Kildare politicians set out political priorities for 2023

A number of Kildare TDs, Senators and local councillors have told the Leinster Leader about their professional and personal goals for 2023.

Speaking about her New Years Resolutions, Sinn Féin TD Patricia Ryan told the Leader: "I have a Bill at second stage regarding Housing Adaptation Grants which I hope to progress this year.

"Last year, the government used its majority to push it out by a year which was disgraceful given the backlog of applications."

She continued: "Myself and Pearse Doherty TD are also working on a new Bill which I hope to bring forward in the next few weeks.

Patricia Ryan TD, Sinn Féin

"The growth of Sinn Féin locally has been huge over the last 3 years and it has been difficult to engage with members due to Covid. I hope to rectify this over the coming months."

As for her personal goals, Ms Ryan said that she wants to make a better effort to speak the Irish language, and to also spend more time with her only grandchild.

Cllr Noel Connolly, Sinn Féin

Her colleague, Cllr Noel Connolly, revealed that he hopes to open an office in the coming months, which he said 'will hopefully make it easier to co-ordinate my work.'

"I also have a focus on road safety and hope to propose more road improvements that will have a real effect on accident statistics in Kildare," he said: "In my 3 years as a Councillor I have had a number of motions adopted but progress has been slow in delivering them. I will be revisiting them in an effort to ensure further progress is made."

Cllr Connolly also said: "There are a number of projects in the pipeline like Cherry Avenue Park in Kildare town and the Sports Campus and Shared Services Hub, both in Monasterevin, which will see significant investment this year.

He added: "As a member of the Sinn Féin Ard Comhairle we have a significant job of work to prepare for the assembly elections in the North.

"We will also continue our campaign for preparations for a Referendum to reunite our country."

As for his personal goals, Cllr Connolly said that he hopes to visit Palestine in the new year, to buy a greenhouse, to harvest some honey from the beehive that I purchased last year, and to spend more time with his family.

Cllr Naoise Ó Cearúil, Fianna Fáil

Fianna Fáil (FF) Cllr Naoise Ó Cearúil told the Leader that, now that Kildare County Council (KCC) has passed the County Development Plan, his focus will now be on the Maynooth Local Area Plan.

He said: "Maynooth has grown exponentially since the last LAP and we need an up to date and forward thinking plan as we move into the future.

"Similarly, Maynooth still does not have a Community Centre or a Swimming Pool and the Ring Road is still not completed.

"Developing the Harbour Field Area into a Public Park with Sensory Gardens and a Community Centre is a key initiative for 2023."

He further said: "From a County perspective, Kildare is ahead of most successful counties in providing Social and Affordable Housing, but we need to increase our outputs in 2023 if we are to keep up with demand.

"I’d like to see the council improve on how it advertises affordable housing and that we can help more Kildare families find their forever home.

"On the other side, I’d like to see KCC look at creating smaller retirement communities throughout the County for individuals and couples who would like to downsize but remain part of the community."

Cllr Ó Cearúil said that, for his personal goals, he is looking forward to getting married to his fianceé, Aly.

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Cllr Peter Hamilton, Green Party

Green Party Cllr Peter Hamilton also detailed his goals for 2023, while also commending KCC for approving 'the most progressive ten-year County Development Plan ever.'

He said: "In 2023, my main ambition will be to shape the Maynooth and environs Local Area Plan to provide for a similar future for our rapidly growing town.

"The settlements of North Kildare are at a crossroads, we can become a jumbled urban metropolitan region with uncontrolled and unsustainable growth, or we can set a vision for a sustainable forward-looking community and society."

He added: "Our children and grandchildren are counting on us to look to the future, not the past."

Senator Fiona O' Loughlin, Fianna Fáil

FF Senator Fiona O' Loughlin told the Leader: "On a political level, I want to see more progress on the new bridge for Newbridge, new secondary school for the Newbridge/Kildare/Curragh area, lower costs of public transport and greater accessibility of rural transport, more playgrounds and leisure facilities, competition of the Athy Southern Distributor Road, and more affordable housing.

"Within the next few months I will be very happy to see the opening the first permanent centre for people with dementia. On a national level, I’m looking forward to the introduction of my IVF bill next month, the progression of the protection of the Curragh bill and much needed supports for those with disabilities.

"For the last six months I have had the privilege of being rapporteur of a very significant report for the 46 countries within the Council of Europe.

"My report will be adopted at the end of January and will form the basis for a summit of all heads of government and state of the 46 countries to be held in Rejavik on May 16/17.

"This I see as both a huge personal and political achievement."

She added: "On a personal level, as ever to try to be fitter and get some regular exercise; and to spend more quality time with family and friends.

"And as an adage- my big wish for 2023 is that the Russian war of aggression against Ukraine will end."

Senator Mark Wall, Labour Party

Similar to his fellow representatives, Labour Party Senator Mark Wall said: "I would like to see a number of housing developments completed in South Kildare, including the urgent need for affordable housing."

Senator Wall also said: "We need to develop and assist our GP services. Too many families in Kildare South are without a GP and the waiting times for seeing a doctor are getting longer."

In addition, like Senator O' Loughlin, welcomed the completion of the Athy Southern Distributor Road in 2023, and a new bridge for Newbridge.

From a personal point of view, he said that he is looking forward to more exercise and good health, as well as spending more time with his family.

He added: "Of course, I will always dreaming that this will be the year that we will lift Sam once again!"

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Dr Cathal Berry TD, Independent

Independent TD Dr Cathal Berry told the Leader: "Housing remains priority number one for me. I’ll continue to tackle dereliction across the constituency in both private and publically owned buildings.

"The Curragh in particular needs sustained investment after decades of neglect."

He also said that he has 'a very clear mandate from the Defence community' to achieve continued pay and equipment improvements: "There has been some progress in the last 12 months, but obviously a lot more is needed."

Dr Berry added: "As Kildare is a commuter county, I’ll also be advocating for a three day week taxsaver ticket for buses and trains to assist hybrid workers who no longer need to travel to Dublin every day."

Cllr Angela Feeney, Labour Party

Lastly, Cllr Angela Feeney said: "My main political goals for 2023-to successfully see the roll out of the joint Local Area Plan for Maynooth for 2024-2030 as this will be the framework for the future development of our designated 'key town' of Maynooth. 

"To continue to make representations to support North Kildare constituents in as many ways I can whether it is on issues of social housing or community issues in their area."

"On a personal note, to better balance work-life and ensure I factor some well-being activities into my busy week such as getting out for a walk or just meeting my friends for a coffee, it's very important for both physical and mental health," she concluded.