Manifesto

INDEPENDENT CANDIDATE

Robert EASTWOOD

Who Am I?

Born and living on the Northside of Dublin, I am currently carer  of

my elderly father who has been invalided for 14 years. I formerly set

up and ran various businesses in the local area, providing local jobs.

Why Am I Running?

I decided to run in this election because I am sick and tired of what the politicians have done to this country. They have brought it to its knees! The ordinary people of Ireland have been totally forgotten by politicians only out for their own gain!

What I Stand For:

·         Political Reform: I want to see a reduction in the number of TDs from 166 to 100, and the Taoiseach’s, Minister’s and TDs salaries and expenses lowered significantly. TDs previously holding public service jobs - for example teachers - should not have their positions held for them if they are returned to the Dáil for a second term. It is time to abolish double jobbing and give every citizen an equal chance. The Seanad should be abolished entirely, and a Citizen’s Assembly representing people from all walks of life given serious thought.

·         White-Collar Crime and Abuse of Public Office: Those involved in these types of activities should be treated with the full rigor of the law as applied to normal citizens. Current Government members have totally failed in their responsibility to respect taxpayers incomes, operating under the illusion that they were entitled to use and abuse tax revenues as they saw fit. These kinds of offences should be exposed and publicised, prosecutions initiated and punishable by jail, fines or a combination of both.

·         Employment: Please don’t listen to the intelligence insulting lies and waffle of politicians who tell you they can single-handedly solve our current employment problems – they can’t! However, programmes for upskilling unemployed workers must be implemented, and practical, hands-on assistance, including incentives for providing employment, must be granted. Such initiatives pay for themselves over time. The Revenue Commissioners current hardline approach, closing down businesses experiencing cash flow problems, is short-sighted, causing loss of jobs and long-term unemployment.

·         Education: In order to give everyone an equal opportunity to attend 3^rd level education free fees entitlment should be means tested. No need to duplicate means tests – current grant application procedures will suffice. Those who can afford to pay should, those who can’t must be given every assistance to benefit from education, escaping long-term traps. Neglecting education leads to short-term gain and long-term pain!

·         Suicide Prevention/Mental Health: The most vulnerable people in our society must not be forgotten and abandoned. Current mental health practices and facilities are inadequate. Measures must be immediately taken to provide a higher standard of care, support and assistance. A national plan to meet the needs of those requiring suicide, depression and mental health support services must be provided in these challenging times.

·         Protection for Children in State Care: Proper social services supervision and support must be given to children in state care, and preparation and continuing support provided when they reach 18.

VOTE NO. 1 – ROBERT EASTWOOD

Peoples.Rights@hotmail.com - 086-1290444 - www.roberteastwood.ie - www.facebook.com/roberteastwood

INDEPENDENT CANDIDATE

Robert EASTWOOD

What I Stand For:

·         Universal Health Care: Access to hospital care should not just for those in a position to pay. Let us spread the financial burden while granting equal access. Student nurses should support staff nurses fully as they did in the past and encouraged to stay and work here in Ireland where they have been trained. Step down facilities are required for those currently occupying acute beds but not requiring acute nursing care.

·         The Elderly: An Elderly Care Act needs drafting and rapid implementation to ensure that home visiting carers are Garda vetted, suitably qualified and providing good standards of care. A general home maintenance and odd job scheme similar to that available in the UK should be provided for the elderly and the disabled. This  will facilitate retraining and employment provision of those currently unemployed.

·         Road Safety: Road safety education should to be better emphasised for children from an early age right throughout their years of education. Newly qualified drivers must be under review for a period of two years. This would help reduce road deaths while cutting the cost of motor insurance.

·         Taxi Regulation: Suicide has become a real issue among taxi drivers. Over zealous legislation has placed an unfair burden on drivers making it almost impossible for them to make a living while driving within regulation hours. The regulator must stop issuing new licences immediately and place a cap on the number of licences that any one person can hold.

·         Support for Victims of Domestic Violence:  Information, advocacy, support and refuge services for victims of domestic violence – of all genders – needs state support. This may facilitate employment of suitably qualified currently unemployed, sympathetic people.

·         Caring for the Carers:  Carers save the state a fortune, are frequently forgotten and under unrelenting pressure, putting their own mental and physical health under stress. A carer respite service, tied in to retraining initiatives, will help the vulnerable, respect our elderly and disabled while promoting useful employment.

A Vote for an Independent Candidate is NOT a Wasted Vote!

VOTE NO. 1 – ROBERT EASTWOOD

Peoples.Rights@hotmail.com - 086-1290444 - www.roberteastwood.ie - www.facebook.com/roberteastwood