Deterioration of Clonmel town centre is a massive Local Elections issue

Q. Hi Natasha, thank you for entering ‘The No-Spin Zone’ in advance of the Local Elections. Can you tell the voters briefly about yourself & your political career to date?

A. Hi Cara, thanks for having me. My name is Natasha C. Dingivan, I’m 33 years old and originally from Fermoy and grew up in Watergrasshill. I have really set down roots here and I’m very proud to call Clonmel my home. I’m a member of Sinn Fein for a number of years, and this is my first time running for the Council.

Q. You’re only the second female to step forward for interview. Only 22% of Councillors are women. Why is that, and what can be done about it?

A. Women may be nervous to run. Throughout my campaign, there has been a lot of harassment. Especially online. Also, cars pulling up – for example the other day I got a milkshake thrown at me. All the harassment is done by males in a manner when you can’t confront them, they’re either online or driving by. While my running mate Dean gets certain abuse online, it’s nothing like this. It makes women reluctant to run. I’m happy to speak about this as keeping silent only allows this behaviour to continue unchecked. If any one else is experiencing harassment or bullying in any form they now know they are not alone and to please reach out to me, I am here to support you in anyway I can.

Q. Sinn Fein raised eyebrows when your candidacy was announced. Do you really believe that SF can win two seats in Clonmel?

A. People weren’t expecting a second candidate. The idea came from the doorsteps. While campaigning with my colleague Dean McGrath, we were getting a fantastic reception at the doors, but so many people asked us why we weren’t also running a female candidate. So here I am.

Q. What are the 3 biggest issues coming up on the doorsteps right now?

A. The first one is the deterioration of the centre Clonmel town and the vacancies. People are sick of it. Next, the anti-social behaviour in the town. After that, it’s Housing or the Water crisis.

Q. The big issues of Housing & Immigration dominated the local media this week, with the installation of 82 modular homes in Clonmel. One contributor on Tipp FM said that “we should house our own first”. Where does Sinn Feil stand on that?

A. Sinn Fein has always worked to improve housing provision and to reduce homelessness. Assisting everybody, Irish and non-Irish, is achievable with adequate housing and asylum plans. David Dunne from Carrick has been advocating since 2016 to use modular homes to tackle our housing crisis in Tipperary. If elected, I too will advocate locally and nationally to end the housing crisis.

Q. On the flipside, the Taoiseach said in the Dáil this week that we’re members of the EU, and that taking in non-Irish is simply part of the deal. Is he wrong?

A. Not necessarily. The problem is when it appears that one section gets priority over another. The anger from Irish people is coming from the government not acting as fast for Irish people that require housing, that’s the issue here.

Q. Your colleague Dean McGrath was very emphatic when I interviewed him that Sinn Fein will shut Irish Water down if elected nationally to Government. Is the intention to return Water to the local Council?

A. Yes. Irish Water just isn’t fit for purpose. To have the water supply consistently disrupted isn’t acceptable. We need a massive investment in water infrastructure. I will campaign for that locally & nationally if elected.

Q. You’re probably aware that I’m due to meet the Taoiseach very soon to discuss the disgraceful Autism Assessments waiting list for children, with Tipperary among the worst in the Country. What do you think I should say to him?

A. I think you’re so right Cara. It’s totally unacceptable and he needs to be held accountable for that, he needs to put systems & funding in place to finally solve that problem. You made the Government agree in principal that no person should ever pay again for private assessments, so he needs to deliver on that promise.

Q. To Health. I regularly say on national radio or TV that the HSE waiting lists in Ireland are a national disgrace, for everyone. Should Councillors have more authority to hold local HSE managers to account for their decisions?

A. Yes. The waiting lists are just too long. People need to be seen in an appropriate time. Waiting months or years is just totally unacceptable. The HSE staff need more support, they are working their hardest. I am a big advocate for monthly meetings with Councillors, to hold managers to account, and I will advocate for that if elected.

Q. What’s your opinion of the Mental Health & Addiction services in Clonmel?

A. I think they are sorely lacking. The current system is failing the people of Clonmel. They’re being sent to different Counties and the resources just aren’t there. There needs to be more support & funding, and linkages between the services needs improving. And don’t forget Jigsaw, that’s been promised for years, now they’re trying to take it away.

Q. Many people seem to have a negative opinion of all political parties at the moment. Do you worry that voters will lean towards Independents this time out?

A. I don’t think so. The consensus we’re hearing at the doors is that Independents are propping up the Government, and people are just tired and ready for change. If you’re Independent, be Independent. Don’t prop up other parties. Sinn Fein advocates for the working class, we’re right there with them. We work all day and understand what it’s like meeting rent and bill payments just like everyone. We’re practising what we’re preaching.

Q. What do you say to people who argue that the present Councillors are doing a good job in the Clonmel Area and that fresh faces aren’t needed?

A. The feedback we’re getting from the doors is that new faces and ideas and outlooks are needed. When you see the dereliction, the breakdown of law & order, the terrible water infrastructure – these are the things that voters need to judge present Councillors on. They must be held accountable for the decisions made that have got us to this point. A fresh outlook is needed.

Q. What is Sinn Fein’s greatest strength?

A. By voting for Sinn Fein, change will come. In Housing, Water infrastructure, and so many other issues affecting people’s lives. The status quo is not good enough for Sinn Fein – seeking positive change is our greatest strength.

Q. Where does Sinn Fein need to improve?

A. The recent Referendum result was something we reflected on.  It brought home the importance of physically listening to people on the doorsteps, and hearing exactly what they are saying. We dropped the ball there and we’ve learned from that. That’s why we’re on the doorsteps day & night now, doing what we do best - listening 100% to what people are saying and following through afterwards.

Q. To Law & Order. Every candidate, from every town, is bringing this up as an issue. 99% of the Gardai have no confidence in the Commissioner, and SF recently voted no confidence in the Minister for Justice. Do you have confidence in either of them, and what will you do about Law & Order in Clonmel if elected?

A. I have great confidence in the Gardai, just not in their leader. It’s not fair for anyone to criticise the Gardai on the ground, they do a great job. However, there are serious questions about Garda commissioner Drew Harris. Minister Helen McEntee needs to be taken out of that role, she’s just too weak. In Clonmel, people really want Gardai visibly on the streets.I will advocate intensely for more Gardai and more patrols.

Q. Final question – why should people vote for you in June?

A. I bring a fresh outlook to the table, my aim is to bring Vitality back into the centre of town. The status quo needs to change, my job is to work for the people of Clonmel, to go out and always serve our community to the best of my ability.

 We need fair representation for all of Clonmel - someone you know who will take the time to listen and advocate for you in a timely manner. I practice what I preach. 

I work all day the same as everyone else. I have the same daily struggles as everyone else so I’m coming from a place of understanding of our daily lives and our needs.