As a former Cambridge Fellow and lecturer, I fully support the students in their barricade of the Book of Kells. Irish universities have a huge leadership problem and are lashing out on students and researchers. Education should not be an industry, it is a universal public good.
This is unacceptable. It happened just around the corner from my home. I want to say what almost everyone already knows, this is definitely not representative of the feelings in the neighbourhood.
Solidarity with Suzzie O'Deniyi and her campaign team.
There is horrific racism in this video along with harassment and intimidation. I don't know what candidate they are canvassing for, but I've been told it's in Limerick. He claims the guards are at his house every day - with aggressive behaviour like that I'm not surprised.
Disabled people deserve more than always being an afterthought.
The way to stop this is to elect disabled representatives.
I have a disability and I am "running" for Mayor of Limerick.
I won't forget the needs of disabled people if elected, I won't because they are my needs too.
Happy
#WorldMultipleSclerosisDay
! Coincidentally, today is also my 6 monthly MS infusion day. MS impacts each person differently, for me it impacts my spine and balance. If you are newly diagnosed, give me a shout or contact
@MSIRELAND
. It's not the end of the world, I promise.
"I was a single, disabled, homeless mother, and I didn't qualify for any support. I was trying to do everything myself, and it changed how I saw the world. That's why I want to run."
#LimerickDEM
People keep telling me that what I've said about universal design has changed their perceptions of disability.
Specifically, the design of services and spaces across the county that benefit EVERYONE.
This video is my short explanation of "universal design".
#radicalcommonsense
Speaking last night at the
#LKMayorDebate
on the importance of universal design.
We can't ignore a quarter of the Limerick population anymore. If we embrace making things accessible and inclusive, it actually benefits everyone.
The new role of mayor is not about cutting ribbons.
It's about leading Limerick: managing council services, developing & delivering a vision for our shared future.
Be wary of underqualified candidates or those beholden to banks & landlords.
This job needs experience & skills.
Draft 2 of my Mayoral Programme is available now as is an online form for input from Limerick people. I'm a believer in co-design, your input is critical in developing a plan that delivers for people. People's voices need to be at the centre of planning.
Canvassing around UL today. The students there were excited by my plan to have council built and run student accommodation similar to student halls in the UK. Families loved the plan too as could see how it would change their estates for the better by bringing in more families.
I have a great team, family and friends around me on this campaign. I'd never get them all into a photo but last night I got a few of my closest. It was lovely to be able to thank them in a small way for their support by bringing them to the debate. Everyone had a great night!
Great day canvassing today! So much fun. Thanks to all the amazing people that volunteered. I'm really humbled by the support and the reception of my messaging on the doors.
There is a different way to do politics, one that is powered by the people.
#Keyes1
#LimerickDEM
#MS
I'm running for
#LimerickDEM
on June 7th, and I need your help.
In Rabharta, we are regular people, there is no big party fund for me to tap into. I’m relying on individuals like you to financially support my campaign.
Please donate, if you can.
There appears to be lack of understanding around this issue today. EDs need to be part of a hospital. A stand alone ED at Barrington's won't work, we need to upgrade our existing hospitals. Barrington's could be used as a respite centre, intermediate care unit or health centre.
Simon Harris has told the people of Limerick that we cannot have a second emergency department because of "clinical advice". I am calling on Simon Harris to publish that advice. Let us see why the government refuse to give Limerick people what they need.
Rugby, sunshine and a spot of canvassing, can't beat a night like that.
The long day and heat meant my legs needed a little help but my trusty folding purple stick came to the rescue. Solidarity with all the other MS-ers struggling in the heat.
Removing my posters today I came to 2 on the Shannon bridge that have been pushed up by others postering and are now too high for safe removal. Please nobody attempt removal. I'd much rather pay a fine than someone have an accident. I will get professional help to retrieve them.
@comradebritney
I'm just of the opinion that being a voice at the table is more effective than shouting from the wings.
Also, it isn't soliciting work. I'm a public sector employee so any publicly funded boards I sit on, I do so on a voluntary and unrenumerated basis.
Promises of building more houses aren't enough on its own. We need a range of actions addressing rents, bringing derelict houses back into use, addressing student accom needs. We need to look at housing from a public health and systems approach rather than as individual projects.
