Canvassing over the Bank Holiday weekend in Tyrrelstown and beyond by John Carroll

Just an update for those interested in how Iggy has been doing since last week:

We have as many of you know been back to Tyrrelstown and Iggy has concentrated his efforts to getting to as many homes as possible and would first of all like to thank all who took the time to engage with him and his team from Curragh Hall/Bealing Village/Bellgree/Mount Eusatace; bringing issues from Management Co to Playgrounds as well as the outrageous positioning of the Electrical Pylons virtually next to many residents down by Mount Garret, and he has seen first hand the dangerous situation these Pylons pose with no apparent thought given to those whose children use the area for playing.
We also have been to other areas within TTyrrelstown visiting residents who had contacted Iggy by email requesting to speak with him and we encourage any resident who may wish to speak to him to contact him and this will happen.

Again many thanks to all for their continued support and goodwill and hope that come Saturday Tyrrelstown will have its first Councillor and at last be recognised as a contributor to Local Politics and Community Policy initiatives.

So Friday is the day to make it happen....

Focus Magazine article featuring Iggy

What with June’s local elections fast approaching, the number of “new Irish” candidates running for a place in the country’s councils and local authorities is at an all time high. So far, 22 new Irish hopefuls, from Pakistan to Poland and from Moldova to Nigeria, have been picked to run in
the elections by mainstream parties.

Fianna Fáil has selected eight candidates, Fine Gael and the Green Party have recruited six each and Labour has two. Issah Huseini is national coordinator of the New Communities Partnership,
which aims to empower minority ethnic groups to participate in public life in Ireland. He thinks Barack Obama’s election as US president played a role in encouraging new Irish politicians over
here: “It proves that ethnic minorities can do it. It has given great confidence.”

But why would someone without ties to Ireland’s complicated Civil War politics join one of our larger parties? For Shaheen Ahmed, who comes from Lahore in Pakistan, family relationships were a motivation but not the only reason for his decision to run for Fianna Fáil in Lucan. “My wife’s family had a strong political influence on me and it was under their influence that I became a Fianna Fáil supporter.” he says. “But one of the key factors that attracted me to Fianna Fáil is the pragmatism and common sense that they show towards governing in this country.”

Bartlomiej Bruzewicz, a Polish candidate for Fine Gael in Dublin’s north inner city says: “There were many reasons why I decided to join the party. Fine Gael is the most pro-EU and pro-immigration party.” His party colleague in Letterkenny, Michael Aboila Philips from
Nigeria agrees: “Fine Gael is a party of integrity. In Letterkenny it has supported the new communities and embraced multi-culturalism.”

Tendai Madondo from Zimbabwe, a candidate for the Green Party in Tallaght, was approached by several parties before she made her final decision. “The Greens have a globally
centred policy that supports communities in bringing about social change,” she says. “They
provide me with a structure of support and were very welcoming. They operate on a local
level, support my initiatives and let me be me.”

Some, however, prefer to keep their independence in representing the public.
Ignatius Okafor from Nigeria is one of three new Irish candidates standing in Dublin 15. “I prefer to be independent as I don’t want to be handicapped by a party with limited policies,” he says. “I am independently minded and want to talk and deal with issues that affect people directly.”

Whether party political or independently minded, most candidates decided to stand because they want to help their communities integrate into Irish society. “I faced many challenges when I first arrived because I didn’t know how things worked here,” says Tendai. “Now I am
more integrated I know many people who are going through similar things. I can have a positive impact on their lives.”

Anna Banko, who is from Poland and is standing for Fianna Fáil in Limerick, says: “As I have quite good English I have been helping other Polish immigrants to fill in forms in the
bank, go to the doctor and write CVs. It’s easier to help when a lot of people know your face.”
At the same time, however, the candidates don’t want to be seen as solely concerned with immigration issues. Moldovan Elena Secas, who is standing in Limerick for the Labour Party, wants to represent all the people. “The issues people are talking to me about are better road conditions, better public services, more amenities for young and old and anti-social behaviour,” she says.

Nigerian Frances Soney-Ituen is an independent candidate running in Kildare on behalf of the Women’s Integration Network. “The women involved are from all backgrounds and political affiliations,” she says. “And the challenges we face transcend all nationalities, the settled,
travellers and immigrant communities.”

For many of the candidates, the politics bug took hold before they came to Ireland. Shaheen was heavily involved in politics as a student and was a member of the Pakistani People’s Party, the party of Benazir Bhutto. Michael studied political science and education before becoming protocol
officer for a state governor in Nigeria. Others, like Anna Banko, were influenced by family histories: “My father was involved with the Solidarity movement in 1980 and both my grandfathers fought against the Nazis in the Second World War. I remember my grandfather telling me that all people are good and the right thing to do is to help people.”

But despite the enthusiasm shown by many new Irish for political activism, some communities, notably the Chinese, are not represented among the candidates. If our political leadership wants to include these communities, cautions Isaac, they will have to take a more active role in recruiting them. “Political parties need to get right down to the grassroots to encourage communities,” he says. “It is very important that ethnic minorities also have a voice in the political system.”

Polling Day is June 5.

Are you Registered to vote?

Are you registered to vote in this coming election? By now you should have got your voting card. If not check the register here at this website:

http://www.checktheregister.ie/

If you are on the register but have not received a voting card by Friday you can still vote!!
Just bring valid photo Id such as a passport or Drivers licence and proof of address such as a utility bill eg Gas or ESB bill and you can still vote. Remember regardless of who you are voting for , it is important to vote, so do not waste this opportunity.

June 5th - Independents Day

A message from Independent TD Finian McGrath:

http://www.finianmcgrath.ie/lets-make-june-5th-independents-day

Lets make June 5th Independent's Day

Wednesday, 27 May 2009 00:00

Deputy Finian McGrath has called on the public to support Independent Candidates in the local, European and the Bye-Election in Dublin Central on June 5th. “There is huge potential for Independent Candidates to make a major break through in these elections” said the Northside T.D. “People are sick of the tired political parties and want fresh ideas” said McGrath. He particularly wanted to support Damian O’Farrell (Ind) in the Clontarf Ward and Councillor Maureen O’Sullivan in Dublin Central by-election. “The Vision of Tony Gregory lives on and let us elect community based Independent Candidates” added Finian.

