The Village Magazine has asked candidates to fill out a questionnaire. Lots of questionnaires come to candidates; this is one of the better ones so far. My reply is below.
(Questions in bold)
Name :David Healy
Address : 54, Páirc Éabhóra, Beann Éadair, Co. Bh.Á.C.
Date of birth : 29 December 1968
Constituency : Dublin North East
Party : Green Party/ Comhaontas Glas
Occupation : County Councillor/Environmental researcher
Previous occupation: Environmental consultant
Financial interests : none
Income (aside from income derived from political office):
x Less than €20,000
Between €20,000 – €30,000
Between €40,000 – €50,000
Between €50,000 – €60,000
Between €60,000 – €80,000
Between €80,000 – €100,000
Between €100,000 – €120,000
Between €120,000 – €140,000
Between €140,000 – €160,000
Between €160,000 – €180,000
Between €180,000 – €200,000
Over €200,000
Approximate net worth of capital assets aside from family residence):
Not even a family residence.
Information on political career to date:
I have been a member of the Green Party/ Comhaontas Glas for 20 years. I have a degree in Law and a M.Sc. in Environmental Science and have worked with environmental organisations and in research.
I was elected to Dublin County Council in 1991. In Dublin County Council I was one of the leading opponents of the corrupt rezonings in 1993 currently being investigated by the Mahon Tribunal, and proposed the motion which defeated Frank Dunlop’s attempt to rezone Baldoyle Green Belt. I took a legal action against the Council in relation to a planning decision adjacent to the historic St. Mary’s Abbey in Howth. I worked on the campaign in the 1990s for a Special Amenity Area Order for Howth.
Between 1999 and 2004 I worked as a consultant for environmental and community groups around the country on planning and environmental protection cases. I also was and am still active in environmental organisations in particular Feasta the Foundation for the Economics of Sustainability (www.feasta.org) and Friends of the Irish Environment (www.friendsoftheirishenvironment.net).
I was re-elected to Fingal County Council in 2004. On the Council I have spearheaded the introduction of housing energy standards in Local Area Plans in Fingal County Council which mean that new houses being built will use 60% less heating energy than houses in the rest of the Country . Additionally, at least 30% of that energy will come from renewable energy.
I have personally taken successful planning appeals against decisions by Fingal County Council. I have been particularly active in the areas of planning, playgrounds, parks, energy, public transport, walking, cycling, rights-of-way. Detailed information on my work as a Councillor is on my website www.davidhealy.com
Personal election manifesto:
Why should voters in your constituency vote for you rather than for other candidates, including candidates representing the political party which you represent?
I pledge to work for
• Quality of life
• Equality and human rights
• Global justice
• An ecologically sound economy
• A caring and responsible society
I pledge to achieve these goals through
• Long-term thinking
• Participative politics
• Transparent decision-making
• Accountability
I am running on the basis of this pledge and my record as a Councillor in Fingal County Council.
I have shown with the energy standards that I can take the initiative and cooperate with others to bring about significant policy change, even as one of only 3 Greens in a Council of 24.
I have demonstrated that I am willing and able to put in the work to get to grips with complex issues, listen to all points of view and bring effective solutions forward.
I am eager to continue to work with community organisations and non-governmental organisations.
I take the responsibility of a democratic mandate as a solemn trust which I bear and I will continue to maintains an active and informative website so that I am accountable for what I do.
What do you consider to be the main election issues in your constituency?
- • Health services based on need not ability to pay
- • Frequent, integrated public transport
- • Safe and pleasant streets for social interaction, for children, pedestrians and cyclists.
- • Creating and protecting pleasant livable communities
- • Effective and accountable local government
- • Planning that meets the needs of communities, not developer-led planning.
- • Climate change including the local impacts of sea-level rise, coastal flooding and erosion.
- • Transition to a low-energy, renewable energy economy
- • Effective and accountable policing
- • Quality Playgrounds, Youth facilities and Community facilities
- • Protection of the coast and Howth Peninsula and public access to same
- • Smaller class sizes
Were do you stand in relation to these constituency issues?
For more details, see the Green election manifesto and my website www.davidhealy.com .
How much money do you expect to spend in the election campaign?
about €10,000
What will be the sources of this finance?
Local group fundraising and personal savings.