Delighted to be
@RabhartaParty
candidate for Limerick Directly Elected Mayor and excited to be getting out on the campaign trail. Last night's campaign launch was only the beginning. For those who missed it, transcript and video clips are being prepared this morning.
With the big push of the last week before we vote looming , we decided the best use of our time this evening wasn't canvassing but family badminton and rugby with a finish of ice cream and chocolate sauce delivered straight to the mouth.
Mayoral and European campaign at full steam in Annacotty this evening. The issue that keeps coming back on the doors is overcrowding at the hospital. This is really important to workers & carers across the whole community. That’s why it’s the biggest issue in my mayoral campaign.
"I want Limerick to be the first council to introduce proper rent controls and for other councils to follow"
"Mayors across Europe regularly go against national housing policy with sensible measures which would stabilise the rental market and make housing more accessible"
(1/6) High numbers of people are living on the streets in Limerick. The reasons they are there are varied but fundamentally come to down to them having been failed by society and successive FFFG governments.
Lovely joint canvass this evening in Clareview with
@LornaBogue
. Air pollution and bicycle lanes that go nowhere and end at a brick wall were the big issues on the doors.
Great canvass this evening. Spoke to a lot of healthcare workers on their way home from the work in UHL. Lot's of scepticism about the Government announcement of a review to solve the overcrowding crisis. They want immediate action.
So proud my party secured ISL interpretation for tomorrow's mayoral candidate launch. ISL interpreters are few, underfunded, needed country wide but don't earn enough to live. Maybe we could think more budget for disability supports and less about getting disabled people to work?
We have secured an ISL interpreter for tomorrow’s launch. With the short timelines we weren’t sure we could so didn’t include as an accessibility feature. We didn’t want to promise something we couldn’t deliver.
@IrishDeafSoc
@DeafVillageIrel
@IrishDeafcom
@ChimeFor
Delighted to see this scrapped and very proud to have been part of the campaign to do so. We still need reform. Next we need to see a plan for how this will be achieved with the voices of disabled people at the centre of it.
#nothingaboutuswithoutus
On the campaign trail today in the Crescent Shopping Centre and UHL. Every worker, patient, visitor has an idea on how to fix the hospital. I'm working hard to collect these and bring them together in my mayoral programme. Some excellent ideas out there. Expect draft 3 this week!
"Care should be a competence of the state. Whether symbolic or otherwise, this expectation of care being provided by family members should not be enshrined in our constitution."
An excellent piece by
@AnRabhartaGlas
member Dr Laura Keyes on her reasons for
#YesNo
vote on Friday. It's very insightful and comes from place of experience, empathy and research so highly recommend for anyone not sure which way to go!
#VoteYesNo
Tonight may have been my favourite campaign night of all. My aunt came in from England to support me. We canvassed my home base where I was
#1
on every door. The northern lights came out in a spectacular wave for all to see. It was an all lady canvass. Def an interesting day!
Thank you to all who came out with me last night and today to hang posters. If you see any of my posters damaged, loose or blocking something etc. please message me so I can sort it.
Deprivation...disability...no access...people's voices ignored. This is why I am running for
#LimerickDEM
We need a voice that has lived this and understands in a way that a person can't if they haven't been at the receiving end of the stone wall. Come tear down the wall with me!
Busy day talking with people in Limerick and Caherconlish about European elections and
@laurakeyes
' campaign for directly elected mayor. Many people pointed to high levels of deprivation in the city and county, something both Laura and I want to challenge.
Alannah has put into words something that I have also lived. I didn't join politics, I joined Rabharta. We are normal people who think politics can be done differently. We are non-hierarchical, open, person-centred. We are in it for a different way of doing things. A better way.
Person-centred and people-centred have started to appear in the vernacular of politicians this last week or two and are being used to mean many different things. This video explains what I mean when I say I bring a person-centred approach.
My good friend and also a person with a disability, David Ahern, is standing in the local elections as an Independent in the Newport LEA, Tipperary.
People with disabilities make up a quarter of the population in Ireland and need to be represented.
