'Honour of my life': Waterford's new TDs first days in the Dáil

Newly-elected TDs John Cummins and Conor McGuinness had their first days sitting during the first meeting of the 34th Dáil on Wednesday, December 18.

Joined by his parents and wife, newly-elected Waterford TD John Cummins had the "honour of [his] life" in hearing his name being read into the record of Dáil Eireann on his first day in office on Wednesday’s sitting of the body.

“Today was a very special day, the first sitting of the 34th Dáil,” Deputy Cummins said in a message to his supporters.

Deputy Cummins was joined by his father, the former Fine Gael Senator Maurice Cummins, and his mother, Anne, as well as his wife, Inga. 

“It was the honour of my life to hear my name being read into the official record of Dáil Éireann by the clerk and to look up at my wife, mother and father in the gallery.

“I’m so grateful to all those who have assisted me throughout my political career, which began over 15 years ago at the age of 21. I want to thank my family, staff, friends and party members who have supported me on this journey.” 

The new TD continued, “Most importantly I want to thank the people of Waterford who have entrusted me as one of their four representatives for the next five years. I assure you I will work tirelessly on your behalf!”

Sitting in his new office in the Houses of the Oireachtas, a smiling Conor McGuinness marked the occasion of finishing his “first day in the Dáil representing the people of Waterford”. 

Deputy McGuinness described his first day on the job as a “huge honour”, saying that it was “very special to have my family in Dublin to mark the occasion.”

"I was really proud to take my seat in the Dáil alongside David Cullinane and the Sinn Féin team of 39 TDs," Deputy McGuinness said to Waterford News & Star, "I was really conscious going in there that there are a lot of people who, although they weren't physically there, were going in with me. People who had campaigned for me in this General Election campaign, people who had done an awful lot of the groundwork over many decades to build support for Sinn Féin and for a political alternative in West Waterford, and a great many people who have put their faith in me and voted for me."

He thanked the people who "took the opportunity to give me their vote in the General Election, to send me to Dublin to do their work, to represent them, to stand up for the interests of people across Waterford, and to ensure that we have really strong representation across Waterford City and County between myself and David Cullinane."

The newly-elected Waterford TD said it had been a “long day, lots of media, some productive conversations across party lines” and that he had been “very proud to vote for Mary Lou [McDonald]” in the vote to nominate the Sinn Féin leader as the Taoiseach, despite the vote having failed with 44 votes in favour, and 110 votes against.

He said it was an opportunity for Sinn Féin to "set out our vision for the political and societal change that we need right across this country, and to back a really tremendous leader in Mary Lou McDonald and someone who I think has shown empathy, compassion, dedication, determination and a real energy, drive and vision for this country."

Following the first sitting of the Dáil, Deputy McGuinness took to social media to say “Myself and David Cullinane are here representing Sinn Féin – representing Waterford – and our promise is to do the absolute best that we can for the people of Waterford, for the people who sent us here.

“My priorities remain housing, having an adequate supply of affordable housing across Waterford City and County, and access to healthcare - in particular mental health, which is a huge issue in the area that I am so proud to represent.”