'Appetite for change' - McGuinness reacts to winning final seat in Waterford

‘Oró, Sé Do Bheatha 'Bhaile’ played out around the Count Centre as Conor McGuinness picked up the coveted final seat in Waterford during the twelfth count.

Providing reaction immediately after election, Conor McGuinness said:

“I’m delighted to have taken the second Sinn Féin seat here in Waterford. We’ve had two very successful elections in Waterford this year. We took a huge vote in the local elections in June and now in this general election we’re returning two Sinn Féin TDs to stand up and advocate for changes our country needs."

Speaking on working alongside colleague David Cullinane, McGuinness said:

“David and I will work together as a team. There's no silliness, rivalries, intrigues which mars other political parties, we are here for the people of Waterford and we’re there for the change this country needs.

"One in three voters gave their first preference to David or myself and that can’t be overlooked. There’s a significant appetite for change here and indeed people voted for that. That now has to be factored into the political imagination that will take place over the coming weeks at national level

 “I want to thank everybody who voted for me and I particularly want to thank my supporters, David Cullinane as my running mate and my family.

“My mam and my aunt have been fantastic in this campaign, they’ve given encouragement and support all my life. Also my wife Pia, without her love and support and indeed her patience we wouldn’t have been able to get this result and I wouldn’t be able to do what I do.”