#LE24
On O'Connell Street this afternoon. Come down and join us to discuss my mayoral programme and how I go about putting people at the centre of planning and decisions.
Gorgeous morning visit to Dromcollogher yesterday.
People want to be part of the decision making process.
There may be "only one street in Dromcollogher" but there were plenty of open doors for my person-centred approach.
#LimerickDEM
This submission started with a talk I gave at the Party AGM in Nov. It is a product of hard work, research & discussion. Every single contribution (internal & external) was of enormous value; an incredible demonstration of collaboration. As a person with disability, I feel seen!
1/13
We, Rabharta – the Party for Workers and Carers have written a detailed response to the Green Paper on Disability Reform. You can read our response in full at
Retiring for the day after a fabulous event speaking with representatives from community groups who joined me for "Coffee with Laura" at the South Court to feed into my Mayoral Programme. This is co-creation in action.
Collected my new leaflets today. Looking forward to getting these to as many homes as possible across the county and getting input for my Mayoral Programme, first draft available online in the next few days.
Jam packed day of meeting people and discussing my mayoral programme and person centred approach in
#milkmarket
and Caherconlish with
@LornaBogue
. Quick stop off to pick up my daughter's communion dress from Little Flowers Communion Wear Caherconlish, such a wonderful shop!
Amazing canvass today. People had lots to say about the redesign of O'Connell Street and were delighted with my mission to bring universal design, designing for the least able, to Limerick Council.
@Aily_NC
Thanks Ailis, considering I, decided at the last minute to also run for council, never announced, did no canvassing for it, printed no leaflets about it and our party name wasn't allowed on the ballot despite being a registered party...that ain't a bad showing!!!
@AccessForAll7
I'm standing for election for the 1st time. My MS diagnosis changed my life. There are 2 big things that tipped me into standing, the care ref & the green paper. It's hard to campaign with a disability but I am because I'm done with being an afterthought
#nothingaboutuswithoutus
Benefits of forest rings:
Supports urban compact development
Buffers negative impacts of climate change
Improves air & water quality
Regulates temperature
Provides recreational space
Improves mental & physical health
Sequesters carbon Improves biodiversity
A native forest ring around Limerick City.
Dr Keyes details the health, city-planning and bio-diversity benefits. Bold ideas for a thriving Limerick.
#LKMayorDebate
@laurakeyes
Speaking this afternoon with
@Live95Limerick
about the person centred leadership approach I would bring to the Mayoral Office and the need for systems thinking to solve the hospital crisis
#LimerickDEM
This extension doesn't feel like it is to support people with disabilities. It feels like kicking the can down the road. The most at risk people in our society have been pushing themselves to meet the Friday deadline. I can't help but be cynical about the motivation behind this!
The dealine for submissions on the Green Paper has been moved from this Friday to 31st July.
We intend to publish our submission this week as planned. We are also going to use our submission as a foundation to develop a programme document for the party.
Students are worried that they may not have a place to live in Limerick next semester. Exam season is almost here and the basic need of having a roof over their heads is not something they should have to worry about.
Student voices are not just the future they are the present.
Rabharta candidates for Mayor of Limerick, Dr Laura Keyes and LEA Limerick City East, Michael O'Brien spoke to UL students today about their concerns
Affordability and availability of student accommodation was a major theme
We would like to start a student housing co-op project
Read the
#LimerickDEM
candidate's stance on key transport, safety and liveability issues.
Thanks to
@LimerickCycling
for putting this together. There has been so little opportunity in this campaign for candidates to get into the detail of their visions so this is very welcome!
🧵Want to know about where the
#LimerickDEM
candidates sit on key transport, safety and liveability issues?
The Limerick Active Travel Coalition have the answers!
@LimerickCycling
and
@PedestrianLK
will be sharing answers here over the coming days.
Here’s what we asked them:
I was honoured to be part of
@seanchoiche
last weekend. The stories people told were heartwarming and heartbreaking. Telling my story of how getting MS made a politician out of me was an amazing experience. Such a wonderful venue in
@WickhamWay
.
Tune in tomorrow to
@Live95Limerick
@LimerickToday
Show at 11 to hear me and 2 other mayoral candidates discuss issues facing the new
#LimerickDEM
.
