Tributes to Mayo politicians on recent notable successes

Accolades have been paid at a meeting of Mayo Co Council to several local politicians who have enjoyed notable successes in their careers recently.

Among those receiving the tributes were newly-appointed Ministers Dara Calleary and Alan Dillon, Senator Mark Duffy, TDs Keira Keogh and Paul Lawless, and recently retired TD Michael Ring.

Cathaoirleach Cllr John O’Hara opened the proceedings last Monday by welcoming newly co-opted Aontú councillor, Deirdre Lawless, who replaces her brother Paul Lawless following his election to Dáil Éireann.

The Cathaoirleach also welcomed to the chamber outgoing councillor and newly-elected senator, Mark Duffy, who paid a fleeting visit. Mr Duffy recently won a seat in Seanad Éireann as part of the Labour Panel, having joined the Fine Gael party before the recent general election after serving five years as an Independent councillor.

Cllr O’Hara also congratulated retired TD, Michael Ring, on his selection as Mayo Person of the Year, describing it as an honour justly deserved by the hugely popular Westport native.

Independent Cllr Michael Kilcoyne congratulated Senator Duffy, commenting: “We gave him the best training we could in our group." Cllr Kilcoyne also directed a quip towards the Fine Gael side of the chamber: “It’s very clear there was nobody left in Fine Gael who was better than him.” 

Cllr Blackie Gavin congratulated Michael Ring and Paul Lawless while welcoming Cllr Deirdre Lawless.

Fianna Fáil Cllr Seán Carey welcomed the appointments of Minister Dara Calleary and Minister of State Alan Dillon, as well as Mark Duffy's election to the Seanad.

Fianna Fáil Cllr Annie May Reape warmly welcomed Cllr Lawless to the chamber, saying: "We have four ladies now. I remember I was on my own as a councillor with 29 being men once, then 30 were men. It is daunting but I can assure Deirdre we are always here to help you.” 

Cllr Reape was effusive in her praise for Ballina TD Dara Calleary on his recent promotion to a senior ministerial role in the new government. 

“For me, of course, and personally as a friend for years, Dara is a very good appointment. Social Protection is a fantastic ministry and a pretty tough task and the one we always wish for at the start and that’s the one he got. He is also Minister for Rural Community Development and the Gaeltacht and is already very busy in these departments. 

"Michael [Ring] was also in that Department and I want to congratulate him on his nomination as Mayo Person of the Year and I also want to congratulate Mark Duffy on his election to the Seanad. The more success we have in the county the better and just so you know, Mark Duffy came from a Fianna Fáil family first. Thirteen in the family used to vote for me, they are a lovely family.” 

Challenged by Cllr Neil Cruise as to how she knew who voted for her, Cllr Reape replied: “I know because they don’t tell lies.”