Irish Times article featuring Iggy

From the "Irish Times":
http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/ireland/2009/0525/1224247322584.html

Local knowledge and timeless issues help new faces make an impression

RUADHÁN Mac CORMAIC

ON THE CANVASS with IDOWU OLAFIMIHAN, ADEOLA OGUNSINA and IGNATIUS OKAFOR: HE MOVES languidly along the driveway, a stack of flyers in hand, wearing a slightly rumpled grey suit and a broad smile. “Hello, madam. My name is Idowu. I’m here to remind you about the local elections on June 5th and ask for your Number One vote.”

The African woman takes the Fianna Fáil leaflet and scans it for a moment. “Unfortunately, I’m for Fine Gael,” she murmurs apologetically. In his soft-spoken way he tries for one of her later preferences, but seems fairly unperturbed when she fails to commit. “I’m pretty sure the husband will vote for me,” he says as the team retreats across the lawn, chatting amongst themselves in Yoruba.

Across the road, the canvassers are greeted by an elderly man wearing long robes and an endless white beard. “I voted you! I voted you!” he exclaims at a high pitch. “You voted for me?” the candidate asks. “I will vote for you,” interprets Jerry, the campaign manager, in a whisper. “I tried to convince him a few weeks ago,” says Idowu Olafimihan contentedly. “He has his mind made up now.”

Elsewhere, a Portuguese-speaker is called in to translate at a Brazilian house, while an exchange with three Polish men staggers awkwardly to a close when neither side can understand what the other is saying.

Welcome to Mulhuddart, north Dublin, one of the most cosmopolitan parts of the country and a local election battleground where three of the 12 candidates are originally from Nigeria. As well as Olafimihan, Fianna Fáil’s representative, Adeola Ogunsina is standing for Fine Gael and Ignatius ‘Iggy’ Okafor – a former Fianna Fáil member who left the party “just before the recession” – is running as an Independent.

A large part of the ward consists of a constellation of sprawling, sparklingly new housing estates where, as recently as five years ago, there was nothing but fields. Population centres such as Ongar village and Tyrrelstown Plaza have the inescapable feel of Potemkin settlements that arose overnight – and, in a sense, they did.

Olafimihan has lived in nearby Clonee since 2000 and runs a local security company. He got involved with Fianna Fáil at the last local election, he says, having been drawn to the party because it was practically-minded rather than hung up on ideology. He also liked its stance on social integration.

On Thursday evening, in a new estate not far from Ongar, all but three doors on Olafimihan’s tick-list were opened by an immigrant, and it soon became apparent that, owing to anger over the state of the economy, the campaign team were not counting on a big vote among the native Irish electorate. Though Olafimihan insists he would represent the whole of Mulhuddart, he admits that personal ties within immigrant groups will carry a lot of weight. He points to a house with a taxi parked outside. “That is one of my taxi canvassers . . . If they pick up any passenger from around here, they try to persuade them. They say, ‘please, he’s a nice lad’, that kind of thing.”

The following night, Fine Gael’s Adeola Ogunsina arrives for the evening canvass in a jeep decorated with his own name, two Dublin flags and a prominent Barack Obama sticker on the back window. In contrast to the previous night, this estate is one of the oldest, most resolutely middle-class Irish estates in the area. Nearly every household has two cars and as many young children.

Ogunsina expects to have visited a quarter of the 17,000 houses in the ward by election day, and this is his second time on this patch. There are local whispers of some resentment towards immigrants here, as long-settled home-owners move out and let their homes to new arrivals. But tonight, the reception is mostly warm and unfailingly polite.

Dressed in a sharp tie and a sleeveless jumper, Ogunsina tailors his message to each voter, fluently reciting his ideas on a community creche, improved transport links and the need for more of a “business approach” in politics (Ogunsina ran three petrol stations in the locality).

An encounter with a man in his late 30s is typical of the non-committal goodwill he encounters. “Fianna Fáil won’t be getting the vote anyway,” he says, a computer game controller in his hand. “It’s Labour or Fine Gael, but the fact that you’ve come by will stand to you.”

“Oh, thank you. I wish I could give you a hug,” Ogunsina replies enthusiastically. The man smiles nervously. When a neighbour informs him he can “count on my Number One”, it visibly puts a spring in his step. “It’s getting a positive response like that that pushes you on to the next house.”

The one discordant note comes from a woman in her 30s, who opens to door in her pyjamas and immediately harangues a canvasser about how immigrants “get everything” and how she is “disillusioned with everyone”. Ogunsina is at another door and misses the exchange. “If I had a child, I wouldn’t get anything. We get nothing and they get everything – not just the Nigerians, all of them . . . If I had a baby, I’d have to pay for it.”

Over the evening, the Fine Gael candidate pushes three points: his party, his business background and his being local. Do people ever raise his background? “Today, no one has said it. That’s one of the reasons you start with your own introduction – so you can carry something that people would relate to,” he remarks. “Not that I don’t want to go into that . . . What I want to project first is a capability to do the job, my sincerity in going for the office and the fact that I’m very much interested in community issues.”

It’s almost 10pm on Friday, and a few miles away, Ignatius ‘Iggy’ Okafor and friends are celebrating the launch of Tyrrelstown GAA club, where he is a founding committee member. A former Fianna Fáiler, he left last year and has been campaigning as an Independent for the past nine months. In a former life Okafor was a professional soccer player with Antwerp in Belgium and Linz in Austria, before injury ended his playing career prematurely, and now he works as an IT engineer at Temple Street Children’s Hospital. He has also been a busy community activist here.

In an area where both are patchy, Okafor speaks passionately about the need for better transport connections and amenities for young people. “You’re trying to bring the kids up, give them the opportunity to be someone in the future. That’s how we start, giving them a proper school, facilities where they can play,” he says, sitting outside the Thirsty Bull pub as the warm evening turns into night.

While he insists he expects to win a seat, Okafor believes his run will have been a worthwhile experience, whatever the result. Above all, he feels gratified to have been encouraged and received so well. “I’m very, very happy. My campaign has proved a lot to me about what I thought about Irish people in the first place.”

