Letterkenny Hospital
Donegal Hospice
Dear Friends & Families,
Our Health is our Real Wealth! How we are and what we do everyday depends on how our health is. Most of the major decisions in our & our family’s lives will depend on our health.
The future of this country is dependent on many things but most of all, on the health of its people. It is vital for the future! So why then is our health not important, or indeed No 1 on our governments agenda? When the so called Celtic Tiger was roaring in the good times, Donegal did not reap the benefits, and our health services definitely did not get the extra investment needed to keep us well.
I am going forward as a totally independent candidate on one issue, HEALTH, to fight for all the people of the county and from my own point with special emphasis on the oncology services, the Donegal Hospice and for the protection & preservation of health services at Letterkenny General Hospital, not only for the North East but for all the people of Donegal. These are issues of vital importance to every family in Donegal. If we, the people are to make HEALTH our No 1, then I am asking you to volunteer your time to canvass with me. I have not made this decision lightly, it has been a week of little sleep and nerves in my stomach, but I still believe someone must this time get the courage to stand up to protect our health services. Am I mad? Maybe so, but I really believe that we the people on the ground, who our health services affect can bring about change. It’s scary but with an election on the way, do you hear anyone but me, shouting about our health services? I won’t be able to canvass like the big political parties, and really do you want another candidate calling at your door? This will and can be achieved by us the people working together. There is no big wheel behind me, no campaign funds, no glossy posters but I will tell you what there is. I have total belief that our health services in Donegal are in serious danger of being taken from us, I am passionate about our health, the issues and how important it is for our survival, I am hardworking and know that to achieve what you are aiming for requires daily hard work & long hours of which I am not afraid, I have commitment to ensuring that I can, with your help keep these critical issues on the local & national agenda so that our health services are retained and protected.
I am just an ordinary person on the ground who knows that we the people can do this together, we can take the power back to grass roots, we can decide our future health. Please I am asking do not let this most valuable & timely opportunity slip through our fingers, please protect our health services.
Let us the people of this county take an important step in history together, not only for ourselves but for our families who have went before us who built this country and now struggle to get the health care they have earned and deserve. For our young people coming behind us, who must now start their young lives with a burden of debt. Let us make sure they have the health services they need, when they need them. So I am from the bottom of my heart asking you to help & support me in whatever way you can but most of all give Health you No1, give me your No1!
I firmly believe in the words of this quoation;-
“Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed people can change the world. Indeed it is the only thing that ever has.”
Anthropologist Margaret Mead 1901-1978
I am a great believer in community action groups and that we all should help each other. I believe in strong local government. I especially believe that health care decisions should be local, by us for us. But if we want that authority for ourselves, then we must also accept the pain of that responsibility.
Finally I believe that our beautiful country has been robbed, and we have been saddled with a great debt not of your or my making. Reckless, ruthless and greedy people have done this and those entrusted, have failed to protect those most vulnerable.
But I also believe we are a strong people who have know harsh times before. We will again pick our selves up and take care of the weak and less able. We can stare the future in the face and not be afraid for we will rise again. We are the Irish, and I would be honoured and privileged to server you.