As General Election 2016 got under way on Wednesday, Sinn Féin candidate for Kerry, Martin Ferris believes that the people of Kerry must choose between a chaotic Fine-Gael led government or a government of fairness led by Sinn Féin.
Deputy Ferris said that returning a Fine Gael-led government would be a disaster for the ordinary people of Kerry.
“This election is a clear choice between the chaos that will continue to be delivered by a second Fine Gael-led government and a fair, progressive government led by Sinn Féin,” he said.
“The Fine Gael/Labour Party government has done no favours for the ordinary people of Kerry. Re-electing a Fine Gael government would, in no doubt, lead to even further hardship and cuts for low and middle income families, and those who depend on critical public services.
Bereavement Grant
“They have cut child benefit, the back to school allowance, the respite care grant, 1.5 million home help hours, and they abolished the bereavement grant. These awful measures have had a deeply damaging impact on struggling Kerry families.
“They promised a new health service. Instead, we got overcrowded hospitals, the elderly and sick left on trolleys at Kerry General Hospital and long waiting lists for even basic procedures. I would be extremely worried that a Fine Gael-led government would make greater leaps toward the privatisation of health care in this state.
“Fine Gael completely abandoned any responsibility for housing and, as a result, we have seen social housing waiting list balloon, while mortgage distress continues to be a feature for thousands of families. The Labour Party at best stood by and at worst they helped their government partner to wreck havoc in this area.
Emergency Accommodation
“They have also allowed landlords to set exorbitant rents and failed abjectly on homelessness, and children living in emergency accommodation are a shameful part of Fine Gael’s disastrous legacy.
“The last five years, under the Fine Gael/Labour Party government, have been a period of great suffering for ordinary people in this county. However, there is now a genuine opportunity to seize a moment for progressive change.
“I am urging the people of Kerry to choose a Sinn Fein led Government that has a plan to deliver a fair recovery for all citizens, and put stability back into the lives of the average family. You can do that by electing a Sinn Féin TD for Kerry.
Kerry Left Behind
“Kerry has been left behind once again when it has come to investment in infrastructure and jobs, the IDA has an abysmal record in bringing jobs to the county over the past 15 years and despite much posturing very little has changed.
“During this election, the people of Kerry will be presented with two visions for Irish society. Sinn Féin’s vision is one of a fair recovery, investment in public services, and progressive taxation. A Sinn Féin-led government would deliver a better future for those who have endured so much under Fine Gael and the Labour Party,” Deputy Ferris concluded.
