This story was first published on May 9^th, 2007.

Ballymun Residents invite Olivia OLeary back to chair Election 2007 Questions and Answers in Ballymun

Olivia O Leary chaired an Election 2007 questions and answers session in Ballymun with the hopefuls going forward for election on Wednesday the 2nd of May at 7.30 in the AXIS theatre in Ballymun.

The Ballymun Branch of the Active Citizenship Network had promoted this event widely within the community, going around to all the centres and handing out fliers at schools to ensure attendance, so that local people could have their voices heard.

Previous debates and our work in general demonstrate that the community in Ballymun feel quite removed from the decisions that influence their lives and the political structures in general. Through the continuation of these public debates we aim to focus on the issues relevant to the local community and give local people a chance to meet their local representatives.

All candidates had a few minutes to set out their parties manifesto before the panel started answering questions from the floor. The panel included the following candidates: Cllr Bill Tormey(Fine Gael), Noel Ahern T.D(Fianna Fail), Roisin Shorthall T.D.(Labour), Pat Carey T.D (Fianna Fail), Cllr Dessie Ellis (Sinn Fein), Declan Fitzgerald (Green Party) and John O'Neill (Irish Socialist Network). The opportunity for local people to raise their issues in a structured format was welcomed and we endeavour to continue to provide meaningful forums where local people can engage with their local representatives.