and West Kerry, Chairman of South Munster MABS, Board member of FoodShare Kerry, Meals on Wheels Tralee, Tralee Community Development Project and EmployAbility Service Kerry.

Commenting on his selection, Mr. Kevane said: “It is a huge honour, first and foremost, to have been selected by my fellow party members to run for the local elections in June. I join a very strong team of Sinn Féin candidates in the Tralee area. There is a huge appetite for change out there and I believe that needs to start at the local level in June.

“We have huge problems to fix across the country and it is no different here in Kerry. I believe I have a proven track record of hard work in my community and I will bring my dedication to improving peoples’ lives into the council, should I have the honour of being elected.

“My priorities will include addressing the chronic shortage of affordable and social housing, supporting our elderly and people with disabilities, supporting local employment opportunities, enhancing community safety and developing vital community services.”

Three Sinn Fein Candidates Selected To Contest Election In Tralee Electoral Area

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Cllrs Cathal Foley and Deirdre Ferris with fellow Sinn Féin candidate Paul Daly.

MEMBERS of Sinn Féin last night selected three candidates to contest the local elections in the Tralee Electoral Area.

Tralee man and primary school teacher Paul Daly was chosen to join sitting Councillors Deirdre Ferris, from Ardfert, and Cathal Foley from Tralee on the Sinn Féin ticket for the council elections, which are scheduled to take place in early June.

Sinn Féin will make a decision on whether to add a fourth candidate for the Tralee area in the coming weeks.

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Cllr Ferris Says HSE Recruitment Ban Will Have Serious Impact On Services At UHK

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Cllr Deirdre Ferris.

A LOCAL councillor believes there is no doubt that HSE recruitment ban is going to have a serious and detrimental impact on the provision of health services in Kerry.

In the wake of the continuance of the recruitment embargo announced by HSE CEO Bernard Gloucester, Sinn Fein Cllr Deirdre Ferris has expressed concerns for the provision of the services and patient safety in University Hospital Kerry and in the community sector.

As a clerical officer in University Hospital Kerry, Cllr Ferris said she can see the initial embargo on Clerical and Administrative grades already impacting the provision of services.

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Cllr Ferris said: “The embargo is having a direct negative impact on the provision of health services for the people of Kerry. Services already struggling to cope with increased demand and staff shortages, are now facing even greater problems, due to the prevention of recruiting staff to fill vacant posts.”

“Inpatient Acute Care, Outpatient follow-up care, Mental Health Services, Community Care and Home Care are all going to be affected by this decision,” she added.

Cllr Ferris is calling on the HSE to lift the embargo and for the government to ensure that funding and resources for the health service matches the demand on those services.

“The government need to reverse this decision and lift the embargo as these measures will have a severe impact on the safety of care and will press staff into unsafe conditions and into an extreme level of burnout. This will result in even more staff wanting to leave the health service, which is the last thing we need,” said Cllr Ferris.

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‘Tragedies Of Kerry’ To Be Launched In Tralee This Saturday

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A REPRINT of Dorothy Macardle’s account of the Civil War in Kerry will be launched in Tralee this weekend by Sinn Féin.

‘Tragedies of Kerry’, which was first published in 1924 tells of the Free State campaign to crush Republican resistance in Co. Kerry during the period between the summers of 1922 and 1923.

The launch will take place in Kerins O’Rahillys GAA Club on this Saturday, March 4th at 7.30pm and is open to members of the public.

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The reprint contains a foreword from former Kerry Sinn Féin TD Martin Ferris and will be launched by former Lord Mayor of Dublin, Councillor Micheál Mac Donncha.

Also on the night, Sinn Féin will be launching a commemorative booklet marking the centenary of the Ballyseedy Massacre, which took place on March 7th 1923. There will also be an exhibition from the revolutionary period 1916-1923.

Sinn Féin President Mary Lou McDonald travels to Kerry on Sunday where she will give the main oration at the party’s Ballyseedy Centenary Commemoration at 12 noon.

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Daly Says Kerry People Can’t Wait Until October For Solutions To Cost Of Living Crisis

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Deputy Pa Daly.

THE Sinn Féin TD for Kerry says his constituents need assistance now to deal with the rising cost of living and can’t wait for the budget in October.

