Speakers’ Corner: Brian Fogarty

Brian Fogarty APR24

ith the local elections set for Friday, June 7th, we have once again sent out our Speakers’ Corner questionnaire to the local wide-eyed hopefuls.

Starting with the 11 candidates running in the Greystones Electoral Area, we’ll then open the floor to the other 7,548 upstanding Wicklow citizens currently stepping into the ring for 2024.

Up for grabs, 32 councillor seats across this great county of ours, with all the hopes and dreams – plus prestige, pressure, resentment, ridicule and mediocre pay – that such an exalted position entails.

Suffice to say, there are plenty of candidates to choose from, from the strong, silent types who simply, quietly get on with their work in the community to the loud, social media-shagging self-promoters who seem to leave little time for any actual graft. We’ve been reporting on this town daily for 12 years now, and the one thing we’ve become very, very wary of is the black arts of stolen valour. Feckers sticking their flag in other people’s hard work by racing to share the good news first on Facebook, Instagram and beyond, slyly hoovering up all the likes, thanks and praise in the process. It’s akin to waiting at the finish line and throwing your arm around the winner for a quick selfie, owning their victory online before they’ve even had time to catch their breath.

Fogarty: The Early Years

So, whatever your party loyalties and your political leanings, it’s worth taking a moment to look beyond the glitter. These people will be your eyes and ears – and big mouth – down in Wicklow County Council, after all.

In the meantime, on with Speakers Corner 2024, and Sinn Féin’s new recruit, Brian Fogarty. First, a little bio…

Describing himself as a born activist, Brian Fogarty’s work in the trade union and Mandate has seen him representing the latter whilst also elected as chairperson of the Wicklow Council, serving three terms on the National Executive Council and completing a leadership diploma, gaining accreditation as a representative and a trainer in the former.

Fogarty sees his skills such as public representation, policy analysis, negotiation, conflict resolution and collective bargaining as being vital to help address national issues such as housing and healthcare as well as public transport, mental health and disability services, lack of school places and teachers, and the need for more public facilities in Wicklow.

“It’s time for change,” says Fogarty, “but this can only happen with the strongest possible Sinn Féin representation on local councils and with Sinn Féin in government.”

And now for those mind-bending and hard-hitting but fair GG questions…

What inspired you to become involved in local politics? Was there a road to District Council moment…?
I’ve always been driven by a sense of justice and to make a difference in my community. Growing up, I witnessed firsthand the unfairness and frustration of issues going unresolved, which led me to become involved as a trade union representative from a young age. This experience ignited my passion for activism and social change, and ultimately inspired my journey into local politics.

I believe that every individual deserves a voice in the decisions which affect their lives, and I’m committed to using my knowledge, skills and experiences to be a true representative for our local people.

From challenging the status quo to bringing fresh ideas to the table, I am dedicated to addressing the pressing issues facing our communities. As a working-class individual myself, I understand the struggles that many people in our community face, particularly young people trying to buy a home of their own or afford skyrocketing rental prices.

Of your work so far, are there particular achievements you are particularly proud of?
Throughout my career, I’ve had the privilege of representing the second-largest trade union in the country on a national level, a responsibility I undertook at a young age. While this was a significant achievement, what truly fills me with pride are the victories achieved on the ground, fighting for jobs, securing pay increases and campaigning for better terms of employment.

However, my most fulfilling experiences stem from my time as a youth representative and accredited trainer, where I had the opportunity to empower others with the skills and tools necessary to advocate for themselves and their peers.

I also spearheaded initiatives and strategies to amplify the voices of young workers and address their unique challenges within the labour movement, both nationally and in Europe.

Looking forward, what are the main goals that you would like to achieve over the coming years?
In the coming years, my main goals are to improve the quality of life for people in our communities by addressing key issues which affect peoples every day lives. Issues such as resolving the ongoing shortage of school places, advocating for more social and affordable housing, enhanced public transport efficiency and accessibility, strengthening community safety with increased garda presence, and improving infrastructure such as footpaths and roads to promote walking and cycling and alleviate traffic congestion.

I am committed to making tangible improvements that will positively impact the lives of our residents and create a safer, more vibrant community for all.

To turn a fine Major Quimby quote into a question, ask not what you can do for your county, but
what can you do for your county…?
As a dedicated member of the Greystones community and a lover of Wicklow, I aim to serve as a strong voice, representative and as a bridge between the council and our residents, leveraging my proven track record and skills to drive positive change.

Utilising my skills and expertise in public representation, policy analysis, negotiation, conflict resolution and collective bargaining will allow me to address issues and challenges effectively on behalf of our communities. Ensuring all voices are heard and represented is something I will be prioritising.

With a strong team behind me, I am confident in my ability to make meaningful improvements for Greystones and the local areas.

If being a politician doesn’t work out, have you got a Career B in mind? Dancer? Magician? Traffic Warden…?
I will continue advocating for those in need through charity work and by serving as a voice for justice, equality and fairness in whatever role I find myself, as its simply ingrained within me.

As a trainer and mentor, witnessing the empowerment and growth of others gives me immense satisfaction so I will continue to do this also.

Finally, Trump or Biden?
No comment! I would rather give my attention to contributing to seeing real change locally and nationally here in Ireland.

You can find out more about Brian Fogarty online here and follow on Instagram here and Facebook here, and get in touch directly on email here. More Speakers’ Corner here.