Staples Says Mental Health Comes First As Rosslare Chair

The new chairman of the Rosslare Municipal District says he will find a balance between his work in the role and looking after his mental health.

Councillor Frank Staples was elected to the position by his fellow councillors at the AGM on Friday.

The Mayglass man has vast experience and knowhow having previously served as Mayor of Wexford.

He said it was a privilege to be trusted with the chains of office.

"It's a fantastic honour to be Cathaoirleach of the District for the second time. 

"It's great for my family and myself, I'm looking forward to doing a great job on it. 

"I just like to work with people and do the best I can".

He returns to the role having previously served as chairman during the Covid 19 pandemic which put major restrictions on what a council could achieve.

Councillor Staples says the next 12 months will be a different kind of challenge but something he can learn from and look forward to as well.

"The last time, a lot of stuff was on Zoom so I'm looking forward to getting out there and being out with the people and working with the executives and my fellow politicians as well.

"Hopefully I'll be fair, I think Ger Carthy did a great job with the meetings and I hope that I can follow that up."

Councillor Staples has always been open and honest about his struggles with his mental health and he was no different on Friday.

Usually, when councillors are elected to this position, they use their acceptance speech to outline some of their priorities for the year ahead.

However, Frank was straight forward about what the number one objective is for him ahead of a busy and hectic year in the chair.

"The main thing for me is to keep well. That can sometimes be difficult, but I'm going to be working hard and looking after myself.

"I'm on the Wexford Mental Heath Association committee as vice chair so I'm working with mental health anyway.

"I'm looking forward to working on that and just keeping my eye on my own mental health because that's really important for me and my family."

Many people in Frank's position would probably step back from this kind of role with its long hours, many meetings and pitfalls for someone in a vulnerable state.

To his credit, Councillor Staples says he knows there's a delicate balance to be found here.

"It's just a matter of stepping back sometimes. I do a lot of cycling which I find really good for myself and exercise is great for anybody.

"I don't have a problem really with handling it, when I'm fit and healthy then I'll have no trouble handling it."

Councillor Staples hopes his progression to a role like this will show those in a similar position they don't have to hide in the shadows because of their mental health struggles.

Frank says he wants to serve his people and prove that you too can be an inspiration for others.

"We're slowly moving away from the stigma, it's still a very serious issue but I'm hoping that being open and honest will help somebody else.

"There's one girl that always reminds me of it, she came over to me one day and said 'you saved my life.'

"That gives you great heart to keep going and do the things that you love."

It's long been called the forgotten district but Councillor Staples says he'll be sure to call on his fellow Rosslare representatives to make it a successful twelve months in charge.

"There's 5 councillors and we really feel like its our district.

"We love what we do and we try the very best to do what we can for our consituents.

"That's been borne when you look at all the things that have gone on over the last two years.

"We're seven years into this council now and I think everyone's done a great job."

That report was funded by the Local Democracy Reporting Scheme.