He finds inspiration from other independents such as Finian McGrath and the late Tony Gregory – “people who stood up for the people”. And he’s also driven by the conviction that seeing an African face on every lamppost in the area will be important in convincing local children that “they can be more”.

“It’s quite tiring, and it’s hard work, but I’d prefer to do a little more hard work and see my daughter and my son do less work in the future.”

This article appears in the print edition of the Irish Times

Out Canvassing in Tyrrelstown by John Carroll

Contrary to some naysayers, Iggy and his supporters have been out actively canvassing Tyrrelstown only last Tuesday (with a reporter) then on Wednesday & Thursday we revisited many of the apartment complexes (and we have the calf muscles to prove it) we were also in the houses. We were knocking on doors and speaking with many those homes which in which we got no response we left flyers.

I must say that the reaction from the many residents was to promise the No 1 for Iggy and to tell their friends the same. We as some may not be aware are volunteer supporters and canvassers for Iggy and many have taken time from work and other commitments to support who we believe genuinely and actively has his friends and neighbours uppermost and continuously promotes the best that Tyrrelstown has to offer as a people and as a community, at every opportunity which is evidenced in the many media both radio & paper; as was the case last week when we were followed on our door to door in Tyrrelstown by Fergal Keane on behalf of Marion Wilson's Drive Time which was aired on Wednesday evening. We then did door to door in Drumheath and Ladyswell on the Friday as well as Hollystown in the same week and only the previous week he got a tremendous welcome at the Tyrrelstown Residents Association Meeting held in the Plaza.

It is probably worth mentioning for those new to the Local Elections that the Mulhuddart constituency stretches from Lucan to Clonee & Clonsilla to Corduff and for an Independent Candidate (which Iggy is) without the support of a Political Party and the support funding that comes with it along with a cadre of Party Members (many of whom are not from the area) to achieve the coverage that Iggy and his team have to date is by any standards impressive. After all Iggy has to reach out to the whole of Mulhuddart and can not be parocial to Tyrrelstown as this would undermine and limit his chances. Tyrrelstown residents that we have spoken to over the course of the campaign so far are very well aware of what Iggy needs to do and many have pointed out the need for him to continue to reach out and engage with the many other communities of Mulhuddart. This Iggy will continue to do...we were in Clonsilla on Sunday afternoon and back in Tyrrelstown in the evening and will be at Lucan and then Parslickstown on Monday.

If there are any Tyrrelstown neighbours who feel they would like to speak with Iggy on a one to one, they have only to ring or email as others have done and this will happen.

John Carroll a resident and campaigner for No 1 FOR IGGY

Lack of funding for local services

From the "Community Voice" newspaper

http://www.communityvoice.ie/pages/CV137/CV137n04.htm

Lack of funding for local services

As the local election campaign begins to heat up seriously an event organised at the Blanchardstown civic offices recently by the Community Workers Network sparked some debate on the issues closest to the hearts of the local people of Dublin 15. The evening provided an opportunity for members of the public to directly question existing and prospective councillors on their aspirations for the area and how these plans engage with the current economic realities.

While a number of issue emerged during the evening the question on funding and how the area could possibly secure more, or perhaps more realistically survive without any, had an over-arching element to it as it affects every other issue.

Socialist Party candidate Denis Keane criticised the withholding of the €70m in levies from the council saying that this is a time when local investment is needed more than ever. He lamented having to “apologise for being a public servant” asking if it was a case that we can only have services now if they are profitable.

Labour’s Patrick Nulty suggested that “those who made massive profits during the Celtic Tiger years need to pay” while the Green Party’s Roderic O’Gorman recommended that local authorities be enabled to raise their own funds locally, though with his government party hat on he added that the withholding of the levy money was “in line with general policy.”

Sinn Féin’s Paul Donnelly spoke about the effect of cuts such as the closure of childcare facilities in Whitechapel and Mountview and said that this will affect the ability of people to go out to work if they cannot get alternative childcare. Hinting at the underlying social cost of cutbacks he said “it is well known that drug use increases when other options are closed off to people.”

Cllr. Mags Murray (FF), on whose shoulders defence of the Government rested, said that the necessity for cutbacks was “a reality” but added that the council has spent vast mounts of money since 2004 - her time as a councillor - opening parks, libraries and such facilities that she said were among the best in the country.

Independent candidate Ignatius Okafor said he was surprised at the freezing of levies given that “there is nothing in Tyrrelstown” and wondered what will be the case there in ten years time.

Community Voice article on the meeting between Local Election candidates and Tyrrelstown residents

Iggy along with other Local Election candidates attending a meeting organised by the "Tyrrelstown Residents Association" on Thursday 14th May. Here is a "Community Voice" report on the meeting.

http://www.communityvoice.ie/pages/CV137/CV137n03.htm

Tyrrelstown residents unite for schools

One of the biggest public meetings in the area in recent times attracted a large crowd to the Park Plaza Hotel. Representatives of all political parties and candidates for the local election were in attendance (with the exception of Fianna Fáil) to hear members of the Tyrrelstown community express their frustration at the delay in providing much needed facilities in their area.

Addressing the meeting Adam Fitzsimons, chairperson of the Tyrrelstown Residents Association, pointed out that it was just over a year ago that a report was commissioned on the needs of the Tyrrelstown community. “Some of the issues raised in this report have been sorted but the three biggest needs have not yet been addressed. These were the provision of school sites, lack of community facilities and the provision of green space,” he said.

According to Adam, “the report also indicated that in the 2006 census 15% of the population of Tyrrelstown was under the age of 4. We have a birth rate of 18 - 20 children a month in the area so that means that since the last census there are 600 more children under the age of 3 in the area. This is now starting to impact on the schools.”

Maurice Hurley, principal of Tyrrelstown Educate Together national school which operates out of temporary buildings on the Powerstown Road confirmed that sites for the schools have now been acquired. “The project is back on track but pressure needs to be maintained.” Thanking residents for their support he said “what’s good for the community is good for the school and vice versa. We are all in this together. Go and vote in the elections. If a community votes it will be listened to - not just this year but in the future also.”

