My track record is here: www.paul Gogarty.com/election
Headline priorities reminder:
More detail (NB this will be updated right up to the day before the election due to time constraints)
Some areas are not listed above and some give more detail. Readers will note that these policy areas are not especially constituency-based. This is because a) I am constantly raising local concerns as and when they arise; b) TDs are national legislators who must have regard to the common good; and c) Movement on national areas usually has a knock-on effect locally. My position on different issues change slightly as and when updated credible information comes to hand.
Housing
This is a key priority for me. There are many good recommendations in the Housing Commission Report, which I broadly support, although I would be concerned about implementation timetables and costings. See https://assets.gov.ie/294018/e1aae1ed-07c4-473d-811e-3426756321ee.pdf
I also have a couple of areas that I think are worthy of focusing on specifically:
Increased penalties for housing not occupied including the right of a local authority to make a compulsory purchase order faster than the current derelict sites process
Allied to this incentives to allow for refurb of derelict buildings in city centres and rural towns and villages
More focus on building in Dublin City centre to revitalise the area, with incentives to encourage people to live there
Allow people on housing list to move to new or refurbished accommodation in areas that need the population in rural towns and villages WITHOUT losing their place on a Dublin housing list for five years. This will encourage more people to try a move and enjoy a better quality of life, while also providing the critical population to keep services like post offices and shops open in rural areas
Special housing built or purchased for critical workers near places of employment, with affordable rents to allow them to save for their own home, eg teachers, nurses/doctors, Gardaí
A "Dublin Allowance" for specific staff that are needed in key areas to meet cost of living rental challenges (see above) up until a mortgage is obtained or social housing has been secured
Tax relief measures to encourage smaller landlords to stay in the market, while acknowledging that strategic rent freezes may need to be applied in certain locations under challenging economic circumstances
Greater flexibility to allow families in rural areas to build on family land (sustainably) or in back garden areas in urban areas, subject to conditions about renting such properties out for profit. In this way young couples can more easily save for their own larger home while living in a "starter unit" (high quality meeting planning conditions etc), which could also become a step-down property for older people whose children and grandchildren may move into the main home
Targeted step down properties in key locations where there is an older population
Increased liaison with charities such as the HomeShare, to target people who need to rent a room affordably and match them with older people who want companionship and a few hours' work done around the home
To ensure that all land zoned new residential becomes a "Strategic Development Zone" or similar to ensure that community facilities and amenities are delivered in a phased way, with mandatory tie-in of housing construction with such developments to build communities not just housing
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Climate Change and Environment
Ensure there is no slippage to the Climate Action Plan 2021. We need faster, fairer targets to ensure a just transition to a net zero-carbon future
A strong focus on education regarding the realities of climate change, as vested interests have already succeeded in muddying the waters and creating doubt that it is happening, or that we can make a difference individually and as a nation
Faster action to improve water quality
Incentives to assist farmers to move to more sustainable agricultural practices
Increased investment in offshore wind but also wave technology
Development and ownership of renewable power generation so that the people reap the rewards of any investment, including through reductions in energy bills and income from renewable data storage for AI
Rapid development of green hydrogen rollout for the transportation sector
Further rollout of a renewable EV charging network
End red tape in rollout of EV buses
Investment in public transport network to increase trust in an inefficient service (as per my bus user survey - see transport section) so that the congestion equilibrium is as low as possible to reduce vehicle emissions
Better incentives for microgeneration
Meaningful penalties for litter and illegal dumping
NB there is so much misinformation and disinformation out there about climate science. This page from NASA is a starting point that explains why the vast majority of climate scientists contend that climate is primarily being influenced by human activity, above and beyond any nature cycles: https://science.nasa.gov/climate-change/evidence/ . The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change page goes deeper: https://www.ipcc.ch/
I am very concerned about the huge amount of fake information out there, which is usually funded by fossil fuel industries as well as rogue states with an interest in fomenting mistrust within western democracies for their own strategic benefits. I've found that this page is a good resource for data that calls out the myths and memes: https://skepticalscience.com/
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Healthcare
End wastage in the system
Phase out recruitment embargoes that have led to a high dependency on costly agency nursing, admin and other staff in favour of permanent staff
Ensure that student nurses and other medical staff get paid while training and enduring long hours
Housing provision adjacent for new and training healthcare staff