Pa Daly was speaking about his party’s motion calling for an emergency budget to help workers and families deal with the cost of living crisis.

“I am inundated with calls and emails from people who are struggling majorly,” said Deputy Daly. “In many cases, work does not pay for them as they cannot afford the petrol to drive there.”

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“With schools on going on holidays now, they are already living in fear of September, when costs for back to school will drive them to the brink. Keeping the light and heat on in the winter months is also a concern already. It is clear that people in Kerry cannot wait until October, or 2023, for solutions to be provided.”

“Michael Martin and Leo Varadkar are divided and chaotic on the matter, openly contradicting each other. Sinn Féin’s message by contrast is clear: We need targeted measures and an emergency budget now.”

“In government, we would raise the minimum wage, reduce childcare costs and introduce a tax credit for renters. Action is required, and the government needs to step up to the plate,” he concluded.

Daly Says Funding Urgently Needed To Improve Water Quality In Tralee Area

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Deputy Pa Daly.

SINN Fein TD for Kerry, Pa Daly, has highlighted the need for funding to improve water quality in Tralee and around Kerry.

Deputy Daly was speaking after the EPA announced the towns and areas struggling on water quality.

“The EPA report states that Abbeydorney and Tralee need improvements to prevent waste water from harming rivers, lakes, estuaries and coastal waters,” said the Tralee man.

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“This echoes what I have been saying for a number of years now, namely that the Big River in Tralee is being polluted by emissions from combined sewers and septic tanks.”

“Other areas in the county are also of concern. Kilgarvan is listed as one of the 12 towns and villages in the country where waste water treatment must improve to help protect freshwater pearl mussels. Cromane, Maherees, Tralee Bay, Valentia Harbour and the Kenmare River all require overdue assessments by Irish Water.

“But we need more than assessment, Irish Water must carry out this work as soon as possible and be provided with the funding to address water quality issues in Kerry. The relevant government departments must also bring prosecutions where illegal discharges are taking place,” said Deputy Daly.

PHOTOS: Rally In Tralee To Show Solidarity With Palestinian People

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Showing solidarity with the people of Palestine in The Square on Saturday. Photo by Dermot Crean

THE Square in Tralee was the setting for a rally on Saturday to show solidarity with the people of Palestine.

There was a good turnout in the sunshine for the event, which was organised by John Loughrey of the Kerry branch of the Ireland Palestine Solidarity Campaign.

Kerry Sinn Féin TD Pa Daly attended, as did his party colleague Cllr Deirdre Ferris and her father, former TD Martin Ferris among many others.

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Pa Daly said it important to show support, particularly since Tralee is twinned with a town in the West Bank, Beit Sahour.

“It’s particularly relevant 100 years on from Gortaglanna commemorated last week [when three IRA men were executed by the Black and Tans], where the false narrative was put out by the Black and Tans that they were ambushed, that we are now countering the narrative that each side is as bad as the other.

Deputy Pa Daly speaking in the Square at the rally. Photo by Dermot Crean

“In reality there are UN resolutions that say the change of the status of Jerusalem is wrong, the evictions are illegal, the new settlements are illegal and the narrative that the Israelis are acting in self-defence when they’re bombing buildings and killing scores of people, is clearly wrong,” he said.

“People ask what good will this do, but if the people in our twin town see the rally, they’ll appreciate it. The Irish Government can do two things: they can implement the Occupied Territories Bill and they can recognise the State of Palestine and send an ambassador over there,” added Deputy Daly.

John Loughrey thanked everyone for turning up on the day. He said he had a mixture of sadness and anger with what has been going on.

John Loughrey speaking in the Square at the rally. Photo by Dermot Crean

“The only way I can describe it is that it’s Cromwell in the modern era —plantation and settler colonialism and the international community allows it to happen,” he said.

“The only way things are going to change is if we can create a critical mass among the population that says this is not acceptable, this is wrong and should not be happening,” he added.

Mr Loughrey encouraged people who see Israeli products in shops to take them to to the counter and ask the owner to stop stocking the goods.