Representing the views of Mulhuddart National School which is also in a temporary building on the adjoining site, Fr. Eugene Taaffe still has doubts about politicians’ promises. “I would love to throw up my arms and say it’s done,” he said “but I‘ve been here before when promises were made and not kept. We should all vote but we deserve our vote to be respected. Your children deserve not just the basics but the best.”

The transfer of the site to Fingal County Council was also confirmed by Rick Larkin, a director of Twinlite Developments. “My company has been developing Tyrrelstown since 2001 and we have been actively trying to build a school because a school is good for business. People will want to live here and that is good for our business,” he said.

However he went on to castigate the Department of Education who, he said “are the worst people I have ever tried to work with. Fingal County Council say that they can deliver the school so we have given them an unconditional contract for €1 for the school site. The county council have told us that when they hand over the site to the Department of Education they will get money for a community centre on the site. However I agree with Fr. Eugene that the community should be consulted,” he said.

Confirming the acquisition on behalf of the county council, Cllr. Michael O’Donovan in his capacity as Mayor of Fingal said “while there is no doubt that the school site is available, as of today no application has yet been made by the department for planning permission for the schools. However when the application does come in, it will get red carpet fast track assistance.”

By coincidence, on the day after the meeting took place a letter was received by Joan Burton TD in reply to representations she had made to the Minister for Education Batt O’Keeffe about the Tyrrelstown schools. In his reply the Minister said “the further progression of the site acquisition and the proposed building project will be considered having regard to the competing demands in the context of the capital budget available to my Department for school buildings generally.”

Responding to this latest twist Cllr. O’Donovan said, “it seems to me that the Minister is saying ‘I have a certain amount of money for next year and Tyrrelstown can take its place in the queue along with everyone else.’ I wonder if that reply has been sent to many more schools in this pre-election time. It makes Brian Lenihan’s assertion that the money has been ring-fenced seem a little hollow.”

However when contacted by Community Voice, Minister Lenihan was insistent that the school would be built on time. Referring to the content of Batt O’Keeffe’s letter he said “this is just a standard Department of Education form of words that they use to reply to all such representations. I can assure everyone that this money is available and that it will be there when required to build the school.

These schools are going ahead and I am adamant that they will open for pupils in September 2010.”

"Community Voice" article on the Passports for votes issue

From the "Community Voice" newspaper:

http://www.communityvoice.ie/pages/CV137/CV137n02.htm

Fine Gael accused of ‘hypocrisy’ on immigration policy
by Martin Ryan

Fine Gael policy with regard to ethnic communities locally has recently come under the spotlight on two fronts. At a ‘meet the candidates’ public meeting for the new Irish communities in the Mulhuddart ward, Cllr. Ruth Coppinger accused Fine Gael of “hypocrisy” in relation to integration and education policy. She referred to the support of Deputy Leo Varadkar of the requirement for baptismal certificates for entry to Catholic run schools and said that the party’s policy on the matter amounted to educational apartheid.

Speaking to Community Voice after the meeting the councillor also questioned why there was no Labour representative at the meeting and why a Fianna Fáil representative attended only as the meeting was drawing to a close. The event was held in Tyrrelstown Educate Together primary school by a group called the New Communities Partnership, an organisation which describes itself as “empowering and representing ethnic minorities”. The event was designed to make the immigrant community cognisant of the issues and views of the Mulhuddart ward candidates and to advise on issues such as voter registration.

Meanwhile Tyrrelstown based Independent candidate Ignatius Okafor has criticised Fine Gael for raising what he describes as an ugly issue relating to “spurious promises” being made in order to garner votes in the upcoming election. The allegation relates to comments Mr. Okafor claims were made by Fine Gael election candidate Adeola Ogunsina at a public meeting in Blanchardstown earlier this month.

According to Okafor, Adeola Ogunsina suggested to a group of over 100 African immigrants that if they voted for him they would have a favourable chance of getting passports within six months. Mr. Okafor said that he challenged the claim at the meeting but “was derided by Fine Gael for not knowing what I was talking about when it came to Irish politics.”

He further claimed that he was approached by many people present who he said were surprised that he raised the matter as “they told me that they and friends had been made this promise on many occasions by Adeola Ogunsina and the local Fine Gael TD Leo Varadkar.” He said that initially he thought Ogunsina might have misspoken on this occasion, but he said it was made clear to him by the people at the meeting that this was already known in the immigrant community.

He said that “such false promises undermine the integration of our society” and can lead to many new immigrants becoming disillusioned with Irish society, further alienating them from participating fully in our communities. “After all elected representatives both at local and national level are supposed to provide an example to others on whose behalf they act,” he added.

Okafor said he has been reluctant to raise the issue of immigrant status during his campaign as he believed it to be an issue of national policy rather than something that should be raised at local level. “But to raise it in the misleading manner Fine Gael are doing at present is worrying and it is even more serious that the target audience being courted by this Fine Gael policy is among the most vulnerable in Irish society” he said.

He called on the Fine Gael leadership to clarify the party’s position and say if this is official Fine Gael policy and if so why it has not appeared in any of their policy documents or manifestos.

“If it is not official Fine Gael policy then why are they allowing their candidates to make these spurious claims publicly,” he asked.

Fianna Fáil candidate Idowu Olafimihan has joined in the criticism of Fine Gael referring back to proposals by Leo Varadkar that immigrants might be given a financial incentive to repatriate. Olafimihan said that this would leave economic migrants from non-EU countries as the whipping boys of the Fine Gael proposal, and suggested that this can be broken down further between economic migrants for the first and third worlds.

“There are numbers of US and other first world citizens living and working in Ireland which I assume are not the target of the Fine Gael proposal given Ireland’s continuous attempts to persuade the USA to ‘normalise’ the status of the undocumented Irish in America” he said.

“Thus this Fine Gael proposal is limited to those economic migrants from third world countries of origin. Negative proposals such as Deputy Varadkar’s are not only worthless but they generate a climate of exclusion, they construct an “us and them” atmosphere that is an enemy of integration and an enemy to the community” he added.

He referred to the reported comments of Adeola Ogunsina as an “empty promise” and asked if the Fine Gael candidate would explain how he would achieve this since it is not within the powers of a local councillor. He also questioned how the promise of passports could stand alongside Leo Varadkar’s comments on repatriation incentives.

