Cllr Jim Townsend

Welcome from Cllr Jim Townsend

I was elected Cathaoirleach of Carlow County having previously held the position of Carlow Town Council Cathaoirleach and Leas Cathaoirleach of Carlow County Council in June 2006.

I have unparalleled experience as an elected public representative, serving the people of Carlow at both national and local levels. My track-record as a public representative, both as a Senator and as a Councillor at local authority level has been characterised by my dedicated constituency work on behalf of all sectors of the community.

I am particularly active at local grassroots level assisting different individuals and community groups in resolving various health, housing, social welfare and other issues which touch their daily lives.

In recent years, Carlow town and county have experienced enormous change, but despite this, there still remains the pressing need for continued improvement to the quality and standard of living for ordinary working people and their families who are struggling under the burden of the rising price of housing and childcare charges and the exorbitant cost of living in 'Rip-Off' Ireland.

Recently we have seen job losses through the closure of local factories and uncertainty surrounding the future of others. We need to ensure that Carlow-Kilkenny receives its fair share of investment and that the interests of hard-pressed families are properly represented and promoted.

Proper representative politics is about providing strong, responsible civic leadership and having the ability to take tough decisions for the benefit of the community. Throughout my political career I have constantly adhered to this philosophy and have taken a strongly independent, progressive approach to local issues. I have consistently refused to pander to political expediency or opportunism where issues of greater local interest are at stake.

If there are any issues that you would like to raise, please do not hesitate to contact me.