Waterford Local Elections - Dungarvan - We are WLR FM

If you are a candidate in the upcoming election and you wish to be featured on this page, please send a 200 word biography and a 30-50 second video (by Whatsapp to 083 33 33 975) telling Waterford voters why they should vote for YOU.

This page will be updated as we receive the information from candidates

Councillor Siobhan Whelan

Why should you vote for Siobhan?

Siobhán Whelan lives in Carriglea, Dungarvan and is a hard working Sinn Féin Councillor for the Waterford City and County Council, representing the Dungarvan Lismore area. Siobhán can relate to the challenges of rearing a family. Her eldest child, Patrick has emigrated to the United States. Her second child, Grace is currently studying in NUIG and her third child, Anna is doing the Leaving Certificate.

Siobhán works as a Healthcare Assistant for Carriglea Cairde Services. She is very proud to be a Unite the Union Shop Steward representing her colleagues in the workplace.

Siobhán is a lifetime republican and is an active member of her local Sinn Féin cumann. She has been involved with many of their campaigns. These campaigns include canvassing for the Equality Referendum, Repeal the 8th and Right2water.

Siobhán’s Priorities

● Vocal advocate for her constituents

● 24/7 Cardiac Care

● Opposing wind farms due to lack of up to date guidelines

● Continue vital road works including flood protection

● Supporting local communities

● Insisting on a transparent Tree Management Policy that involves local consultation

It is crucial that the people of the West Waterford area continue to be represented by a strong voice at both City and Local Council level. With your vote, I will continue to do so.

Conor McGuiness

Why Should you vote for Conor?

Conor lives in An Rinn and grew up in Dungarvan. He is 32 and works as constituency manager with Sinn Féin MEP Liadh Ní Riada.

Conor is a founding member of Laochas, the Waterford City and County mental health charity for young people, and he is active within the Dungarvan Branch of Unite the union.

Conor was active in a number of campaigns including the Right2Water, Marriage Equality and Repeal the 8^th campaigns, against zero-hour contracts, and for the rights of Irish speakers.

As a councillor Conor will continue his work to

Address the lack of housing supply that makes it impossible for young people to set up homes in their own towns and villages.
Support local efforts to promote positive mental health, tackle isolation, and give communities the resources and training to address issues of suicide and self-harm.
Act locally to protect our environment and eco-system by limiting single-use plastics, raising awareness, investing in the circular economy, and maintaining habitats for pollinators.
Enhance our shared spaces and the public realm, including footpaths, parks, and beaches to make them more accessible for all people, including those with disabilities.
Oppose carbon tax hikes that penalise households. Corporate polluters must be forced to take responsibility for their emissions.
Advocate for quality, dependable jobs that give young workers stability, a decent living and the opportunity to build a future in Co Waterford.
Advocate for quality, dependable jobs that give young workers stability, a decent living and the opportunity to build a future in Co Waterford
Tackle crime and antisocial behaviour through a reformed multi-agency approach

Ciara Lanagan

Why should you vote for Ciara?

My core policies include:
• Equality, fairness and inclusion, Health and wellbeing.
I believe in radical inclusion in all areas. In the past the political landscape has been
an echo chamber. I aim to remedy this as a new independent voice of change.
• Access to a high quality secular education.
Education needs to be more inclusive of all world religions. Ireland has a history of
religious apartheid. This practice needs to stop as an action of commitment in the
separation of church and state that reflects the diversity of our population in 2019
helping to see in 2020 with a vision of inclusion.
• A more vibrant democratic sustainable economy
Cultivation of small sustainable business and home business with local arts, crafts
and crop production being key to moving forward in terms of reduction of our
carbon and co2 transportation needs. In application new policies developed would
have a muti departmental approach. The suggestion of allowing home businesses
to run from residential council housing also targets social inclusion and
discrimination as currently residents of social housing cannot set up a small
business from home.
• Creative interventions as pathways to better health care with already
proven internationally success models using arts on prescription.
HSC is under a huge amount of pressure to provide affordable accessible health care.
Doctors cannot take on any more patients in many cases and our population is
expanding. Arts on prescriptions has the power in many cases to provided an outlet
and resource for patients that improve mental health and wellbeing and creates a
living practice of self care reducing the demand on the health care system.
~Actions include the development of seasonal festivals based around the ancient
celebration of pre Christian Ireland.
~Development of an awareness of Independence Day to be celebrated on St Patricks
day to cultivate an awareness of our own freedom and our constitutional rights that
will develop the stronger sense of shared identity necessary for stability in health and
wellbeing. It will also have the effect of helping to rebrand Ireland as a progressive
nation detaching a particular religious affiliation with the “ brand” of being I
• 24 /7 cardiac care for the region.
Funding strategies for this to be looked at. Model exists in the region already for fund
raising for (hospice) May be a possibility the interm we can look at ways to live that
impact the cardiac health of individuals. And look at how accessibility impacts the
transition to a healthy lifestyle .Affordability of gyms, swimming pools , bikehire, diet
• Well-being initiative to include a well woman and sexual health clinic.
Dungarvan and its surrounding areas need to be serviced by a sexual health clinic/
wellness centre. As Ireland comes clambering out from oppressive societal mores,
quality information is necessary in terms of knowing our bodies and being aware of
choices that are available in terms of affordable family planning. This will also have
the effect of reducing waiting lists and make available more Medical doctor visits.
This will create a family friendly environment with the addition of learning spaces in
library and gallery format with the possible inclusion of proven alternative health and
arts practitioners a a flag ship pilot program.
• Viable alternatives to burial after death as grave yards are now
encroaching on much needed public spaces in the urban environment.
Develop a dialogue with local the population on the effects alternative farewell
/remembrance ceremonies and long term impacts of burial monuments including en
mass historical sites that have left a negative impact on the phyce of our local
population.
• Activation of existing public spaces
• Public spaces and development of community hubs, development of modern studio
and contemporary gallery spaces for emerging and professional Artist/Writers/ film /
producers that are fit for purpose. Enhancement of local Venues and programs to be
developed to support pro-social behaviour in all age groups. Trouble shoot limiting
factors including insurance costs, liabilities, administration, running costs and Rates.
• Activating a more visibly present corporate social responsibility
Develop and awareness of the custodial role we all play in our local environment.
• Support and bolster biodiversity, ethical farming and healthy ecology.
Provide support for transition to more ecologically sound practice in farming.
• Promote and develop new opportunities for tourism
Showcase Dungarvan and its surrounding areas in new ways and promote ecotourism
already initiated by the greenway, Black water tours etc, highlight our gealteacht
area to champion and support the Irish language revival. Develop a real connection
with an ring and sean phobal with the development of a marsh walk as extension of
the greenway to support connection to the gealtacht area and insure the safe travel
of non petrochemical journeys.
• Promote clean energy solutions at grass root level.
Help to formally initiate a committed transition from fossil fuels to cleaner
environmentally friendly energy production. Highlight alternatives, support green
energy production, and investment to be looked at in phtovoltac and tidal energy
supply’s, an unrealised element in our green energy wish list.
• Creating a sportive family friendly environment with affordable housing
and troubleshooting transport issues
• Boost awareness and support of animal welfare practice and enable the
voluntary sector.
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