'Thank you indeed' - Matt Shanahan thanks supporters in statement following Dáil elimination

Waterford will be without an Independent TD in the 34th Dáil, as Matt Shanahan lost his seat on the final count to Sinn Féin's Conor D. McGuinness.

Shanahan had bettered his 2020 performance in terms of first preference votes, with 5,355 as opposed to 4,990 in 2020, but he was behind McGuinness from the off and the transfers on this occasion did not work in his favour, leaving him almost 1,000 votes short of the prize.

In a statement published directly after the count, Shanahan said: “I’m just back from the electoral count and I didn’t get to keep my seat, but I did want to say a sincere thank you to each and every one of you in Waterford who have given me support over the last four and a half years.

“I acknowledge the verdict tonight and want to wish the very vest to Conor, to David, to Mary and to John as they carry on the fight now for Waterford.

“I would say that during my time in Dáil Éireann, I am proud of the contribution that I have made and I think we have made progress in terms of our hospital and certainty in terms of the cardiac care element of it, and there is further investment going in which is something to be happy about. We still need to do an awful lot more.

"In terms of the airport, I worked hard to try and get that project moved along and I was glad to be there to try interdict the removal of rescue 117.

“In respect to our college, we have a lot of work to do there to see that properly functioning but those that are in now have to try and bring that fight.

“I want to acknowledge those people again and the promises they have made, and we have to see those delivered. The parties have made significant promises and they have to be delivered upon.

 “Going forward we need unity in Waterford and we need those that are fighting for Waterford to continue to fight and I will continue to support them.

“I loves my county, as John Mullane says and I will continue to be of Waterford and I will continue to try and help people where I can. Thank you indeed.”

Speaking prior to his elimination at the count centre, Shanahan expressed the importance of having an Independent voice representing the county. 

“The worry I would have if Waterford sends back four party TDs is we are going to be subject to party prescription.

"We’re good at getting promises and we’re not good at getting delivery. 

"If you don’t put somebody up there who’s calling that out, we will find out very quickly that all you'll hear is the party lines, and the party lines may not be Waterford's lines.” 

He said that although his Independent brand was considered "middle of the road for some people",  it was reflective of "the Ireland of today":

“I’m open to everything on a case-by-case basis, I’m not tied to a vote, I make a decision, and I made every decision that I could in Waterford’s interests or in the political influence of trying to move Waterford along. That is how I voted, it wasn’t to suit Matt Shanahan at any point.

"That’s my record, and if I fall, so be it."

Shanahan expressed concern regarding two bills that he had hoped to get passed, along with a reform of the Labour Employer Economic Forum. 

“I would be hoping that regardless of the result, they’ll be taken on if I’m not there," he said.

He was keen to thank his "super team" of canvassers who endorsed him across the city and county, saying prior to his official elimination: “If there’s any disappointment to come, I’ll be disappointed for them as well.”

When asked about the prospects of a Seanad run, he told the News & Star it’s too early to say whether it is something he will pursue.