Sinn Féin Council Group Conor D. McGuinness leader was nominated for election as Mayor of Waterford City and County at the annual general meeting of the local authority. McGuinness was supported by Sinn Féin, Labour Party, Green Party and some Independent Councillors. The vote was 17 – 15 in favour of Fine Gael’s Damien Geoghegan, who was duly elected Mayor.
McGuinness said:
“It was an honour to be nominated by Sinn Féin for election as Mayor of Waterford, and I am grateful to my party colleagues for their endorsement and confidence. I acknowledge the support from independent councillors and from other parties on the Council.
“Damien Geoghegan finished two votes ahead of me and was elected to the position, with the support of Fianna Fail and Fine Gael councillors and Cllr. Seamus O’Donnell. I wish him the very best of luck for his term as Mayor. It is a proud occasion for both him and his family.
“I wish him well in meeting the challenge of standing up for Waterford and arguing for investment and fairness for the South East. The incoming Government has left Waterford and the South East without a minister. Its damp squib Programme for Government fails to deliver 24/7 cardiac care for Waterford, it gives no commitment on funding for a University in Waterford, it contains no investment for Waterford’s airport or sea port, and it signals a massive retreat on house building by Fianna Fáil, Fine Gael and the Greens.”
Cllr. Conor D. McGuinness 