“The best way to deal with the Fine Gael proposals is to cast your vote for those willing to oppose it. Let us show him that we cannot be deceived by frivolous and empty promises,” he added.

When contacted by Community Voice, both Adeola Ogunsina and Fine Gael headquarters refused to comment on the matter.

Meeting with Ongar Residents Tuesday May 26th

Iggy along with other Dublin 15 Local election candidates will be attending a meeting with Ongar Community Council members on Tuesday May 26th in the "Educate Together" school in Ongar green @ 8pm.

Campaign Posters

As you have no doubt noticed every available lamppost in the area seems to have been covered in Campaign Posters by all the candidates for the forthcoming local election. Iggy has been no exception in this. The posters were put up over 2 weeks ago, by Iggy and his team of volunteers over a period of four days. Many thanks to these unpaid and unsung heroes for their time and effort.

Hollystown Campaigning Sunday 17th May

By John Carroll

We visited Hollystown on Sunday [17TH May] afternoon last, as part of our ongoing door to door campaign and despite the continual downpour of rain, without exception we were welcomed by residents, who while being genuinely appreciative and polite in the reception they gave Iggy and his team, where none the less forthcoming in their viewpoints and concerns with regards the issues affecting both their community and that of the wider Blanchardstown/Mulhuddart community.

Issue they raised ranged from;
• Rathoath Rd Traffic volumes and speeds
• Lack of adequate Traffic calming measures
• Lack of Public Transport services
• Lack of safe pedestrian & cycle pathways
• Concern with aspects of proposed developments both locally and in relation to Snowtopia
• Youth initiatives or a lack thereof to a localised youth centre/facilities

Most of the above issues it would seem, regardless of where the community is situated are common priorities for families and their community.

One of the most telling moments for Iggy, came unsolicited from a very unexpected quarter; at one of the houses visited, the father told us that his son (approx 12yrs old) was a fan of Iggy who he’d heard and read about, thanking the father for his attentiveness and interest in our campaign we moved on however, as Iggy was walking across the road this young boy came running out of his house and went straight to Iggy and gave him a hug and said, ‘I can’t vote but I told my mam and dad that should vote for you’, he’d heard of Iggy from some of his friends and read about him, it was the spontaneity and sincerity which really knocked Iggy for six. ‘It’s one thing to have adults express support and goodwill for my campaign but something else altogether for a young person to come up to me like that, I am so moved’ said Iggy genuinely moved by the encounter.
This wasn’t the first time this happened however, because last week in Clonee when we knocked at a door, a mother and son opened the door and no sooner had Iggy introduced himself that the boy said, ‘mam that’s him, you give him your vote’, the mother and Iggy were as perplexed as each other and all she said was, ‘if he says he likes you that’s good enough for me, you have four votes here’. We had this type of reaction to Iggy in Tyrrelstown which we attributed to him being active in his community with the youth but we then encountered the same response in Mulhuddart/Ladyswell.

Another encounter in Hollystown really affected Iggy as well, a young girl [10yrs old] was so affected by a cyclist who had been hit by a car that she took it upon herself to draft a policy proposal inclusive of research material and statistics as well as projected environmental commentaries in relation to cycle and pedestrian infrastructure. This little girl won recognition and an award from Meath County Council yet was ignored within Fingal/Blanchardstown and no local paper even mentioned this. Iggy has promised to raise this within his campaign as he is of no doubt that young people like this should be encouraged and acknowledged by the community at every opportunity, these after all are positive role models for both young and adults to contribute positively and constructively to the community.

The impact Iggy seems to be generating with the young is a telling factor wherever we go and is probably the most surprising [and refreshing] feature to how his campaign has unfolded.

Public Consultation Meeting between Iggy and Constituents and Finian McGrath TD at the Paddocks

Last night Tuesday 12th May, in the Paddocks in Clonee, Iggys campaign got a huge boost in both morale and practical advice from one of Irelands most experienced and affective Independent public representatives in recent times namely Mr. Finian McGrath TD.

The public meeting was organized by Iggy and his team and invitations were sent to both residents and prospective candidates of Mulhuddart/Clonee.

Iggy gave a brief outline of how he had come to seek to be elected to Fingal County Council; ‘having arrived in Tyrrelstown (TT) some years before I involved myself in a local initiative to establish a soccer team and this was the catalyst to me seeing first hand the deficit in basic and fundemental local amenities and infrastructure, which brought me into contact with others who were endeavouring to fill the gap, such as the Tyrrelstown Residents Association and which indirectly led to me becoming more and more involved with initiatives to provide constructive outlets for the youth of TT, as well as community based initiatives such as Business Watch/Garda Forum and so on and it was as a consequence of my involvement locally that I was encouraged to consider standing in the then upcoming local elections, this I ultimately did and so far I have only encountered goodwill and support from the wider Mulhuddart Community, visiting so far almost 8000 homes throughout the electoral ward. I chose what many have told me is the most difficult way of seeking election by standing as an Independent but I answer that I believe I must put my constituents uppermost in my considerations and Party Politics does not allow for this in reality’.

Finian then introduced himself recounting; ‘I began my involvement in politics at local level almost 30yrs ago while teaching in Dublin’s inner city and I had the privilege to work with a man named Tony Gregory, who like me saw that there was a need for communities to have their voice heard at local and national government and that this could be done more affectively by way of dedicated community based and supported Independent Candidates, who would be in a position to put constituents priorities uppermost and not be swayed by Party Policy/Allegiance. The key to being successful as an Independent is maintaining the trust and support of the local community and community groups. If enough Independent representatives are elected they in themselves can and have in the recent past, hold the balance of power at both local and national government, so any one who derides the effectiveness of an Independent need only look at the record of Tony Gregory or myself and see the truth of what an Independent voice can achieve. This viewpoint is reinforced by the fact that there were 92 Independent local councilors in the outgoing councils throughout Ireland.’'

It was worth noting that both have entered the ‘public’ arena by a very similar route and see similar strengths in being Independent.

