New Cork TDs Rice and O’Flynn bid farewell to council

Cork City Council said goodbye to two former councillors following their recent election to the Dáil.

Pádraig Rice of the Social Democrats and Independent Ireland’s Ken O’Flynn gave farewell speeches at the council meeting on Monday night, and both were given a standing ovation for their success in the general election.

Mr Rice, a former councillor and new TD for Cork South Central, said: “It was a real honour to be the first person my party ever elected to this council, it was a historic breakthrough for us and one that we worked very hard to achieve.”

Along with the need for improved infrastructure, issues such as housing, vacancy, dereliction, and retrofitting have been a focus of Mr Rice.

“In order to address all these issues, we need more power at local government level and I would encourage people to continue to campaign for more resourcing for local authorities, and this is something that I will continue to raise in the Dáil,” said Mr Rice.

Key infrastructure projects such as the events centre, light rail, and BusConnects, alongside housing, childcare, healthcare, and disability are among the areas Mr Rice vowed to campaign for in the Dáil.

Mr O’Flynn, who was elected in Cork North Central, said he was “filled with gratitude and profound respect” for his time on the council.

“As I prepare to step into my new role as a member of the Dáil, I want you to know that my commitment to Cork remains unwavering,” he said. “My office will be but a phone call away, and I will continue to champion the interests of this great city at the national level.

“Together, let us strive to secure essential drawdown funding, to create and deliver tangible projects that will enhance the life of our citizens and bring glory to our beloved Cork.”

Lord Mayor Dan Boyle and council chief executive Valerie O’Sullivan wished both TDs well.