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My Objectives
Securing Jobs
Job creation has to be my central focus. I will continue to -
- Influence policy so as to attract investment into the county. The IDA aims to create 100,000 jobs through FDI up to 2014. I have demanded that Kerry get its fair share of these jobs.
- Persuade the head of Enterprise Ireland to explore a targeted development plan for Kerry companies within growth sectors.
- Insist that Kerry County Enterprise Board receive their fair share of funding in order to influence and support entrepreneurship, growth and productivity in our local businesses.
- Work closely with Údarás to safeguard jobs and businesses in our Gaeltacht communities.
- Help local entrepreneurs and SME’s access all business grants and supports available.
- Make representations to the Credit Review office on behalf of viable businesses denied credit.
- Demand the continued reduction of the regulatory burden on small businesses.
Securing Health Services
You deserve excellent health services that deliver excellent health outcomes. I will continue to –
- Fight to ensure that services are maintained in Kerry General Hospital.
- Ensure that Kerry General Hospital’s New A&E is completed on time.
- Make the case for investment in our Community Hospitals.
Securing Education
You deserve an education that enables you to reach your true potential. Through education and continuous learning we will gain a key competitive advantage in future. I will continue to –
- Fight for capital funding for our primary and post primary schools.
- Support Entrepreneurial Initiatives in our Schools and at IT Tralee.
- Make the case for Kerry to benefit from the expansion in training places available.
Securing a Sustainable Future for our Farmers & Fishermen
Our agriculture and fishing industries face huge challenges but with the correct support there is a huge opportunity to increase the value of our primary output in the agriculture, fisheries and forestry sector by €1.5 billion by 2020. I will continue to –
- Ensure that Harvest 2020 is implemented so we can create added value for our agricultural and fisheries sectors.
- Support a strong national stance in negotiations on CAP post 2013 to ensure a continuation of the direct payments system that is so important to our farmers incomes.
- Work with Minister Sean Connick to make sure that Kerry fishermen are properly represented and fishing opportunities are protected under the CFP review.
Securing Infrastructure
Our county needs to be connected and accessible for us to benefit from economic and social growth. I will continue to –
- Ensure that we get our fair share of investment for our county’s infrastructure.
- Make sure that our national & non-national roads in Kerry are maintained and upgraded.
- Insist that upgrades to National Broadband Scheme are delivered on and Rural Broadband Scheme established.
Securing our Communities & Gaeltachts
Our Communities and Gaeltachts are what makes us Kerry people unique. They are our greatest strength. I will continue to–
- Promote the Government’s 20 year strategy that will secure the future of the Irish language and the Gaeltacht.
- Secure funding for the support groups that contribute so positively to our communities.
- Fight to ensure that our community sports and cultural groups receive their fair share of investment.
Securing Tourism
Our tourism industry is vital to the well being of Kerry. We are hoping to increase the number of overseas tourists coming to Ireland to eight million by 2015 and here in Kerry we will benefit enormously from that increase. I will continue to -
- Work to secure the PSO for Kerry Airport.
- Ensure that projects in Kerry receive their fair share of Fáilte Ireland’s development funding.
- Help local groups to secure funding and promotion for their festivals.
PERSONAL COMMITMENTS
I will fight your corner at all times. As your elected national representative I have a duty to do what’s best for you and all of Ireland. I believe our political system needs to be fundamentally changed so it can serve you, the Irish people in a rapidly changing world. I will -
- Maintain my current levels of constituency clinics in Kerry South.
- Regularly publish in full on my website my vouched expenses.
- Publish an annual report on my work locally and nationally.
- Maintain a high attendance in the Dáil as a matter of principle.
- Support reform to make the Dáil’s work more transparent and accessible for you.
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21:41
5th February 2012
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