Cllr Shane P. O'Reilly, Independent Ireland
Living in Mullagh, Cllr O'Reilly is married to Elisha and they have five children, a dog Breffni and he works as an undertaker. He is a life-long member and former chairperson of Clg Cuchulainn. Cllr O'Reilly is also a member of St Kilian's Heritage Trust and chairperson of Mullagh Tourism and Community Development Committee.
Last film you enjoyed watching?
Paddington Bear 3
Why did you enter politics?
A genuine bust of healthy frustration and self belief I could do things better for people.
Where do you sit on the political spectrum?
I’m not ideology driven. I want to find sensible solutions regardless of political persuasion.
What is your main campaigning issue?
I’m not a single issue candidate. I’m passionate about enablement. Getting the means test scrapped for carers and disabled people. Adequate funding for hospitals and better GP and dental care in communities. We desperately need stricter controlled immigration so we know precisely who is in our country, so they can work, not sit on Welfare. I also want urgent reviews of planning laws. When the Government can bend over backwards to build modular homes for Ukrainians, why are young Irish families in cold, damp substandard rentals or forced to sofa surf?
What would you do in government to address it?
I’d immediately show the Minister for Welfare that removing the means test on carers and disabled will enable both those cohorts to offer better care structures. On healthcare, an urgent audit is needed of HSE management, it’s inefficient and top heavy. On immigration, I’d revert back to Visa requirements for Ukrainians and ensure we’re focussed on letting in people wanting to improve their lot, not sit on welfare. For International Protection applicants a fair, impartial and transparent decision making process based on facts. I’d seek an immediate moratorium of 24 months on removal of mobile homes and cabins, with a view to flexible planning for local modular housing needs.
Put these in order of importance?
1. Housing; 2. Health; 3. Policing; 4. Education; 5. Job Creation; 6. Roads; 7. Defence.
Can we afford more refugees?
We can afford to welcome anyone who is willing to fill the 50,000 job vacancies as stated by Statista and IBEC. It is unfair to burden taxpayers with refugees who will sit in taxpayer paid hotels and live off welfare.
Should Ireland sanction Israel?
As we’ve seen with Russia's invasion of Ukraine, sanctions don’t always have the desired effect. Sanctions have led to spiralling inflation for almost three years as supply chains were brutally interrupted. I fully support talking and diplomacy towards peace and reconciliation.
What's the answer to the biodiversity/climate crises?
It’s definitely NOT, more new carbon taxes!
Do we need state-run childcare facilities?
Wonderful in theory. But, the state has proven they’re incapable of big ticket capital business style ambitions. We have many excellent private childcare providers in Cavan Monaghan. To help them expand we need to address issues like planning, insurance, staffing retention, skills and opening times.
One way to help revive towns and villages?
Entrepreneurship must be encouraged.