Dublin Sinn Fein Sinn Féin -- Building an Ireland of Equals

Tracey welcomes announcement of by-election date

Published: 28 April, 2009

Sinn Féin's candidate for the South Dublin by-election Shaun Tracey has announced this evening's announcement in the Dáil that the poll will take place on June 5th, the same day as the local and European elections.

Speaking Environment Minister John Gormley made the announcement in the Dáil this evening Mr. Tracey said, ""At a time of such severe economic depression it is absolutely essential people are properly represented in the Dáil.

"Thousands of families across South Dublin are facing an uncertain future as the unemployment crisis continues to escalate and more and more people are facing negative equity and the possibility that they may lose their homes. Thousands more families are languishing on the waiting list for social housing, for up to nine years in many cases.

"The recently unemployed are waiting months on end for social welfare payments to come through causing them to incur massive debts just to get by. In the meantime this Government has done nothing to stimulate jobs or to retain existing ones.

"Schools with already over crowded classrooms are losing teachers due to Government cutbacks. And schools waiting for new buildings or work on existing buildings will be left waiting as a result of the decision to cut spending on school building by €30million.

"The people of South Dublin face many difficult challenges in the time ahead and will need as many people fighting their corner as possible. For this reason it is essential that they are fully represented in the Dáil and I welcome the announcement that the by-election will take place alongside the local and European elections on June 5th." ENDS