I hope I can have a robust debate with ALL candidates soon. Candidate suitability for the job needs to be challenged.
We are broadcasting live from Limerick today where
@kierancuddihy
will hear from the candidates who are vying to be the country's very first directly elected Mayor
4-7pm on
@NewstalkFM
Speaking with Joe today about my background, motivations, the need for a person-centred approach to politics and how Rabharta offer an alternative to the long established parties with a fresh way of doing things.
Congratulations to Limerick on their fantastic win yesterday. The other candidates' Limerick jerseys must have gotten lost in the wash😉
Comhghairdeachas le Luimneach as a mbua iontach inné. Caithfidh gur cailleadh geansaithe Luimnigh na n-iarrthóirí eile sa níocháin 😉
Killian is an excellent candidate for local elections, running in Tramore-Waterford City West. It has been my privilege to work along side him in the Party. He brings huge energy to every project which I'm sure he will bring to Council.
I am launching my campaign to be a Local Councillor for 'Tramore-Waterford City West' on Waterford City & County Council, under
@RabhartaParty
!
Vote Killian Mangan
#1
on Friday 7th June!
#LocalElections2024
Last night on Spotlight on 99.9fm with Steven
@leglesstweets
one of the topics we covered was what the mayor can do about UHL, particularly how the hospital crisis is intertwined with housing, education and transport issues.
On March 21st, Rabharta: The Party for Workers and Carers held an accessible online launch for the Directly Elected Campaign of Dr Laura Keyes. The transcript of speeches are available now.
5 years ago, I was paralysed from the chest down by my MS. It took a year of rehab to relearn to walk and longer again to regain the confidence to run. Today, I ran 10k for Milford Care Centre. Thank you to all the healthcare staff that got me here!!
#mswarrior
#LimerickDEM
canvass in the rain tonight in Ashbrook with
@Michael_O_B
for local councillor, Limerick City East and
@LornaBogue
for European Parliament, Ireland South.
(3/6) Not once did they mention the desperate people living on the streets as key stakeholders.
They need to be involved in their own intervention. They are people not things to be cleaned away! We need both quick interventions and long term planning to support people in need.
Beidh mé ar
@radionalife
maidin amárach ag 10.10 ag caint faoi na chumhactaí nua a bheidh ag an méara, na rudaí ar a bhfuil mé ag iarraidh déanamh, ár pháirtí - Rabharta, tithíocht agus iompar phoiblí i Luimnigh.
Recently I spoke to
@leglesstweets
on his radio show, Spotlight. Here is a clip of us speaking about buses in Limerick & the lack of accessibility of stops, locations & the BusConnects plan.
If elected Mayor I will not be overlooking the 23% of Limerick people who are disabled.
Mé ag labhairt innu faoin scannail in Ollscoil Luimní. Tá freagracht ar an Ollscoil i leith an phobail agus ní hamháin ar a gclár comhardaithe féin.
Speaking today about the UL scandal. The University has a responsibility to the community and not only their balance sheets.
@LornaBogue
@NuachtTG4
@CampaignMWHC
Spot the giant gap in model 3 hospitals all around Limerick. How could any planner think that UHL wouldn't crack under the pressure with this type of planning for support hospitals for it.
Limerick Council have opened a freephone number to help people get informed before friday's vote. It is aimed at the visually impaired but open to anyone looking to learn more about candidates.
(6/6) I have come to this plan with help from a former addict & a person currently living on the streets in Limerick. It is what they have told me they need. This is an example of the person centred politics and putting people's voices at the centre of decisions that I stand for.
People's park with the kids to burn off some energy before Granny takes over and I head out for a canvass. I dunno about my plan though...I seem to be the only one expending energy, pushing the swing while they relax!
We are hosting a Meet the Candidates Event on Tuesday, May 14th at 12pm via zoom. This will be your chance to meet some of the women running for Directly Elected Mayor & in the Local Elections on June 7th. To book contact: Limerick
@womenscollective
.ie
#Limerick
#WomeninPolitics
We can't fill the already funded staff positions, more won't help! 32% approved pharmacist roles unfilled, 42% physios, 24% OTs, 35% social workers. Report is a little old but little has changed Staff need homes to take up jobs. It's a wider system problem
"Of course government takes its share of blame..."