Dr Uzair Shabbir of the Kerry Islamic Society also spoke to the crowd and said “humanity takes precedence over ethnicity, religion, nationality and every other creed and sectarianism. We must all come together.” Scroll down for photos…

Dr Uzair Shabbir speaking in the Square at the rally. Photo by Dermot Crean
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Photo by Dermot Crean
The crowd in the Square at the rally. Photo by Dermot Crean

Rally In Solidarity With Palestinian People To Be Held In Town This Saturday

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A GATHERING is to take place in Tralee on Saturday in solidarity with the people of Palestine.

People are asked to gather at The Square from 1.30pm until 2.30pm, to wear a mask and to adhere to social distancing rules at all times in groups no bigger than six.

Hundreds of people have been killed over the past couple of weeks since violence flared up again between Israelis and Palestinians.

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Members of Kerry Sinn Féin gathered at the Square last Saturday in protest at the treatment of Palestinians and to mark Nakba Day, when Palestinians were displaced after the State of Israel was established in 1948.

Sinn Féin Kerry TD Pa Daly is asking people to show up on Saturday to show solidarity with Palestine and Tralee’s twin town, Beit Sahour, which is near Bethlehem.

Daly Calls For Coordinated Taskforce To Combat Fires In Killarney Nationally Park

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Deputy Pa Daly.

SINN Féin TD for Kerry, Pa Daly, has called for lessons to be learned from the Killarney National Park fire last weekend.

Deputy Daly has urged the Minister of State for Heritage to discuss with Kerry County Council the creation of a coordinated taskforce for fires within the National Park.

“This would involve the local authority, fire services and the National Parks and Wildlife Service,” said Deputy Daly.

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“While all involved performed heroically last weekend, they could have done with more resources,  including the arrival of more than one helicopter in a timely manner.

“I have inquired with the Department of Housing and Heritage as well about the vacant rangers posts and a recruitment drive is now under way. This is vital as higher management grades are currently carrying out ranger duties.”

“As I raised with Minister of State Noonan, the fire should also concentrate minds to tackle the rhododendron problem that has plagued the park for years now. This invasive species should not be allowed gain a further foothold as the ecosystems within the park being a long road to recovery.

“I have asked the Minister to establish a 15 year plans for the elimination of rhododendrons in the park,” added Deputy Daly.

Deputy Daly Calls For Public To Support Debenhams Workers

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Deputy Pa Daly.

SINN Féin TD for Kerry Pa Daly has called for the public to support the Debenhams workers and their demands ahead of a march at 2pm this coming Saturday in Tralee.

“Debenhams workers deserve our support now more than ever, KPMG has threatened to injunct Debenhams workers for engaging in a picket to prevent the removal of stock from stores prior to an agreement for improved redundancy terms,” said the Deputy.

“The Debenhams workers demand is for four weeks pay per year’s service agreed between the company and Mandate during the last round of redundancies in 2016.”

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“The liquidator has been quoted by RTÉ as saying that it could not pay enhancements to the redundancy without direction from the government. The Government must intervene and if the Duffy Cahill report had been implemented already, the workers would have obtained their four weeks pay per year’s service.”

“The strong stand of the Debenhams workers exposes injustices in the liquidation and industrial relations laws which operate to the detriment of workers. With further redundancies in retail and other sectors on the way, I appeal to rank and file trade unionists, activists and the wider community to stand with the Debenhams workers.”

Deirdre Ferris Selected To Replace Pa Daly On County Council

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Deirdre Ferris with her father Martin Ferris and newly elected TD Pa Daly at the convention last night. Photo by Dermot Crean

THE new Tralee Municipal District councillor said she is looking forward to representing the people of the area when she is co-opted onto the Council next week.

Members of Sinn Féin in the Tralee Electoral Area selected Deirdre Ferris to replace Pa Daly on Kerry County Council following his election the the Dáil at a convention in Kerins O’Rahillys Clubhouse last night.

Padraig Sugrue, from Farmers Bridge, also put his name forward. Following a secret ballot Ms Ferris was announced as the successful candidate.

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Speaking following her selection Ms Ferris said: “It is a huge honour to be selected by members of Sinn Féin to step into this role. I have no doubt that I have very big shoes to fill to in Pa Daly but I am determined to give the people of this area the representation they deserve and have come to expect from Sinn Féin representatives.

“I understand that with this role comes responsibility and I will work with my colleagues in Sinn Féin and from across the political divide to ensure that the decisions we make are for the good of all the people.

