By Dan Walsh at Wexford County Council meeting
Tributes have been paid to Annette O’Neill, Head of Finance and ICT at Wexford County Council, who has taken a well-earned retirement after 43 years’ service, at the July meeting of Wexford County Council at County Hall.
The tributes were led by Eamonn Hore, Deputy Chief Executive, who recalled working with Annette over many years on many projects and described her as an exemplary colleague, diligent and meticulous, and a veteran of preparing and presenting the annual draft Council budget on 28 occasions!
Cllr George Lawlor spoke of Annette’s “place of stability in terms of finance and she encouraged members to take hard decisions that have been of immense benefit to Wexford County Council.”
“Diligent and very detailed,” was Cllr Cathal Byrne’s tribute, while Cllr Davy Hynes also recalled her “tremendous input”. Cllr Joe Sullivan complimented Annette on her great career in Wexford County Council and thanked Annette for her contribution 2014-2017 in Gorey district.
Cllr Barbara-Anne Murphy wished Annette well in retirement and thanked her for giving outstanding public service.
Speaking in the chamber, Ms. O’Neill said; “To say I am humbled and overwhelmed by the kind words and good wishes received from the members and from the Deputy Chief Executive is an understatement. I want to thank you all but will need to accept and share these compliments with the team of people who have worked with me over my many years with Wexford County Council.
“Working with Wexford County Council is an experience I have really enjoyed and I feel really proud and privileged to have been part of this organisation. I will say that as the reality of retirement starts to kick in, I am beginning to realise just how much I will miss about working here.
“I have worked with many elected members over the years and would really like to acknowledge all the respect and support I have received from members and would particularly express my appreciation for the support given over the years as we worked to deliver the annual budgets, many of which involved tough decisions as we worked to address large deficits in our finances.
“By working together, we have turned this position around and now have a development programme that is delivering real results for the county and will continue to deliver in the coming years.
“Brave people make brave decisions and I believe the members of Wexford County Council made brave decisions that will result in a positive legacy for our county for many years to come and I am proud to have played a small part in that. Thank you again for your kind comments and I wish the Council all the very best for the future,” concluded Ms. O’Neill, who was presented with a large bunch of flowers to mark her retirement from the new Cathaoirleach of Wexford County Council, Cllr John Fleming.
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