GE 24 meet the candidates: Dave Smyth (People Before Profit)
Meet the candidates GE 24
I am an electronic engineer. I am married to Barbara, and they have three adult children aged 27, 23, and 19. I am acutely aware of the real struggles facing young people as a direct result of Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael policies. Rents are out of control, and buying a home is an impossibility for most.
I have been a political activist for over 30 years, working with local community groups to fundraise. I have also been involved in the Repeal of the 8th, solidarity with Palestine, and the fightback against water charges.
Why should our readers consider voting for you?
I am a campaigner and a community activist rather than a politician, and that is what I believe we need in our constituency after such a long period of the same old same old, with failure after failure, and promises never kept. People have been badly let down by their elected representatives. I am about giving workers a break, real housing solutions, an end to wastage of public money, proper and free public transport, properly funded education, real support for carers, state-provided free childcare, and so much more.
Do smaller parties have any real power to enact change in the Dáil?
Very much so. Whether in opposition, where we critique government, expose failure, flag bad ideas, and provide better solutions, or in support of a left government with an agreed programme for government to return society to a model of fairness and equality, smaller parties have a lot to offer. Smaller parties can also grow, of course!
Would your party ever consider being in Government?
In People Before Profit, we want to help bring about Ireland’s first-ever truly left-wing government, and we are prepared to play our part in making that happen. This is why we are running candidates in almost every constituency in this election. Unlike others, though, we completely rule out ever going into a government that includes Fianna Fáil or Fine Gael.
What one issue would be your top priority if you are elected to the Dáil?
Making sure that The Occupied Territories Bill is passed and fully enacted in legislation.