Wednesday, February 23, 2011

Disillusioned public need new type of politicians to give them faith in state – Kelly

Sinn Féin representative, Cllr Anthony Kelly, has said that the people of County Wexford need a new type of politician practising a new type of politics to give them back their faith in the state.  The general election candidate said he was shocked by the amount of people who told him that they weren’t voting this Friday, and believes it is a direct result of the corruption and false promises of previous elected TDs in the county.

“I was shocked to discover a type of apathy among people while I was canvassing,” Cllr Kelly said, “A common reaction was, sure they’re all the same, what’s the point in voting at all.  I can understand that people are upset and under extreme pressure.  Nearly twenty thousand Wexford people are on the live register.  Families are being broken up by the terrible return of emigration.  The future seems uncertain and I know people are losing hope.  This election offers new hope.  Not using your vote won’t change anything.  In fact it will keep the likes of Fianna Fail in power.  The only way to change anything is to get out and vote for change this Friday.”

“The political system has failed the Irish people.  It is unaccountable and protects those who have abused public office.  There is no doubt that changes to the system are drastically needed.  Reform must focus on ensuring political institutions are inclusive, accessible and accountable.  Sinn Féin would make the Dáil more accessible to the public and change the law to allow for the impeachment, or removal from the Dáil, of any TD involved in corruption or deliberate misuse of public money.  We would cut Ministerial salaries by 40% and TDs’ salaries by 20%, and we would end the payment of unvouched expenses.  Many politicians talk about political reform today, but they had chances to introduce such changes in the past and didn’t.  Sinn Féin would use their opportunity to make these changes, and if the people of County Wexford elect me, I will fight for such reform to be introduced.”

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