Finian McGrath (Dublin North Central, Independent)

I thank the Ceann Comhairle for the opportunity to contribute to the debate on the motion. This is an important by-election and a further development of our democratic process. It also shows the urgent need to change Irish society. It will provide an opportunity to support and highlight the case of independent candidates and their important role.

In this by-election an independent councillor, Catherine Murphy, from Leixlip is standing on her own against the major political parties. She has a great chance of causing a major upset and adding to the number of Independent Deputies in the Dáil. She has been a full-time public representative for many years, working on behalf of the people of Kildare North. She will be contesting the by-election as an independent candidate. Based on her record of public service and commitment to the issues that matter to the community, she is best placed to provide an effective voice for the people of Kildare North in the Dáil. Her track record speaks for itself: she has been a Kildare county councillor since 1991 and a Leixlip town councillor since 1988. She is chairperson of the Kildare Community Network and a member of Kildare County Development Board. She is also a board member of the County Kildare Centres for the Unemployed.

Councillor Murphy's priorities in the forthcoming by-election are: planning for community need, not private greed, resulting in the building of strong and healthy communities with sports, leisure, education, medical and social facilities; frequent and efficient rail and bus services and expanded taxi services; supporting campaigns for affordable housing and child care; the provision of Garda resources to meet the needs of Kildare North's rapidly growing population; and an increase in Government funding to match the growth in the constituency.

The by-election is an opportunity for us to show that there are credible independent candidates who are prepared to run. Many Independent Deputies will wish Councillor Murphy well, particularly as she is up against the odds. However, she is an excellent candidate and could prove to be an effective member of this group. If successful, she will bring our numbers in the Dáil up to ten. Members of the public see Independent Deputies as the credible alternative to party political neglect. They see that such Deputies are answerable only to the people, not political parties or vested interests.

Independent Deputies represent a highly credible percentage of the total numbers in Dáil Éireann. We contribute to all debates in the Dáil, are community based and believe in straight-talking politics, not wasting public money on spin. Independent Deputies have also shown that they can work together, that they can accommodate differences and diversity and that they will always put the people and the country first. Most of us came up the hard way; we never demanded respect, we have always earned it and stuck with the poorer sections of society. That is why I welcome this opportunity to endorse and support Councillor Catherine Murphy.

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