Waterford Launch
Sean Kelly Launches His Waterford Campaign To A Large Crowd In The Woodlands Hotel

Thursday April 23rd: Sean Kelly launched his Waterford campaign to a large crowd of over 100 people at the Woodlands Hotel, Waterford tonight Thursday April 23rd. Kelly was joined on the podium by John Deasy TD, Seantors Paudie Coffey and Maurice Cummins as well as his Director of Elections Jimmy Deenihan TD. Councillors and Council candidates from across Waterford were joined in the audience by Waterford hurling star Eoin Kelly and well known horse trainer Pat Flynn.
Kelly commenting on his campaign so far said, “I was delighted to be joined tonight by so many sitting and aspiring public representatives from Waterford. I am looking forward to canvassing across Waterford with them in the coming weeks, the reception I have received so far has been very positive. The south east region has seen its fair share of job losses in particular the issue with Waterford Crystal and it is time focus was put on the region for development and investment. Paramount to this is the appointment of University Status to WIT, this will bring new technology, learning and investment to the region, and will put an international focus on the area that is currently lacking. Education is vital to the recovery of any area and I will work with John Deasy, Paudie Coffey and Murice Cummins and the local team to push for University Status.”
Kelly continued, “We must also focus on our communities, as we need to insure the foundations of recovery are not just based on economics. Coming from the GAA I know how important it is to have strong community based organisations. The Celtic Tiger brought a lot of things to Ireland but one of the things it has neglected is our communities. We all know that hard times are here, and that we will all have to take the pain to ensure that we come out of this but if we come out of it with poor and in some cases nonexistent communities where will we be? The European Community Investment Fund that I have spoken about previously could help us to develop multi-code multi-functional facilities and complimentary supports such as coaching, teaching and care support in communities across the country that would see people young and old spending time together taking part in sport, theatre or simply having a game of cards. I discussed this on a recent trip to Brussels where it was met with support from those I spoke with.”
Kelly feels the European Community Investment Fund would need between €1bn and €2bn to be effective with no one member state receiving more than €150million in any one year. Funds would be applied for through the relevant government agency or department in member states.

ENDS:
Issued on behalf of Sean Kelly, for further information contact David Mc Carthy on 086 662 0448.