Donegal general election- Mary T Sweeney - Aontú

From Oldtown in Letterkenny, Mary T Sweeney is running on behalf of Aontú. 

Lecturing in art and design for 18 years, and then going on to become the first female auctioneer in Donegal, she is a businesswoman.

The community activist is known for fundraising for the Friends of Letterkenny Hospital, volunteering in an Adult Literacy Programme, and being co-founder of the Letterkenny and Drumkeen Environment Group.

She also played a key role in Donegal pro-life in achieving the No vote in Donegal in the abortion referendum. She is chairperson of the Letterkenny Hospital Action Committee and is passionate about addressing the many concerns in relation to hospitals and health services throughout the county. 

Her party's vision, if elected, focuses on the value of life, or in their terms, “all lives matter”, hoping no one is made feel like a burden or unwanted from “pre-born to natural death”, social justice to ensure all people are treated with dignity and respect, along with a fairer distribution of “wealth and tax system for all”, economic growth by investment in Irish-based industries, also supporting small businesses, advocating for a United Ireland, and supporting the promotion of Irish culture, language, and heritage. Under a new plan called Operation Shamrock, Aontú also proposes to attract key Irish construction workers who have moved abroad to return home. 

This will include a relocation package of €5,000 in vouchers to spend on flights and accommodation for workers who have left Ireland more than two years ago.

“Aontú is making a strong move to address housing, and also our high brain drain, as young highly trained Irish men and women are leaving the country for better prospects abroad. There are hundreds of thousands of Irish construction workers building houses at the moment. The problem is up to half of these are building houses in Australia and Canada when we need them here.”

Ms Sweeney added, “The plan would also provide a €10,000 tax credit for these specific workers spread over three years. The worker would have to remain within the Irish state working in the sector for four years after moving home. To retain our Irish staff there would also be a push to increase wages, terms and conditions for these sorely needed sectors.”