In the build-up to election 2020, Clare FM is meeting each of the candidates and allowing them a chance to outline to you, the voter, what they will do if elected on February 8th.
Outgoing Clarecastle TD Joe Carey is running once again for Fine Gael.
My Vision for Clare:
A county that offers a great quality of life along with high quality employment and educational opportunities.
An exemplar of how long-term investment in education, infrastructure and industrial development can improve the standard of living for all sectors of society.
An internationally recognised base for innovation, research and new ideas where enterprise and honest endeavour are properly rewarded.
A thriving rural heartland where agriculture, indigenous enterprise and community development provide a vibrant and sustainable way of life.
A place that continues to cherish its traditions, culture and heritage
A society made up of caring and supportive communities that values all its people both young and not so young and encourages their potential.
My priorities if elected:
To continue my work in developing the Shannon Airport/Free Zone campus as the engine of economic growth and job creation in Clare and the Mid-West region.
To ensure that the €100million invested in Shannon over the past seven years results in new jobs and employment opportunities for communities all over the county.
To maximise the benefit of the €50million invested in Ennis General Hospital by increasing the hours of operation at the Medical Assessment and the Minor Injury Units.
To secure additional operating theatres at Ennis General Hospital, to ensure the timely completion of construction of 60 additional beds at the University Hospital Limerick, that recruitment of key frontline staff, nurses, doctors and consultants take place to run this important unit and that plans to provide a further additional 96 beds are advanced as quickly as possible
To oversee the delivery of Primary Care Centres in Ennis, Sixmilebridge, Killaloe, Kilrush and Ennistymon as well as the €25millionCommunity Hospital to replace St Joseph’s Hospital.
To ensure that Clare gets its fair share of €1 billion rural fund announced by the Government last year.
To ensure that the roll-out of rural broadband enables a range of new job creation opportunities including e-commerce and remote working in rural areas.
My Experience:
I was re-elected to the Dáil for a third term in February 2016.
Served as Chairman of the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Rural and Community Development
My support for the establishment of Shannon as an Independent Airport and the creation of the Shannon Group has ensured more than €100million in funding has been invested in the Free Zone developing Grade A office space, modern company buildings and a new hanger. I have been working to have Moneypoint included in the €7.5 billion EU Transition fund to help workers and communities adjust to transition to a low carbon economy.
I was instrumental in maintaining the zero rate travel tax and successfully campaigned for a reduced rate of motor tax for hauliers.
I have served as a member of the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Employment Affairs & Social Protection and the British and Irish Parliamentary Assembly.
I have previously served as a member of the Dáil Committee on Procedures and Privileges, Fine Gael Spokesperson on Juvenile Justice and Deputy Government Chief Whip.
I was a member of Clare County Council from June 1999 to 2007 receiving the highest vote in Clare in the Local Elections of 2004.
I am married to Grace, we have two young children, Alma and Dan. I’m a native of Clarecastle and a full time public representative.
