Carlow/Kilkenny election candidates face public questions at hustings events

A political hustings event held by the South East Regional Drug and Alcohol Task Force along with Mná Le Cheile gave local families and members of the public an opportunity to ask General Election candidates a range of questions relevant to their lives, in the River Court Hotel in Kilkenny City recently.

In a discussion moderated by local broadcaster Sue Nunn, candidates Adrienne Wallace (People Before Profit), David FitzGerald (Fine Gael), Patricia Stephenson (Social Democrats), Malcom Noonan (Green Party), Sean Ó hArgain (Labour), John McGuinness (Fianna Fáil) and Waterford’s David Cullinane (Sinn Féin) made their positions known on a number of issues ahead of polling day on Friday, November 29.

Among the questions posed to the political hopefuls were: how well do they understand the ‘lived experiences’ of voters, how would candidates address the lack of ‘family-friendly’ treatment beds for people recovering from drug addiction and what support measures would they, and their parties, implement to aid women suffering from domestic abuse, if elected?

Labour candidate, Sean Ó hArgain, affirmed his stance that the State should ‘accept responsibility’ for those requiring drug rehabilitation rather than ‘pawning’ people off to charity services for the supports they need.

Speaking on the same subject, People Before Profit’s Adrienne Wallace, claimed: “When it comes to funding (for supports), you need to come to people outside the political establishment.”

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Meanwhile, both male and female candidates present were in unanimous agreement on the need for additional laws to protect women experiencing domestic abuse.

Patricia Stephenson of the Social Democrats commented that laws need to ‘empower’ gardaí in such situations with the ‘survivor approach’ required rather that protecting the perpetrator.

Fine Gael’s David FitzGerald stated it should be the ‘victim’s choice’ whether they stay in the family home or not, while Sinn Féin’s David Cullinane, who unlike the other candidates will compete for a Dáil seat in the Waterford constituency rather than Carlow/Kilkenny, commented, “culture is massively important,” adding, “men should have to leave (in those circumstances).”

Also at the meeting, each candidate was given an opportunity to outline how they can relate to the public. Further supports for people with disabilities, a reform of Citizens Assemblies and the need for a mental health budget.