Laois Local Election Q & A: 'rebuild our communities for young and old'

What are your priorities?

My priorities are delivering high-quality public services such as playgrounds, outdoor recreation facilities a mobile library for the county. We need further investment to improve our towns and villages. 

Finally I believe we need to rebuild our communities for young and old and make services accessible for all.

What is the biggest issue facing your area?

The biggest issue in our area is a lack of long-term planning. For example in Graiguecullen we have planning for 200 new houses but the new town bus isn’t connected to them.

Similarly in Ballylynan there is a plan for a new estate with its own community centre but there doesn’t seem to be a plan for the old school- which already has plenty of space and sporting facilities.

In Killeshin we have 144 houses but no plan for a playground children living here.

 Finally we see the lack of long term planning with the temporary refilling of potholes which quickly reopen and further damage our roads.

Why do you think you would make a good County Councillor?

As a social worker and family therapist I feel people can talk to me about any issue in confidence. This work helps me to understand the problems people are facing in our communities.

I have a long record of community work, for example I recently co founded Killeshin tidy towns.

In addition I’m willing to work with other Cllrs to deliver for our area.

Eoin Barry is a candidate in the Graiguecullen Portarlington Municipal District. In the lead up to polling day on June 7 The Leinster Express / Laois Live will be featuring profiles on all 47 candidates vying for one of the 19 seats on Laois County Council.