#Seanad16 Candidates – I will support you if…..

Now that the 32nd Dail has been elected, attention, at least within political circles, will turn to the election of the corresponding Senate. Unlike the Dail Election, however, not everyone gets to vote in the selection of senators. In fact, most of the population are denied a vote in this ‘democratic’ contest.

 

I do have a vote in this election- in fact, it turns out that I have a grand total of six! The first of my six votes comes to me as a graduate of UCD while the remaining five are granted to me in my capacity as a serving County Councillor.

Having never cast more than one ballot in any election, I am somewhat uncomfortable with the notion of having multiple votes in the impending selection of our upper house, particularly, when so many others have no voice here at all.

 

So, how can I reconcile casting half a dozen ballots in one election?

 

Since I hold five votes in my role as a locally elected representative, it is clear that these votes are just vested in me to cast on behalf of the people that elected me in the first place- the people of the Dundrum Local Electoral Area. My votes should, as a result, tangibly and positively benefit my constituents.

I don’t believe, however, that any policy positions of incoming Senators are likely to have any meaningful effect on the people of Dundrum, at least not under the current Seanad system. With this in mind, I have decided that I will use my Seanad votes to prefer those prospective Senators that are willing to take some concrete action to assist a local project in Dundrum.

 

If you are a candidate for the Senate, then I congratulate you on receiving your nomination to contest the upcoming election to the 32nd Seanad Eireann and I wish you very well in this pursuit.  However, rather than taking an hour out of your busy campaign to personally canvass my vote, I would much prefer that you use this time to help with a specific local project here in Dublin Rathdown.

 

We are working hard to persuade Dun Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council to make good on the delivery of promised Sports and Community facilities in the Rosemount area of Dundrum. If you believe in investment in local communities and in the fairness of honouring promises, then I will be willing to consider you for my vote, if you can do the following:

 

1. Download and read the ‘Rosemount-Taney Sports & Community Campaign’ Brochure. <Available Here>
2. In whatever capacity you currently serve, (Councillor, Senator, Mayor etc) submit a letter to: The Chief Executive, Dun Laoghaire Rathdown County Council, Dun Laoghaire, Co Dublin, expressing your support for the Rosemount-Taney Sports and Community facility as outlined in the brochure.
3. E-mail me a copy of the letter, along with details of which electoral panel you are running on. (sbrennan@cllr.dlrcoco.ie)
   
4. Like the campaign page on Facebook & Re-Tweet one of their support tweets on Twitter.

 

Looking forward to reciprocating your support!

Cllr. Shay Brennan