Think Independently this Election Day

“This is decision time for the people of Waterford,” Deputy Shanahan said. “They say that you get the representation that you deserve – and from looking at the facts and figures for this Government, of which we currently have three representatives, it’s clear that Waterford and the South East have not been getting even close to what we deserve.”

According to Deputy Shanahan, during this Government’s four-and-a-half-year term, they have allocated “approximately €40 billion in capital expenditure nationally,” which should, he says, have meant a 10% share for the South East region.

“That’s €4 billion of which Waterford would have expected to see 30% based on being the economic driver for the region and the location of the Model 4 Hospital, Technological University and Airport,” Shanahan said.

“That means that we should be able to see the fruits of approximately €1.2 billion within the confines of this city and county. Adding the capital investments announced or allocated by budget for the North Quays, University Hospital Waterford, Technological University, Urban and Rural regeneration and Affordable Housing Scheme projects, I cannot even break €300 million in this supposed allocated expenditure! We are missing almost a billion of regional spend, the money we need to deliver strategic investment in transport, education, healthcare and foreign direct activity which could insulate and protect family incomes in the future when this economy turns which it will. This missing billion is the ‘rainy day funding’ required to secure families in Waterford with any comparable opportunity to that which has been given liberally to other peer regions and cities.

“We are currently spending a record amount of money, never before seen in the life of any previous Government, and it’s largely going between Dublin, Cork, and the favoured constituencies,” Shanahan said. “There is no shortage of promises for Waterford, promises repeated ad nauseum such as funding the extended 7 day cardiac service in the hospital, new bed blocks, new medical wards, new disability services. Add the promises extending over a decade to the Airport, or the Engineering Building for SETU or new courses, or any upgrade to our N24 or N25 regional connectivity  – we are being strung along by promises for years while other regions are benefiting from large cash injections and economic growth.

“It is clear now, that voting for the major parties time and time again, is not delivering for Waterford. Recent history shows that although we have continuously supported the large parties, they have continuously turned their backs on us’.

With decision time for two major elections on June 7, Deputy Shanahan is urging Waterford people to ‘think again and send a strong political message to those refusing to fund our regional future,  – the message is clear  – if you won’t support us – we surely won’t support you!  Voters can achieve this by voting independents’ Shanahan says.
“Polls are showing that the popularity of Independents is growing consistently because people are seeing their hard work and commitment on behalf of their constituents and this is paying off,”.

Shanahan says ‘the agendas pursued for years by the main political parties has seen Waterford fall further behind other peer cities year after year, decade after decade. If that trend is allowed to continue, I fear the ‘economic bypass’ inflicted on Waterford and the wider south east will signal terminal decline in terms of opportunity for our young,  and dignity for our elderly.

We are heading into such an important time with Local and European Elections on Friday with a General Election to follow. The past decade and a half should be evidence enough to cause the people of Waterford city and county to take a new direction to deliver fairer political representation and relevance. As the popularity of the main parties continues to decline and Independents grow nationwide, it’s time for the people of Waterford to rethink their representation and their voting strategy.”