The meeting was well attended by residents who came to with open minds and a willingness to engage with both Iggy and Finian; the meeting started at 19.45 and finished at 21.30 with a very lively question and answer session where everyone was allowed voice an opinion and this was evidenced by the questions they sought answers to, the following are just a sample of some of the many questions/queries contributed on the night;

Resident: What plans do you (Iggy) have to tackle the deficit in class places?
Iggy: Whether elected or not it is my intention to continue my efforts to have the funding released by Fingal County Council (FCC) so as adequate provision of schools are built and thereby class places are provided. Money I might add which according to my enquiries is there but not being used for some unknown reason.
Finian: I would like to add that in my capacity as TD, I am only too willing to assist Iggy getting answers on this issue and I commit to raising this and other issues Iggy may have at Dail level.

Resident: You (Iggy) mention in your leaflet Affordable Child Care Support, what does that mean?
Iggy: At present many of the newer communities in Mulhuddart have little or no local resource/community centers and it would be my intention to prioritize the establishing of these as has been done in other Mulhuddart communities such as Blakestown/Fortlawn/Mulhuddart and so on and as part of these centers there would be provision for crèche/day care for pre-school with qualified staff which would be of great support to families and parents whether they are working or upskilling themselves through reeducation.

Resident: What is your (Iggy) intention to deal with anti-social behavior?
Iggy: I emphasize in my policy leaflets Community Facilities and Extended Garda Services and it is my opinion that early intervention and prevention programmes are vital for any hope of diverting in particular young people away from anti-social tendencies but that this is not achievable if we as a community do not have either the facilities or activities to attract young people to in the first place and added to this we need the ongoing and committed involvement of the Local Gardai as well as maintaining and improving the visibility of Gardai to act as a deterrent and also as importantly as a reassurance to residents.
Finian: I would back up everything Iggy has said as being needed to tackle anti-social behavior but would add that this is an issue which affects all our communities both new and well established and will tell you that if we can achieve what I saw in London where Police who are rostered for 8 hour shifts are on the ground in the community for 6 out of the 8 hours then I believe that this would go a long way to curtailing anti-social behavior and crime itself within our communities.
Iggy: I take on board what Finian has said and I intend to take this issue which is in essence a Garda Management one to the Garda Forum of which I am a member I would like to add that Local business’ can and have a role to play on this issue and it is for them to involve their business’ in initiatives like Business Watch which can and do play and effective role in anti-social issues in their communities after all it is in their commercial interest to have a safe environment for their customers.

Resident: While we are talking about Gardai can I ask (Iggy & Finian) why is there such a delay in Garda response to calls I and others have made? Sometimes up to 3 or 4 hours? Iggy: There should not be such a delay and if you wish I can enquire as to why this was so if you provide me with the details. At many Garda meetings and forums I and others have been consistently reassured that such delays are not acceptable to Garda Management either and they have in all fairness when given details of such occurrences made contact with the residents concerned and where required carry out follow up enquiries most times to the satisfaction of the residents concerned.
Finian: Again I would agree with Iggy and would also commit that if this is an ongoing failing within your community I will take this issue up with the Minister for Justice on your behalf.

Resident: There was an article recently (Metro Eireann) in which it was cited that you (Iggy) had contradicted the Fine Gael Candidates claims that he (FG) would get passports for those immigrants who voted for him, is that what he said and if so what are your (Iggy & Finian) views on this?
Iggy: I stand by what I said in that article as I was at an event to hear him (FG Candidate Adeola Ogunsina) say it and I go further in saying that it is a low form of false political promises which preys on a vulnerable section of our community by raising false expectations and I not only raised this in the media but also wrote to Fine Gael headquarters by way of Mr. Enda Kenny seeking an explanation. I am still awaiting a reply. He (FG Candidate Adeola Ogunsina) also I might add confirmed my assertion of the event and what he had said to the editor of Metro Eireann when queried on my claims.
Finian: To be honest this is the first time I have heard of this and I haven’t as yet read the article, I can however point out that there is a process that all must follow to attain citizenship and this is not at the discretion of any individual or elected representative to circumvent.

The night was brought to a close by Iggy who thanked all and by a very warm and sincere applause by all for Mr. Finian McGrath taking the time to attend and his willingness to be so forthcoming in his answers and support for the concerns raised and it is of note that before the meeting closed Finian wished to draw alls attention to a particular part of Iggys policy leaflet going so far as to quote directly from the leaflet;
“My vision is a system that meets the peoples aspirations, needs and yearnings…yet going further to reward societal trust and endeavor. My mission is to pursue and insist on people-centered policies and actions in this visibly multicultural and integrating Mulhuddart Constituency”. This I (Finian) believe should be our National Policy Vision for Ireland.

This heartfelt and sincere statement by Finian received an enthusiastic applause from those present and was a fitting tribute to Iggy and his team and finished the meeting on a very positive and invigorating note.

Ignatius Okafors Official Registration as an Independant Candidate in the forthcoming local elections

By John Carroll

On Saturday the 9th last; the quiet of Fingal County Council offices in Swords was broken by the exited chatter and laughter of a number of children, who had accompanied their parents, who themselves had come to Swords to be assenters for Iggy.

This was described by the registration staff as something unique, which many hadn't witnessed before, not the kids but rather that it was very unusual for all (15 plus) assenters to turn up in person for the nomination process.

One staff member said that he'd been involved with the nomination process for over 12yrs and he'd not seen the type of turn out like this before.

After some hastily gathered forms and the subsequent filling out of same Iggy and his supporters were treated to a guided tour of the Council Chambers by a very friendly and informative staff member. It must be said that all the staff went out of their way to not only deal with the nomination process, but equally to put everyone at ease.

The only hiccup was when the registration staff were trying to decide whether the word/name Iggy appeared with or without brackets () on the Ballot Papers....you'll have to wait 'till voting day to find out what they decided!!

Meanwhile there where many photos taken to remember the day...

To para quote: One Small Step for Iggy...One Giant Leap for New Irish

Open Letter to Fine Gael re Adeola's Passports for votes promise

Dear Editor,
I enclose the following in the hope that your readership may be appraised of an ugly issue which has crept in to the local campaigning here in Dublin 15. I believe that your readers once made aware of these spurious promises, will be interested in voicing their concerns to all candidates that the time has passed in Irish Politics when the electorate will tolerate any suggestions of ‘favours for votes’ by any and all Political Parties.