Multi-annual funding plans to ensure delivery of the above
Faster rollout of Slaintecare https://assets.gov.ie/294018/e1aae1ed-07c4-473d-811e-3426756321ee.pdf
At the same time, invest to end backlogs through an enhanced treatment purchase fund via Northern Ireland and EU member states
Digitisation of healthcare records and easier access from various locations
Incentives to enable new GPs to set up in areas
More primary care centres that cover routine medical issues so as to avoid dragging people unnecessarily to A&E
Expansion of community care where it is shown to work
Expand medical card thresholds
Work towards a GP card for all
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Finance/Wastage in public expenditure/Enterprise culture
Multi-annual budgets
More stringent audit system
Pay more attention to Fiscal Advisory Council recommendations
Re-assess "Value for money" criteria in public procurement as the cheapest tenders are not always the cheapest in the long run
Incentives/penalties to ensure that contractors complete projects on time and on budget
A "credit rating" for construction companies so that public projects that are not done to standard or consistently run over normal inflation rates (outside emergency situations) go against companies tendering for projects
More competition in the financial sector
Investment in a viable State insurance company to increase competition to push insurance costs down and provide public liability insurance in areas that are not being quoted at all, or only exorbitantly, eg activity centres
Further measures to drive down "compo culture"
Incentives to reward careful younger drivers
Linking tax credits and social welfare payments to inflation
Work towards a living wage with proportionate reductions in employer's PRSI to encourage job retention
Develop a guaranteed basic income system that protects those that need support but also encourages enterprise and innovation and does not penalise work
Strategic investment in renewable power including wind and wave to ensure energy security as well as save money on energy bills
Strategic investment in the electrical grid system and interconnecters
Develop innovation. As someone who chaired “Think Ireland Inc” meetings in 2011 to encourage Ireland as an investment location for enterprise, I see the benefits of being a world leader in R&D and innovation. While some progress has been made, we are behind many of our global and EU counterparts (https://www.wipo.int/web-publications/global-innovation-index-2024/en/gii-2024-at-a-glance.html)
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Education
This is an essential area for me and I was a previous Chair of the Oireachtas Committee.
I have updated my "50 Steps to a Better Education System" and will upload this shortly.
This needs further work but there is a substantial template.
Headings here for time being:
Step 1 - Fund Education
Step 2 - Education Welfare Scheme additional investment:
Step 3 - Integrated Public Partnership
Step 4 - Developers to build new schools as part of planning permission
Step 5 - Increased investment in school building and maintenance
Step 6 - Representation for second level students on boards of management
Step 7 – Improvement of adult literacy levels
Step 8 - Review of school bus catchment areas and boundaries
Step 9 - A comprehensive review of the Transition Year programme
Step 10 - Measures to simplify the existing student support system
Step 11 - Measures to assist part-time students
Step 12 - Measures to assist full-time students with living expenses
Step 13 - Implementation of key McIver Report recommendations on Further Education sector
Step 14 - Creation of additional options to Leaving Certificate courses for students
Step 15 - Creation of dedicated Special Duties Position of 'Welcome Officer' in secondary schools
Step 16 - Creation of a tracking system to monitor school attendance
Step 17 - Provision of classroom assistant to improve health and safety in one-teacher schools
Step 18 - Re-establishment of National Adult Learning Council
Step 19: Creating opportunities for working parents to spend more time with school-going children
Step 20: Measures to reduce the weight of school bags
Step 21: Audit of school furniture and introduction of new standards for chairs and desks
Step 22: Review of existing division of responsibilities for education between the Departments of Education and Science and other departments, particularly Health and Children
Step 23: Integrated Resources Mobile Units
Step 24: Provision of health and nutrition classes for all parents of children starting primary school
Step 25: Free pre-school education
Step 26: Extra teachers in primary schools
Step 27: Extra teachers in second level schools
Step 28 - Green schools design and build
Step 29 - Green schools curriculum
Step 30 - School Discipline
Step 31 - Physical Education reform
Step 32 - Physical Education infrastructure and equipment investment
Step 33 - Review of Education Structures
Step 34 - State planning and delivery of educational facilities
Step 35 - ICT and AI investment
Step 36 - VAT refund on fund-raising and voluntary donations
Step 37 - Capitation grant increase for primary schools
Step 38 - Reform of Leaving Certificate Exam
Step 39 - Other curriculum reform
Step 40 - Lab technicians and review of Science
Step 41 - Role of parents in Education
Step 42 - Teaching of Irish at primary and second level
Step 43 - Professional Development
Step 44 - English language support
Step 45 - Special Educational needs
Step 46 - Arts Education Fund
Step 47 -Youthreach investment
Step 48 - Resources for Youth Work
Step 49 - Discretionary intervention fund
Step 50 - Ending commercialism in schools
Local objectives
Develop a "Common Applications System" to create greater transparency. While choice is important, parents should be able to send their child to the nearest school if they so wish.
