Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)

Cuirim fáilte roimh an rún seo chun votachán na Mí a chur ar siúl ar 11 Márta. I welcome the Government's acceptance of the writ for the Meath by-election. The Sinn Féin candidate, Councillor Joe O'Reilly, has been on the campaign trail for weeks. He is by far the best known and the most experienced candidate in the field. He has a proven record in community leadership in local government and he has played a key role in Sinn Féin's national project for lasting peace and an Ireland of equals. He is chair of the forum which brings together our elected representatives from throughout the 32 counties of Ireland and he has performed in that role admirably for a number of years.

These by-elections will take place two and a half years into the term of this Government. Undoubtedly, it will be a poll on the Government, not only in Meath and in north Kildare, but throughout the State. County Meath is a prime example of how the State has been misgoverned over the past decade. The long term residents and those who have moved there in recent years are victims of bad planning——

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