Laois Local Election Q & A: 'The area has been left behind and not prioritised'
Fintan Cuddy, Fianna Fáil shares his priorities ahead of polling day on June 7
What are your priorities?
My priorities include infrastructure, enterprise, housing, safer communities, the environment and facilitating residents to utilise local authority grant schemes.
What is the biggest issue facing your area?
The most prominent issue facing the Borris-in-Ossory/Mountmellick area is the inadequacy of investment by Laois County Council. The area has been left behind in terms of development, and not prioritised.
This is evidenced by: a deficiency in housing in the area; neglect of infrastructure in rural areas, including roads and street lighting; the inaccessibility of towns and services by persons with disabilities/additional needs; and insufficient services, such as public transport, healthcare and childcare in the area for residents. We need homes not accommodations. We need safer, maintained roads and streetlighting throughout the area including rural roads. We need to rejuvenate our towns and enhance and promote tourism to support our local businesses. We need to make our towns and townlands accessible by all and inclusive to all. We need public transport that is more frequent, accessible and interconnected. We need services that meet the needs of residents.
Why do you think you would make a good County Councillor?
I am approachable, contactable and reliable. I am located in Castletown, which is central to the Borris-in-Ossory/
Mountmellick area. I will represent the area and on behalf of residents in the area. I will represent the forgotten rural areas that have no representation at local authority level. I will campaign for more investment by Laois County Council in infrastructure, housing and enterprise in the Borris-in-Ossory/ Mountmellick area. I will properly inform and assist residents to utilise relevant grants.
Fintan Cuddy is a candidate in the Borris-in-Ossory Mountmellick Municipal District. In the lead up to polling day on June 7 we will be featuring profiles on all 47 candidates vying for a seat on Laois County Council.