Second level school for Newcastle, as census shows this is needed
Ensure construction of Griffeen CC is fast-tracked following letter of acceptance being issued
Speed up third Adamstown Primary School
Ensure Scoil Mochua in Clondalkin is adequately funded
Examine need for a special school in the north of SDCC area
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Sports and The Arts
A long-awaited audit of national and local sports facilities in public and private ownership, aimed at maximising usage of scarce resources and targeting investment where needed
Investment in sustainable all-weather pitches made from eco-friendly artificial turf, through increased dedicated grants to deal with the impacts of increased rainfall as a result of climate change
Multi-use sports and educational and public performance buildings where practicable
Re-channeling of funding for the greyhound and horse racing industries to real sports involving humans
Enhancements of arts bursaries and annual stipend to encourage creativity and give all types of artists the time and space to create
A dedicated PE subject in schools
Tax incentives for businesses to invest in sports and the arts in Ireland
Enhanced grants for team sports that demonstrate a commitment to fair playing time for all and keeping children in sport until adulthood
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Crime and public safety
The old adage "tough on crime and tough on the causes of crime" rings true in many ways. Poverty and deprivation are linked. While poverty in itself does not cause crime, the lack of opportunity for social and economic advancement creates conditions that can lead to criminal behaviour. And by the same token, those living in areas of disadvantage are more likely to be victims of crime and intimidation. As are young people in general. We need additional supports to assist individuals at risk at an early stage, via interventions in education, social work and youth diversion programmes.
Criminals come from all walks of life and when it comes to offences that cause harm to others, there need to be serious consequences for bad behaviour. Levels of alcohol or drug use at the time of an incident should not be valid excuses, nor should testimonials as to the otherwise good character of individuals. In recent months we have had a number of serious assaults, including on a young woman and a homeless person, that resulted in suspended sentences. The judiciary act independently and must have regard to the legislation passed, however legislators, ie TDs and Senators must pass laws that succeed in deterring as well as punishing bad actors. And a person who is already convicted of a serious assault should not be out on the streets building up further charges.
We need creative ways to deal with various offences. This can and should include curfews, restorative justice, community project work, educational programmes and workable solutions that do not necessarily include prison sentences that develop career criminals. Supports need to be provided for those with addiction issues. There need to be real consequences for bullying online and in the real world.
At the same time we need to cultivate a culture of respect for our country and for the public realm, where dropping litter, vandalising trees, bad driving/cycling behaviour or mistreating animals is frowned upon and has consequences, where respect for others is cultivated, where consent is clear-cut and boundaries clear, where coercive control and domestic abuse is identified and responded to faster, where positive male and female role models are promoted in society and where malicious misinformation and disinformation online is tackled through the appropriate channels.
