EXCERPT FROM THE RECENT CONNAUGHT TELEGRAPH INTERVIEW
…..We are starting, on an alphabetically basis, to feature the general election candidates in our newspaper on the run-up to next May's election. Today we have an Interview with Harry Barrett, the new Labour Candidate….
1. Has Labour Party leader Pat Rabbitte dug himself into a hole by ruling out a post-election deal with Fianna Fáil?
Response:
Tom, Pat Rabbitte is offering the electorate in Mayo a strong alternative to the current government. Pat Rabbitte's decision to coalesce with Fine Gaelwill give the people of Mayo a fantastic opportunity, indeed a historic opportunity, to elect a Mayo born Tánaiste and Taoiseach. The people need to see what's on offer and they will see massive possibilities in a team that would also include Michael Ring and, possibly, Harry Barrett. The media in Mayo has consistently bemoaned the failure of thisgovernment to deliver a fair share of both exchequer and European monies to the West.
Will this ever change Tom unless we have strong representation at Cabinet level and not invisible backbenchers? The current government now want us to believe that it will deliver in ten weeks what it has failed to deliver in ten years. Have we seen the promise of balanced regional development when you still have to travel to Athlone if you want to take the train to Galway?. People in Mayo are demanding a change that will see communities offered a better quality of life in terms of health, cost of living, housing and childcare. Pat Rabbitte has decided that after ten years and billions of euro of taxpayers money, quality of life has deteriorated under this government. New, fresh thinking, to deal with the needs of communities in Mayo is needed and Rabbitte believes that a coalition with Fine Gael is the preferred option. So, in reality, Pat Rabbitte's decision is the best possible decision for this county
2. As a strong critic of the outgoing government, would you be uncomfortable with a FF\Labour Party alliance?
Response:
As you well know Tom, all politics is local and from the point of view of benefit to Mayo, the Labour/Fine Gael team as outlined above cannot be bettered. I want the strongest possible voice at Cabinet for this county and a new Labour/Fine Gael government offers us the chance to catch up on an east coast that has sucked exchequer funds dry for huge infrastructural projects. As far as the current government is concerned, the west must wait and all roads lead to the Greater Dublin Area. Can you honestly see any Cabinet post arising from a FF/Labour coalition, for any elected representative from Mayo, apart from myself! No, this is strictly about local benefit and not about being ideologically uncomfortable; a coalition with Fine Gael will offer that extra benefit by a mile.
3. What has Harry Barrett to offer the Mayo electorate that it does not already have?
Response:
Well Tom, let's take a look at what the Mayo electorate has at present. We have one government TD in Mayo who complained, last year, as part of a rather sizeable group of rural TD's he wasn't being listened to by the Taoiseach. Indeed, who could have blamed him, when we look at the condition of our regional, non national and primary roads; the failure to bring Breastcheck to the west and he appalling situation in our A/E ward in Mayo general. We have two independent TD's. One who criticises the FF lead government for underspends in the BMW region, yet yearns to be back in the FF fold. The other offers a perpetual state of political paralysis as no political grouping, either L/FG/ or FF/SF will need a TD drawn from the ever expanding, Independent quarter. Mayo can do better politically. Harry Barrett, as TD for County Mayo will be work hard as part a government that commits itself to the issues that have been forgotten about in the last ten years. I will commit to delivering to the people of Mayo their fair share of monies for roads, rail and broadband. I want to give our citizens, especially the elderly, the health system they deserve. I want to see free childcare delivered, more Guards visible in out owns and rural areas and more affordable homes for our young people. I understand the concerns of real people, who get up in the morning at seven to travel to work to care for children. I want to see the stealth taxes imposes by the current government lifted to allow them to keep pace with the soaring cost of living. I am a firm believer that hard working families are entitled to a better tomorrow. This idea drives me and I am committing to seeing these policies delivered.
4. How do you rate your changes in what is likely to be a highly competitive contest in the Mayo constituency?
Response: Tom, I firmly believe that I am the dark horse in this race. I believe that I can get my message across in time and that hard working families who want he changes to their quality of life that Labour in coalition is offering,will respond to my campaign. People today will engage you at the doors and will demand an answer to issues that I am raising on a weekly basis in the local media. Peoplem want a change. So, 50 euro on Harry Barrett to win a seat would be a very wise bet!
5. Is there a strong enough organisation behind you in your efforts to make a serious impact?
Response:
I have a strong election team in place under the guidance of Cllr. Johnny Mee, Cllr. Keith Martin and Director of Elections, William Walshe, We are small in number, yes, but the team is fully behind my campaign and are rearing to go. The team is also assisted by my family and a large group of supporters who are not members of the Labour Party. Yes, the team is strong enough to fight this campaign and to get a result.
6. What's you response to those who believe you are simply trying to raise your profile in advance of the 2009 local elections?
Response:
I will not be contesting the local elections in 2009, as I will be a sitting TD for County Mayo, busily engaged in the business of delivering much needed infrastructure to the county and passing social legislation that will hugely impact on the lives of hard working families from Blacksod to Claremorris. I can think of easier ways of raising a profile. Wearing out shoe leather and losing about 2 stone in weight over a 4 month campaign on Mayo roads isn't one of them!
