Local Elections – Cobh Candidate Profiles – by Dr Michael Martin

As has already been argued in this publication, the coming election is extremely important for the people of the town. The following profiles have been compiled from inputs received directly from the candidates themselves who live in Cobh. With space constraints they are heavily edited but every effort has been made to reflect the core views expressed. They were asked questions about their thoughts on priorities for Cobh, attitude to Government policy on taxes and charges, the parking issue and approaches to job creation. Attempts were made to reach all six candidates that live in Cobh. Similar publications did the same for their resident candidates in other parts of the constituency. Those who answered are listed in alphabetical order.

Claire Cullinane
Claire is running as an Independent and she lives in Rushbrooke. She is self-employed and believes Cobh’s main priority should be sustainable job creation assisted by anchoring Cobh as the Irish capital for nautical pursuits. She believes the current and previous governments have failed the people. Claire proposes to engage with her electorate by organising meetings on a monthly basis and embraces email and text as a means of listening to people. She believes there should be an audit of skills and expertise on the island to help attract job opportunities. She is critical of the way parking has been handled in Cobh in the past with people being told rather than asked what should be done and feels ratepayers should have their say. On the question of water and property charges she would vote in line with the electorate’s views.

In her own words:
Everyone could and should have their say in their own lives and community.Democracy is enshrined in our constitution. My opinion shouldn¹t matter but your collective one does! Let me be YOUR voice with your mandate.

Noel Maguire
Noel is running as an Independent and is working as a Sales Manager, he lives in Inis Alainn Cobh. He sees the main priority for Cobh being proper road access for the future of tourism and industry in the area. Noel cannot see any positive policy coming from the current government, he says its double taxation and the imposition of water charges are wrong stating that a levy was introduced previously for water on PRSI. He considers the tourism product that we have here is the best way forward. He would prioritise Cobh in his deliberations but would listen to all parts of the electorate. Noel believes that paid parking in some areas is OK but more free spaces should be provided at the eastern end of town and off the main street.

In his own words: 
“A resident of Cobh for 35 years, was employed, created employment, a rate payer so have a good understanding of the problems from both sides, a former member of the chamber executive, former chair of Cobh tourism, and of the Vintners Federation, Past President of Cobh Lions Club. My background is in hospitality. /Tourism and this is where I see Cobh’s future! ”

Kieran McCarthy
Kieran is running for the Sinn Féin Party and lives in Lower Midleton Street Cobh. He sees the main priority for Cobh as being the upgrading of the Fota Road which is crucial if employment is to be created. In addition, isolation and lack access during flooding needs to be addressed not just for industry but for safety such as ambulances etc. He is grossly disappointed in current government policy and failure to deliver promised reform. Kieran has never voted in favour of a budget in the council that included water charges or property taxes and is critical of those who did. He intends holding clinics as a means of listening to all of the electorate. Kieran feels that tourism towns like Cobh should be exempted from parking charges. He feels that employment creation should be the mainstay of whatever new council is elected.

In his own words:
“The one issue I wish I could make a serious impact with, is the scandalous issue of social housing. Today there are over 90,000 on the social housing register in this state.
There are close to 1000 applicants here on Great island alone. The way government has dealt with this is a scandal. I do believe there is a golden opportunity with a new council to focus on this. We must elect the people who will get funding released to alleviate the problem.”

Cahal Rasmussen
Cahal is running for the Labour Party and is a QC Sampler living in West End Terrace Cobh.
He feels that employment and the Fota road are among the most important priorities for Cobh. He firmly supports the government policies on welfare and job creation. He is unhappy with the roll out of water charges and says he would only vote if happy with fairness of the system. Cahal has committed to meeting community groups in the electorate at least every three months in order to service the constituents. He believes that Tourism is the future for Cobh. Cahal thinks there should be free parking periods for shoppers and extra spaces provided and that attendants should be utilised for traffic management.

In his own words:
I am a community activist with 35 years experience working with groups and organisations at all levels. I am committed to putting the people of Cobh and our area first and promise if elected to work hard for you all as I have done so in the past.

Sinéad Sheppard
Sinéad is a public representative and businesswoman and lives in The Park Cobh
She believes the most important priorities for Cobh are remedial works at Belvelly bridge, parking and maintaining business rates at affordable levels. Sinead thinks that the government policy on revamping the local councils can be good for the town and increase effectiveness of councillors giving them more realistic powers and accountability. She promises 100% commitment to all areas of the electoral area and believes a system of reducing rates for start-up business introduce in Cobh in 2009-2011 should be expanded to create jobs. Sinéad there should be 2 hours free parking in the town.

In her own words:
“I have gained valuable experience over the past five years on our Town Council and feel confident going forward to represent Cobh. I want to try even harder to ensure your voice is heard on a local level. I hope my name will be synonymous with hard work, dedication and tenacity”.

Unfortunately at the time of going to print we had not received a response from Patsy Histon.