Clare Fianna Fail General Election Candidate Dr. John Hillery has proposed the establishment of cross-party Think-Tanks in each Constituency following the forthcoming election.
Dr. Hillery said the Think-Tanks would feature regular meetings of Elected TDs from each constituency on crucial issues such as agriculture, tourism, business, health and education. He suggested that each of the meetings would facilitate key business and community representatives in raising matters of concern with their local TDs, who would in turn direct the feedback they receive into policy development at national level.
“Politics in Ireland is at a crossroads and the political establishment must adopt a new direction, one that is more inclusive and engages with people”, explained Dr. Hillery.
He continued: “Meetings should be held at least once every two months and should conclude with key actions being jointly progressed at national level by the TDs from each Constituency. Politics should not be about individual Oireachtas Members and Parties competing with each other in a way that stifles progress, but instead it should focus on the formulation of a coordinated, collaborative approach to improving the quality of life for the citizens of this country. This cross party, community driven approach to devising and delivering change would be a welcome replacement of the present top down approach of Irish politics”.
Dr. Hillery said there is a cynicism and disconnection of people from politics that is undermining the capacity of the Nation to overcome current economic and social difficulties.
“People are afraid. They are afraid of becoming seriously ill; afraid of losing their jobs; afraid of losing their children to emigration. It is unacceptable that the hopes and aspirations of any Irish citizen should be undermined by the failings of a political system that places a greater value on political gain than delivering positive economic and social change. The Irish core value of community facilitated by a people focused political system will restore our pride as a people and our strength as a nation. These proposed Think-Tanks would form a central role in delivering this change”, concluded Dr. Hillery.
Dr. Hillery said the Think-Tanks would feature regular meetings of Elected TDs from each constituency on crucial issues such as agriculture, tourism, business, health and education. He suggested that each of the meetings would facilitate key business and community representatives in raising matters of concern with their local TDs, who would in turn direct the feedback they receive into policy development at national level.
“Politics in Ireland is at a crossroads and the political establishment must adopt a new direction, one that is more inclusive and engages with people”, explained Dr. Hillery.
He continued: “Meetings should be held at least once every two months and should conclude with key actions being jointly progressed at national level by the TDs from each Constituency. Politics should not be about individual Oireachtas Members and Parties competing with each other in a way that stifles progress, but instead it should focus on the formulation of a coordinated, collaborative approach to improving the quality of life for the citizens of this country. This cross party, community driven approach to devising and delivering change would be a welcome replacement of the present top down approach of Irish politics”.
Dr. Hillery said there is a cynicism and disconnection of people from politics that is undermining the capacity of the Nation to overcome current economic and social difficulties.
“People are afraid. They are afraid of becoming seriously ill; afraid of losing their jobs; afraid of losing their children to emigration. It is unacceptable that the hopes and aspirations of any Irish citizen should be undermined by the failings of a political system that places a greater value on political gain than delivering positive economic and social change. The Irish core value of community facilitated by a people focused political system will restore our pride as a people and our strength as a nation. These proposed Think-Tanks would form a central role in delivering this change”, concluded Dr. Hillery.
