I have decided to run as an independent candidate for the Galway-East constituency at the next General Election. My motivation for running is quite simple – I am a concerned parent aiming to safeguard the future of my young children and the wider community. 

We are witnessing a gradual, systemic erosion of the values we hold dear in rural Ireland. It is self-evident that our public representatives have not been listening to the people and there seems to be a huge disconnect between elected officials and ordinary citizens. 

The results of the Family Amendment and Care Amendment referenda in March illustrates this point. They simply weren’t listening. The same is true of the EU Migration Pact – they have not heeded the public sentiment and casually dismiss genuine concerns as “far right” and racist ideology.

In rural East Galway, various communities have flagged huge concerns about new energy infrastructure being imposed on their locality without proper, meaningful engagement. It seems as though East Galway is to be a charging point and a chimney for the prosperous greater Dublin area. Ireland is effectively becoming a city state and the rural countryside is nothing more than a dumping ground. Yet again, genuine concerns are not being heard.  

As a parent of 3 young kids, I am alarmed to discover the content of the Junior Cert Social Personal and Health Education (SPHE) curriculum in Ireland. Impressionable kids under the age of consent are potentially being exposed to sexual practices and ideologies many adults would consider extreme. I feel this type of content undermines an important curriculum and the hard work of teachers who aim to serve the best interest of pupils. Concerns need to be heard and urgently addressed. 

As an independent candidate I am unhindered by party rules and restrictions. The issues faced by the people will be the policies that I pursue. When elected, I will be a voice for the decent, hard working people of rural East Galway. In leading the opposition to the Portumna power plant I have shown that I have the single mindedness and the perseverance to follow words with action and I will endeavour to work with diligence to deliver on any promise I make to people. 

To learn more about me and what I am about, please visit paulmadden.ie.

Yours in good faith,

Paul Madden