“I want to thank the members of the party for putting their trust in me, particularly members from my own Cumann in Spa/Churchill for their nomination. I also want to pay tribute to my friend and colleague Padraig Sugrue for putting his name forward tonight.”

Deirdre is daughter of former Sinn Féin TD Martin Ferris and is married to party activist Conor Foley from Tralee. She works at EF Signs.

Deirdre Ferris with newly elected TD Pa Daly and Padraig Sugrue, who was also put up for selection, at the convention last night. Photo by Dermot Crean

Cllr Says Communities Are Worried About ATM Sell-Off By Banks

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SINN Féin Councillor and General Election candidate for Kerry, Pa Daly, has said plans by Bank of Ireland and AIB plan to sell off ATM cash machines is causing deep concern in communities across the county.

He called on the government to intervene in the situation via the Central Bank to get clarity on the plans and to ensure that banks live up to their obligations to the community.

“Plans by the AIB and Bank of Ireland to sell off ATMs across the State is causing deep concern in rural communities,” said Cllr Daly.

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“The banks have already closed bank branches in towns all over the country and have withdrawn important services. The news that they are now going to sell off ATMs is more bad news for bank customers.

“It’s more evidence that the banks are failing to invest properly in infrastructure. People are now rightly worried that if these ATMs are bought over by independent operators, consumers will face more expensive charges for transactions.

“Rural communities will be affected most by this ATM sell-off and are potentially facing much higher transaction charges. People have already seen so many local post offices close. Elderly people in particular are worried by this latest development.

“The government needs to intervene in this situation via the Central Bank to get clarity on the plans and to ensure that banks live up to their public service obligations to the community,” said Cllr Daly.

Daly Says Sinn Féin Manifesto On Mental Health Will Meet Challenges Faced In Kerry

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SINN Féin General Election candidate in Kerry, Cllr Pa Daly, has said that it is the duty of legislators to do more with regards to mental health.

Daly said that he believes that a different approach to the provision of mental health services is needed and says his party’s manifesto on mental health will meet the scale of the challenge in Kerry.

“Every family across Kerry, and indeed the island of Ireland, have been touched by issues to do with mental health,” said Cllr Daly. “I believe that we now need a different approach to the provision of mental health services.

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“That means adopting a modern outlook and developing an understanding of the changed world we live in so that we can respond better to people’s needs. We in Sinn Féin have published a comprehensive Mental Health Manifesto and I believe that it meets the scale of the challenge we face in Kerry.

“Among the proposals we are committed to is full implementation of ‘A Vision for Change’; fully staffed CAMHS teams; investment in mental health primary care and a school curriculum for Positive Mental Health.

“I believe that our plan can provide decent care and better outcomes for those who suffer with mental health conditions in County Kerry,” he said.

Daly Says Sinn Féin In Government Would Deliver 20,000 Houses A Year

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KERRY Sinn Féin general election candidate, Cllr Pa Daly, has said that his party will deliver an average 20,000 houses a year and 100,000 over the lifetime of a government.

Cllr Daly said housing is one of the big issues coming up when canvassing on the doorstep.

“The lack of supply is contributing to high rents, buying a home is just too unaffordable for many, and many more are left waiting years on council waiting lists,” said Cllr Daly.

“The solution to this is simple. If in government, Sinn Féin will deliver 100,000 public homes on public land; including 60,000 social homes, 30,000 affordable purchase homes and 10,000 affordable rental homes. This would benefit Kerry hugely.”

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“As it stands, rents in Kerry continue to go up and the solutions being introduced by Fine Gael are not working. We need a change in tactics and new solutions. We in Sinn Féin have those solutions and are fully committed to implementing them.

“The solutions we have are not Dublin centric and will put money back in people’s pockets. A Sinn Féin Minister for Housing would take emergency action by reducing rents by up to €1,500 a year with a refundable tax credit, alongside introducing an emergency three-year freeze on all existing and new rents,” he said.

“This would be accompanied by increasing stock of affordable rental accommodation and reducing the State’s reliance on subsidised private rental accommodation to meet social need.”

Pa Daly Looks Forward To Contesting Upcoming Election

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Cllr Pa Daly

SINN Féin candidate and Kerry County Councillor Pa Daly said he is relishing the opportunity to represent the people of county if he is elected after the upcoming election.

