Tackle ‘crisis with houses’ in rural Ireland

European Parliamentary candidate Peter Casey has called for action to tackle thousands of abandoned houses across rural Ireland.

According to the latest figures from the Central Statistics Office, Mr Casey’s Midlands-North-West constituency has more than 75,000 vacant houses.

He says the government and local authorities should develop initiatives “take over vacant houses that have clearly been abandoned” to provide much-needed housing stock.

“Midlands-North-West has a staggering number of vacant homes. It’s sickening to read that there are almost 800 people registered as homeless in a region with more than 75,000 properties lying empty. A small fraction of that number would be more than enough to cater for the homeless or those facing homelessness in the counties of the constituency.

“That there is a housing crisis with such soaring vacancy rates in Midlands-North-West defies belief. Our most rural counties, such as Donegal with 11,704 and Mayo with 10,597 vacant homes, are where the problem is most acutely felt. However, this is a major issue in all of the counties in this constituency and beyond. What we have throughout rural Ireland is a crisis with houses – it is time to tackle this crisis.

“We need to take over vacant houses that have clearly been abandoned. The government should give the owners 12 months to face up to their responsibilities and rent or sell them. If owners do not comply, the government should be empowered to auction off the properties with owners receiving the net proceeds.

“There are abandoned houses all over rural Ireland which are falling into disrepair – some sitting idle for up to ten years. This needs to be addressed as a matter of urgency.”

EU Parliamentary candidate Peter Casey has committed to “winning a fairer deal for farmers” by fighting in Europe for an increased Common Agricultural Policy budget.

Speaking after attending an Irish Farmers’ Association European election summit in Claremorris on Wednesday (April 24), Mr Casey said he will battle for a bigger budget to compensate farmers for additional requirements resulting from the CAP reform currently being negotiated.

The major decisions that shape the next CAP and the future trading relationship between the EU and UK will be taken during the lifetime of the next European Parliament.

The current CAP is due to end next year. The IFA has stated that the new proposals place increased demands on Irish farmers with a reduced CAP budget.

Mr Casey has committed to “battling tooth and nail to secure a better deal for farmers and rural Ireland”.

“The CAP budget must be increased to account for inflation and to compensate our farmers for any additional requirements imposed on them by the newly reformed policy.

“Our farmers are strongly represented by the IFA in Europe, but all of our MEPs must step up to the plate in solidarity to campaign for a better deal during the new term.

“Farmers are the backbone of our rural economy, they are huge exporters who shop locally to the benefit of our local communities. 174,000 people are directly employed in agriculture across our nation, they produce exports valued at more than €13bn, generating 22% of all industry gross output.

“The bad news for farmers is that many are only subsisting; in 2018 average farm incomes declined by 15%.

“They face many difficulties – not least as a result of Brexit. I am backing calls by the IFA for a special purpose package from Europe to off-set Brexit losses incurred by farmers.

“These include emergency EU market disturbance supports, targeted direct producer payments, long-term structural adjustment support and the setting-aside of State Aid limits

“Should we find ourselves in a no-deal Brexit situation, there must be provision for an immediate EU aid package to support our farmers and safeguard the presence of their produce on UK shelves. It is also important that any EU aid takes account for currency devaluations arising from a weakened pound.

“Our farmers deserve a fairer deal and I am committed to fighting in Europe as MEP for Midlands-North-West to ensure they get it.”

Peter Casey has pledged to fight for the regeneration of “all but forgotten” rural Ireland when he is returned as MEP in the Midlands-North-West constituency.

The independent candidate said he will be “a strong independent voice for rural Ireland” at the heart of Europe.

Mr Casey, who polled second to incumbent Michael D Higgins in the recent Irish presidential elections with 342,727 first preference votes, vows to be a “catalyst for change” in rural Ireland.

“Rural Ireland continues to be abandoned as Government policy continues to grow an unsustainable urban sprawl in Dublin.

“I am committed to the ideals of organisations such as the Western Development Commission (WDC) and the Commission for the Economic Development of Rural Areas (CEDRA) in their drive for increased prosperity across our counties, towns and villages.

“Rural Ireland is all but forgotten, as was so eloquently highlighted by Kerry footballing legend Pat Spillane on the Late Late Show recently. Pat’s passionate oration on the wastage of money and the failure to invest in real development in rural Ireland will have resonated with many thousands of people around the country. We need more people like Pat standing up for rural Ireland and increased support for the good work of organisations such as the CEDRA and the WDC.

“Years of EU austerity have had a devastating effect on rural Ireland. We have suffered massive job losses and surging levels of emigration while our farmers are subsisting and our fishing industry is shackled by unacceptable quotas.

“Rural Ireland needs significant investment in targeted areas and that will be top of my agenda as a MEP for Midlands-North-West.

