Inclusion Ireland to host election hustings in Offaly

Inclusion Ireland is hosting a local elections hustings event for the Offaly constituency this evening, Tuesday, May 14, 11am-12:30pm, at the Darmagh Community Centre, Clontarf Road, Tullamore.

The event is being chaired by Dr. Michael Tobin, Athlone Institute of Technology, Tullamore Resident, & parent of a child with Down Syndrome. 

Nine candidates will be in attendance: Christine Traynor (Fianna Fáil, Edenderry); Pippa Hackett (Green Party, Edenderry) Robert McDermott (Fianna Fáil, Edenderry); Clare Claffey (Social Democrats, Birr); Ann Marie Ennis (Sinn Fein, Tullamore); Deirdre Fox (Fine Gael, Tullamore); Tony McCormack (Fianna Fáil, Tullamore); John Leahy (Renua, Tullamore); Ken Smollen, Irish Democratic Party, Tullamore.

Calling on prospective Councillors to promote the rights of people with intellectual disabilities, Inclusion Ireland interim CEO, Sarah Lennon said: “There are 643,131 disabled people in Ireland and each one of those individuals is a potential voter, as are their family members. Inclusion Ireland is asking prospective candidates to consider this constituency of people and to commit to working to ensure equality for disabled people in Ireland and Europe.”

Inclusion Ireland is asking all candidates running for local election to work towards promoting the rights of persons with intellectual disabilities by advocating for equality-proofing of housing and planning, ensuring accessible transport and generating meaningful employment opportunities for people with disabilities in their communities.

Sarah Lennon said: “Locally elected councillors have a fantastic opportunity to work to ensure their constituents with a disability are fully included and we are asking Councillors to ensure the participation of people with disabilities in the planning of services by local authorities."

“Inclusion Ireland is asking that Councillors work to ensure that people with disabilities will have access to a good supply of accessible accommodation in which they can live independent and well-connected lives within the community and that transport that is accessible and affordable is ensured.”