Letterkenny  Hospital

Donegal Hospice

Press release 13th Feb 2011

 

 

Election System set up to maintain the status quo!

Betty Holmes, a totally independent candidate on one issue, HEALTH in the upcoming election, believes it is vitally important that the ordinary people on the ground know how it works.

If you are part of a political party, then you go along to the courthouse with party’s nomination paper and that is you.

If you are “Joe soap” like me, the ordinary person on the street, then it is different.

The independent candidate must pay €500 or get 30 people to fill out a special form saying that they support you.

This form when filled in must be taken to the Gardai Station with your ID and be stamped by the barracks.

The person must then find out where on the Electoral Register they are and fill in the number as on the register.

 

I didn’t have the €500 so thankfully 30 good people when asked took the time to fill in the form, then go along to their Gardai Station and then search the electoral register. I didn’t know any of this when I put my name forward.

 

If you are a political party, then all the literature you get through your door is printed and sent out from party headquarters in Dublin.

If you are me” Joe soap” then you must find the money to print your own and try with no party funds behind you, find a way to circulate the information.

 

It is easy to run a campaign if you are a political party with all the work being done for you by party headquarters. For me it is a different story, but I totally believe that we must do everything we can to protect our health services.

 

While Betty acknowledges the importance of accountability the Election System is not geared up to let the ordinary person upset the status quo.

Betty has a message for the ordinary people on the ground.

Ná fág an sionnach imbun na ngéanna.

 

Don’t leave the fox minding the geese.