Re-elected Deputy Leader of Aontú Gemma Brolly 'makes politics local'

East Derry Representative Gemma Brolly has been re-elected as Deputy Leader of Aontú.

Ms Brolly spoke about local politics and brought numerous priority issues to the table during the recent Aontú Ard Fheis 2023, where she was re-elected.

Speaking afterwards, Ms Brolly said: “It was both my honour and my duty to bring priority issues to the table at this year’s very successful Ard Fheis. With hundreds in attendance, we debated motions based on both national and local issues. Aontú is truly a grassroots party, working for the people on the ground, taking the bread and butter issues to national platforms as well as local ones.

“Issues such as wind turbine proposals on our beautiful Benbradagh mountain and highly dangerous and toxic mining of our majestic Sperrins have always been on our agenda but it is important that people are reminded of this continuing threat and that standing against these actions, is enshrined within Aontú policy.

"Cumann Francie Brolly proposed these motions and it was our pleasure to watch as these motions were carried.”

Members of Cumann Francie Brolly raised many motions such as the need for accountability and ‘true consultation’ on matters such as the current disaster which exists in the Lough Neagh.

Mrs Brolly told delegates of how both herself and Aontú Leader, Peadar Toibín had questioned both governments on the concerning impact of the failures revealed within the Farm Nutrient Management Scheme, a scheme which assisted farmers in building slurry tanks, with farmers later reporting faults regarding leakage, only to be ignored by DAERA.

“The farmers themselves alerted DAERA, I myself wrote and questioned the department at the time, as did Peadar Toibín in the South and yet we received a ‘nothing to worry about’ type answer, yet here we are with the Lough Neagh as putrid as the system we are living in,” stated Mrs Brolly.  

“Local Aontú representative for Carntogher Noreen McEldowney also spoke passionately on motions regarding a United Ireland while referencing Pádraig Pearse and local Coleraine representative John Boyle gave a very ardent speech on the dire need to reform our systems.

Noreen McEldowney speaks at the event.

“Delegates also spoke on many motions based on Irish language, Education, Health Care, the Economy, the Cost of Living Crisis, Human Rights, Regional, Rural, Agricultural and Environmental Affairs, Housing, United Ireland and Justice for Victims and Survivors, Reform, Foreign Affairs and Defence.”

The re-elected Deputy Leader concluded: “Aontú is a people-powered movement, intent on bringing change for the better to the people of this country.

"We will continue to work for the people on the ground, on the issues that matter most, taking back our communities and advocating for those in need of support.”