Verona Murphy refuses to be 'bought off' and backs Wexford rail

Verona Murphy said she will not be selling her soul and that her priority is Wexford, rejecting suggestions she could be easily bought off. She outlined local priorities including a high-speed rail link from Wexford to Dublin, completion of the N11, and the construction of the Set 2 campus.

Main points

Verona Murphy told listeners she will not be "selling [her] soul" and that her focus remains on Wexford. She framed her remarks as a defence of local interests against being "bought off."

Transport and infrastructure

Murphy said she is looking for a high-speed rail network around the country and proposed that a Wexford to Dublin link would be a logical starting point. She also called for the completion of the N11 as an urgent local priority.

Local population and services

The speaker warned that "there's 10,000 people leaving Wexford every day," using that figure to underline the need for infrastructure and local investment to stem out-migration.

Education and the Set 2 campus

Murphy demanded that the long-promised Set 2 campus be built, saying the project has been talked about for years with no delivery beyond a name change. She presented the campus as a core element of Wexford's development needs.

Independent representation in regional Ireland

Murphy noted that there are over 17 independents elected around much of regional Ireland, saying they carry a heavy mandate and share similar concerns about rural infrastructure and services. She positioned those independents as focused on common, recurring problems.

Closing tone

Murphy closed the remarks energetic and assertive, saying she was "raring to go" on delivering the local priorities she listed.