Rouse wants to be a strong political voice for Ballina
Hugh Rouse is a Fine Gael candidate for the Ballina Local Electoral Area
Fine Gael local election candidate Hugh Rouse has said that Ballina needs strong representation as it has fallen behind Castlebar and Westport.
Mr Rouse, who works as an insurance broker, joined his local branch of Fine Gael in 2008 before later becoming vice-chairperson at county executive level. He is a first-time local election candidate and became motivated to run after it was left to volunteers to erect Christmas lights in Ballina in 2022.
“When the town was asked to put up its own lights, I felt like enough was enough and our local representation in Ballina town was not sufficient.”
Mr Rouse said Ballina has huge potential in terms of projects but there is a lack of political will to get things done.
“There are huge supports and money in place. We have all the plans in place for ring roads, railways, houses and we just need the investment.
“There is no political will here at the moment. Everything is going to Castlebar and Westport and that is because they are represented by two strong, vibrant TDs,” he said.
He highlighted traffic and parking problems as two common issues on the doorsteps in Ballina.
“Traffic is a huge problem and it’s been going on since 2019. Parking is also an issue, we’ve lost 20% of our car parking spaces and speed is also a huge concern for people.
“People are concerned about immigration, Ballina has taken its fair share and we are bursting at the seams.
“Housing and, in particular, finding alternative accommodation for those affected by pyrite is a major concern. The local authority should be identifying properties to house people while their houses are being rebuilt.
“They should seek grants for the former Garda barracks on Walsh Street and make it suitable for four or five pyrite-affected families to live for maybe 12 months or until their houses are rebuilt.”
Mr Rouse said all of these issues stem from the way Mayo County Council is run.
“All these problems are intertwined with local government. In my opinion, local government is not running as efficiently as it should be,” he said.
He said he feels the people of the Ballina Local Electoral Area should vote for him as he will be a strong voice for the town.
“I’m a local man. I’m committed and determined to make a positive contribution. I’m from Ballina and for Ballina.
“I don’t believe in being a career politician. If I’m elected, I’ll give five good years to this area.
“As the great WB Yeats said: 'Do not wait to strike till the iron is hot; but make it hot by striking.'"
