By Dan Walsh at the annual general meeting of Wexford County Council
Cllr Joe Sullivan was today elected Cathaoirleach of Wexford County Council at the annual general meeting in the Council Chamber at County Hall, Wexford. Cllr Oliver Walsh is the Leas-Cathaoirleach.
Cllr Sullivan’s nomination was proposed by Cllr Barbara-Anne Murphy and seconded by Cllr Oliver Walsh. Cllr Oliver Walsh, affectionately described as ‘Father of the House’ was proposed by Cllr Anthony Donohoe and seconded by Cllr Pip Breen.
In his maiden speech, Cllr Sullivan welcomed the Ceann Comhairle Verona Murphy TD, Malcolm Byrne TD, fellow council members, executive members, staff, members of the press, friends and family, which included his wife, Trysh and sons, Tom and Cian.
Cllr Sullivan also said that his good friend, Brian Brennan TD, could not attend and he extended sympathy to the deputy on the death of his mother. A minute’s silence was observed in the chamber as a mark of respect.
Cllr Sullivan continued; “Looking forward to the year ahead, I wish to continue the good work of the previous holders of this office. I look forward to the Fleadh returning to Wexford in August, the highlight of the year.
“I know that our special projects team have various developments underway at locations around all districts and I will be doing my best to work with them to ensure all these projects are brought to fruition in the quickest possible timeframe.
Cllr Sullivan told the members that there are three projects which are critical to the future development of County Wexford; The provision of the SETU Campus at Wexford, The completion of the M11 from Oylegate to Rosslare, and the development of the St. Waleran’s site at Gorey.
A native of Ballybought, Durrow, Tullamore, on the Offaly-Westmeath border, Joe Sullivan retired from An Garda Siochana in 2014, having served for 28 years, and his final 20 years as a Detective at Gorey Garda Station.
In August, 2013, following a conversation with Fianna Fáil stalwart, Lorcan Allen, Joe decided to change career paths and put his name forward as a Fianna Fáil candidate in the Gorey district in the 2014 Local Elections and was duly elected. He has been re-elected in the 2019 and 2024 elections and is one of the most experienced members of the 34-member Wexford County Council.
He served as Chairman of Gorey District in 2017-’18; was Vice-Chairman from February 2020 following the By-Election success of Malcolm Byrne; and served as Chairman again from June 2020 to 2021 during the Covid 19 years when all meetings were conducted by zoom.
Cllr Sullivan received congratulations and good wishes from his fellow councillors and the officials and from Chief Executive, Eddie Taaffe, who said; “Cllr Sullivan was a great judge of people and situations and has the ability to get to the heart of the matter and find a solution.
Tributes were also paid to outgoing Cathaoirleach Cllr Pip Breen and outgoing Leas-Cathaoirleach, Cllr Ger Carthy.
Cllr Sullivan said; “At the outset I would like to compliment the outgoing Cathaoirleach, Cllr Pip Breen, on his stewardship over the past 12 months, during which time he was a very steadying influence over some of the highly significant events that took place in County Wexford during his year in the chair, namely the return of the Fleadh Cheoil to Wexford, cementing and promoting the historical, cultural and economic ties with Savannah, Georgia and being instrumental in his role with the Southern Regional Assembly in securing €7 million funding under the Thrive Scheme for the regeneration of the Market House in Gorey.”
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