In government or in opposition, Fergus O’Dowd looks forward to the challenge

THE no such thing as a shoo-in in politics – especially when the winds of change blew so hard in favour of Sinn Fein - or against Fine Gael & Fine Fail depending on what way you see it.

But there was little doubt amongst his supporters that veteran TD Fergus O’Dowd would take one of the coveted five seats for Louth in the General Election.

He now joins Imelda Munster and Ged Nash as the TD Trio for Drogheda, and says if he is in opposition, as his party leader seems to think, he will relish the challenge as much as being in power.

“Over the past 22 years, I have spent a lot of time in opposition, and I look forward to doing it again,” he told the Drogheda Independent. “When you are in Government, you battle from inside the walls, and opposition, outside the walls, and I am happy to do either.”

He said he was never concerned he wouldn’t be elected and is delighted to have been chosen by the people of Drogheda five times in a row, even if he was no where near topping the poll.

“In every election, you will see swing votes – it was towards Fine Gael, then the PDs, then Labour, and here we are with Sinn Fein now.” he says. “Am I disappointed Fine Gael won’t form a Government with them? No, because I think they were only popular because of their spending promises and there is only half the budget for what they promise, so they are going to have to increase taxes, shifting the burden onto the ordinary working man, but people have made their choices.”

So, with three TDs based in the town, what more can O’Dowd promise for Drogheda, that hasn’t been delivered in the past terms in office?

“Well the DART will be extended to Drogheda, and that is a fact, not an aspiration, and we are looking at 2024 until the infrastructure will be in place, but the funding and plan is in place in the 2040 programme,” he points out. “Also, for the first time, Drogheda has been included in the National Transport Authority Greater Dublin Area, so this will hopefully bring fairer fare structures for our commuters.”

Some of the projects Deputy O’Dowd is most proud of over the past few years are his chairing of the Oireachtas committee for the Julianstown Bypass, which saw him get a meeting between Meath County Council, the Dept of Transport and the residents, and he says he has progressed the Driving Test Centre for Drogheda, with the preferred site now near the recycling centre, which is council property.

“It’s a bit frustrating that the legilsation was just about to be published before the election was called to allow for a town manager for Drogheda,” he says. “With an administrative manager, Drogheda would be a one-stop-shop, and I am seeking more joined up thinking between Louth and Meath county councils, which may see Drogheda become a city organically rather than giving it a title.”

He wants to see the Northern Cross Route become a priority, as well as more garda resources to tackle the rising crime, and the people have spoken that he now has the opportunity to realise those ambitions.