The 2024 elections are just over a month away and candidates are busy making their views heard ahead of the elections on June 7.
Lower interest loans will bring homes to Laois supported by Green Party candidate
The Green Party have announced that homeowners will be able to borrow between €5,000 and €75,000 at lower interest rates to make their homes warmer and cheaper to run.
This is part of a €500 million scheme strongly supported by Green Party Local election candidate Rosie Palmer.
People can borrow at interest rates starting from 3.55% significantly lower than typical home improvement loans of between 6-7%.
These low rates are thanks to both a loan guarantee and subsidy from the government.
Local Election candidate Rosie Palmer praised the scheme and encouraged local residents to avail of the opportunity.
She said: “This is a major opportunity for people to help the planet and their wallet with warmer homes and cheaper energy bills. The Green Party is dedicated to practical climate action that works”
Last year these schemes helped over 48,000 achieve energy upgrades and the Green Party aims to bring this to even more homes this year.
Once these loans are approved the loans can be drawn before work begins, giving homeowners peace of mind.
Labour Party candidate Eoin Barry calls on Irish water to improve communication and investment
Labour Party candidate Eoin Barry has called on Irish water to improve communication with residents and for increased investment in water and waste management in the district of Killeshin and Graiguecullen.
Three times this week residents in this district have water outages without warning.
He said: “This is unacceptable to residents and causing significant issues for people who want to go about their daily lives.
In addition business, schools and farmers are all facing issues as a result. Irish water need to improve their communication and let residents know what the issue is”.
While urging for further investment in the district he mentioned that residents in Wolfhill were being warned about low levels in the reservoir despite the exceptionally heavy rainfall in the subsequent seasons.
He said: “This would be somewhat understandable if it was a once off issue but it happens every year and as we can see in Graiguecullen this week there are clear issues with the underlying infrastructure in the municipal district.
Before concluding he also acknowledged the residents of Ballybrittas who have had significant issues connecting to water mains.
He finished by saying: “Every political party is planning significant housing programmes in the years ahead, we need significant investment in the basic infrastructure to meet the needs of residents now and into the future.
Despite record government surpluses and budgets in recent years it’s clear out infrastructure is not up the standard we require.
Fine Gael candidate meets with esteemed politician Nancy Pelosi
Fine Gael candidate Thomasina Connell met with Nancy Pelosi during the week who was awarded the Fullnight Ireland Public Service Award at the residence of the U.S Ambassador’s residence in Dublin.
She said: “I was honoured to have the opportunity to meet Nancy Pelosi and had a brief but engaging conversation with her about women in politics and the importance of protecting democracy across the world”
Connell described Pelosi as an “impressive politician” who worked relentlessly for healthcare, climate action, healthcare and human rights throughout her political career.
During their conversation Polosi emphasised the importance for democracy throughout the world and condemned Russia’s actions in Ukraine.
Pelosi also criticised Donald Trump and his policies in her role as Speaker of the House of Representatives.
Connell said: “I was interested to hear Nancy Pelosi give her own insight into elective politics and leadership; she is clearly a firm believer in more diversity at the table which is essential for balanced decision making.
She concluded her account of the encounter with Pelosi by describing it as a “special evening “ and described her as a “wonderful friend and a champion of women in politics”.
