Sinn Féin launch local and European election campaigns in Waterford

Sinn Féin launched their campaign for the European and local elections in the Déise last Thursday.

At the Tower Hotel on The Mall, European candidate, Deputy Kathleen Funchion TD and Uachtaran Mary Lou MacDonald spoke to the Waterford News and Star about the will for political change in the Déise and beyond.

Deputy Funchion is running for Ireland South along with Senator Paul Gavan, in the European elections.

Deputy McDonald said: "Kathleen  is an outstanding candidate for Europe. I was a bit reluctant because, you know, she's just been an outstanding colleague at the Dáil."

In Waterford, Sinn Féin are running 18 local election candidates.#

Deputy Funchion said: “We have a really good strong range of candidates, the most candidates we've ever run in a local election. It's great to be out and about with them and see how active all of the Sinn Féin activists are in their community.” 

“We know what the issues are in relation to housing, the cost of living, health care, particularly the disability sector as well," she said. "It's a sector I feel very strongly about [Deputy Funchion is the Sinn Féin Spokesperson on Children, Equality and Disability] I think people are getting behind the momentum for change and it all starts at this local election."

Deputy McDonald revealed a common question they received in Waterford: “We had a really busy day talking to people across the community, across the board and the most common thing said to me out on the canvas was ‘when are you getting that crowd out?’, referring to the Government.” 

“We passionately believe that it is now time after 13 years of Fine Gael in Government, eight years of Fianna Fáil joined to them at the hip, a century passing power between each other. If people want that change they actually have to show up and vote for it."

When asked what the party can offer the South East, Deputy McDonald said:

“For us in Sinn Féin, we’re very clear that to get it right for the South East, the Midlands and the border regions, it will require a change of government, the other (parties) have had their chance and they’ve either delayed bringing what the region needs or they've simply made commitments and walked away from them."

She added: "That's been the experience. That's what people around here are telling me. So of course, that has to change for us. Balanced regional development is essential."