I acknowledge that moving towards such a system requires targeted resources and sounds like a wish list, but a safer healthier society saves money and is to everyone's benefit. We are currently too lax in the way we do things. Ireland is a laid back country, which is positive in many ways, but we need to protect people of all ages from a minority who seek to take advantage of others. Consequences matter.
As of now, until I see a better suggestion or compelling evidence to the contrary, I am of the view that we need a dedicated traffic police, so that Gardaí can focus more on the real issues in our society and I support an enhanced role for Community Gardaí in this regard. A Dublin Allowance to encourage more Gardaí to apply to increase overall numbers would be one of the incentives I supports. I also support Garda-vetted volunteer wardens in public parks, whose sole role would be to walk in areas at night in pairs and to report to Gardaí and Park Wardens, creating a safer environment.
On the subject of Garda vetting, this should be annual rather than every three years, but one cert should be able to cover multiple logged roles working with children. It does not make sense that a teacher needs to be vetted separately with a sports club, a youth club and a summer project if you have the one annual report that is updated in real-time with any additional activity.
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An asylum system fit for purpose and a balanced immigration/work permit system
As an elected representative, people of all backgrounds have expressed concerns about the asylum process and/or immigration. This is usually either in terms of our capacity to assist people in terms of a housing and accommodation crisis, concerns that the system is being abused, and also concerns about lack of consultation and lacking of vetting for new arrivals. At the same time, most people are able to distinguish between the positive contribution that so many immigrants have made to our society and they recognise that we would not have a functional healthcare system in particular without the contribution of so many frontline workers from overseas. While I agree with some of the points raised by residents and might disagree with others, I think any opinion expressed that is not influenced by racism or conspiracy theories is a valid one and needs to be addressed in discussions and analysis, otherwise you create a vacuum that is filled by those who peddle outright lies to suit a particular political agenda.
I believe the current asylum system is not fit for purpose
I welcome the contribution made by so many people originally born in other countries in my constituency, many of whom have now become Irish citizens
I have nothing against economic migrants who apply via the asylum process, but we have no obligation as a country to grant permission to stay for people who are not genuinely seeking protection
I support a revamped work permit system to target jobs we need
I support Ireland increasing its development aid contributions and a higher EU contribution and supportive trade policies to enable poorer countries to develop their economies
I support proper consultation and engagement with communities and commitments regarding resourcing where additional supports are needed and viable
Supporting the need for consultation and engagement does not mean I subscribe to any racist drivel or "great replacement" conspiracy theories and I will not have anything to do with individuals peddling hatred, fear and misinformation.
Some tropes to look out for:
"They are letting unvetted people into the country" - anyone who applies for international protection is basically starting the vetting process. Under international agreements and obligations we have a duty of care to ensure that all fellow human beings who arrive here are treated with dignity and respect. People can argue about the pace of the process, or our capacity to cater for the numbers of applicants, but this has nothing to do with individual applicants on a human level.
"They are all economic migrants" - It is fair comment to say that some international protection applicants are economic migrants who are using the asylum process as a potentially easier way to come and work in Ireland. These people cannot be blamed for wanting a better life, but obviously from our perspective, the asylum process is not the appropriate mechanism. The Government has designated some countries as "safe" and speeded up the processing times for these. Again people have lots of different views on this, but even from safe countries there are individual cases where people need asylum so each application has to be vetted on a case by case basis. Many thousands of people who come to Ireland each year under international protection are fleeing persecution, war or famine and escaping these circumstances is their primary concern.
"They are all criminals": International protection applicants are no more likely to commit crime, assault or murder anyone than the general population. Anyone with a criminal record will be flagged via Europol, Interpol or other inter-agency co-operation. Anyone who commits an offence in Ireland should face meaningful consequences, including deportation. We need a balance of rights and responsibilities.
"Military-age males" - There are slightly more males than females arriving in Ireland each year and there's a reason for this. The journey to Europe is often treacherous and much more dangerous for women and children. Males are less likely to be trafficked and often set out in the hope that they can reach safety to then bring their families over under family reunification. It's fair comment to question the number of single males being placed in any centre in a community without sufficient amenities and activities being organised. This is common sense whether they are Irish or from abroad. But they should not be dehumanized. My own preferred term is "Construction-age males" as I gather they would all be more than happy to work hard in Ireland in return for an honest day's pay.
