Sinn Féin’s new councillor for Galway City Central, Anna Marley, is determined to build a ‘progressive alliance’ so the new council is one where Left-wing values are heard, not ignored.
Ms Marley became the second SF councillor to be elected in Galway city, and when asked by the Galway Advertiser what her priorities were, she said, a ‘progressive alliance’ was among them - one which could potentially be formed of SF, Independent councillor Catherine Connolly, and perhaps people like Labour’s Billy Cameron.
“We have to look at forming such an alliance to fight the austerity policies of the current government and the imposition of the water tax,” she said. “In the last two council;s Labour had the seats to be a strong force but on both occasions, Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael came together and the Labour vision was halted. The people have voted for something different this time, and we have to respond.”
As well as tackling social issues, Ms Marley’s other concerns relate to the use of Irish language. “I want to see more Irish used in City Hall and council meetings, I think it’s important,” she says.
Speaking about her election victory, the mother-of-two said: “It’s been an amazing experience and the success of Sinn Féin at this election shows we are not going to vanish from the scene. Sinn Féin is here to stay.”
