Labour formally selects candidate for election campaign in Waterford

The Labour Party has formally selected it's candidate for Waterford in the upcoming General Election which it's anticipated will be announced in the very near future.

Sadhbh O' Neill will contest the election for Labour in the Déise and among those in attendance at the launch event was Party Leader, Ivana Bacik TD.

She spoke of her long association with Sadhbh, whom she met in university, and she praised the candidate's impact on environmental and climate policy over the years.

Deputy Bacik also highlighted that Labour has "a solid track record in campaigning for faster and fairer climate action". 

However, she also emphasised that the upcoming election will also be about the cost of living crisis and the bankruptcy of the Government's housing strategy, which is failing to deliver.

Speaking at the launch and expressing pride in being selected for her party, Ms O'Neill spoke of her background in environmental and climate change advocacy.

She also stressed the need for urgent action to protect nature and the climate in ways that are affordable for households, especially in the context of a cost of living crisis.

'For the first time in my lifetime, it isn't money that is preventing the Government from building a better future, it's the lack of vision and ambition in the corridors of power," said Ms O'Neill.

"I was astounded by the seeming carelessness with which the Government threw money around in the recent budget," she added.

She then commented that the €500m that will be handed out in universal energy credits is more than the total retrofitting budget for next year. 

"The Government has not increased the budget for retrofitting social housing at all," she said.

"It's still just €90 million a year and they only plan to upgrade 25 per cent of social housing by 2030," she added.

She said that "has to change" and the change needs to begin immediately.

Regarding her own party and its vision for the future, she said Labour had progressive values and the courage to seem them through and as such she said she was proud to represent the party.

"That courage is needed now more than ever," she said.

"Despite Ireland’s wealth, many people are struggling to make ends meet and vital public services that are critical to people’s quality of life are underfunded," she added.

Ms O'Neill said people across Waterford are struggling to access affordable housing, reliable public transport and childcare and that despite Waterford’s regional importance, University Hospital Waterford still doesn't have 24/7 cardiac care. She also commented that waiting lists for some services are unacceptably long.

"We need a vision for the country for the next decade that provides people with quality public services and a high quality, clean environment," said Ms O'Neill.

"We also need to harness the potential of the energy transition in a way that is fast, fair and affordable for all," he added.

She also acknowledged the Labour Party team in Waterford and in particular paid tribute the party's Councillors on Waterford City & County Council, Cllrs Seamus Ryan, Thomas Phelan and John Pratt, for their support over the past number of weeks.

"I believe we can win a seat in Waterford and give the people of the city and county the progressive, solutions-based politics that can change lives and transform communities," she said.