Aspiring to continue her political work in South Roscommon, Independent councillor Emer Kelly has confirmed her candidacy for the local elections on Friday, June 7.
Currently serving as Cathaoirleach of the Athlone Municipal District, Cllr Kelly will contest the local elections in the Athlone Electoral Area of Roscommon.
The sole female elected representative in South Roscommon, Cllr Kelly is hoping to build upon her three years working as a councillor following her co-option in 2021.
“Having served as a councillor for three years and with a background in community involvement, I have witnessed both the strengths and challenges presented in South Roscommon. I will continue to work for South Roscommon, ensuring we are not forgotten. I am committed to listening to the concerns of the people I represent and will work to ensure South Roscommon is a better place to work and live," Cllr Kelly said.
Hailing from Ballyforan, Cllr Kelly retains an interest in rural issues.
“I come from a farming background and have worked in both the public and private sectors. Ordinary, working people are struggling with the cost of living wwith growing frustration among the electorate. We are the ones who are unable to afford to buy a house, we are unable to get planning permission and soon we will be forced to move into towns with the direction national policies appear to be taking. We need a strong voice," Cllr Kelly stated.
Cllr Kelly has a strong view on the need for investment and realism in relation to rural Ireland.
“Rural Ireland is slowly being forced to non-existence. Bus services are being cut, funding is shifting towards towns and centre first policies, planning regulations are making it impossible for people to build on their own land, farmers are being shown no support at all and young people are being driven out of the country. We had to fight to ensure children were granted school bus tickets in Ballyforan and Dysart and fight to keep our county town post office open. Our current system is not working. We need to see a change in our representatives or rural Ireland will continue to disintegrate.
“We have much potential in terms of community development, tourism and economic growth, but we need local and national policies to allow for young people to live and work in South Roscommon. We need change," Cllr Kelly added.
Since her co-option, Cllr Kelly has shown an interest in encouraging greater female representation in politics through her work with See Her Elected and the Regional Women’s Caucus.
“I believe that we need to see more diversity at a local level. We need more young people in politics. I think people are beginning to appreciate the value a fresh perspective will bring to our local government. If our council is made up of the same type of candidate, we will never see any change," Cllr Kelly concluded.