Minister of State
@NiallCollinsTD
says additional staffing resources and more beds have been announced for University Hospital Limerick to help alleviate the overcrowding.
#rtept
|
@RTENews
If anyone is only hearing out the green paper on disability reform now that it's scrapped, you can read how awful it was in our party response from last month. If they had involved people with disability, we would be on our way to change now rather than back at the drawing board!
1/13
We, Rabharta – the Party for Workers and Carers have written a detailed response to the Green Paper on Disability Reform. You can read our response in full at
Well done to all the runners
@RGreatLimRun
but also to all the supporters. We walked from the N C Rd into town and saw so much amazing community spirit, people standing with jellies, playing music, sweeping up and collecting the disacarded water bottles for recycling.
There was something extra special about today's canvass. Just as we finished the heaven's opened & I was reminded of my 20s walking home from work as a concert hall usher in (then) LIT. There's nothing quite like standing through the panto 20 times in a row. Those were the days!!
I had a lovely afternoon at
@ScoilIde
last week. We discussed my mayoral plans and how the students could feed into my Mayoral Programme. They were very excited to have their voices included. Thank you to the teachers who facilitated this learning opp for both me and the pupils!
Sounds nice but what happened the €2.65M secured to install a covering on Cruises Street in 2021? And, given that the Limerick 2030 Vision only talks about accessibility in terms of cars, can we assume that these benches will be the hostile street furniture style?
Lighting, seating and an improved public realm will be part of a Cruises Street facelift in the coming months.
The street in Limerick city is to receive a boost with confirmation that €120,000 has been allocated to regenerate the street.
Full story:
I encourage people to engage with this forum. People's voices should be at the centre of politics. Citizen's assemblies are a crucial part of progressive democracies and elected representatives should not dismiss their recommendations.
This is a complex issue. We want to hear from people who are affected by Article 41 and those who have expertise on it. We will be hosting a discussion soon to hear peoples voices. If you want to be heard and represented, please get in touch. info
@anrabhartaglas
.ie
I still haven't found my magnet.
I will purchase 1 chocolate bar for whoever finds it or offers concrete information on its whereabouts. Your choice of bar (once it's not a Bounty!).
Review on need for an ED announced by
@DonnellyStephen
is an election stunt promising only jam tomorrow. UHL and mid-west hospital group EDs need reopening and allocation of staff and resources now. People have died waiting on these services.
@fiannafailparty
@deecorbettryan
#Breaking
Health Minister asks HIQA to review “whether 2nd Emergency Department is needed in MidWest” after years of Hospital Overcrowding & unexpected Deaths at
#UHL
- Stephen Donnelly says “population increased considerably since closures in
#Ennis
,
#Nenagh
& St.John’s
#Limerick
Speaking with an Nuacht this afternoon on the UL house purchases debacle. Highlighted the responsibility of the University to the community and not just their balance sheets. Tune in at 5.40 on RTE 1 or 7 on TG4.
Tomorrow night (Sat) on 99.9FM or online at you will be able to listen to my conversation with Steven
@leglesstweets
on Spotlight . It's a long listen (40 mins) with some very serious topics but also plenty of laughing along the way.
Adding insult to injury. 1st, paternalistic ableist wording in the amendment. 2nd, not bothered to update outdated guidance to polling station staff about not supporting people with disability in casting their vote in the last 2hrs of voting.
#VoteYesNo
Tune in to my interview with Live95Fm tomorrow morning at 10.25. I have lots to say on the potential of the role, the skills required to make it a success and what I will bring to the role, most importantly, a person centred approach to change
@Live95Limerick
We're really enjoying Riverfest. So far we've been to the Pegasus parade and the garden games at the hunt museum. Getting ready now for
@seanchoiche
tonight.
(4/6) The long term solutions are in opening homeless shelters, providing more addiction and mental health services, building more houses, investing in communities and educational offerings. All of which I will drive forward if elected Mayor.
@elisaodonovan
Thanks Elisa. It was also the easiest one for me to make because they're the thoughts that float around in my head all day, every day.
Best of luck on Friday!