Ollie Bryant (Fianna Fáil), Tullamore

We sent a questionnaire to all 12 candidates running in the Tullamore Electoral Area in the forthcoming Offaly County Council election. The responses were published in print in the Offaly Independent last Friday.

NAME: Ollie Bryant

ADDRESS: Cloonagh West, Tullamore

PARTY: Fianna Fáil

SPECIAL AREAS OF INTEREST:

Community involvement and voluntary groups. In particular, I am interested in all sports, and especially the GAA.

WHY ARE YOU RUNNING IN THIS ELECTION?

The retirement of Danny Owens created a vacancy in the party, and as the other three Fianna Fáil candidates are all town-based, I would like to see myself as representing the rural part of the electoral area and being a strong voice on rural issues.

WHAT ARE THE TWO BIGGEST ISSUES IN YOUR AREA?

Speed on the roads, particularly in rural areas. It has come up a lot on the doorsteps, and people are looking to have traffic calming measures put in place to slow down traffic, and a reduction in speed limits. Broadband is also another big issue, along with rural transport and school transport. The issues in rural areas are always a bit different to the urban area.

WHO DO YOU MOST ADMIRE AND WHY?

I have always admired Brian Cowen, particularly when he was in power at such a difficult period, and the way he handled all of those challenges. Everywhere I go, I see evidence of his work, to the new hospital, schools, factories, roads – his legacy is everywhere.

TELL US SOMETHING PEOPLE MAY NOT KNOW ABOUT YOU:

I once played a hurling match with Tullamore, which is something I don't admit too often. It was my one and only time and it was in a Community Games final. We won the match too, defeating Banagher.