Dear Voter,
Welcome to this week’s e-letter. There are now just 14 days left to change Ireland and I am more confident than ever that people want change and a clean break with the past. We are receiving an overwhelmingly positive response on the doorsteps but I need as many number one votes as possible and once again am asking for your support on February 25. Together, we can put an end to the politics of the past and build a better future.
Regards,
Jimmy
Love Labour – Vote Harte
We are holding a fundraising night on Valentine’s Night and would love you to come. The event is taking place in my campaign office on 7 Castle Street, and kicks off at 8pm. Expect plenty of Labour red roses and Harte paraphernalia, in keeping with the romantic spirit of the day! Tickets are 20 euro and the cost will cover nibbles, some wine, music and great chat. For more info contact 0863719607.
Research and Innovation the way forward for graduates in Donegal
As a father of four children, I am all too familiar with the fear that many parents are currently experiencing in terms of worrying about whether their children will have to move abroad in search of work. These educated young adults are now beginning to feel disconnected from the country from which they were educated. Unless we create environment which taps into their creative and intellectual potential, they will go. This week I propose that the Labour Party’s planned €500 million Jobs Fund could be used to establish research and innovation hubs in 3rd level institutions like LYIT. The fund would be used to provide infrastructure which would bridge the gap between research in universities and its subsequent development into commercially viable propositions. The hubs would in turn harness expertise of graduates and could assist those who have ideas to bring to the table.
1,000 sign petition for sub-post offices in Letterkenny
Around 1,000 Letterkenny people have signed my petition supporting the establishment of sub-post offices in the Gortlee and Glencar areas of the town.
The petition has been running for the past month and signatures have been collected at doorsteps, while several business premises in those areas have also been running the petitions. It is completely unacceptable that people are being forced to queue for long periods outside the Main Street facility and I have long mooted the idea of establishing sub-post offices in outlying areas which could enhance the Main Street service. Another option is to boost existing services in the Main Street. The level of support for sub-post offices is indicative of demand for increased services among local people. I intend to present the signatures to An Post over the coming weeks and continue to pressurise them into making a decision on the issue.
Get involved
You can help make history in Donegal North-East by electing a Labour TD for the first time, and stopping Fianna Fail in their tracks. I am campaigning day and night to transform Irish politics and get our economy back on track, but I need your help.
Our grassroots campaign depends on volunteers like you. Whether it’s talking to your friends, family & neighbours or delivering leaflets in your local area, every little effort helps. People like you can make a real difference to the future of our country.
Labour’s Plan for Stability and Growth
Last week I attended the launch of the Labour Party’s ‘Plan for Stability and Growth’ in Dublin. I accompanied Eamon Gilmore, Ruairi Quinn, Joan Burton and Senator Alex White at the event, and a major media contingent greeted the five of us. There are three main planks to the plan – forward thinking, saving public money and fairer taxes. A key aspect is that Labour wants to safeguard Ireland’s future economic and employment growth, and this means renegotiating the EU/IMF deal (by extending its terms by a year to 2016), making savings in public spending and eliminating waste, and introducing a fair tax system. The plan works from the premise that amid the serious problems facing Ireland, the country also has real economic advantages. With the right pro-jobs policies, the Irish economy can create jobs and return to prosperity.
Jimmy Harte's Blog 