Election news (Galway)

galway | politics / elections | news report

Sunday May 23, 2004 11:17

by finnachta

Law student poised to challenge corruption

Twenty year old law student Ann Marie Kelly recently secured the 15 signatures she needed from members of her local community to run for election to Galway County Council.

Ms Kelly's family home is in Woodlawn, and there are some very pressing and serious environmental threats for local people relating to the possibility that two superdumps may soon be located nearby.

The main thrust of her election campaign will centre on Article 28A (Item 1) of the Constitution of the Republic of Ireland, which reads as follows: "The State recognises the role of local government in providing a forum for the democratic representation of local communities, in exercising and performing at local level powers and functions conferred by law and in promoting by its initiatives the interests of such communities."

Ms Kelly believes that certain very controversial alterations which were made a few years ago to the Republic of Ireland's Waste Management Act are completely in breach of the Constitution. Several other local people feel exactly the same way, and they are EXTREMELY angry about the whole overall situation.

The alterations in question remove power from locally elected politicians to have any worthwhile say in the location of such things as superdumps and incinerators. Instead, all important decisions relating to such matters are, at the present time, in the hands of non-elected government managers.

In a recent newspaper article Ms Kelly is quoted as saying: "Words fail me when it comes to describe the growing sense of anger and resentment I feel regarding all of the ongoing upset and trouble that I, my family, and many other families in my community have been going through for several years now on account of these two dumps - all because of what I see as President McAleese's reckless and irresponsible behaviour towards our Constitution, and towards the citizens of my local community. Both as a lawyer and as a woman, I feel she should know better - much better."

The full text of the above mentioned article can be seen at:
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/annmariekelly/message/3

Political, legal, and corporate corruption are the main targets Ms Kelly is at present adjusting her sights for- with the help of a small but growing group of dedicated supporters.

When asked recently if she was concerned about the enormity of the task which lays ahead of her, Ms Kelly quietly quoted the old saying:
"A journey of 1000 miles must begin with the first step".

A copy Ms Kelly's election flyer for the June 11th 2004 election can be seen at:
http://www.finnachta.com/AnnMarieKellyNumber1.htm

She has also recently made a start at opening a web site of her own, which is at:
http://www.annmariekelly.org/

Comments (1 of 1)

Ireland belongs to its people, not its politicians ...

Tue May 25, 2004 10:39

+++++++

EXTRACT from Press Release dated May 24th 2004 (from Galway County Council Election Candidate Ann Marie Kelly):

" ... the result I most want to see from my campaign is for people, both young and old, to know that this country belongs to them, and not the politicians."

For full text of Press Release please see below.

+++++++

----- Original Message -----
Wrom: TTZRCLBDXRQBGJS
To: TG4 ; Tuam Herald ; TV3 ; Connacht Tribune ; Galway Advertiser ; Galway Bay FM ; Galway Independent Newspaper ; Irish Examiner Newspaper ; Irish Independent ; Irish Times ; Sunday Business Post ; Sunday World Newspaper
Cc: Ann Marie Group
Sent: Monday, May 24, 2004 8:11 PM
Subject: Press Release (from election candidate Ann Marie Kelly)

Dear Editor,

My name is Ann Marie kelly. I am a Woodlawn resident. I am 20 years old and am currently studying Corporate Law at NUI Galway. I am running in the Ballinasloe area as an Independent in the upcoming County Council Elections on June 11th.

My main reason for running is to be a true voice for a disillusioned and a betrayed community, following the announcement that not one, but two superdumps are now due to be situated in my local area. I believe that our democratic rights are being taken away from us. We have elected people in the recent past to represent us and they have, in general, failed us miserably. As an example, I refer to the controversial Waste Management (Amendment) Act 2002. This Act is a direct breach of Article 28A of The Irish Constitution. I believe that the removal of powers from our locally elected representatives regarding superdumps and incinerators was unlawful, and it left the community without their democratic voice. This is not acceptable.

I also wish to state that it was our elected TDs that voted to have the power of councillors removed. Why? I also would like to ask why did our elected local government representatives reject a valid and viable proposal to build a recycling plant in the same area as the superdumps? Had this proposal been accepted in 2001 we would not have the need for the two Superdumps. Instead of E300 a year for waste collection, it would have amounted to E150. Why did Galway County Council reject this proposal?

Also, following my recent canvassing, I feel that many other areas have been shamefully neglected, so I ask the following: is it too much to ask for a play facility to be available for each and every child? Why don't our Government stop squandering the tax payers money on frivolous cosmetic purchases? Why not spend money on a facelift for our shabby public amenities?

I feel I must also oppose the threatened closure of the hospital in Ballinasloe town. The healthcare of the local community is of utmost importance, and I can't help but feel that lives may be lost if the closure goes ahead unopposed.

My manifesto is simple. I oppose superdumps, incinerators, hospital closures and down-grading and CORRUPTION. It's time for everyone to vote against the old system and vote for: A healthy environment; Recycling; Heritage protection; Play areas for children (It is the children of today who are the future); Affordable housing; Affordable car and business insurance; and Improvements to the Disability Bill.

However, the result I most want to see from my campaign is for people, both young and old, to know that this country belongs to them, and not the politicians. The country is ours to change, and it can be done. We can change the system and every vote away from main political parties is a vote for a bright and democratic future. Send a clear message to the Government on June 11th. Either they deliver on their promises or they are out!

Is mise le meas,

Ann Marie Kelly
Independent Candidate for Galway County Council (Ballinasloe Area).

www.annmariekelly.org