Fianna Fáil working hard for increased representation in Waterford

Fianna Fáil will be running nine candidates in County Waterford in the forthcoming local elections and in doing so will be hoping to not just retain the six council seats they already hold but also increase their foothold and influence on the local authority.

The sitting councillors, who will hoping to retain their seats include: CouncillorTom Cronin (in the Dungarvan LEA); Councillor Jason Murphy (in the Waterford City South LEA); Councillor John O’Leary (in the Portlaw/Kilmacthomas LEA); Councillor Stephanie Keating (Waterford City East LEA); Councillor Eamon Quinlan (Tramore-Waterford City West LEA) and Councillor Adam Wyse (Waterford City East).

The new candidates who will be hoping to join their colleagues on the City and County Council will be composed of Michael J Walsh (running in the Lismore LEA), Vivienne Burns (running in the Waterford City South LEA) and Ray Murphy (running in the Portlaw/Kilmacthomas LEA).

Across the country Fianna Fáil will be running a total of 365 candidates and in launching this year’s campaign An Tánaiste, Micheál Martin TD, highlighted the fact that this year’s list of candidates is composed of “a significant balance between experienced representatives and new faces”.

That’s something the party will be hoping will work to its advantage throughout the country but especially in County Waterford. As Minister Martin pointed out the candidates come “from all walks of Irish society”, however, he said they were “united by a shared conviction that we need active, constructive councillors serving our communities”.

“We can all see the fact that the biggest divide in Irish politics today is between those who want to exploit problems and those who are determined to tackle them,” said Minister Martin, when launching the campaign.

“The louder and angrier the voice is, the less likely it is, that they are doing the much harder work of delivering action. This is true at every level,” he added. He highlighted that reforms implemented by Fianna Fáil in the past led to local councils having greater certainty in their powers.

“They have an opportunity to focus on delivering strategic, community-level services and plans,” he said. 

“We believe that there is more that local councils can do and that is why we are setting out an ambitious programme for the next five years,” he added. “Over the next five years our local authorities can play a vital role on some of the most critical issues facing our country."

Whether or not Fianna Fáil will have expanded representation within the Waterford chamber remains to be seen but with a strong selection of candidates the party is working hard to give it the best chance possible.