Labour - Gerald Nash
Q & A with Louth Labour Party candidate Gerald Nash
Name Gerald Nash Address115, Newfield, Drogheda, Co. Louth Date of birth 20/12/1975 Constituency Louth Party Labour
Occupation :
Public Relations Consultant
Previous occupation:
Journalist
Financial Interests:
None
Income (aside from income derived from political office):
Between €40,000 - €50,000
Approximate net worth of capital assets aside from family residence:
Nil
Information on political career to date:
I was first elected to Drogheda Borough Council in 1999 (then Drogheda Corporation) aged 23 for the West Gate Ward. On re-election, having topped the poll in 2004 I was subsequently elected Mayor of Drogheda. I was the youngest holder of this Office in recent history.
I was elected to Louth County Council in 2004, having been so-opted in late 2002 to replace a colleague who retired due to ill-health. I am the only Labour member currently on Louth County Council.
Personal election manifesto:
• The development of a new regional centre of excellence in the Drogheda/South Louth area on foot of the report commissioned by the HSE and undertaken by Teamworks consultants.
• The proper and sustainable development of the County which has some under considerable pressure due to the continuous and almost unchecked sprawl of Dublin.
• An end to developer led planning, and a focus on the rights of communities over developers and speculators in relation to the planning process
• Proper provision of public services such as schools and primary healthcare facilities and public amenities, before or at the very least, contiguous with the development of new housing developments and population centres
• The proper regulation of estate management companies and the requirement for tougher measures against ‘rogue developers'.
• A focus on the development of the local economy to reduce commuting which in many cases is unsustainable and inimical to quality of life and the ‘work-life balance'
• Addressing the rising cost of living which disproportionately impacts upon those on fixed incomes and on social; welfare
• Better methods of dealing with anti-social behaviour (or the perception of it) and crime and its impact on communities
Why should voters in your constituency vote for you rather than for other candidates, including candidates representing the political party which you represent?
• Louth has a young demographic and at 31 years of age, and as the youngest candidate in the field, I believe that I can provide voters with an authentic voice which would be more representative of their views and aspirations than that of some other candidates who cannot fully grasp the challenges of what it means to have to commute to work daily, buy a home in a difficult market and access quality and affordable childcare while having to rise at 6am in the morning, for example. In addition, South Louth requires two TDs and I believe that I am best placed to deliver that extra seat for the area which is growing at pace and requires better representation nationally. I have also demonstrated my commitment to politics and public life in the constituency from a young age and have shown the capacity to lead and be imaginative and innovative during my term as Mayor of the country's largest town. This is further evidence of my ability to be a dynamic and hard-working TD for my area.
What do you consider to be the main election issues in your constituency?
• All of the aforementioned issues relating to my personal manifesto and in addition transport, the environment, local authority housing waiting lists, social and affordable housing and the complete and abject failure of ‘Part V' of the Planning Act which has been allowed to become a ‘developer's charter'.
Were do you stand in relation to these constituency issues?
• I have constantly and consistently campaigned on all of these issues during my seven years as a public representative and have a strong track record of not simply raising awareness of the problems, but working to create and provide solutions on all of the matters previously mentioned. The electorate are turned off by bickering politicians who are strong on critique, but weak on problem-solving.
How much money do you expect to spend in the election campaign?
• Approximately €50,000
What will be the sources of this finance?
• Personal finances and fundraising events