The burning issues for Local Elections ’24

John Paul Feeley, Fianna Fáil

Why are you running for local public office?

Public service is about giving a voice to individuals and communities and being a constructive voice for progress in our county. As a councillor, I have endeavoured to be that voice. As a child, I watched my father work on behalf of many vulnerable people and communities in his work as a councillor. He made, through his work, a huge difference in life for many people.

What are the main issues in your area?

Delivery of services is the big issue. We have announcements of funding for various improvements but major delays in delivery. Accessing services, be it services for children with a disability, supports in schools, delays in access to health services or simply getting a test for a driving licence are among some of the problems.

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

Great investment has taken place in recent years in putting in place more local bus services. The major long distance routes through the county have also had significant improvements, which is especially important for commuters.

As a councillor, we can only lobby on these issues. One of the major frustrations as a councillor is the annual challenge of getting places on school buses. Government and Bus Éireann need to ensure that all children can get to their local school safely.

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

We have a consultative role on policing. As chair of the Cavan Joint Policing Committee I have tried to ensure that members are given every opportunity to raise issues of concern in every part of the community. The good work of local gardaí is hampered by a lack of resources. This will not be helped if we end up in a new Garda region taking in Cavan, Monaghan and Louth. We have seen, for the first time, a dedicated Drugs Division in County Cavan. There is also been expansion of community policing. Visible policing is essential. It is also vital that people on the ground see those involved in crime face appropriate sentences in the court.

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

Housing is a national and local issue. As a planning authority we have zoned a substantial amount of land for housing, we could have zoned more if the Planning Ombudsman left more discretion to local councils. Furthermore, we have maximised the scope for our planner to allow ‘one-off’ rural homes in the right location. Nationally, we are supporting the role out of Croí Conaithe funding to support property owners get derelict and vacant properties back into a habitable condition.

The Government through ‘Housing for All’ has also put in place several other measures to increase supply and support homeownership such as Help to Buy Scheme and the First Home Scheme. There is a need to do more to help people secure suitable housing. We have also, as a local authority, seen a substantial increase in new local authority houses as well as a programme to get vacant council houses back into circulation and to a highest standard. There is also a major programme of retrofitting to bring the housing stock up to heating and insulation standards.

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

The principle infrastructure used by most people is our roads. There has been a chronic underfunding in recent years and our roads have deteriorated. The budgets have improved over the past two to three years and it still inadequate.

We have to continue to fight for more and better funding for roads. Broadband is the second piece of infrastructure that is seriously lacking. The National Broadband Scheme is welcome but moving far too slowly.

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

The ‘far-right ideology’ that we hear so much about appears to be an issue in the political bubble, not so much in the real world. Rather than discuss issues respectfully, as most people want to do, certain elements in our national media want to pigeonhole people rather than engage.