The Tralee man is a first time candidate for the Dáil and is hoping to succeed party colleague Martin Ferris as a TD for the county.

Speaking after the announcement of the election, Cllr Daly said; “In 2002 the people of this county elected one of the finest Republicans this country has ever seen when they put Martin Ferris in the Dáil.

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“Martin has been an outstanding representative for the people of Kerry and has played a pivotal role in reshaping the future of our entire island. I want to pay tribute to Martin and thank him for the support he has shown me since I accepted the nomination to contest the election.

“I am a proud Kerry man – I can think of no greater honour than to be elected to the Dáil by the people of this county. Kerry is a wonderful county, but we have been let down by successive Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael governments.

“I believe that there is a better way – that Sinn Féin has the courage to put families and communities before vested interests and the well connected. That Kerry can receive our fair share of investment in public services, in health services, in job creation so that our young people don’t constantly have to leave their home communities in search of employment. I want to be part of that team that delivers a better, fairer and united Ireland.”

Cllr Daly Claims Some GPs Are Wrongly Charging Patients For Blood Tests

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Cllr Pa Daly

SINN Féin Kerry County Councillor Pa Daly has claimed that some GPs in the county are wrongly charging medical card and GP visit card holders for blood tests and other essential services.

Cllr Daly has been contacted by several people from across Kerry who have said that they are being charged for blood tests and vitamin B12 injections, despite the fact that these services should be free.

He said under the terms of the current general medical services contract, GPs are required to provide eligible patients with “all proper and necessary treatment of a kind usually undertaken by a general practitioner” and that the Minister for Health has stated that these patients should not be charged for these services.

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Cllr Daly said this was affecting many people including cancer patients: “I was first contacted by an older person who had to pay €50 out of their state pension to pay a GP for services that are free to medical card patients. I have since been told by several others across the county that their GPs have been demanding payment for services that are free to medical card and GP visit card holders.

“One cancer patient informed me that they are being charged for all their routine blood tests, which is scandalous. Blood tests are an essential part of the ongoing treatment of cancer patients. According to the HSE and the Minister for Health, GPs are contracted by the HSE to provide these services free of charge to medical card and GP visit card holders. GPs are reimbursed by the HSE for providing these essential services.

“This is adding undue stress and financial hardship, particularly on older people and on some seriously ill people in the county. I would like to point out that this is not the case with every GP in Kerry and that many are providing these services free of charge as they are contracted to do.”

“It is very disappointing that this is still happening more that two years after Sinn Féin previously raised this issue in Kerry. The HSE and Minister need to clarify this situation once and for all,” he concluded.

Cllr Daly Says Green Party Leader’s Suggestion For Rural Transport Is ‘Incredulous’

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Cllr Pa Daly

KERRY Sinn Féin general election candidate Cllr Pa Daly has said, a suggestion by the leader of the Green Party that families in rural villages would share a small number of cars is incredulous.

But the Green Party said Eamon Ryan’s comments on Virgin Media One’s Ireland AM show on Wednesday morning have been badly misrepresented.

In the wake of yesterday’s comments by the Green Party leader, Cllr Pa Daly said:  “The proposal by Eamon Ryan that villages with 300 families would share 30 cars between them shows how out of touch with rural Ireland the Green Party are, it is incredulous that the leader of any party would come out with this nonsense.”

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“It shows how out of touch the party is with the reality of living and working in rural Ireland. Rural Ireland isn’t a theme park or a place for city dwellers to spend their holidays,” continued the Tralee Municipal District councillor.

Eamon Ryan (third from left) on Ireland AM on Virgin Media One on Wednesday morning.

“Cars are a necessary fact of life for all families living in rural Ireland, public transport is practically non existent and this proposal is a warning against letting the Green Party anywhere near government after the next election.”

However, a Green Party spokesperson contacted TraleeToday.ie to say Eamon Ryan’s comments had been badly misrepresented.

“Eamon Ryan was not in any way calling for a restriction on cars. The proposal for the use of car sharing in rural areas is about adding an extra option for people. Many young adults in rural areas are locked out of car ownership because of spiralling insurance costs – more options are badly needed. Car sharing could help because it would give people more mobility at far less cost than owning a car.

