My background

Originally from Sixmilebridge County Clare, I live in Oranmore/Maree, County Galway with my partner and three young children.  I am delighted to be contesting the Local Elections in Athenry Oranmore and the European Elections in Midlands North West.  

I am currently Chief Executive Officer of the Family Resource Centre National Forum, which represents 121 Family Resource Centres nationwide and is Ireland’s largest human rights-based community development and family support programme operating across the life-course.

I have over twenty years of experience working in public service delivery and improvement initially with the HSE as a social worker and a community development worker. 

I am asking for your number 1 vote so that I can work locally to improve our community and so that I can focus on how cities like Galway, and our rural communities can be better served by our membership of the E.U.   Many of the issues impacting us locally such as housing and climate change can be tackled at a European level

If elected, my priorities will be:

1. A clear line of accountability between the citizen and the European Union.

2. A rights-based approach to public service provision.

3. An economy that serves society, not the other way around.

Overall the EU has been a positive project for Ireland, but my first priority will be to ensure that the local is connected to Europe, and the people feel they have influence over the decisions made that affect them. Our sense of place starts in our local communities, and we must connect those to the social, economic, and cultural benefits, but also the challenges, that come from Europe.

Here in Galway, the absence of this long term mindset that we need when planning for change is evident in relation to housing and the required sewage treatment, health services, transport, and schools.

For me, the purpose of a vibrant economy is to facilitate an inclusive society by promoting the rights and wellbeing of the people. I believe the economy must serve our society, and not the other way around.