Therefore I hope that you will publish my letter in the hope of generating :
1. Clarity from the Fine Gael leadership on the Passports promise issue.
2. Opposition among the Electorate to this type of False Promise Campaigning.

Open Letter to Fine Gael
Dear Fine Gael,
I am writing to you in relation to what I believe is a very disturbing development that has raised its ugly head. Namely, false promises by Political Parties and their representatives.
This you may state is the nature of politics and therefore to be expected. Well I can understand aspirational entreaties to the electorate but when I hear Fine Gaels Representative, Mr. Adeola Ogunsina promise a gathering of African immigrants that if ‘you vote for me and Fine Gael we will get passports and status for immigrants within 6 months’, I realised that this was an untoward political statement. The statement in question was made at a public function in Blanchardstown on Monday 4th May.

I challenged this assertion at the same function, but was derided by Fine Gael, for not knowing what I was talking about when it came to Irish politics. I was subsequently approached by many present, who were surprised that I queried what had been stated and told me that they and friends had been made this promise on many occasions by Mr. Adeola and his fellow Fine
Gael T.D.

I was taken aback by this as I thought Mr. Adeola may have just misspoken on this occasion, however when I was continually approached by others throughout the evening with similar accounts I knew that this was too serious to ignore.

The reason I take this so seriously is that the target audience being courted by this Fine Gael [policy] are the vulnerable of Irish society and to hold out such blatantly false promises, does more to undermine the integration of our society and can lead to many new immigrants becoming disillusioned with Irish society and further alienating them from participating fully in our communities, after all Elected Representatives both at Local and National level are supposed to as an example to others on whose behalf they act.



I have been reluctant to raise the issue of Immigrant Status throughout my campaign, as I believe that the issue is a National Policy issue. To raise it in the misleading manner Fine Gael are doing presently, is worrying and I urge the Fine Gael leadership to clarify if this,
‘Official Status in 6 months if you vote Fine Gael’ and ‘a Passport’ is actually Fine Gael Policy and if so why have they not outlined this in any of their policy documents and or manifestos.
If it is not official Fine Gael policy then why are they allowing their candidates to make these spurious claims publicly?

The current climate in Irish society will not be served by such representatives who play on the fears of the electorate. It is now a time for honesty and integrity to be at the forefront in Irish Politics.

I await your positive response on the matters raised,
Ignatius (Iggy) Okafor
Email: info@iggyokafor.com
http://iggyokafor.com/
http://iggyokafor.blogspot.com/
Tel: 087 2992102

Voters Forum Meeting Part 1

I was invited to, and attended the above mentioned meeting on Thursday 7th May. I will post a report on the meeting and some photos shortly.

Ignatius "Iggy" Okafor - Your INDEPENDENT Candidate

Ignatius (Iggy) Okafor
Mulhuddarts Independent Candidate in 2009
Representing Change through Grassroots Empowerment & the Integration of People and Ideas

Fellow Residents,

I have been out visiting the many estates and peoples that make up the Mulhuddart Ward. I have been heartened by the enormous goodwill extended to me and my campaign. The generosity and hospitality of people is humbling and has invigorated my campaign in our efforts to secure my election to Fingal County Council (FCC) because we truly believe that it is time for change.

Visiting Lachford/Alandale/Beechfield which are relatively new estates (and subject to intolerable flooding in some places) in Clonee, the lack of community infrastructure and facilities was blatantly absent, yet the resilience and willingness of the residents to form local associations to fill the gap by way of community festivals and action committees to foster neighbourly and community support and cohesion was encouraging and should be seen and acknowledged as assets to FCC.

· Public Transport – or indeed the lack of Public Transport forcing locals into their cars to visit local amenities and services is self-defeating environmental policy both at local and national levels more public transport means less private transport this is not rocket science!

· Traffic Calming – estates built for families need child friendly thoroughfares

· Educational Facilities – everyone agrees education is the key to a secure future yet the infrastructure is needed in the present

· Youth Facilities – these are a necessity to divert the young to progressive and positive outlets and away from a future hanging around corners to meet and socialize

· Community Resource Facilities – these are fundamental to cohesion of a diverse population in providing for social and cultural discourse.

· Sports/Recreational Facilities - Play Grounds– an open field is not sufficient in modern society to pass off as ‘sports/play grounds’ and does nothing to encourage young and old to participate in healthy outdoor activities.

Yet FCC has repeatedly failed to redress many issues, which they should have insisted were built and put in place at the planning phase of these and many other estates, rather they allowed and pandered to the needs of the developers, leaving the families with huge deficits in social infrastructure, which if left as is, will leave many vulnerable to the long term threats of community isolation - anti-social behaviour and the fragmenting of the Fingal Community into the communities that have and the communities that have not.

Why has a population of 92,000 and growing…only appx 19 Ambulances?

If elected to FCC I intend to make my priority the implementation of
Social /Community infrastructure and facilities in all the communities as these should be as of right and not left to the whim of developers.

Public Consultation Meeting Tuesday 12th May 2009

PUBLIC CONSULTATION MEETING

T U E S D A Y 12TH M A Y 09

The Paddocks
7.30 pm – 9.45 pm

HAVE YOUR SAY…

ON YOUR ISSUES…

TO THOSE WHO WANT

YOUR NO 1 Vote…

This is an open forum meeting with all welcome.
Issues for discussion will include:
o Public Transport
o Community Facilities
o Road Safety
o Estate Signage

With contributions from invited guests and audience members…

I cordially invite you the residents and voters of the Mulhuddart areas to a consultation meeting to be held in The Paddocks the aim of which is to have your concerns debated by those candidates present on the night.

On behalf of myself and my campaign team I would like to thank all of you whom I’ve met so far for your courteousness and hospitality as well as the many expressions of support.
Ignatius (Iggy) Okafor

(apologies for the lack of fadas due to font problems - gabh mo leisceal)
Taim chuir cuireadh oraibh na conaitheoiri agus votalai on gceantar Mullach Eadrad teacht chuig grcuinniu comhairliuchan a bheidh ar siul san Paddocks. An aidhm ata againn na diospoirecht agus a phle a dheanamh faoi na ceisteanna a bhfuil agaibh.

