Local election candidate Conor D. McGuinness has said that Sinn Féin has the ambition and drive to make local authorities work for citizens. The party will stand 400 candidates for local authorities across all 32 counties, including 11 candidates in Waterford.
Speaking at the launch of Sinn Féin’s local election campaign McGuinness said:
“Local government should be responsive fit for purpose. It must be given the powers and resources needed to meet the needs of citizens locally.
“Waterford City and County Council needs to be empowered to address the lack of housing supply that makes it next to impossible for young people to set up homes in their own towns and villages. It needs both the resources and the political will to increase the supply of public and affordable housing as well as supports for cooperative housing projects.
“Local government has moved further and further away from the people, with the abolition of town councils and the amalgamation of the City and County Councils there has been a shift in attention and resources away from West Waterford in favour of the City and East Waterford.
“I am determined that our towns and villages should offer the opportunity for safe, sustainable and prosperous communities to thrive. The Council has a fundamental role to play in this regard. Local government needs to become fit for purpose and I am ready to play my part in achieving this goal.”
Cllr. Conor D. McGuinness 