Stranorlar Electoral Area Fine Gael election candidate Bert Galbraith pictured with family members, Isobel Galbraith, Ruth Crawford, David Crawford. Front from left: Lauren Crawford, Aaron, Rachael and Stuart Crawford.
Well-known East Donegal businessman and farmer, Bert Galbraith, who is standing for election in the Stranorlar Electoral area, says he wants to see the area transformed after years of neglect.
The beef and sheep farmer who also runs his own successful construction business, told the huge crowd who attended his campaign launch on Friday night that he had given it careful consideration before he decided to allow his name to go forward as a Fine Gael candidate.
The large attendance who turned up for the St. Johnston man’s launch in Maggie’s Tavern, heard him say that he believes many people are desperate for a change in the representation they have at council level.
For Bert Galbraith’s wife Ita O’Sullivan a number one vote for Bert would be the icing on the cake!
“Over the last number of years I have heard people say time and again that we need an alternative to the representatives in the council chamber – and now is their chance to make that change. I am asking people to vote for me, so that working together, we can work to transform this region.”
The local election candidate suggested that the Stranorlar electoral area is one of huge potential, but he maintained, it has been badly overlooked in terms of bringing that to fruition.
“The part of Donegal where I live was decimated by unemployment when the textiles industry closed down. Places like Raphoe and Convoy, Lifford and St. Johnston have never really recovered from that. Farmers have been hit time and again by regulations and red-tape and then to make matters worse there has been a collapse in the prices for bull beef and potatoes since Christmas leaving farmers suffering severe losses.
“The people of this area know that if they want anybody at national level to listen, they need strong voices at local level to speak up for them.”
It is for those reasons that the local farmer and businessman decided he would let his name go forward at the local elections and – with both Minister Dinny McGinley and Deputy Joe McHugh in attendance at his launch as well as candidates Martin Harley and Jimmy Kavanagh – Mr. Galbraith said he believes he can be the strong local voice the people of the area have been craving.
“I am a hard-worker and not only am I aware of the issues facing the people of the area, I am also a man who knows how to get things done – how to deliver results – and I honestly believe that is what the people of this area have been looking for.”
The father of two says he wants his children to grow up in a region that reaches its enormous potential, and he said he said that’s a vision shared by many people in the area.
“I want my children, and everyone else’s children, to have even better opportunities for learning. I want all our people of working age to be able to find work in good jobs or build and grow their own businesses. I want to see our beautiful natural environment and heritage protected. I want everyone to feel safe and secure from crime. I want to see better health services for everyone.
“I want to our farmers to see just returns for their hard work and produce and to see their quality local produce, like for instance, quality Donegal beef marketed to a wider audience under a single brand. This is my vision and I know many people share it.”
“My focus is on the development of jobs, agriculture, infrastructure and community and it is because I know I would work tirelessly for the people of the Stranorlar Electoral Area that I have put myself forward as a Fine Gael candidate,” he concluded.
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