Liam Brazil elected Mayor of Waterford City and County
Mayor Liam Brazil and his wife, Marie.
Fine Gael Councillor Liam Brazil has been elected as Mayor of Waterford City and County. He was first elected as a councillor in 2004.
Upon being elected, Mayor Brazil outlined his ambitions for his term. His plans include connecting the Comeragh Mountains to the coast, securing 24/7 cardiac care in UHW and increasing the annual roads budget.
He also said that he wants to fix the Clock Tower so that when the next Mayor is elected, the time on the clock will be correct.
He said: “I will promote Waterford city and county at every chance I get.”
He continued: “I’m a very positive person and I want to bring you all with me on this journey. The good news often gets lost when there’s bad news around but I think its so important that we talk positive.”
Mayor Brazil has served as a councillor on the Comeragh Council for the past two decades and he made it clear in his speech that rural issues and concerns will be a priority for him over the next twelve months.
He said: “It's so important to keep our rural villages populated.” C
ouncillors from across the political spectrum congratulated Mayor Brazil.
Fellow Comeragh district councillor, Declan Clune said: “In the 2024 local elections, you received an outstanding 1,982 first-preference votes, representing more than 25% of the total first preference votes in our elected area. This was the highest amount of votes secured by any of the 32 members of this council. This remarkable achievement represents the confidence trust and respect that the people we represent placed in you.”
Mayor Brazil concluded his speech by saying, "Being a public representative is not an easy job as you all know damn well. Everyone here in this chamber, we always try and do our best but sometimes our best isn't good enough. That goes home to our own family and its great to have a family you can share that with."
He thanked his wife Marie for her "dedication and support."
Sinn Féin Councillor Donnchadh Mulcahy contested the election.
His election was proposed by his party colleague Kate O’Mahoney who said: “he has earned the reputation of a hard-working approachable, dedicated and genuinely sound representative.”
Councillor Joanne Bailey said: “Donnchadh, I know you would have made an incredible mayor.” She criticised the way Mayors are elected in Waterford by saying: “When pacts are established, Mayors are decided for the next five years.” She concluded: “I’m delighted that we’re here to challenge the status quo.”
Councillor Mulcahy was the first Sinn Féin councillor elected in the Lismore district.
He lost out on the role by 9 votes to 19.
After the vote, Cllr Mulcahy congratulated Mayor Brazil. He said: “I’ve always found you approachable, hard working and committed to the people you represent.”
Before Mayor Brazil was elected, tributes were paid to former Mayor, Séamus Ryan.
Councillor Eamonn Quinlan said: “In your opening speech as Mayor you said you would make it your priority to bring in groups and create visibility of those on the margins of Waterford society, you flung open the doors of city hall metaphorically and literally to bring in groups who have felt on the margins of Waterford civic society for many years.”
He concluded: “You gave them a platform and recognition that they’ve long since deserved.”
Councillor Joe Kelly said, “I was terribly impressed with our visit to Boston and you led that delegation excellently. We did all the business that we needed to do but the decorum and everything else that’s needed by somebody who’s leading the city, it was there in abundance with yourself.”
Former Mayor Ryan himself spoke about his term of office. He listed some of the highlights of his year, including signing a tender for a mobile library in Waterford and welcoming President Catherine Connolly to City Hall. He also thanked his wife, Deirdre and his daughters, son, son-in-law and his “precious” granddaughter.
“I would like to thank the people of Waterford. It has been a profound privilege to be Mayor of Waterford city and county. I will always look back on this year with immense pride, gratitude, and appreciation.”
Mayor Brazil was supported on the day by his wife, children and grandchildren.
Fine Gael Councillor Jim D’Arcy was elected as Deputy Mayor.
