Cllr Dan Galvin
Originally from Caherdaniel in South Kerry, I am married to Margaret and have two adult children; I also work as a manager for Eircom and have lived in Tralee over for thirty years.
As a Labour Party member for over twenty years, I have been on many canvasses for Dáil and Local Elections with party candidates. In June 2009, I contested the Tralee Town Council as a first-time candidate.
I am a member of the Kerry Hospice Foundation and have been involved in the fund-raising that has led to the provision of the Palliative Care Unit at Kerry General hospital. Phase two now needs the go-ahead from the HSE, as the Hospice Committe are continuously fundraising and are willing to pay for the construction. However, this can't proceed without HSE approval and staffing. The facility already provides an absolutely brilliant local day-care service and with expansion would have a twelve-bed overnight facility.
The Labour Party principles of Freedom, Equality, Community and Democracy are vital in any society that has a social conscience and cares for its citizens. Without these principles, a political party can’t serve the people of a community fairly, as these principles ensure that a political party puts people and their needs before self-interest.
I firmly believe the people themselves should decide what they want in their respective communities. Elected representatives must keep in touch with the electorate through local community leaders and workers to ensure they gauge these needs. The wealth of a nation is its citizens and all citizens should have equal opportunities to education and healthcare, regardless of their race, creed, social background or means. Local authorities must plan and oversee local development, traffic management and assist in planning crime prevention, thus ensuring the best possible implementation of sustainable and safe communities. Here again, elected representatives must keep in touch with the business communities and residents of all areas to ensure their voices are heard and heeded.
I welcome the opportunity to discuss issues of concern to residents in Tralee.