“The Green Party are the only party that have committed in their budget submission for a huge investment in public transport of close to half a billion Euro. This would allow for a serious increase in rural transport options. No other party has come close to proposing that kind of investment in rural transport.”

Ferris Welcomes Living Wage Of €12.30 An Hour

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Deputy Martin Ferris.

KERRY Sinn Féin TD Martin Ferris has welcomed the new Living Wage rate of €12.30 p/h for 2019.

Deputy Ferris said a Living Wage is needed to ensure workers across the island of Ireland have an income that is necessary to provide them and their families with the basic necessities of life.

Deputy Ferris said; “Sinn Féin fully support the concept of the Living Wage, and we recently launched our own party’s proposals on how we intend to introduce the Living Wage when we are in government.

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“The current Minimum Wage is simply too low, and it does not take into account the reality of the high cost of living in Ireland.

“We welcome the Living Wage Technical Group’s assessment that the Living Wage should now stand at €12.30 an hour, as this increase on the previous rate reflects the high cost of living people on low wages are now facing.

“This government have left low paid workers behind and will not even achieve their own self-imposed target of €10.50 p/h, as set out in their Programme for a Partnership Government.

“We believe workers deserve to be paid fairly for their hard work, and we think it’s shameful that many workers and their families are living in poverty due to low pay.

“However, we fully understand that not every business will be able to pay the Living Wage of €12.30 p/h, and we have taken account for that in our plans.

“In our proposals launched last week, we included a provision that the New Living Wage Act would include an exemption for those financially vulnerable businesses who can show they genuinely cannot afford this transition to the Living Wage.

“This exemption will safeguard businesses and jobs in those SMEs who find themselves in a difficult financial position.

”Sinn Féin is the only Irish political party with a credible proposal on how to introduce the Living Wage, and we want Ireland to become the first state in the world to introduce a Living Wage on a legislative basis.

“Proper wages and the eradication of precarious working practices must be the essential foundations of economic growth and productivity.”

Toireasa Ferris Withdraws From General Election Race

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Cllr Toireasa Ferris.

AT a meeting of Kerry Sinn Féin members at Kerins O’Rahilly’s clubhouse in Tralee on Monday night, Cllr Toireasa Ferris announced that she was regrettably withdrawing her candidature as a general election candidate due to health concerns.

In a very emotional speech, Cllr Ferris stated; “This has been a very difficult decision to make but I have had a number of health issues recently, and while they have ultimately turned out not to be serious at this stage, I have been advised to make changes to the pace of my life before symptoms became established.”

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“The timing of this announcement is not what I would have wished, but with a looming election and to be fair to party members and the electorate I had to make this decision, which I have struggled over, now.”

“I would like to thank the membership once again for their faith in me and I know that whoever the candidate will be, will work their utmost for the people of Kerry,” added Cllr Ferris, who will still serve as a Tralee Municipal District councillor after being re-elected to Kerry County Council last month.  Kerry Sinn Féin will announce a new date for convention shortly.

Local Authority Needs To Build More Houses Says Tralee Area Sinn Féin Candidate

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Cathal Foley.

SINN Féin local election candidate Cathal Foley has said that local authorities need to get back to what they did best in the past by building social and affordable housing.

Mr Foley – who is running in the Tralee Electoral Area in the local elections which take place on this Friday, May 24 — said that the housing crisis in Tralee was one of the main issues in this election.

He said: “There is no doubt that the lack of social and affordable housing is one of the main issues in this election campaign. That is quite clear from the numbers of people coming through our constituency office in Tralee and from people we meet on the doors. This is putting pressure on families and communities.

“Unfortunately, this government has failed to address the crisis in any serious way. They have continued the failed policy of allowing the market dictate, but the market cannot fix this problem. Only a major social and affordable housing build and other serious measures will address the kind of numbers waiting in towns like Tralee.”

Cathal Foley Joins Sinn Féin Ticket For Local Elections

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Cathal Foley with fellow Sinn Féin local election candidates Toireasa Ferris and Pa Daly and Deputy Martin Ferris.

FORMER Tralee Town Councillor Cathal Foley has joined the Sinn Féin election ticket for the Tralee Electoral Area.