Ar son me fein agus mo foireann feachtas theastaionn uainn buiochas a ghabhail le gach einne a bhuail me leo go dti seo de bharr an flaithiulacht a taispeantar, comh maith le an t-uafas leiriuchain de tacaiocht.
Ignatius (Iggy) Okafor

Letter Regarding Management Companies in Tyrrelstown published in the "Community Voice"

Dear Editor,

I am writing to share with your wide audience, the opinions and experiences of residents of Tyrrelstown in regard to the Management Companies operating in the area. There is a widely shared and pervasive discontent with the services of these companies.

Recently, I became cognisant of the frustration of my fellow residents on this matter through informal discussions with neighbours on broad ranging communal issues. Consequently, I embarked upon a door-to-door fact finding survey of residents to ascertain the facts of the matter. The results were astounding: over 90% of respondents were extremely dissatisfied with the services of these companies. There was a shared belief that the 8 management companies are of little or no benefit to their freehold houses.

My survey also uncovered extreme dissatisfaction from residents on a perceived attempt by the County Council to transfer responsibility for the green areas around the boulevard onto the residents. This is despite an original understanding that the Management Companies were supposed to remain attached to the apartments and the dedicated parking areas, as recently highlighted in an article in the Community Voice and also confirmed by Fingal County Council.

In reaction to these findings, documentations were sought on the planning process between the Management Companies, the ‘Developer’ and the ‘Planning Authority’, invoking the Freedom of Information Act. It is our understanding that these documents should have been agreed by both parties, and submitted to the planning authorities before development started. To our utter dismay, the Co Council replied in writing stating that after an intensive search of their planning file and computer system, they could confirm that a response was not issued from the planning department in relation to this submission, and that no agreement/details exist in relation to the management companies. The implication of this is that there is no way of clearly demarcating areas of responsibility between the Management Companies and the County Council.

The impact of this unfortunate situation on the residents of Tyrrelstown is evident, and not helped by the current economic realities in which most people are struggling to make ends meet. In my view, the local authority should move quickly to set up systems that would facilitate appropriate responsibility for the various aspects of our residential areas. The current structure should be abolished, as it is unfair, unjust and unsustainable. It also imposes significant financial burden on households, and impacts on community cohesion and communal spirit.

Many thanks for giving me the opportunity to share my views on this issue through your highly esteemed medium.

Letter from Iggy to fellow Residents of Tyrrelstown September 2008

Dear Fellow Residents,

In case you are unaware, Fingal County Council is in the process of taking charge of the estates in Tyrrelstown.

From reliable information at hand, it will take approximately two years to reach completion. At the moment Curragh Hall and Bealing Village are now under their control. The taking in charge will be in the following order; Ballentree Village, Gazelle Village, Bishop Orchard, French Park, Rathmore Village, Cruise Park, Mount Eustace and Bellgree Drive.

Three main roads lead into these areas. My main concern is the safety of the residents. There is over speeding, resulting into many accidents throughout the estate. These areas lack traffic calming facilities, such as, speed limit signs, ramps, and proper road markings, adequate and well lit pedestrian crossings. This is an extremely worrying situation which I am addressing on your behalf.

Over the last number of weeks, myself and other concerned parents have attended meetings with the Chief Supt. John Twomey and the Community Gardaí in Blanchardstown Garda Station to discuss these issues.

These meetings have proved to be very beneficial and I am pleased to announce that, at my request, a delegation of Gardaí will visit the estate shortly to inspect the danger spots. After which measures will be taken to improve the situation. A report on this visit will be presented to Fingal County Council. I will keep you posted on this issue and any others relevant to our estate.

Finally we must ensure that our children are safe at all times. It is therefore imperative to establish a safe and healthy environment for all residents, especially our children, so I need your valued support to achieve this aim.

Please feel free to contact me to discuss any issues that may be causing you concern.

Ignatius Okafor – Your Local Rep – Putting you first

Crisis of Education in Tyrrelstown - Published in the "Community Voice"

Crisis of Education in Tyrrelstown

Education is widely agreed to be the tool that will liberate our children from underdevelopment. But the children in Tyrrelstown are at an immediate disadvantage due to the poor planning by those whose responsibility it was to ensure that the right facilities where put in place.

Tyrrelstown is an approx 2,200 residential development that started to accommodate families in 2001 without a primary school for the residents. The developers and the Council conveniently approved the building of shops and other business facilities while the only primary school in the area was built as a temporary structure in December 2005. It has been 4 years since the Tyrrelstown Educate Together School was built as a tentative measure on temporary grounds with capacity for 75 pupils only. In 2009 the school has to cater for an additional 80 children on top of its current commitment.

The teachers have however done immensely well to run a school that clearly lacks the capacity to accommodate the number of children of school going age who live in the area. The quality of education is commendable but the make shift condition of the school is regrettable.

A recent report (A Profile of the needs of the Tyrrelstown Community, 2008) submitted that Tyrrelstown as a residential development was not viable. Based on the 2006 census, the report states that there are “18 new births a month in the area”. This means that in 2010 there will be 216 children who were born in 2006 who will be eligible for school places. This is a very high number for a school that presently has the capacity to cater for only 75 children. The Tyrrelstown Educate Together School will no doubt continue to experience a soaring waiting list and disappointed parents to boot. This will clearly pose a problem for affected families who would ideally want to send their children to the local school but unfortunately have to consider unacceptable options such as sending children to distant schools and not being able to have siblings in the same school, all of which place added financial burdens upon families in these difficult times.

In December 2008, the council granted permission to the Twinlite Development for the building of two 2 storey primary schools in the area. The school will consist of 16 classrooms with separate playgrounds, resource rooms, admin/staff rooms in each block.

There will also be a shared two storey community centre and general purpose hall which will include a conference / meeting rooms, offices and changing rooms, all with on site car parking with 79 spaces. The general land area for the school will be 6.91 acres.

The new school project has the potential to address some of the primary educational needs of Tyrrelstown in regards to primary school places. It also promises to address the issue of a community facility for residents – especially young people who will have a centre they can go to for youth group activities. The question however is: when will this project get off the ground? It is important that any issues between the developers, Fingal County Council and the Department of Education should be overcome as soon as possible to enable the project commence. The children who are the future of Tyrrelstown need action NOW and not empty promises.


By Ignatius Okafor