“Our region needs a strong independent voice which is not tied by party constraints when fighting for the real needs of the people of rural Ireland. I will bring the issues affecting the everyday lives of people living along the western seaboard, the border counties and the midlands to the heart of European debates affecting our futures.

“It’s time to stand up for rural Ireland – it’s time to ensure rural Ireland is heard. You, the people of rural Ireland, will have a reliable voice in Europe by entrusting me with your support on May 24.^”

Criminals are taking advantage of the reduced Garda presence in rural Ireland, says EU Parliamentary candidate Peter Casey.

Mr Casey made the comment following Good Friday’s ATM thefts in Kells, Co Meath.

“This week’s brazen ATM thefts in Kells took place less than 500m from the local 24-hour Garda station which indicates that criminals are having a free-for-all in rural Ireland.

“These callous raids send a clear message that criminals are taking advantage of the deficit in Garda numbers in the area. Many years of cutbacks to rural policing in Ireland is being felt across our towns and villages where our community Garda stations have been abandoned.

“Strong rural communities have been left without adequate policing resources and that is leaving them at increased risk.

“The hard-working gardaí serving our communities are under pressure and underpaid. In many towns such as Kells, they do not have the supports they need to provide the level of policing required. Our rural and border areas need increased Garda numbers and although the current recruitment drive is a step in the right direction, it will not be effective without improvements in Garda pay.

“Criminal acts like the ones experienced in Kells and other towns across rural Ireland in recent times will only increase unless adequate Garda resources are put in place.”

EU Parliamentary candidate Peter Casey has called on all election candidates to “do the right thing for the environment” by ditching plastic campaign posters.

The Midlands-North West candidate has urged fellow candidates to ensure there is a “good clean fight”, at least as far as the environment is concerned.

He is further calling for local authorities to place outright bans on the erection of plastic campaign posters. Mr Casey is also calling for the introduction of a tax on all single-use plastics that are not biodegradable.

“We are totally opposed to any election candidates putting up plastic posters. Not only are plastic election campaign posters not eco-friendly, but they are unsightly as well as being unstable in high winds, and dangerous distractions for motorists and cyclists.

“All candidates and political parties must lead by example by adopting an environmentally-friendly approach to campaigning. In this digital age, the use of plastic posters is a throwback that is no longer needed. A number of councils and representatives in the Midlands-North West constituency are already taking steps to curb this nonsensical activity and they are to be commended for their efforts. However, nothing less than an outright ban on plastic election posters is the best move for our environment.

“The European parliamentary campaign has barely begun and already the country is becoming littered with ugly posters, and the big parties are the main offenders. A message responsibly placed on biodegradable material in designated billboard space is acceptable but to have poster after poster clattering our public spaces is simply not on. 

“I am calling on all candidates and parties to put our environment and our people’s safety ahead of their political ambition. They must do the right thing by removing all plastic posters for this campaign and future campaigns.”

Mr Casey is campaigning for a government clampdown on all single-use plastics which are not biodegradable.

“Plastics that are not biodegradable are killing our environment. All organisations must be encouraged to invest in biodegradable products through tax incentives.

“If they cannot come up with biodegradable plastic bottles, then they must revert to glass that can be easily recycled. Can you imagine if Coke Cola was to lead the way and start promoting biodegradable bottles, they would not just clean up the market, they would clean up the world.”

Peter Casey has announced his candidacy for the European Parliament elections in the Midlands North West constituency.

Launching his campaign, the independent candidate said he will be “the voice for rural Ireland” at the heart of the EU.

Mr Casey, who polled second to incumbent Michael D Higgins in the recent Irish presidential elections with 342,727 first preference votes, registered his candidacy for the 2019 election in Mayo on Thursday, April 11.

Mr Casey said: “Rural Ireland needs a catalyst for change. We have borne the brunt of austerity with massive job losses, high levels of emigration, farmers on the breadline and fishing boats tied up to rot.

“I’ll be saying it like it is on behalf of the people of the Midlands North West region to help ensure rural Ireland can enjoy the infrastructure, investment, enterprise, connectivity and prosperity it deserves. Rural Ireland has paid a hefty price for our government’s compliance with EU austerity measures, now it’s time to reap our deserved rewards and I will spearhead that campaign in Europe.

“I am committed to providing a strong voice for rural Ireland in European debates that affect our future. The issues affecting the everyday lives of people living along the western seaboard, the border counties and the midlands must be clearly heard and heeded at the heart of Europe.

“From the hardships of our farmers to the embattled fishing industry, rural Ireland will be heard.

“From the struggles of our SMEs and entrepreneurs to the very real concerns of those living in our border counties, rural Ireland will be heard.

“From our best young people being forced to endure the spiralling costs of Dublin to the massive eco-problems faced by our stunning environment, rural Ireland will be heard.

“It’s time to stand up for rural Ireland – it’s time to ensure rural Ireland is heard. You, the people of rural Ireland, will have a reliable voice in Europe by entrusting me with your support on May 24.^”