Aontú Co. Kildare public meeting on Housing, Health and Cost of Living announced for April 15

Aontú Chill Dara is holding a public meeting on Housing, Health and Cost of Living in the Keadeen Hotel in Newbridge on Monday, April 15 at 8pm.

Leader of Aontú Deputy Peadar Tóibín TD will be joined by Newbridge LEA Candidate Melissa Byrne, and Clane LEA Candidate, Una O’Connor.

Deputy Tóibín will stand in the Midlands North West Constituency, which includes county Kildare for the European Elections.

Speaking today, Mellissa Byrne said, “This is an opportunity for the people of Kildare to come out and share their issues and concerns with us regarding the many problems facing our county. We have a growing homelessness problem, rent is out of reach of many people, we have little children waiting for vital spondylosis treatment, we have hundreds of vulnerable young adolescents on CAMHS waiting lists, to list just a few, and all this is at a time when we are told the country is awash with money.

“We have the prospect of the Residential Zoned Land Tax due to come into full effect next year which is going to cause chaos in towns and villages across Kildare, as people, who may want to build on a site in rural Kildare, are not being allowed planning permission and now a tax is to be slapped on that land. People who are doing their level best to put a roof over their family’s heads are being stymied and will now have to ‘compete’ with others in the same boat, looking for homes. It’s a vicious circle and truly makes no sense. There is zero will by the Government in situ to try and sort out this homeless crisis which is a massive stain on our country as a whole.

“Commuters in Kildare are to the pin of their collars trying to make ends meet and what does our Government do? ---It reinstates excise hikes leading to an extra 3 cents on diesel and 4 cents on petrol. This is solely a government-imposed hike because it took in a massive €3.9 Billion in fuel taxes last year.

“Everybody is going to feel this. It’s bad for commuters, bad for hauliers and anybody engaged in the transport industry, and ultimately bad for our local economy throughout Kildare, as people will have less cash to spend and will be watching what they do spend closer than ever.

“It just goes on and on and the feedback we’re getting on the doors is that people have had enough. They are tired of cynical promises by so many in Politics who are in essence ‘career’ politicians and lack the conviction that people need and deserve.

“Since the recent Referenda when €23 Million was squandered by this Government, aided and abetted by an acquiescent opposition, who were determined to ram through change to our Constitution, which would have been incredibly damaging to carers for example, people have joined Aontú in their droves. We have had over 450 new members join up countrywide and our Wolfe Tone Cumann in Kildare is one of the strongest in the county.

“People recognise that Aontú stands up and stands out in the best interests of all on the island of Ireland."

All are welcome at the public meeting.