The burning issues for Local Elections ’24

Q&A CLLR SHANE P. O'REILLY IND

Why are you running for local public office?

As an elected member for almost 20 years, first elected in 2004, it is my true belief that I have contributed greatly to all aspects of decision making in the local authority and also that I have a positive further role to play with experience, commitment and the citizen at the centre of our services.

What are the main issues in your area?

Issues are the same in Cavan and the Ballyjamesduff Municipal District as they are all over the country. We need roads funding, housing, water and sewage, employment, education and better public transport.

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

Unfortunately, as a local councillor this is beyond my remit and is a total indication of a lack of government funding, and no urgency to address the serious issue that it is on the ground affecting young and old. Numerous representations have been made and any person who says that Cavan County Council can bring this issue to an equitable level is not being truthful with the electorate. Funding is needed by central Government and now.

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

Policing in our District has certainly been a massive issue over the past few years despite the many promises that have been made by the powers that be in the Phoenix Park. We have actually seen a reduction in numbers and most recently the loss of our community policing, and a number of retirements and resignations locally from experienced and community-based members of the force. I will continue to ask the questions of management that no one else wants to ask and keep lobbying for more resources through the Joint Policing Committee, that they wish to disband also, and at local authority level.

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

As a member of the local authority for four terms, my record on the support of social and affordable housing stands for itself. I have been to the forefront of support for these projects and have made decisions regarding same that were at odds with many but have been proven to be correct in time. Our local authority has shown itself to be far sighted and proper in its work with any central Government funding allocated under housing.

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

Cavan County Council is unfortunately at the behest of national Government as regards roads funding. Simply put - if we get the funding, we will do the work. Central funds have improved over the last few budgets but, as ever, it’s not enough. We need a separate fund of almost 10 million euro to bring our road infrastructure in the county up to the current modern level. Our plan is simple, we need to lobby hard along with those elected to Dáil Éireann to improve the amount of funding granted and to ensure that our county is represented correctly and not in silence.

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

It all depends on your interpretation of the meaning of far-right. I have noticed, as many others have in the recent past, people branded far right that I would have called just concerned citizens. The label far right is prescribed far too much. If you simply don't agree with someone, you can brand them far right. If you question anything, you can be branded far right; if you believe in the teachings of your faith or your family, you are branded far right; if you don't agree with Government actions on climate, employment, etc, you are far right. We have allowed ourselves to now question what was heretofore called having an opinion which is now far right. Perhaps we need to not protect ourselves from so called far right people but those who are using the term so often