The burning issues for Local Elections ’24

Q&A

CLLR SARAH O'REILLY

Aontu

Why are you running for local public office?

I am not happy with the way our country is being run - ie how the bulk of taxpayers’ money is being spent. I want to give those people an alternative voice that focuses on local needs of the people in my area.

What are the main issues in your area?

The lack of affordable housing, the cost of living, the dangerous lack of capacity in our health and mental health services, the scarcity of gardaí, poor public transport infrastructure and the unacceptable condition of our roads network.

How will you ensure that public transport services reach all residents equitably and effectively?

New transport routes are being welcomed. I have been campaigning hard for new public transport routes throughout Cavan with great success. But there is much, much more to do. Through my work on Cavan’s Transport and Infrastructure Strategic policy committee, Cavan received 9% of the total new and improved routes planned for the entire country.

New and improved routes operating by end of 2023 include 171 Bus Route - Shercock, Curduff, Carrickmacross, Inniskeen to Dundalk; 170 - Dundalk, Carrickmacross, Kingscourt, Bailieboro to Cavan; 178 - Local Link from Cootehill - Shercock – Bailieboro to Virginia.

How would you like to see policing transformed in your area?

I have placed motions at council meetings supporting the retention of community policing and requesting the Minister for Justice to fully address the pay and conditions crisis in An Garda Síochána. Of course, the Minister continues to downplay these issues but it must be obvious at this stage that there is a huge crisis in policing. I will continue to highlight these issues and be honest about the situation.

How will you use the full range of your municipal district resources to increase access to affordable housing?

I have placed questions on the agenda for written answer by the executive enquiring as to what steps Cavan County Council is taking to address affordable housing in our Municipal District. I have pointed out that the Council owns a large site in Cootehill that would be suitable for affordable housing. I will continue to lobby for more urgent action on this site as there are alternative options for Cavan County Council where resources are finite.

The housing crisis has hit Cavan hard. This is one of the major issues I deal with on a day-to-day basis. I discovered recently that there are 100 local authority houses vacant in Cavan at this moment. There are also 575 derelict private homes in the county. Given that there are currently over 500 families on the housing waiting list in Co Cavan, it is incredibly frustrating to see such high vacancy [rates]. I also found out that it is taking an average of eight months and, in some cases, it has taken up to two years to get a council house back into use after its tenants have left. Fast turnaround of council homes to allow new families a home is a priority for Aontú.

Have you or your party a long-term solution to providing proper and effective road infrastructure in the county?

The East West link road is essential road infrastructure for the Bailieborough, Cootehill, Shercock and Kingscourt area, as well as for business but it is on hold and making no progress. It is unbelievable that the project is not included in the revised National Development Plan. €2m has been spent over the last 20 years and it’s urgently needed for our area. This project is particularly important in the face of chronic underfunding of the council’s roads programme budget from central Government this year and last year when we had to take roads off the programme. I have highlighted this at every opportunity at council and through Parliamentary Questions.

Have you or the party any thoughts on how your community can be protected from far-right ideology?

I wasn’t aware there was a threat from the far right. I do believe there is a very small group of people who may be categorised as such but I don’t believe there is any huge threat. I think that is a distraction and Government and some media outlets may be over egging the extent of the issue. I do believe that our Government must also shoulder responsibility for some issues that are a result of their policies. Rushing legislation in order to be as populist as possible, shutting down debate and name calling of genuine questioning is not good for democracy. People must be free to stand up for their rights.

Accusations and name calling are designed to shame and silence people with genuine concerns. We need to listen to the voices of the people who elected us, government TDs seem to operate in a bubble far removed from the feelings of the people in local communities. We must not be arrogant by thinking we know better, that would be foolish.