News & Events

Labour's Women in high positions

Issued : Monday 25 June, 2007

Cllr Anne Ferris Wicklow County Council Cathaoirleach

Labour Cllr Anne Ferris was elected unopposed as Wicklow County Council's Cathaoirleach. She is the second ever female County Council Chair in the county. Anne from Bray will be Wicklow's first citizen for the next 12 months. Her success in the Council will hopefully encourage more women to enter electoral politics. "There are only three women around the Council table. I would hope that more women will be seen making decisions that affect Wicklow", she said.

The late Senator Mary Walsh was the first ever female Chair of Wicklow County Council from 1969 to 1970.

Anne has been focusing on a number of issues relevant to the Bray area : More affordable / social housing, the successful regeneration of the town of Bray, ensuring the best healthcare is available to everyone when it's needed, tackling anti-social behaviour, fighting against educational disadvantage, a better deal for Carers, and the promotion of recycling and waste reduction.

Cllr Anne Ferris Cathaoirleach

Cllr Marie Fitzpatrick Mayor Kilkenny Borough Council

Marie Fitzpatrick Mayor of Kilkenny Borough Council

Marie, a native of Kilkenny, was first elected in June 1999. Since then she was elected Deputy Mayor of Kilkenny June 2003 - June 2004 and Mayor of Kilkenny City, June 2005 and June 2007.
Marie's occupation is Community and Youth Development Officer and Community Support Outreach Worker. Her interest and involvement in the community has resulted in her being connected to a number of organisations. "I have involvement with Kilkenny Youth Forum, VEC, Drugs Initiative, Simon Community, Gaels GAA Club, Home Rule Club and ONE. I enjoy every bit of it." At Council level she is involved with Traveller Accommodation, Traffic, Integrated Area Plan, Housing policy and Tourism. "Yes I am involved with just about everything!" Marie also has five children to keep her busy with family matters.

Cllr Anne Carter Deputy Lord Mayor of Dublin

Anne was elected Deputy Lord Mayor of Dublin City Council in June. She is a Councillor for the Donaghmede electoral ward in Dublin North East.
"I have been active in tackling a number of issues: campaigning against the A&E crisis in Beaumont Hospital and lobbying for a solution to the major traffic problems throughout the Donaghmede Ward through the introduction of a full scale Park-N-Ride facility in order to encourage commuters to use public transport", Anne says about her priorities.

Deputy Lord Mayor Anne Carter

"I am determined to ensure a strong voice for the communities of Dublin North East as the area is being transformed by major developments. I will continue to campaign for proper services and facilities for the residents of the North Fringe and its environs."

"I am deeply committed to social inclusion and proper and affordable childcare for all parents. At present I am campaigning for a playground for the Donaghmede Ward (as is in Malahide and St. Anne's, Raheny)."

"Throughout my career as a keen local activist and now elected public representative I have strongly emphasised the environment. I have constantly campaigned for proper management of amenity open spaces and city parks. I was deeply involved in the lengthy struggle to maintain St. Anne's Park as the premier city park."

Cllr Lorraine Kingston Cork City Council

Councillor Lorraine Kingston
Lorraine was co-opted to council in June 2007 following the vacancy of Deputy Ciaran Lynch's local council seat. "I've been actively involved in the Labour Party since the 90's. I was involved in Deputy Ciaran Lynch's last two very successful campaigns. I was co-ordinator for the South Central ward in the last General Election campaign. As a new member to council I would like services made more easily accessible and efficient to the people in the community", Lorraine says about herself.

"I am a volunteer tutor with Special Educational Needs students. I have always been involved with groups who have been marginalised or struggling in their everyday life because of disability. An area that I'm especially interested in is Dyspraxia/DCD and Dyslexia. I also feel that services/needs of the learner should be more readily available and more easily accessible to children with special needs in Primary, Secondary and Third level. It's very difficult and emotional for all involved i.e family and guardians to access these services with the added frustration of waiting lists too. Sometimes the discourse and teams of assessors can be very frightening or intimidating for those trying to get what is after all an educational right for every child in Ireland."

Cllr Sandra Farrell Mayor Nenagh Town Council

Sandra Farrell Mayor Nenagh Town Council
Sandra from Nenagh was first elected Councillor in Nenagh Town Council in June 2004. In June 2007 she was elected Mayor of Nenagh Town Council. Sandra is a young nurse. There are only two women Councillors out of nine in Nenagh Town Council, both of whom are Labour Party women.

Cllr Peggy Hamill Leas Cathaoirleach Fingal County Council

Peggy Hamill Leas Cathaoirleach in Fingal

Peggy was re-elected in Fingal County Council in 2004. In June 2007 she was elected Leas Cathaoirleach in Fingal. Fingal County Council has 9 women Councillors out of 23.

Theresa Wright Deputy Mayor of Waterford County Council

Theresa was first elected Councillor in June 1999 in Dungarvan Town Council and in June 2004 in Waterford Co - Council. She is a member of South-East Regional Authority, Member of VEC, Member of South-East Tourism, and Member of Dungarvan Tourism.

Theresa's special interests and membership of clubs and/or organisations include a variety of areas. "I am a Committe Member of Dungarvan advances youth Garda Project, a Committe Member of County Waterford community based drugs initiative and a Member of S.I.M working group. My involvemnet in these Committees is a very good way to keep track of what is happening in our community. I am also Co-ordinator of Dungavan Community development Project and Chairperson of Dungarvan family support Project."

Theresa Wright Deputy Mayor of Waterford County Council

Miriam McGillycuddy Mayor Tralee Town Council

Miriam has been a member of Tralee Town Council (previously Tralee Urban District Council) since 1994. She was elected Cathaoirleach in 2000 , and holds positions as Chairperson of Partnership Trali, Director of Tralee Sports Complex and a Member of Board of Gaelcholaiste Trali. Miriam a is solicitor and law lecturer. She is also a member of European Movement, Amnesty International and FLAC Volunteer Solicitor.