He was nominated by Cllr Toiréasa Ferris at county buildings in Tralee this morning. Sinn Féin will now have three candidates running in the Tralee area with sitting councillors Pa Daly and Toireasa Ferris having already been selected.

Speaking after his nomination Cathal said; “I understand what a daunting task it will be to take a seat in what will be a keenly contested election with some very strong and established candidates in the running.

“I am joining a very strong team with councillors Pa Daly and Toireasa Ferris consistently rated as the top performing councillors in the Tralee area.

“I look forward to working with my party colleagues to deliver a third seat for Sinn Féin in Tralee. With a third seat I believe we can make an even bigger impact on the future direction of policy on Kerry County Council.”

Cathal Foley (45) originally from Caherslee, is married to Joanne Naughton from Mitchel’s Road and they reside in Ballinorig with their three children, Conall, Odhran and Sorcha. Cathal has worked as a Parliamentary Assistant to Martin Ferris TD since 2014. He previously ran a carpentry/joinery business in the Boherbee area of the town.

He was previously a member of Tralee Town Council from 1999-2014. Educated at Holy Family National School, CBS The Green and Tralee Regional Technical College, he is involved in his local community and is a member of Kerins O’Rahilly’s GAA Club and cycles with The Chain Gang Cycling Club.

Cllr Ferris Criticises VAT On Any Future Carbon Tax Increases

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Cllr Toireasa Ferris.

KERRY Sinn Féin councillor Toireasa Ferris, has said confirmation received by Sinn Féin TD Pearse Doherty in a parliamentary question, confirms that any future carbon tax increases would also attract VAT will mean that the mooted carbon tax jumps will be even more regressive than originally anticipated.

Cllr Ferris stated: “We in Sinn Féin are opposed to the increase in carbon tax because it will disproportionately punish those on low and middle incomes while big business and corporate polluters will not be made to pay their fair share.

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“The government has failed to provide any meaningful alternatives or incentives for people to make the necessary changes to limit climate change. They now wish to shift the burden on already highly taxed households, once again, for their policy failures. The fact that VAT must be applied to carbon tax means the tax will itself be taxed.”

“We need to tackle the catastrophic reality of climate change in a fair way. The bills faced by ordinary people are already onerous due to sky-high rents, inflated insurance premiums and ever increasing education and healthcare costs.”

“People in rural Ireland will be particularly badly hit with these costs because of the lack of public transport and the reliance on fossil fuels. If the will was there, Government investment could help bring about change such as through free insulation and retrofits, making electric cars affordable and developing the charging infrastructure and through public transport expansion and fare reductions,” concluded Cllr Ferris.

Sinn Féin Asks Irexit To Explain ‘Absurd’ Killarney Candidate Story

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The stock photo for sale on Adobe. The image of the woman was used in a press release from Irexit Freedom Party claiming she was their candidate, Mairead Donovan, for the local elections in Killarney.

A SINN Féin candidate in the Killarney Local Election Area has called on the Irexit Freedom Party to explain the announcement of a candidate with a fake profile photo circulated in a press release to local media.

John Buckley was contacted by a fellow Sinn Féin member after discovering that the photo of a Mairead Donovan was a stock image for sale on the Adobe website under ‘Senior Woman With A Walking Stick’.

In a press release circulated to local media last week, Mairead Donovan, was described as being a 72 year old retired nurse and grandmother originally from Kilkenny, who was running for the party in the local elections in May.

However, Irexit have since claimed it was ‘fake news’ and said it did not issue the press release. A link, provided in the press release, to a profile page for Mairead Donovan on the Irexit Freedom website has since been removed.

“It is astounding that any party or group would try and pull the wool over the eyes of the electorate of Kerry with this stunt,” said John Buckley.

“Using a stock photo as your candidate’s profile picture is truly one of the most absurd ideas I have ever seen in an election campaign.”

“Irexit need to explain to the people of the Killarney Local Election Area what exactly they are playing at. It is truly bizarre and unbelievable how they thought they would get away with it,” he said.

Mary Lou McDonald To Speak At Rural Revival Conference In Castleisland

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Mary Lou McDonald.

A CONFERENCE will take place in the River Island Hotel Castleisland on this Saturday, November 24, at 6.30pm which will discuss ways in which life can be brought back to rural Ireland.

