Young Fine Gael have endorsed John Kennedy to run for the NUI Panel of the Seanad in the summer. Kennedy is also the Fine Gael-endorsed candidate for this panel.

John is 24 from Goatstown in Dublin. He is a NUI graduate from UCD (BSc Science (Computer Science)) and believes that there is a role for a young candidate to stand and promote the Young Fine Gael policy platform in the 2007 Senate Election. He is currently working in the computer industry.

Policies

A cornerstone of the campaign will be the Fine Gael General Election Youth Manifesto. This comprehensive set of innovative and enterprising proposals for Ireland today is available here to download. Below are some highlighted policies.

Health

The Government has been slow to roll out a comprehensive health screening programme; in particular the lack of a nationwide cervical cancer screening programme is not a facet of a good Western European health system. As a Senator, I would call for a comprehensive programme including screening for cervical cancer and thyroid function disorders to come into place.

The promotion of better Mental Health Services and also proposing that the stated objectives of the Young Fine Gael TALK suicide awareness campaign be met

Education

The creation of an Irish "Open University" utilising technology such as broadband and digital television in conjunction with Irish universities. (Beneficial with respect to Adult and/or Distance Learning in particular)

– Primary Schooling needs to be a priority during the lifetime of the next Government. The election promise from 2002 that all children under 9 years of age would be in classes of where the pupil teacher would be no higher than 20:1 has not been met. In addition, over 100,000 children are packed into classes of 30 or more. As such, I recommend that a class restriction of 28 pupils as a maximum should apply in primary schools.

The Economy

Seeking better support for young families in particular, given the financial burdens such as high property prices and childcare costs, which, combined, serve to penalise those who wish to work hard and rear children.

At this point in the economy, a crucial factor for Ireland, in my view, is inflation. At a rate of 5.1%, there are serious issues now with the competitiveness of our economy. As well as this, high inflation affects everyone from the most improvished in our society to those who have saved responsibly for pensions over many years. It is clear that a greater concentration on effective inflation targeting should prevail during the next Government.

Calling for Stamp Duty Exemption for First-Time Buyers

Productivity growth in Ireland is also a key component that has been identified by the OECD as needing focus. This is essential for continuing healthy growth beyond a construction industry boom.

Calling for effective emissions-based taxation, offset by a reduction in labour taxation, to see Ireland meet Kyoto Protocol targets.

Energy and Greater EU Co-operation

Increased Promotion of Wind Energy and Biofuels as a renewable energy resource. Regarding Wind Energy, Ireland should look at producing wind farms similar to the 322 MW capacity windfarm being produced by Scottish Power near Glasgow.

Greater efficient co-operation within Europe such as promoting the instigation of a future pan-European energy grid and an EU coastguard service.

A possible Seanad reform could involve the Upper House providing greater scrutiny of EU legislation.

Agriculture

There is a strong need to increase the Installation Aid made payable to young farmers to encourage more young people to enter the agriculture industry.

It is important to support a market driven organic farming industry to aid, into the future, Ireland's reputation for first class farming produce.

A long-term market for biofuels will help sustain a viable tillage sector and the growing of crops for biofuels should be encouraged by the State.

Transport and Regional Development

Traffic congestion is a plague in modern Irish life. It affects strongly Irish quality of life; in particular, those who spend typically four hours a day travelling have less time to spend with their families. In Dublin, where traffic congestion is heaviest, it is a result of poor planning and urban sprawl. Innovative ways of dealing with traffic congestion, such as improved public transport and a better encouragement of e-working, should be promoted. Balanced regional development has also a part to play in reducing congestion. The Government plan of decentralisation has not been a success in this regard. As a Senator, I would promote a better questioned analysis of regional development, for example, do we need to follow the Urban Forum's recommendation of emphasizing the development of a second major conurbation in the West of Ireland to reduce congestion in Dublin?

Voting – to vote, your name must be entered in the Seanad Register of Electors, which is compiled by the NUI. It is now too late to register for the 2007 Seanad Elections. To find out if you are registered to vote, you can email records@nui.ie. Further details of eligibility requirements can be found at http://www.nui.ie/elections.

Who can vote for the NUI Panel of the Seanad elections? - Graduates of such Third-Level institutions as UCD, NUI Galway, UCC and NUI Maynooth (full list at http://www.nui.ie).

"It is time for dynamic change in the Seanad. Although Ireland has grown under the "Celtic Tiger" economy, young people, and young families in particular, face unprecedented difficulties with high housing costs, high childcare costs and traffic congestion leading to long commuting times. It is clear that Ireland needs to update it's social and economic infrastructure to support it's young population. Ireland's prosperity was built on it's young, dynamic population yet, with so many young families facing huge financial burdens, this very ingredient of our economic success is now undermined. I will ensure these challenges will be tackled as a Senator"

John Kennedy, Seanad Candidate endorsed by Young Fine Gael

My email address is john.kennedy@finegael.ie