Cllr. Albert Deasy, born and reared in Pouladuff, living in Bishopstown.
• Why did you decide to run for a seat on Cork City Council and how did it feel when you were elected?
I decided to run because I am distressed at the deterioration in our quality of life, and deeply concerned at what may lay in store for my grandchildren. Politicians, kept in check by the party whip, have stopped listening to the people. Certain NGOs seem to have far more influence over Govt. policy than do the ordinary people. Anyone who questions them is immediately labelled in the most insulting way, and the result is that people are afraid to express their opinions. The final straw for me was the Referenda on Family and Care. Having listened to the advice of Senator Michael McDowell, I personally erected 180 posters around the city, asking the people of Cork to reflect before voting. Subsequently, the Govt. refused to publish the advice they had received from the AG prior to the vote, which completely vindicated the ‘No’ campaign.
I am the third generation of Deasy in this locality, and there are two more generations after me, thank God. I know the people and they want the same thing as me: A safe, affordable area, where we can rear and educate our families, and improve our lives by availing of opportunities to prosper. I am only a mouthpiece for that vision so when I was elected, I felt so proud of, and grateful to, those who favoured me with their vote.
• How have you found the role of a councillor thus far?
Very positive. My fellow Councillors have been very generous with their advice, the staff at City Hall are completely professional and supportive, and there is a very good flow of information. What I am enjoying most is meeting the people of the area and working to provide solutions to the issues they raise.
• When the council meetings resume after the summer break what are your immediate priorities?
My immediate priority is to press for a significant improvement in funding to address infrastructural shortfalls, especially in roads, footpaths and traffic calming. There are several housing and infrastructural developments in the pipeline for our area, and I will be working in the pursuit of good planning outcomes that best represent the interests of the people of the area.
• Over the term of the council what would you hope to achieve?
In addition to being immersed in local issues, I look forward to bringing motions to City Council and raising awareness about the major concerns that were raised by the people of the area during my canvass: Lack of access to affordable housing, loneliness and isolation, city-centre dereliction, issues around migration, over-influence by certain NGOs and threats to Freedom of Speech
