The Candidates: Jane Mullins PD

One way or another, Jane Mullins has been around politics for most of her working life, as a local journalist in Kildare, as an activist with community and social organisations, and as a founder of Positive Action, the Hepatitis C group seeking redress over the notorious infected Anti-D serum.



In those activities she worked on the opposite side to politicians, so to speak. Her decision to run as the Progressive Democrats candidate in Kildare South somewhat reverses her role. She considered it carefully before agreeing to Senator John Dardis's request to stand for his party.

In Newbridge, like Kilcullen today, she had seen huge and rapid growth, but very little in terms of social infrastructure. Having been involved with organisations like the Goodwill Housing Cooperative and Newbridge Community Development, she concluded that a next step had to be taken if further progress is to be achieved.

"We had taken a number of issues so far, but it was still difficult to take them home," she says. "So I said I wanted to stand for politics, because I wanted to make a difference."

Choosing to run with the PDs was pragmatic in one part, but she reveals a strong underlying admiration for the party. "Obviously by providing me with the opportunity to stand, the Progressive Democrats are giving me the support that's needed. As an independent, it would be impossible at this stage, I think, to run a successful campaign.

"I have valued how the Progressive Democrats have made huge changes, and had a huge role in the Irish economy. We've a different Ireland now, and I think that's largely due to the influence of the Progressive Democrats in Government over the last ten years."

She believes that her three decades in journalism is a good foundation for working as a public representative in a constituency like Kildare South.

"As a local journalist you're very involved in what happens locally, and what is important in people's lives. Your interest in stories like how leachate from a dump is poured into sewers goes beyond the story. You know it's wrong, you know that systems need to be put in place to ensure it doesn't happen again. So it has been an easy transition ... apart from having to answer questions rather than asking them."

Jane is well aware, though, that the role she is chasing now is somewhat different to her activism in her previous non-journalistic activities, like the Anti-D affair.

"In those you were doing something because it had to be done. It was, if you like, 'heart and passion' stuff. Now I'm asking people to trust in me, and trust in what I believe I can bring as a politician for Kildare South in the Dail. I think I've shown a record of achievement, of not being afraid to raise issues ... I hope that voters will see that and give me their number one vote."

The issues raised on her campaign so far are what she terms the 'lifestyle' ones in an area like Kilcullen which has seen a huge change in the population.

"People are wondering about the simple things, like footpaths linking them to town so they can walk their children to school or the children can go to school themselves without having to walk on the road. Or where are the playgrounds?

"In terms of the economy there is money there to do these things. If you travel to other counties you'll see that other towns have fine playgrounds, have footpaths that go from A to Z ... in Kildare South I don't think we've got a good deal in terms of the basic infrastructural services."

She also believes that the local economy must stay strong so that it can provide jobs locally and people don't have to face the endless commuter trek to Dublin every day.

From her work in Kilcullen over the years she recalls the huge spirit of pride which the community has displayed through decades, and also the 'doldrum years', when Kilcullen wasn't growing because the sewerage infrastructure wasn't there.

"But that has gone very rapidly to huge growth, and there is an enormous challenge, such as how the main street copes with the increased traffic. There are fears about schools, will there be enough secondary school places for when the youngsters now in primary school are ready for it in six or seven years' time? They are big issues and they need serious planning.

"Kilcullen has seen enormous change, and will see even more in the future. The infrastructure plan for Kilcullen isn't great, but the growth plan is in terms of the Kilcullen/Naas/Newbridge area. We have a strategy which has been imposed on us, with very little public consultation. We have problems now, but there are going to be a lot more."

Jane Mullins knows her new political fight isn't easy in a constituency with just three seats and three strong incumbents. But she's out to fight the best campaign possible.

"I have a great team. We're working very hard and I'm getting a great response on the ground. I don't think anyone has a name on a seat ... we all come from different places as candidates, and we offer ourselves first and foremost. I'm coming as a Progressive Democrats candidate, with my record and my own personal integrity.

"I know people are proud of what Ireland has achieved ... and I think economically the Progressive Democrats have played a major part in that. I want to feel that we will have days with sunshine in our lives and not the dark depressing days of the eighties, and I hope that I am bringing something new to the campaign and that people will like what I offer."

Brian Byrne.

THE FULL INTERVIEW: This story is based on one of a series of Kilcullen Diary interviews with the General Election candidates in Kildare South. The interview itself is available here as a QuickTime streaming audio.