A note from your Cathaoirleach

Last night, I was elected Cathaoirleach of the Greystones, Kilcoole and Newcastle district for the next year. It is an honour I do not take lightly.

I want to start by thanking Cllr Tom Fortune and Cllr Louise Fenelon Gaskin for nominating me. I also want to thank all of my fellow councillors for the trust they have placed in me. I will do my very best to be worthy of it.

This place is my home. I have lived here for over twenty years, my family is rooted here, and I have seen first-hand what this community is capable of when people come together. That is what drives me, and it is what I will carry into this role.

The volunteers who make it all happen

One of the things I am most proud of about this district is the spirit of volunteering. Before any of us in the council chamber get involved, there are people already out there doing the work. The Tidy Towns volunteers keeping our towns looking their best. The coaches showing up in all weather to give young people somewhere to belong. The organisers running clubs, committees, and community groups on nothing but goodwill and dedication.

These people are the heartbeat of this district. Sport, for me, has never just been about competition: it is about connection, about belonging, about giving every young person a chance to be part of something, regardless of their gender, background, or ability. That only happens because of volunteers. This year, I want to shine a light on their work and make sure their needs are heard.

Housing, consent, and the things that matter

Housing remains one of the most pressing issues facing our communities. I believe it is a basic right, and I will keep pushing for practical solutions for those struggling to get on the property ladder, while working toward a longer-term vision of affordable, secure housing for young families, older residents, and renters alike.

I will also continue my work as a Consent Ambassador with the Dublin Rape Crisis Centre's We Consent campaign. Consent education is for all of us. It shapes how we treat one another in our friendships, our families, and our communities, and it is central to building trust. I hope we can keep making space for those conversations in a way that feels positive and safe for everyone.

Speaking up for those who need it

I have always believed that an elected representative's job is to use their voice for those who need it most. I will continue to do that, whether it is through our work on the Local Area Plan, advocating for better local services, or continuing to speak out in solidarity with the Palestinian people through Greystones for Palestine. Human rights are not negotiable.

Looking ahead

The needs of this district are real and they are growing. I look forward to building on the work done by my fellow councillors, and to carrying forward the spirit of unity that has allowed us to deliver for our towns and villages.

Thank you for the trust. I will do my very best to deserve it.