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DIGNAN CONCERNED AT ALLEGATIONS OF THREATS

Naas Fianna Fáil candidate Terry Dignan has expressed concern about the alleged threatening of a Councillor in relation to his opposition to the proposed Naas Inner Relief Road.

Terry was commenting on the allegation made by Cllr Darren Scully that an unidentified caller had threatened that €10,000 would be spent on a negative campaign to try and prevent him being re-elected.

Terry commented, “Integrity and transparency have to be the cornerstones of democracy both at national and local level. Every local representative should be able to vote in whatever way they believe represents the best interest of the people they were elected to serve. “

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TERRY DIGNAN LAUNCHES ELECTION CAMPAIGN

Education and Childcare professional Terry Dignan has launched  his campaign to be elected as a Fianna Fáil Councillor in the Naas Electoral Area.

The launch was held in the elegant surrounds of the Old Chapel in McAuley Place where a large crowd of family and supporters gathered to hear Terry, James Lawless TD and Fianna Fail spokesperson on Children Anne Rabbitte TD speak.

Anne Rabbitte praised Terry as being a dedicated Childcare advocate whom she had met and worked with on several occasions. She made reference in particular to his role as Director of Barrettstown Gang Camp for ten years.

James Lawless TD spoke about how Terry’s extensive professional experience would be of real benefit to the Council.

Finally Terry spoke about his ambitions for Naas, referring to the underinvestment in Naas’ tourist potential and indeed the challenges facing the town as we entered a new phase of growth and development and the imperative that provision of necessary amenities and facilities – especially educational facilities – keep pace.

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LARKIN OPPOSES ROUTE 2 NAAS RELIEF ROAD PROPOSAL

Naas Area Election Candidate Brian Larkin along with fellow candidates, Cllr Carmel Kelly and Terry Dignan have stated their opposition to the proposed “Route 2” Inner Relief Road in the town.

Brian said “While knocking on doors with my canvass team and following receipt of many indepth e-mails from residents, it has become apparent that the proposed Naas inner relief road is an issue of major concern. I am proud to say I will be showing my support to any and all opposing this plan.”

James Lawless TD with Brian Larkin, Cllr Carmel Kelly and Terry Dignan

“Naas like many kildare towns has experienced a rapid expansion in population with which current policy and plans have not kept pace. This plan was originally drawn up in an era when naas was a much smaller town, now when KCC finally have gotten around to implementing this plan. We now need a fresh new approach to solve the traffic congestion problem in Naas.”

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LAWLESS JOINS NAAS STUDENTS ON CLIMATE PROTEST

James Lawless TD joined some of the students protesting for Climate Action on the streets of Naas today

James commented, “Their generation gets that change is needed and urgently. At Dail level I have supported and spoken on bills to divest fossil fuel investments, to ban new fossil fuel explorations, to reduce waste, to ban single use plastics and many more. With the world heating more in the last 150 years than the previous 5,000 the time for action is now.”

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O’ROURKE SLAMS INCREASE IN NAAS WAITING LISTS UNDER HARRIS’ WATCH

Frank O’Rourke has said Simon Harris’s tenure as Minister for Health has been marred by outpatient lists he simply cannot get to grips with.

Deputy O’Rourke was commenting as figures revealed that there has been a sharp increase in the number of patients languishing on outpatient waiting lists at Naas General Hospital since Minister Harris took up office.

                                     Frank O’Rourke

Deputy O’Rourke explained, “In May 2016 when Simon Harris became Minister for Health there were 839 people waiting greater than 12 months for an outpatient appointment at Naas General Hospital. In February 2019 this number stood at 2,989, representing a 256% increase. Nationally, there are now 541,899 people waiting for an appointment with a consultant. That’s almost equal to the population of Connacht at around 550,000. When the numbers waiting for an appointment is set to surpass the population of a province surely it’s time for the Minister to take action. This is clearly a crisis yet we see very little appetite from Minister Harris to tackle these astonishingly bad figures. Having had first-hand experience of the consultants and staff in Naas General Hospital – I know they are doing their very best under challenging circumstances. They deserve more help from the Minister”, concluded Deputy O’Rourke.