Fitzgerald to run as an Independent
COMPANY director Anthony Fitzgerald (IND) is contesting a general election for a second time.
The Bray resident signed up for the race last Wednesday as the window to announce with the returning officer closed.
He ran in the 2011 election, when he received 184 first preference votes.
He said that if elected, he would speak with an independent voice and will approach each issue and policy on an individual rather than a rigid party basis.
‘Without ignoring minority issues, I want to do what is best for both society as a whole and individuals for both quality and quantity of life,’ he said.
‘There is no magic wand but improvements must be made and I will do my utmost to effect positive change. There are clearly many problems that need to be addressed to help improve our society. Issues such as health and a lack of affordable Housing in Ireland are ongoing and well versed.’
Mr Fitzgerald said that he rents a house, and is also a single father who has experienced both ends of the financial spectrum during a full life.
‘Having run my own small business and been involved with others, I am aware of the difficulties faced by small and medium sized enterprises and the heavy tax burden placed on PAYE workers to pay for an often inefficient and bloated public service bureaucracy,’ he said.
His other concerns include global warming, the need to protect rural Ireland, the cost of insurance, crime rates, child care, and excessive legal fees.
‘Clearly Brexit hasn’t gone away, as I was educated and partly raised in the UK I have insight into the British perspective on this matter,’ he said.