Eddie Roofe was born and bred in Enniskillen, and is happily married and the proud father of two young boys. A pharmacist by trade, Eddie has worked in the NHS for 10 years. A keen sportsman, Eddie played rugby and Gaelic locally for Enniskillen. Regularly fundraising for charities, Eddie has helped raise tens of thousands of pounds for local charities.

Why did you get into politics?

I have been working in the NHS as a pharmacist for the past ten years and I have gradually watched the degradation of our health service before my eyes.

Outcomes for our NHS in Northern Ireland are substantially poorer than the rest of the UK, and constant political instability and ‘Orange/Green politics’ has only made the situation worse. The decisions needed to improve our health service are made by politicians, and so I am sick of standing on the sideline whilst the health service crumbles.

Why should people vote for you?

People should vote for me because Alliance offers a positive, progressive future. Enniskillen has a long history of a strong cross-community bond, but that has not been reflected at the ballot box in the past.

Electing Fermanagh’s first-ever Alliance councillor will send a message that people are fed up of the politics of fear and division and want a brighter future – the future we were promised 25 years ago with the Good Friday Agreement.

READ MORE FROM COUNCIL CANDIDATES IN ENNISKILLEN: Fermanagh and Omagh District Council candidate: Jill Mahon

What are the issues you will be fighting for in your DEA?

The temporary suspension of emergency surgery at the South West Acute Hospital (SWAH) is no doubt front and centre in people’s minds.

There has been a persistent failure in recruitment for general surgeons and whilst there are national and even global pressures on consultant recruitment, not enough was done at crucial moments to recruit and retain the surgeons required.

The Alliance Party would like to see emergency general surgery return to the SWAH. As someone with a healthcare background and first-hand experience of the issues we face, I believe I am better positioned than most to challenge the Western Trust on their decision-making.

What are the biggest issues facing the Council area?

The cost-of-living crisis is hitting everyone, and people’s budgets are stretched to breaking point.

Support is available for the most vulnerable but many do not know about it. For example, one third of people eligible for pension credit do not currently claim it.

The Council needs to do more to ensure our constituents receive the funding they are entitled to.

What are the issues the electorate have raised with you?

Beyond emergency surgery and the cost of living, the traffic in Enniskillen can often come to a standstill, and this is not only an inconvenience to residents but also damages business in the town centre.

Enniskillen’s bypass has not secured funding, due to the collapse of Stormont, and I would be aiming to pressurise any future Infrastructure minister to proceed with the project as had been planned.

Enniskillen’s bus service is also in need of improvement, with buses currently passing each stop once every two hours. This limits the town service’s usefulness to residents and therefore reduces its demand.

READ MORE FROM COUNCIL CANDIDATES IN ENNISKILLEN: Fermanagh and Omagh District Council candidate: Donal O'Cofaigh

How can we improve the Fermanagh and Omagh District Council area?

Efficient spending of taxpayer money is essential. Too much money has been wasted over the past number of years and there is an acute need to scrutinise expenditure for every aspect of government.

Last year, we had no Hallowe’en firework display or an official Christmas lights event, yet the council spent £16k each for six controversial new signs to welcome people to Enniskillen.

Wasted money directly impacts the Council’s ability to provide services, and I would make it my aim to analyse budgets more effectively.