Why I got involved in politics
I first got involved in politics, as I believe it is one of the best ways anyone can help fix the many issues we face in Ireland.
My priorities
My top priority as a Labour Councillor in Celbridge-Leixlip is to represent the needs and wants of our community to the best of my ability.
I help a lot of people with individual or other local issues, such as (but not limited to):
- housing issues
- public lighting
- tree-related queries
- problems with footpaths, cycle-paths and roads
I am also happy to take a look at other issues people approach me with, and help local groups access funding where I can.
My background
I was first elected in 2019, going from "couch to council" after a 6 week campaign - with my then four month old daughter in a sling for most of it. I was and am very grateful to every single person who supported my campaign, and made the win possible.
Since I was elected in 2019 I have been actively pursuing an outdoor youth facility for our area, which we have now set aside €100,000 for and are making exciting progress on.
I also regularly raise the need for better playgrounds, parks, parklets, and other amenities in our area (swimming pool, dog park), as well as improvements to infrastructure such as foot- and cycle-paths to make active travel (mainly walking and cycling) safer - particularly near schools. Safer options for active travel in our town will help tackle climate change and ease Celbridge's chronic traffic congestion as well.
I sit on Kildare's Climate Action Committee, Joint-Policing Committee, and Decade of Commemorations committee.
Some other issues I have been working on:
- A new schools campus for CCS, St. Patrick's NS, and St. Raphael's Special School
- Celbridge's second bridge
- Re-opening of Celbridge's second public playground in The Abbey
- The need for the HSE to reinstate Celbridge's Primary Care Psychology service
- Improvements needed to public transport locally (specifically the "Complain Campaign", and submissions on Bus Connects and Dart+ programmes)
- Addressing the childcare crisis, in particular by supporting the SIPTU Big Start campaign and pushing for more childcare places in new housing developments
In my day job I work as a trade union official, supporting individual workers facing issues such as bullying and harassment in work.
Clubs and Committees
- Celbridge Labour Party branch,
- Kildare North Labour Party Executive,
- Celbridge-Leixlip Municipal District,
- Celbridge Youth Facility Steering Group,
- Celbridge-Leixlip Playgrounds and Youth Facilities committee,
- Kildare Climate Action SPC,
- Kildare Joint Policing Committee,
- Decade of Commemorations committee,
- ICTU Youth Committee