GE 24 meet the candidates: Charlotte Keenan (Independent)
Meet the candidates GE 24
I am a farmer, artist and sports psychologist living in Castletown Geoghegan. Your vote is your voice. I am easy going, approachable, honest and have empathy for our people who are living in poor conditions, like myself. The current public representatives have failed to deliver on their promises. It’s time for change.
What do you think should be done to solve the housing crisis?
More grants should be made available for housing adaptations for the elderly and disabled, like my uncle who lives in a nursing home, and me, who lives alone in his house without hot water or central heating. There are at least 80,000 vacant houses in Ireland. Tax those with vacant or derelict properties. Subsidise those who would like to develop their own properties for their children and grandchildren, and initiate emergency housing and planning laws so that there are no homeless people, especially children, on the streets of our free country.
What should be done to address the economic concerns that many people face due to the rising costs of groceries, insurance fuel…?
Thinking about the cost of living and the economy, we should ensure value for money on public expenditure. Housewives are very adept throughout the country at budgeting, so provide easily accessible support services for vulnerable members of society. Provide more grants to charitable organisations like St Vincent de Paul, who give food vouchers to those in need. Cut the tax rate for essential services like restaurants and suppliers of food to 10%. Cut other tax rates to 20% for large co-operatives, banks, credit institutions, international businesses like Apple, and religious institutions like the Roman Catholic Church. Develop incentive schemes, like the return scheme, for other items like glass and metal.
Would you be interested in doing a deal with larger parties and other independents to form a new government?
We will all have to work together for the benefit of the greater good and the growing population of Ireland. We, independents, have more power together, and as such are in a better position to represent people in our communities. Thank you very much to all the other candidates who are contesting this election, and may God bless us all based on our intentions to serve our people to the best of our ability.
If you were marking the performance of the current government out of 10, what would you give it?
Four out of 10. Two for turning up and two for hanging on so long before dissolving the government.
What one issue would be your top priority if you are elected to the Dáil?
Housing is the most important issue to most people I’ve spoken with while campaigning. Also, access to adequate mental health services so that we can help our young people, especially, recover from the changes that our society has gone through since the Covid-19 pandemic. There are many ways to treat sickness. Service-user determination so that people have a choice in how they would like to heal.
Do independents have any real power to enact change in the Dáil?
We have the power and freedom of speech and press, and so I believe that the public will make an informed decision on polling day that it’s time for a change in leadership and government.