My Plan for Thriving County Communities

Let no one doubt it, as mayor I will be on a mission to revitalise my beloved rural Limerick.

My deep understanding of the county, honed from childhood experiences at marts, on family farms and during childhood summers in Athea, makes me a genuine advocate for rural communities.

I am committed to engage transparently and personally with local councils, like the Askeaton Community Council.  This is a fresh approach to the new role. Askeaton voters who have welcomed my commitment know theirs is a community long ignored by the current political system, suffering from issues such as closed swimming pools, boil water notices, neglected infrastructure, and lack of ambition as to how to leverage local medieval heritage.

An Ambitious Plan for All of Limerick

My vision is comprehensive, aiming to bring thousands of new homes, jobs, and a better quality of life to the entire county, not just the city.

I will develop and drive ambitious 10-15 year development plans for all areas including Foynes/Askeaton, Newcastle West, Cappamore, Kilmallock, Patrickswell, Abbeyfeale, Rathkeale and Adare. Long before the campaign I was already a strong critique of the current council’s limited ambition, such as the plan for only 50 new homes in Foynes, despite hundreds of millions of state investment locally in transport infrastructure and Foynes island.

My proposals are grounded in actionable and evidence-based strategies, unlike other candidates who have already flip flopped on the role of Limerick 2030 or just seem to add random new ideas for each new debate or social media video.

On the campaign trail, I have also challenged county towns to highlight and build on their unique qualities (heritage, lifestyle choices, education facilities, natural amenities, local enterprise or transport links) rather than just being the cheapest housing options, promoting a more innovative and desirable image to attract housing for residents of all ages, and the businesses and services to cater for their needs.

Affordable Housing and Infrastructure

Above all, my housing plan is not just a city plan.

I have long advocated for the state to intervene to move towards 20-25% state-owned affordable housing across not just the city but also the main county towns.

I believe all housing should be “affordable” and to achieve that much more needs to be under state control to prevent market exploitation by private market actors. I have been heavily critical of the current council and government's failure to manage housing prices and rents.  Like tickets for a concert, without adequate supply, the richest will always snap up the best or only homes and overpay the ticket gougers. But while the state will find it difficult to get Garreth Brooks to play another night, delivering housing is within the government’s control. 

No government candidate can credibly tell me that their parties have not failed Limerick in this respect.  

Instead of shutting down initiatives like Limerick 2030 as one candidate initially proposed, I want to redirect its focus to smaller county towns that the Land Development Agency overlooks. My plan also includes the council driving ahead to secure planning for new housing in places like Killeedy and not wait for developers, thus unblocking new homes for all ages.

My well-publicised innovative modular housing proposal will transition to permanent homes right across the county and importantly decrease rents right across the county immediately for everyone.

A Proven Track Record

I have been told that party critics have privately been attacking me citing an article I wrote in 2016 about the need to handle population growth with optimal resource allocation as Ireland was still in serious financial difficulties. These attacks, however, ignore not just how much poorer Ireland was then but also the extra 30 billion now at the government’s disposal every year to better help rural Ireland,  They also ignore my consistent efforts as a business owner to support rural Ireland over the years, especially small business which I know are key to rural Ireland’s success.  I doubt they are reminding people of my work during the COVID pandemic, securing billions of support for small businesses, which also benefitted rural communities all across Limerick.

I was even asked by Limerick Council to volunteer to write an expert report to support SME’s through COVID and beyond.  That report anticipated the very changes brought about by the pandemic even before it finished and also provided them with early notice as to what needed to be done.

I specifically called for measures to support local businesses and communities adapting to changes like the shift from long commutes and remote working.  My vision even then includes a hub-and-spoke network of co-working locations, which remains a priority in his plan. 

“Even traditional businesses such as pubs, construction firms, small professional firms, and farmers market retailers have seen their way of doing business dramatically change in recent months.  A strong and supportive set of measures will be vital…… These changes will also change the way many of us live our daily lives.  Long daily commutes to central office locations may be a thing of the past for many.  This puts different demands on local services whether in rural or suburban locations…..It will also create new opportunities as we reinvent the Monday-to-Friday lives of our rural villages, towns, suburbs, or regional cities. Some businesses will benefit while the crisis will deepen for others unable to adapt well to changing circumstances.”

But sadly neither my recommendations nor any other solutions have been delivered by any of the mayors or councillors from the very parties who have been in control since, and who are now trying to criticise me.

It is like the FAI board accusing Jack Charlton of being responsible for the current failures of the national football team.

Support for Rural Enterprises and Communities

My plan includes allocation of the budget to support investment in infrastructure, housing, and amenities for county towns and villages. I have concrete actions to support industries from agriculture and food to retail and tourism, and advocate for the offshore wind potential that will transform Foynes and with it all of West Limerick.

My vision is not about quick fixes or pandering to the loudest voices. I have published for all to see a clear, coherent plan that will leverage the unique selling strengths of each town such as the walks and scenery of Glin, the beauty of Bruree’s centre and the mountain bike trails up from Ardpatrick.   It is noteworthy that people are attacking me with a quote from a 2016 article, but they are not actually criticising my published plan. They also know that the ideas are exactly what we need to do.

It is important for decision-makers to understand the communities they represent.  My deep ties to West Limerick and East Kerry have clearly informed my approach which focuses both on long-term development plans tailored for each settlement and short-term fixes to pressing current problems like amenities for kids or lack of community spaces to combat isolation.  Those ties will ensure that the plan can evolve over the five years as circumstances change.

For me my campaign and #MoreForLimerick is about creating thriving, desirable communities across the county not just places with cheaper homes to sleep in for those working in the city.

I hope you agree that this is the way forward.

John