"The great replacement" and the "great plantation" - Some of the extremists believe that globally, under the auspices of the WEF and other bodies, a range of international governments with vastly different types of systems, leadership and democratic values are all in cahoots and working under a well-planned scheme to replace white people in Europe with darker-skinned people. They see a lot of immigrants and put two and two together to get 20. It often gets tied in with antisemitic conspiracy theories that are now a century old, or more. The world is more chaotic and random than that. War and persecution prevails in many unfortunate corners of the world.
"Go back to your own country" - Anyone here who has received citizenship is Irish. Their children born here are Irish. And anyone who has residency here, or is an EU citizen is entitled to remain here and the vast majority are net contributors to our society. Most people of foreign extraction in Ireland have come here as immigrants as opposed to via the asylum process. They are doctors, nurses, engineers, first responders, IT professionals etc. They pay taxes and live peaceful lives. As do those who have been granted leave to remain here. Ireland has benefited hugely economically through immigration and has benefitted from diversity.
Yes, we have issues with housing and catering for our own many homeless. It is regrettable many born here feel the need to emigrate out of economic necessity, not out of choice. There is also a clear need to review and improve both our asylum and immigration policies, our processing speeds and response times. That's all fair comment. And while we also need to improve in so many other ways as a nation, we are still one of the safest, most temperate and friendliest countries to live in anywhere in the world. On an individual level let's ensure that everyone is treated with dignity and respect and that those people trying to spin hatred and fear to progress their agenda are kept in the margins where they belong. That's where I'm coming from and my opinions may change over time depending on new, credible information from reputable, well-researched sources.
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Transport. gridlock and parking
There are over 12,000 more homes scheduled to be built in South Dublin in the next 10-15 years. While housing is welcome, to date there has been little if no infrastructure tied in to be delivered alongside or in advance of housing. This strategic incompetence means that car dependency levels will be higher than they should be unless we can get our public transport alternatives working.
Traffic congestion will always be with us in urban areas (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Traffic_congestion) . Weather and accidents will always make traffic heavier, but sometimes gridlock is exacerbated by bad planning, putting too many exits onto roads with limited capacity, a lack of ring roads, orbital roads and strategic extra lanes that all for turning. Smart management of roundabouts and traffic lights can assist here. In general, roundabouts work better when there is some flow, but are awful in gridlock (all it takes is a couple of drivers not using yellow boxes properly). Traffic lights manage traffic better at peak hours, if they are flexible in terms of sequencing from a central control, but can slow down flow unnecessarily at other times. Along certain routes we definitely need to look at combination traffic light/roundabout systems that are more common in the UK.
Studies have shown that when public transport and cycleway provision is optimised, this makes traffic flow better by lowering the congestion equilibrium. The equilibrium will only get to a certain point, at which stage it again makes more sense to some people to drive. People often look for more lanes and wider roads. This does not in itself relieve congestion, as when roads are widened, drivers start to make more trips, make longer trips and choose the car more frequently, again leading to tailbacks. However if you take away left turn options and narrow lanes unnecessarily, this can lead to local congestion, as with the R136, where car parking had to go out onto the road because of bureaucratic incompetence that delayed the opening of Kishoge train station by 15 years and required an additional €4 million refurbishment (see: https://www.paulgogarty.com/post/traffic-calming-r136-at-clonburris )
The NTA and TII estimate that gridlock will not reduce in the coming years, but rather peak congestion will continue to increase. The sheer volume of housing will see to that. So the emphasis has to be on providing reliable and efficient alternatives to driving, especially where the majority of drivers go.
But the current public transport system is not fit for purpose. The rail network will not see significant increases in carriage capacity until 2027-29 along the DART+ South West route, while the Bus Connects Rollout has left a lot to be desired, as per the findings of my bus survey which was completed by over 2,200 people (see here: https://www.paulgogarty.com/post/bus-results ). We need a more targeted investment in drivers so that buses actually turn up and to give the bus companies flexibility to add in additional buses when there is extra demand. We also need routes that meet the demand for single journeys to the city centre that is especially important for people with disabilities and mobility issues.
