Brian Stanley officially launched his General Election campaign in the Portlaoise Parish Centre recently.
In front of a crowd of around 60 people, Stanley took a swipe at his former party Sinn Fein and their leader Mary Lou McDonald in a reference to their recent election launch of Maria McCormack.
He said “An enthusiastic group of up to 60 people attended the gathering, with all those in attendance pledging to help.
“Included in this were a number of former members of Sinn Féin.
“Unlike one political party, we did not need to bring people from 8 other counties to fill a room to impress a party leader.”
Speaking at the launch Dick Fitzpatrick, election agent encouraged all those in attendance to ‘row in behind the campaign and to ensure there is somebody with experience and commitment to represent the people of Laois in the Dáil’.
Ben Campbell, Social Media director said: “It is important to rally young people and first time voters behind our campaign’’.
Addressing the crowd, Deputy Stanley outlined his key priorities if re-elected to the Dail.
He said: “As an Independent Candidate the only people I am answerable to are the people of Laois. I am standing on my record of work over the past 26 years as an elected representative, 14 of which was a TD.
“My exposure of the plan to close the Emergency Department in Portlaoise Hospital in 2017 sparked off a campaign that no Government can ignore in the future.
“I have continued since to demand more investment in the Hospital which is now happening. I have actively campaigned for the extensions to Mountmellick Hospital and the improvements and refurbishment in Abbeyleix Hospital.
“Affordable housing to buy or rent was not even on the agenda of Government parties when myself and others started to raise this years ago, and it is only now we see a movement on that.
“The Disability Sector has always been a priority and I have been a strong advocate for improvements to the Home Adaptation Grants and for greater supports for people with disabilities and their carers.
“I have consistently raised the demand for improvements to services for children with disabilities including those on the autism spectrum.
“The shortage of school places in the county, including ASD units has been one of my key areas of work and I have engaged with many schools to assist them to get new classrooms and ASD units.
“As a member of Laois Joint Policing Committee, I pressed the case for improved opening hours for local Garda Stations and the extra Gardai that are now in the County.
“At national level I think it is accepted I have been a very active member of the Dáil in terms of supporting progressive legislation and raising issues regarding Laois.
“As chairperson of the Dail Public Accounts Committee, I uncovered bad practices in publicly funded bodies such as RTE and ensured that the necessary reforms were put in place to stamp it out.
“Fine Gael and Fianna Fail will take 1 seat each in this constituency. The question is who will take the third seat? I believe that with my commitment, energy and experience that I can give the strongest representation that the people of Laois need and deserve in the 34th Dail.’’
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