Wynne to join Birr election race

Ferbane native Joe Wynne has this week declared his intention to contest the local elections in May of this year in the Birr electoral area.

The Independent candidate has promised to be a "new voice with new ideas".

Wynne, a law graduate, who has worked with a number of legal firms and as a Parliamentary Assistant in this constituency, now operates a small business.

Speaking to the Offaly Independent, Wynne said: "Politics needs new blood and this region is being affected by many negative changes in our community. The Bord Na Mona job losses, the closure of rural Post Offices, lack of IDA and government driven rural investment, Housing and lack of affordable accommodation are some of the issues I intend to address".

“In relation to the commercial sector I will be calling for a reduction in rates which is stifling business and is detrimental to job creation. Talking to business owners this is a major cause for concern for local business together with spiralling insurance costs. The lack of high speed internet wifi and the failure of government to role out a meaningful national broadband plan.

"In agriculture we see how farmers are being pushed to the limit, beef prices are less than what was being achieved over a decade ago and yet all costs are rising with no reasonable end in sight. The uncertainty of Brexit is also causing great concern across the entire agri sector," he said.