Meet the candidates: Laura O'Neill, Aontú (Longford Westmeath)

Here is our Q&A with Laura O'Neill, who is contesting the election in the Longford Westmeath constituency on behalf of the Aontú. Laura stood as an Aontú candidate for the Kinnegad Local Electoral area in the recent local elections.

What would your party do to solve the housing crisis?

Housing needs to be looked at as a basic human right. We need to build social housing.

Along with that, one in every 33 houses in the state is vacant. We want to speed up the process of receiving the Refurbishment Grants to assist with getting those homes back into use, as they are currently only giving five grants per month.

What would your party do to address the economic concerns that many people face due to the rising costs of groceries, insurance etc?

There is huge pressure on families with regards to the cost of living. Aontú would look at things that put pressure on families and small businesses like fuel (due to lack of viable, regular public transport) and electricity prices.

Aontú would reverse the carbon tax increases, decouple electricity from gas prices, and direct the ESB to take lower profits.

What would your party do differently to other parties if it formed part of the next Government?

We are proposing that a Junior Minister be appointed within the Department of the Taoiseach with direct responsibility for ensuring efficiency and eradicating waste throughout the public sector.

This would lead to less waste of tax payers money on things like bike sheds and overspending on the National Children's Hospital.

What one issue would be your top priority if you are elected to the Dáil?

Besides the obvious urgent issues we are all talking about, mental healthcare will always remain a top priority for me. We would like to see real solutions, like establishing out-of-hours emergency services for both young and old who are struggling. Currently the waiting lists for help are far too long.

Do smaller parties have any real power to enact change in the Dáil?

After working for deputy Peadar Tóibín for the last 3 years – I absolutely believe so. We have achieved a lot; campaigning with the people in the Family & Care referenda, our Pet Theft Bill, homelessness advocacy along with exposing the numbers of vacant properties in the state and TUSLA oversights. We have made a huge difference already with only one TD.