Fisherman tells Dáil hopefuls to ‘clear off’

A FISHERMAN has taken an advert in a local paper to tell Dáil hopefuls and their canvassers to “clear off”.

Kerry man Martin Ennis erected a large health and safety sign at his home in Ardfert warning politicians not to canvass for his vote.

Explaining the reason for taking out a classified ad, Mr Ennis said the sign was erected as he did not want to be rude to canvassers and, also, wanted to avoid confrontation.

The fisherman yesterday said the Government allowed exorbitant wages to be paid to politicians and the executives of state agencies but had penalised the most vulnerable.

He also said that the Government permitted basic human rights — such as health, education and justice — to be eroded.

And he accused the opposition parties of being “pathetic”.

“They have allowed basic human rights to become commodities.

“We can’t afford justice, we can’t afford health,” Mr Ennis said.

He insisted none of the political parties had the common good at the heart of their policies.

He admitted to being tired of “the sell” by the political parties and did not want to be rude, which was why he decided to take out the advert.

Mr Ennis said the only politician he admired, and would have voted for, would be Socialist MEP for Dublin Joe Higgins, who is a native of Kerry.