Newcastle West businessman announces he will run in the upcoming general election
Jim Barrett says he has 'a very good work ethic' and hopes to be successful in his campaign, despite failing to secure a seat at local level
A LIMERICK businessman has announced his intention to run for the upcoming general election.
Jim Barrett from Glandarragh, Newcastle West, is running as an independent candidate for Limerick county.
Having ran in the local election in June but ultimately coming out unsuccessful, Mr Barrett is not letting it deter him from declaring his candidacy for the general election.
An Iarnród Éireann employee for the past 25 years, Mr Barrett currently works as a competency assessor. He is also a small dry stock farmer and runs a bicycle hire business.
Former chair of West Limerick Tourism, Mr Barrett reckons he has a suitable track record to try his hand once again at politics but this time, on a national level.
“I am a confident and experienced person, with a very good work ethic,” Mr Barrett said.
“I have cross-sectional experience on many disciplines, from serving as a fitter to working in railway and also farming, which my family and I have done all our lives.
“I have a practical view on issues and will use these skills to represent my constituents if elected. I have shown that I'm a genuine hardworking individual and have a deep desire to help my community and have shown this for years and since the local elections highlighting many issues near and far.”
Mr Barrett believes strongly in bettering the public transportation system in county Limerick, as well as working with farmers on sustainable practices, builders and developers on developing new homes, and assessing possibilities to better the healthcare system in his constituency.
The father-of-two also wants to see tourist, heritage, tidy towns groups and community organisations promote the county. He promises to work with An Garda Siochana in every location to identify policing improvements if elected.
The general election is speculated to take place sometime at the end of November, with Taoiseach Simon Harris saying he would like to see it take place on a Friday.