Ogra Fianna Fail Canvass with Martin

Micheal Martin and Maire Hoctor with members of North Tipperary Ogra Fianna Fail

After another day-long canvass across Thurles town, members of North
Tipperary Ogra Fianna Fail attended a rousing rally by party leader Micheál
Martin in the Ragg. The Rally began with Deputy Hoctor welcoming Micheál
Martin to Tipperary North/Offaly South on his first visit as party leader,
congratulated him on his strong performance in the recent Taoiseach’s debate
and to a standing ovation applauded his decision to appoint a Tipperary
woman as Deputy Leader, the third female deputy leader in the history of the
party. Mary Hanafin was unable to attend the rally but was represented by
Senator John Hanafin and Cllr. Seamus Hanafin. Former Senator Des Hanafin
met the party leader earlier on the canvass.

In an inspiring speech Micheál Martin said it was a great privilege to be
amongst the people of Tipperary as President of Fianna Fail. He thanked the
members of the party for their support and loyalty and commitment in these
difficult and challenging times. He paid tribute to our councillors who work
extremely hard on the ground to serve people, honestly and ably in terms of
delivering local services and facilities for the people locally.

He stated that this is one of the most important General Elections facing
the Irish people. He said that it cannot be an election as usual. He set out
the three main pillars of the party’s campaign as reducing the budget
deficit to lower the national debt burden, innovation and job creation and
radical reform of the political system. “Our country needs a determined
approach to getting us through to recovery and it needs an equally
determined approach to reforming politics and government. The next Dáil will
make decisions which will determine much about the future of our country”.

He commended Deputy Hoctor on the hard work she has done for her
constituents over the past nine years and the countless projects and
investment she secured for her constituency. He also lauded her work as
Minister of State for Older People when she oversaw the introduction of HIQA
standards in nursing homes and the ‘Fair deal’ initiative.

Before concluding and spending time with party members he called on members
to continue to fight the opposition’s attacks and sell the Republican
Party’s message to the doorsteps. “Fianna Fail has always been bigger than
its leaders. The organisation is made up of ordinary people who work in
their communities and take nothing from politics except a sense of making a
contribution.”

For more information or to join please email northippogra@gmail.com or join
us on facebook.com/ntoff.