GENERAL ELECTION: Elaine Mullally hopes to change minds and tackle voter apathy

Portarlington Independent candidate Elaine Mullally is hoping to tackle voter apathy in Laois after experiencing real frustration at the doors across the county. "I am running because I can't find anyone else to vote for", that's what the local businesswoman is telling those who are fed up and have no intention of voting in the general election this Friday, November 29.

 It was her own disillusionment with the current political system that led the mother of two to decide to run back in July. It was a month after leaving Independent Ireland, a party she founded but parted ways with over what she describes as a weak stance on a no campaign for the carer's referendum and the decision by the party's MEP Ciaran Mullolly to align with the policial grouping Renew in the European Parliament.

"The grouping are very much Fianna Fáil based and there was no consultation on that so for me it was the deciding factor. I thought if the party is able to be pulled in that direction very quickly then it was probably not something I could keep putting my energy into," she said.

On the doors one the main issues coming up for her is the lack of supports for families of children with autism and special needs.  

"Services for families dealing with autism and other special needs are completely neglected by the government and as a result children are being left undiagnosed for far too long. There is very little support for parents after diagnosis," she said.
 

After holding numerous public meetings Ms Mullally said she was 'overwhelmed' by how big of an issue it is. This led her to set up a taskforce which aims to give a voice to parents and ensure that their concerns are addressed, advocating for a fairer, more inclusive system for children with special needs in Laois. CONTINUE READING BELOW PHOTO

Immigration policy is another big issue which the Dáil hopeful believes needs to be addressed. She said people are afraid to express their views over fear of being branded racist. 

 "I don't believe the government has handled immigration correctly. I can't stand this idea of the government and mainstream media calling people racist because they actually want to have a discussion about it. We are the most loving, empathetic, open hearted nation, that's my opinion and yes we do have elements, there is far rights, far lefts but to label anybody who wants to ask a question is so wrong, particularly just an ordinary working class person like myself who has lived and worked their whole life in this country."

Asked about  protests in Belfast in August and in the capital last year which led to violence, arson, damage to businesses and arrests, Ms Mullally said while she doesn't support violence she believes protesting is a right. 

"I don't support any form of violence. I believe protesting is a right if people want to do it. I think because the government has failed to communicate with communities and engage with them they have created that problem themselves. They have no one to blame but themselves for what is happening and people are angry and frustrated.
"The amount of people who have said to me they are afraid to speak about this because they don't want to be called racist. How has our country come to that that we can't have  a grown up adult conversation about something that is perfectly normal. The government should be encouraging us to have an open conversation. Why aren't they?".

Ms Mullally has called for an immediate review of the existing immigration process which she says  is "broken, unfair and inhumane".

"To come here and be handed tents and be shoved into buildings that are not fit for purpose,  nobody wants that. Somebody fleeing a war and somebody coming here for genuine reasons -  we should welcome them with open arms as much as we can. If you can't get into a country without a passport, how have this government let so many people through without passports? It''s a serious question that needs to be answered."

Ms Mullally was one of the first Independents out of the traps in this election and has run an energetic campaign. She acknowledges running as an independent has its challenges in terms of financial backing and having to build her own campaign team rather than having the support of a party. 

"The second challenge is people are genuinely so fed up they don't want to vote. There is a huge apathy towards politics. There are so many people saying they don't want to vote at all, what's the point?  I'm hoping because I'm running and I'm strong, confident and capable that it will offer a bit of hope for people that they will see this is something completely different. 

"The mistake people make is that they think social media is where it is all happening and it's not. You have to get out and vote. The more people that are engaged, the more we will find out what people are thinking on the ground."

Ms Mullally is hoping to make history by becoming the first female TD from Laois in the 34th Dáil.

 "I have five sisters and coming from a family of all women I think my dad instilled in us that you can do whatever you want to do and that has carried through. I don't have a glass ceiling on myself and I have two daughters and I would teach them the very same. I don't believe in gender quotas for the Dáil. I think if you work hard then you deserve a seat. It's not about getting it because you are a woman. I have certainly never experienced any prejudice as part of my campaign. I would like to even think it is going to my advantage because there has never been a female TD for Laois."

 As the campaign enters its final days Ms Mullally and her team have turned their attention to her hometown of Portarlington after covering the rest of the county over the last five months. She is hoping this will give her an edge above the rest of the candidates in this field.

 "I am hoping I have done the groundwork and I have met enough people. I am into my 35,000th batch of flyers. I believe I have the best people behind me and that I am running a very strong campaign whereas others have come out quite late."

* In the run up to Friday's election we will feature interviews will all 12 candidates running in Laois. Keep an eye on our General Election section.