Sam Brooks (Sinn Féin), Athlone - Roscommon

We sent a questionnaire to all 10 candidates running in the Athlone Electoral Area in the forthcoming Roscommon County Council election. The responses are published in print in this week's Westmeath Independent.

NAME: Sam Brooks

ADDRESS: Antrane, Taughmaconnell, Ballinasloe.

PARTY: Sinn Féin

SPECIAL AREAS OF INTEREST:

Transport, healthcare, and community development. I have studied these topics at university level and have been actively involved in fighting for these subjects in areas like Leinster House and the council chamber, despite not being an elected representative.

WHY ARE YOU RUNNING IN THIS ELECTION?

I am running to give my community and peers a voice. I don't come from a political family; my father is self-employed and my mother is a teacher.

I see how decisions made by politicians can affect ordinary working people and I decided that it is time to shake things up a little. As a young candidate who grew up in a rural area, I can see how my community has had its public services gutted over the last two decades and it is time to reverse that trend.

WHAT ARE THE TWO BIGGEST ISSUES IN YOUR AREA?

There are so many, but lack of services and inadequate governance are the two broad ones. We see a disgraceful lack of services in our communities in relation to things which should be a right.

These include transport services like safer roads, rural bus links to towns like Ballinasloe, Athlone, and Roscommon, expanding rail services, etc. This also includes areas like lack of childcare and special school places, closure of rural schools, Garda stations and post offices, and many other issues.

WHO DO YOU MOST ADMIRE AND WHY?

My great network of family, friends, and neighbours who have stood behind me 100%, particularly my parents who have stood behind me 100% throughout my life.

TELL US SOMETHING PEOPLE DON'T KNOW ABOUT YOU:

I was a scout for almost 10 years in Moore.