Cathaoirleach Cllr Liam Quinn.

Offaly roads “worse than any other county”

A plan to increase the capital spend on Offaly roads is top priority for the new Cathaoirleach of Offaly County Council, Cllr Liam Quinn.

“It's a great honour and I know the party are very happy because it's something that hasn't happened in a long time,” Cllr Quinn told the Offaly Independent.

He is the first member of Fine Gael to hold the chain of office since 1994.

The Rhode representative said he plans to spend his term as chair working on improving the roads infrastructure, making use of derelict housing for social housing, promoting Offaly's tourism potential, and ensuring the future of playgrounds in the towns and villages across the county.

“Our roads programme is only a drop in the ocean to what the department can provide and I will be very adamant in seeking more capital spending for Offaly roads,” Cllr Quinn told the Offaly Independent.

“I think people have been very patient as they've understood we haven't had the money in previous years. They also understand they're built on boggy ground, the foundations are hard to maintain.

“But I do a lot of driving and I really think the roads in Offaly are worse than in any other county. So I will do my utmost to see that there is increased spending in this area.”

The new Cathaoirleach also wants the council to make use of the powers open to them under the new Buy and Repair Scheme.

“The scheme allows the local authority to purchase derelict houses and this would be great, not only for the larger towns, but for the small areas like Daingean, Banagher and Ferbane.

“Not only would it provide much needed social housing but it would breathe new life into our village main streets. There is plenty of housing stock there and not too much spend would be needed to do these houses up and have families in them, ensuring that they are looked after and not falling into disrepair in the future.”