Tom, Pat Rabbitte is offering the electorate in Mayo a strong alternative to the current government. Pat Rabbitte's decision to coalesce with Fine Gaelwill give the people of Mayo a fantastic opportunity, indeed a historic opportunity, to elect a Mayo born Tánaiste and Taoiseach. The people need to see what's on offer and they will see massive possibilities in a team that would also include Michael Ring and, possibly, Harry Barrett. The media in Mayo has consistently bemoaned the failure of thisgovernment to deliver a fair share of both exchequer and European monies to the West.
Will this ever change Tom unless we have strong representation at Cabinet level and not invisible backbenchers? The current government now want us to believe that it will deliver in ten weeks what it has failed to deliver in ten years. Have we seen the promise of balanced regional development when you still have to travel to Athlone if you want to take the train to Galway?. People in Mayo are demanding a change that will see communities offered a better quality of life in terms of health, cost of living, housing and childcare. Pat Rabbitte has decided that after ten years and billions of euro of taxpayers money, quality of life has deteriorated under this government. New, fresh thinking, to deal with the needs of communities in Mayo is needed and Rabbitte believes that a coalition with Fine Gael is the preferred option. So, in reality, Pat Rabbitte's decision is the best possible decision for this county
2. As a strong critic of the outgoing government, would you be uncomfortable with a FF\Labour Party alliance?
Response:
As you well know Tom, all politics is local and from the point of view of benefit to Mayo, the Labour/Fine Gael team as outlined above cannot be bettered. I want the strongest possible voice at Cabinet for this county and a new Labour/Fine Gael government offers us the chance to catch up on an east coast that has sucked exchequer funds dry for huge infrastructural projects. As far as the current government is concerned, the west must wait and all roads lead to the Greater Dublin Area. Can you honestly see any Cabinet post arising from a FF/Labour coalition, for any elected representative from Mayo, apart from myself! No, this is strictly about local benefit and not about being ideologically uncomfortable; a coalition with Fine Gael will offer that extra benefit by a mile.
3. What has Harry Barrett to offer the Mayo electorate that it does not already have?
Response:
Well Tom, let's take a look at what the Mayo electorate has at present. We have one government TD in Mayo who complained, last year, as part of a rather sizeable group of rural TD's he wasn't being listened to by the Taoiseach. Indeed, who could have blamed him, when we look at the condition of our regional, non national and primary roads; the failure to bring Breastcheck to the west and he appalling situation in our A/E ward in Mayo general. We have two independent TD's. One who criticises the FF lead government for underspends in the BMW region, yet yearns to be back in the FF fold. The other offers a perpetual state of political paralysis as no political grouping, either L/FG/ or FF/SF will need a TD drawn from the ever expanding, Independent quarter. Mayo can do better politically. Harry Barrett, as TD for County Mayo will be work hard as part a government that commits itself to the issues that have been forgotten about in the last ten years. I will commit to delivering to the people of Mayo their fair share of monies for roads, rail and broadband. I want to give our citizens, especially the elderly, the health system they deserve. I want to see free childcare delivered, more Guards visible in out owns and rural areas and more affordable homes for our young people. I understand the concerns of real people, who get up in the morning at seven to travel to work to care for children. I want to see the stealth taxes imposes by the current government lifted to allow them to keep pace with the soaring cost of living. I am a firm believer that hard working families are entitled to a better tomorrow. This idea drives me and I am committing to seeing these policies delivered.
4. How do you rate your changes in what is likely to be a highly competitive contest in the Mayo constituency?
Response: Tom, I firmly believe that I am the dark horse in this race. I believe that I can get my message across in time and that hard working families who want he changes to their quality of life that Labour in coalition is offering,will respond to my campaign. People today will engage you at the doors and will demand an answer to issues that I am raising on a weekly basis in the local media. Peoplem want a change. So, 50 euro on Harry Barrett to win a seat would be a very wise bet!
5. Is there a strong enough organisation behind you in your efforts to make a serious impact?
Response:
I have a strong election team in place under the guidance of Cllr. Johnny Mee, Cllr. Keith Martin and Director of Elections, William Walshe, We are small in number, yes, but the team is fully behind my campaign and are rearing to go. The team is also assisted by my family and a large group of supporters who are not members of the Labour Party. Yes, the team is strong enough to fight this campaign and to get a result.
6. What's you response to those who believe you are simply trying to raise your profile in advance of the 2009 local elections?
Response:
I will not be contesting the local elections in 2009, as I will be a sitting TD for County Mayo, busily engaged in the business of delivering much needed infrastructure to the county and passing social legislation that will hugely impact on the lives of hard working families from Blacksod to Claremorris. I can think of easier ways of raising a profile. Wearing out shoe leather and losing about 2 stone in weight over a 4 month campaign on Mayo roads isn't one of them!
Ends: Harry Barrett......
m: 087 9713268,
e: harrybarrett1@eircom.net,
w: http://harrybarrett.blogspot.com
m: 087 9713268,
e: harrybarrett1@eircom.net,
w: http://harrybarrett.blogspot.com
2 comments:
Harry, I will be following your progress from here in Waterford. I wish you the best of luck in the campaign - Seamus
Seamus, Thanks a million. I'll give them a bit of a shake up, dont' you worry. Harrry Barrett
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