The keynote speaker on the evening will be Uachtarán Shinn Féin, Mary Lou McDonald TD.

Panellists will include: Joe Sheerin from Kiltyclogher, a member of the KiltyLive campaign which  was just last week featured on a TG4 documentary Banú nó Slánú; Cllr. Toiréasa Ferris;  Chairman of the Kerry IFA Pat O’Driscoll; Séamus Sherlock, rural development chairman at the ICSA; John Reidy of the Maine Valley Post and the Patrick O’Keefe festival and Michael John Kearney of Castleisland Chamber of Alliance and former senior executive of Kerry Group.

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Attendees will be encouraged also to contribute from the floor on the evening. Speaking about the conference, one of the organisers, Sinn Fein’s Kate McSweeney from Castleisland, said; “By holding this conference we are taking it upon ourselves, by having a gathering of minds, to think outside the box and put in place ways in which the many aspects of life in rural Ireland can be revived before it’s too late.”

“Perhaps by applying some of the ideas gleaned from this discussion Castleisland and it’s hinterland, as well as other similar areas, could be seen as a proactive positive thinking town and act as a template for other struggling rural towns in the future. We can sit back and let the decimation happen around us or gather as a community and force revival.”

Sitting Sinn Fein Cllrs To Contest Local Elections For Tralee Electoral Area Next Year

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Cllrs Pa Daly and Toireasa Ferris.

CLLRS Pa Daly and Toireasa Ferris will be Sinn Fein’s candidates in the local elections for the Tralee Electoral Area next year.

Sinn Féin members met in the River Island Hotel on Saturday evening to select candidates to go forward for next years local elections in the Tralee Municipal District, which comprises both Tralee and Castleisland LEAs.

Nominations for sitting councillors Pa Daly and Toireasa Ferris were the only ones received for Tralee.

Toireasa Ferris is a former Mayor of Kerry, she teaches at the Kerry School of Further Education in Tralee and is married with two young children.

Pa Daly is a prominent solicitor in Tralee and is contesting his second election to Kerry County Council, he is married with a young family and lives in Oakpark, Tralee.

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The Bonn Doherty cumann in Castleisland nominated their fellow member Kate McSweeney to contest next May’s local elections for their area. Her name was the only one to be put forward to the convention.

Kate is originally from Currow and now lives in Castleisland town, she is the former manager of An Riocht Health and Leisure Club in the town and is currently employed as a teacher in Knocknagoshel National School.

“I would like to thank the membership and my family for their support,” she said. “It will need a massive effort by all of us if we are to realise a seat in the new Castleisland LEA. Councillors Pa Daly and Toireasa Ferris are 2 councillors I have huge admiration for and I hope to emulate their success. I wish all my colleagues the very best of luck.”

Kerry Sinn Féin To Select Local Election Candidates In Coming Week

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KERRY Sinn Féin will hold selection conventions for the Tralee, Castleisland, Killarney, Kenmare and Listowel Local Election Areas in the coming week.

First up are the Killarney and Kenmare areas on Thursday 15th November at the Manor Inn Killorglin where delegates will select candidates to run in each area.

On the following evening, Friday November 16th, delegates in the Listowel electoral area will meet at the Listowel Arms Hotel at 7.30pm to select candidates to run there.

Delegates from Tralee and the new Castleisland LEA will meet on Saturday November 17th at 8pm at the River Island Hotel in Castleisland to select candidates to run in their respective areas. The selection convention for the Dingle Local Electoral Area is fixed for Saturday December 8th.

Ferris Seeks Clarity On Hip And Knee Surgeries At UHK

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Cllr Toireasa Ferris.

KERRY Sinn Féin councillor Toireasa Ferris has called for answers on the status of hip and knee replacement procedures at University Hospital Kerry.

Speaking yesterday, Cllr Ferris stated: “Despite reassurances from management that hip and knee replacements would recommend the week beginning the 15th October, we have been informed this has not happened. In fact we are being told there are still funding issues and it will be some time before public procedures will begin again.”

“We have been informed that private patients attending a private hospital in Tralee have had the procedure carried out, in University Hospital Kerry. We have sought clarity from the minister and hospital management on this.”

“We have asked a series of questions including how many public patients were on the list at the time of the suspension of procedures, how many have since been added and why was the public list suspended.”