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Probably two terms for a job is the absolute limit. I don't think anyone will disagree that a change of leadership is required. I am not sure the last 10 years is perfect on infrastructure, housing, immigration and even health/Covid & energy. 

A root & branch review of governance, government and underlying roles may be required. A fit for purpose organisation can then be lined-out via a meritocratic objective process. 

Government in Ireland is not easy but it possibly needs even more highly qualified leaders who know how to evaluate data, confer, make decisions and communicate a clear plan, deadline and accountabilities. 

500,000 persons have arrived in this country over the past few years. 

99.9% are brilliant, kind and appreciative folk. But we have not managed the process too well in terms of commensurate infrastructure and also so importantly, in communicating the strategy, the objective, the why, the how and who is accountable. 

I think the Irish people feel we may well be outnumbered in our own country in the future. They are justifiably afraid and feel let down. 

This needs a plan with options for control and perhaps even some strategic options for cessation &/or reversal of influx. 

On RTE, we were told that a euro 52 milllion budget has lain unused for development of immigration infrastructure. 

How is it that we at times can't manage to deploy funds for building infrastructure, promptly and on time, under budget. 

Really we need to, in our root and branch review, tackle the root causes of this national "challenge" as I saw it up close and personal throughout the nightmare (for some) that was Corrib Gas where the budget exploded from $1bn to $6bn and the delivery timeline from 3 years to 10 years. 

The only way this gets fixed is by appointment of strong leaders from global corporations used to managing and leading large teams through complex projects but who have had no previous skin in the game andsuch root & branch review to be without blame but focused only on moving forward more efficiently.

On 7th October, Hamas caused the death of and held hostage many Israelis. Those families are still grieving &/or missing their loved ones. 

Little has been said about why they did this but perhaps life in Gaza & West Bank was not idyllic but nothing, absolutely nothing justifies the above killing.

Israel retaliated, material further death occurred with bombs of broad impact & perhaps one wondered whether a focused effort against the perpetrators might have also been possible. 

No killing of any type is justified or in any way desirable. Many around the world do not understand why so many Palestinian women & children had to die and for sure the babies were innocent. But also we were not the victims of the 7th October attacks. 

Everyone is entitled to their own opinion & also it is worth noting that other much larger incidents of killing of vast proportion might also have received equivalent coverage. 

But all I think anyone asks is for somehow a way be found to permit parties of different beliefs & origin to leave peacefully together the world-over. 

It would be lovely albeit wishful and naive thinking to believe a time will come in the future when it is not necessary to have such a large business sector as is arms manufacture and sales. 

Politically it has been extremely difficult to navigate communications on this issue as any statement, act or vote must consider all stakeholders and interests and for sure any political action or vote may often not reflect the beliefs of any individual but rather the political imperatives of his or her affiliated group(s) or stakeholders.  

In the past 5 years our young have been dragged through Covid, been isolated for long stretches away from their friends, been home schooled via Zoom and all with a relentless advancement of social media and pressures to perform with all the time fears of no jobs or no housing and maybe even drugs all as hurdles to surmount. 

ITS TOO MUCH. 

These kids are extraordinary. But if you are falling behind and being bullied on social media and being fed fear of Covid/pandemics or whatever, then how can you maintain an even keel. 

I want each young person to have access to their own brilliantly qualified mentor to help them safely navigate these challenges and also ideally a review of current up to date fitness for purpose of school curriculum, as for instance where 1 in 7 UK kids are challenged by some mental issue, might not one day per school week be dedicated to activities such exercise, sport, drama, debating, chess, meditation, yoga, self defence, education of dangers of drugs, alcohol, smoking/vaping, bullying etc.?  

The elderly have almost undergone the same fearful basket of challenges as have the young but with the added challenge of lack of IT literacy, fears of scammers and other fears thrust on them daily, they have been isolated, maybe lost a partner and or many friends. I think credit to the Government & local government, we do try our best to help here  at a local council level but one thing I have noticed is that if the elderly can't drive it becomes a real issue. 

They do not always walk steadily and are fearful of getting on buses or being in crowds where they may be knocked over. I will if elected try to initiate an elderly minibus system to eliminate this loneliness and isolation complete with some way of making IT less fearful.  

I was asking a constituent about whats important to them and they were strongly committed to improving our domestic violence track record. 

DV refers not just to physical but also to mental abuse. 

We all everywhere in the world have to aspire to be best in class at how we manage emotions and communication and differences of opinion and perception in the family home. 

Might it not be an idea to modernise marriage/relationship vows which vows to be reviewed in brief each 6 months to include early identification of abusive behaviours so that they can be self-policed coupled with time-out processes to discuss differences in a skilled advocacy/adheracy balanced manner. 

Might this more serious issue not become a prioritised element of life-long learning such that the one night class or online class that we all have to attend is related to ensuring what occurs in the home is additive and positive and based on equality and not discrimination. We have for sure come a long way but we must find ways of holding the gains whilst exploring ways to avoid any homes becoming effective prisons and locations of unhappiness and in particular ensuring that domestic violence of any type, shape or form is eradicated with immediate effect.