Joseph Duffy, non party
Joseph Duffy is a retired farmer who lives in Stranooden, Co Monaghan, and is running as an independent. Joseph was not contactable by phone for the purposes of our questionnaire. However, we received a handwritten 26-point, A-Z, manifesto from him by post. Here are some of the highlights.
Joseph is pro-life and against euthanasia and feels we have “lost our way”. He adds: “St Patrick must be devastated.”
Those who get into mortgage difficulties should be given some form of government support so that people do not lose their homes. He also wants to see more State-owned land used to provide affordable housing.
Childcare should be a “top priority” for all politicians, Joseph says.
In terms of health promotion, Joseph suggests a mandatory MOT with your GP the week of your birthday. “If something is wrong, you get it seen to before you end up in hospital as crash repairs.”
He wants to see waiting lists for treatment cut and better GP services in the community to ensure same-day appointments. Private health insurance policies should also be cut down to a minimum, he says.
To encourage more tradespeople, Joseph suggests making their wages tax free for 30 years; also those on the minimum wage should not be taxed.
Joseph wants to see stronger sentences for criminals and better legislation that is not rushed. He wants “zero tolerance” in this regard. “They [convicted criminals] belong to a family so the family should foot the bill when they go to jail.”
In terms of manifestos, Joseph asks how many of the government TDs, seeking re-election, have fulfilled their promises from the General Election in 2020?
He feels strongly also that there should be a balance of Catholic and Protestant TDs between the Dáil and the Seanad, sharing power and keeping the peace.
Remembrance Day, also, should be a celebrated nationwide, not just north of the Border. “Catholics and Protestants both died in World War One and Two and they should not be forgotten.”
In the area of defence, Joseph says we have navy ships but no crews to man them. “It is a poor show that they are not at sea protecting our coast.”
In terms of the safety of road users, Joseph suggests that jackets should be reversible with high viz lining; similarly shopping bags could be high visibility.
He also laments the decline of ash trees in Ireland, the result of Ash Die Back, and would like to see more done to protect them.
Women, says Joseph, are the “flowers of humanity” and should be treated with respect.
The last word to Joseph. He signs off: “I am not asking anyone to vote for me, give me a vote if you think I am worthy to get it.”