Transport will continue to be a key issue for me as a TD, both nationally and locally
Orbital route west of Newcastle and alternative to M50 west of Leixlip
A ring road for Rathcoole
Abolish or stagger the tolls on the M5o to avoid rat running across the river, congesting Lucan village
Push for Luas extension to Lucan
Enhanced bus services for Newcastle and retain a city centre option
A 25-type service for Lucan
Retain a 26/80 service to the city centre in Palmerstown
Enhanced Luas services to Citywest/Saggart
Overhaul of the bus service with more accountability and flexibility and a major driver recruitment drive
Ongoing pressure to ensure delivery of extra capacity on the DART+ South West Line
Push for a joining of the suburban lines north and south of the Liffey to create a "circle" line
Monitor rollout of newer orbital routes in Clondalkin to ensure service is running effectively
An EV network that people can trust so that we increase the number of non-polluting and zero carbon emissions vehicles
Incentives to increase rollout of HVO pumps for lower emission diesel vehicle driving
Develop a network for green hydrogen to be part of the mix for transportation vehicles
Use the rail network more effectively for freight
No more new housing rezonings in green field suburban areas until we revitalise Dublin City Centre, which is best placed to prove full services within walking distance
Develop an integrated cycleway strategy that works, linking up retail and employment locations and avoiding mixing with vehicular traffic or footpaths where possible
While encouraging active travel and transport, areas high in shared rental properties need to have sufficient parking in place for vehicles even if are not being used. Illegal parking has caused major problems in many newer estates
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An Ghaeilge
Caithfimid níos mó a dhéanamh chun an Ghaeilge a chur chun cinn mar ár dteanga náisiúnta.
Mar gheall ar ár stair choilíneach, ní labhraítear an Ghaeilge chomh forleathan agus ba chóir agus mar sin, agus Gaelscoileanna á gcur chun cinn mar rogha do líon méadaitheach tuismitheoirí, ní mór dúinn freisin úsáid laethúil na Gaeilge a dhéanamh níos tarraingtí do dhaoine nach bhfuil in ann é a labhairt ar bith, nó is féidir é a labhairt ar chaighdeán níos lú ná líofa.
Tá dul chun cinn ollmhór déanta i gCluain Dolcáin chun stádas speisialta a fháil don bhaile mar Líonra Gaeilge (https://gaelphobal.ie/eolas/lionrai-gaeilge/?lang=ga). Caithfimid an obair atá déanta a leathnú agus deiseanna comhchosúla a chur ar fáil freisin i gcodanna eile de Bhaile Átha Cliath Meán-Iarthar, mar Leamhcán, áit a léiríonn torthaí daonáirimh go bhfuil duine den líon is airde cainteoirí Gaeilge i gceantar Bhaile Átha Cliath.
We must do more to promote Irish as our national language. Due to our colonial history, Irish is not spoken as widely as it should be as our first language and therefore, while promoting Gaelscoileanna as an option for an increasing number of parents, we also need to make the daily use of Irish more attractive to people who are not can speak it at all, or can speak it at a less than fluent level.
Huge progress has been made in Clondalkin to obtain special status for the town as a Líonra Ghaeilge (We must do more to promote Irish as our national language. Due to our colonial history, Irish is not spoken as widely as it should be and therefore, while promoting Gaelscoileanna as an option for an increasing number of parents, we also need to make the daily use of Irish more attractive to people who are not can speak it at all, or can speak it at a less than fluent level. Huge progress has been made in Clondalkin to obtain special status for the town as a Líonra Gaeilge (https://gaelphobal.ie/eolas/lionrai-gaeilge/?lang=ga). We need to expand the work that has been done and provide similar opportunities in other parts of Dublin Mid-West, such as Lucan, where census results show that there is one of the highest number of Irish speakers in the Dublin area.
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