I have been actively involved in campaigning for housing and equality issues, including the Raise the Roof housing campaign and the Yes campaign for marriage equality and the campaign to repeal the 8th Amendment.

I work hard and am excited about getting the opportunity to represent out community on Dublin City Council

Housing Crisis

Currently, housing is one of the biggest issues facing me and my generation and out country.

Like many people, I am finding it almost impossible to afford drastically rising rents, afford to save a deposit, or get access to affordable public housing.

If elected to the City Council, I will campaign for the Government to give more supports so we, the people, who see the worst of the problem every day can fix it.

Here are 3 of the ways I think we can help solve the housing crisis:

1. Public land will be made available for social and affordable housing, including schemes of affordable home ownership, but public land will not be sold;
2. A range of measures designed to push land owners towards the development of vacant sites, rather than land hoarding;
3. A referendum will be held to recognise socio-economic rights in the Constitution, including the right to a means of affordable housing, to be fulfilled on the basis of available resources.

If our plans are put into action, there is a potential minimum of 80,000 units of housing to be delivered in a five-year period of Government, based on investing 16 billion Euro, with the delivery of this housing front-loaded to end the housing crisis as soon as possible.

New Garda Station Needed

Our area is growing rapidly and Coolock Garda District is expected to do too much over too large an area. that is why I have been campaigning with the community and Senator Aodhán Ó Ríordáin calling for the Government to built a new Garda station in Clongriffin as soon as possible.

In March, I delivered a petition with 1,200 signatures to the Minister for Justice and I invited all local residents to a public meeting to discuss the next steps for this campaign. If elected, I will continue this campaign to improve Garda resources and help protect people from crime.

Climate Change

Climate Change is the most serious issue to confront our society.

We need to change Ireland’s economy so that we are less reliant on fossil fuels. The climate emergency is now, but we can meet the 60 million tonne challenge: the challenge of reducing our collective greenhouse gas emissions from 60 million tonnes every year to net zero in just 30 years. I believe local government can promote action on the environment and provide leadership for communities and businesses to become sustainable. In particular, I will support Council policies that will help us to be less dependent on our cars, and make cycling a real option.

The post Newsletter Leaflet May 2019 first appeared on Shane Folan.

The pledge has been supported by Friends of the Earth Ireland Trocaire Gluaiseacht for Global Justice Friends of the Irish Environment Latin America Solidarity Centre – LASC Futureproof Clare Young Friends of the Earth IrelandFeasta Extinction Rebellion Ireland Cork Climate Action Good Energies Alliance Ireland ShamrockSpring, Love Leitrim, An Taisce Climate Committee.

I have stood with other activists calling for an end to offshore drilling, at the School Strike 4 Climate day of action and and various other similar protests. The environment is a cornerstone of my local election campaign, as I believe that our community deserves clean air, adequate cycling facilities and a green environment.

Feel free to get in touch with any questions you may have about my policies pertaining to the environment!

Find out more about the pledge by clicking here.

The post Folan Signs Not Here Not Anywhere Election Pledge first appeared on Shane Folan.

It was great to catch up with everyone, including two other young candidates Kevin Donoghue and Aideen Carberry, who are also seeking election so that they can deliver real change and bring quality public services in their areas.

With less than a month to go to polling day, I’m excited to keep talking to people in the Donaghmede Ward to discuss their hopes for the future of our community!

The manifesto for the local elections will be launched on the 7th of May, but you can find out more about my campaign on this website, or by getting in touch with me at hello@shanefolan.ie.

The post Folan Attends Local and European Election Campaign Launch first appeared on Shane Folan.

As well as being able to check if you’re registered, if you have a mygov.id you’ll also be able to register online, change your address, or remove yourself from the register!

It’s great to see the ball getting rolling on modernising our electoral registration process and I welcome any initiative to make civic engagement and voting in elections easier to do!

Check the website out to see if you’re details are correct and you’re registered to vote in the Local elections, as well as the European elections Referendum on the Regulation of Divorce on Friday, May, 24, 2019. If you’re not registered, or need to change your details, you can do so until the 7th May 2019.

The post New Voter.ie Website Makes It Easier to Check the Register first appeared on Shane Folan.

As you may be aware, on May 24th you will be asked who will best represent your area on Dublin City Council and in the European Parliament.

Make sure you’re on the electoral register, and your details are up to date, by checking www.checktheregister.ie or getting in touch with me, my details are below.

Irish, British, EU and non-EU citizens can vote in the local elections. Make sure that you register so that your voice is heard on Dublin City Council.

If you are not registered, you can log-on to http://www.dublincity.ie/i-want/apply-it and select ‘Supplement form RFA2″. Fill this form out and get it signed by a member of the Gardaí, and return it to:

Franchise Section,

Dublin City Council.

Block 4 Floor 4.

Civic Offices,

Wood Quay,

Dublin 8

The deadline for registering is Tuesday May 7th.

You can get the form signed in Coolock Garda Station, or at the Gardaí’s pop up shop in the Junction, Clongriffin on Saturdays between 11am and 1pm.

If you have any questions about the registration process, or anything else, please don’t hesitate to get in touch.

Wish best wishes,

Shane Folan

The post Make Sure You Are Registered to Vote by May 7th | Leaflet first appeared on Shane Folan.

The Register of Electors came into force on 15th February. To be able to vote in an election or referendum, your name must be on the Register of Electors and must be entered for the locality in which you ordinarily reside.

If you’re not sure if you’re registered to vote you can go to checktheregister.ie and enter your details to check. If you’re not on the register, it’s not too late to be added! Click here to find a menu of application forms to register to vote. To add yourself to the supplemental register, download an RFA2 Form. If you need to change your address, in order to vote in the area you live in, download an RFA3 Form.  Once you have filled in your form, get it stamped by a Garda and send it off to: Franchise Section, Dublin City Council, Block 4, Civic Offices, Wood Quay, Dublin 8.

Irish, British, EU and non-EU citizens can vote in local elections. Make sure that you register so that you can be represented on your local authority.

If you want to find out more about voting in Ireland and how it works, click here to have a look at the different kinds of elections we hold and how you can make your voice heard.

I hope that all you voters in the Donaghmede Ward register to vote and consider giving me your number one.

Thank you.

The post Use Your Vote in This Year’s Local Elections first appeared on Shane Folan.