The campaign to elect the next Dáil is now officially underway. Polling takes place on Friday 26th February 2016. I am running to win a seat in Kildare North and I am asking voters in the constituency to give me their number 1 vote. I’ve met many voters over the past few months and look forward to meeting as many of you as possible over the remainder of this campaign. Over the past 5 years, Kildare North hasn’t received the level of representation it deserves. We’re suffering from the lowest levels of garda coverage in the country, lacking childcare support behind other counties, all capital investment in the constituency has effectively stopped, and we’ve no strong voices representing us in Dáil Éireann. By voting for me on 26th February I will ensure that Kildare North is no longer represented by silent Government backbenchers. If you agree, please vote James Lawless no. 1 on polling day.
Having met with residents in estates on the Kilcullen Road, Naas, I raised the issue of poor visibility entering on to the road during the recent meeting of Naas Municipal District council. I raised the motion that the entrance/exit to the estates on the new Kilcullen Road, as recently redesigned, be re-marked to facilitate proper visibility for cars exiting those estates. The current alignment of signs and markings at these estates on the Kilcullen Road are dangerous. I’ve sought the council to make the necessary safety improvements which I welcome. At the meeting, the council acknowledged that some road markings and signage still had to be installed at these entrances. Furthermore, a full road safety audit would be undertaken once the works are completed which would encompass entering and exiting from the estates.
I’m delighted that my proposal has been accepted for the creation of a derelict sites task force which will seek to tackle the derelict buildings across Co. Kildare with a view to rendering them suitable for residential and commercial use. The Derelict Building Task Force will examine and work with the council to restore the empty buildings in Kildare.
I am delighted to welcome the council’s Shop Front & Town Centre Improvement Grant Scheme which will be rolled out now in 2016. The purpose of this simple yet innovative scheme is to improve the appearance of shop fronts and other retail and commercial properties in our towns around Co. Kildare. As we’re all well aware, town centre businesses have faced huge pressures in recent years to stay open. With more attractive town centres, we can help encourage business back in to our towns. This scheme is a welcome step towards this objective. The scheme is open to all existing businesses in towns throughout Co. Kildare.