Dear Friend,
It is a great honour to have been selected to contest the local elections in the Dundrum Ward of Dublin South – the area in which I was born, brought up and educated - and which my father, Séamus Brennan, represented in Dáil Éireann for so many years.

I cannot claim to be an experienced politician – this is my first entry into electoral politics. However, throughout my life I have witnessed at first hand the work of one of Ireland’s most skilled and successful parliamentarians. My father’s success was built on his real and genuine concern for people – especially here in Dublin South, which elected him to the Dail on nine consecutive occasions. I hope and believe that I share his values and that I can add in some small way to the legacy that he created.

Dundrum ward – stretching from Sandyford to Clonskeagh and from Goatstown to Churchtown - is my ‘home town’ and I am very proud of the many advances that have been achieved here in recent years. The creation of vastly improved transport links, high quality accommodation and sophisticated retail and lifestyle amenities has improved our quality of life and attracted visitors from Dublin and beyond to our area.

But, as we all know, the benefits of growth and increased prosperity are rarely distributed equally.

I know from my work with South Dublin County Council that many social problems remain to be resolved and it is certain that the current very difficult economic environment will make matters worse for many people. More than ever, we will need to come together as a community and provide whatever support we can to those in need. My priority, if I am fortunate enough to be elected on June 5, will be to foster and enable that sense of community that has always been such an appealing feature of our area.

I realise that following in my father’s footsteps will not be easy and that I will have to work very hard to earn even a fraction of the esteem in which he was held.

I can promise you only that I will do my very best.