Fianna Fáil’s Joe Sullivan elected as chair of Wexford County Council for year ahead – ‘It’s an honour and a privilege to hold this role’

By Simon Bourke, Wexford People

Gorey councillor Joe Sullivan has become the 56th person to be elected as Cathaoirleach of Wexford County Council (WCC) following his nomination at the council’s annual general meeting (AGM) on Monday. Although he is a native of Offaly, Councillor Sullivan has lived in Gorey since 1985 when he moved there to begin work as a member of An Garda Siochána.

He entered the political sphere in 2014, under the guidance of Lorcan Allen, and was subsequently elected in the Gorey district, a position he has held for the past 11 years.

Cllr Sullivan was nominated by his fellow Fianna Fáil councillor Barbara Anne Murphy, a nomination which was seconded by Fine Gael’s Oliver Walsh. He assumes the role from Cllr Pip Breen and paid tribute to his predecessor as he took the chair.

“I would like to compliment outgoing 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 the county,” said the new cathaoirleach. “I am humbled to be elected of chair of this body today and to be the 56th person since 1899 to hold this office.

"When I think of the political dynasties that have held this office from all parties, the Allens, Corishes, Bolgers, and Brownes, I realise what an honour and a privilege it is for me to hold this role.”

Admitting that many of those living “south of Enniscorthy” may not be aware of who he is, Cllr Sullivan offered a brief summary of how he had gone from growing up on a farm in rural Co Offaly to being the cathaoirleach of WCC.

“I attended Durrow National School and Tullamore CBS. I worked for five years in the agricultural and retail sectors before joining An Garda Siochana in 1985. On completion of my training in Templemore, I was allocated to Gorey Garda Station as my first station. This was somewhat unusual at the time, as most recruit gardai on completion of their training were sent to the border or Dublin.

"Having never been in Gorey before, the only thing I knew about it was that Seanie Kinsella, Billy Byrne and Sammy Walker were from there, all three were hurling with Wexford at the time and regularly appeared on match programmes in Croke Park.”

Despite knowing little about the area, Cllr Sullivan quickly settled into life in north Wexford, so much so that he remains there some 40 years later.

“Gorey turned out to be a perfect fit for me, the welcoming people of the town and district took me into their community to such an extent that I never had any desire to leave either by transfer or promotion,” he said.

Having served as a detective from the mid-nineties onwards, the Fianna Fáil councillor’s career took him down a new path when he left the garda ranks.

“Following a conversation with Lorcan Allen, I decided to put my name forward as a Fianna Fail candidate for the 2014 local elections. I would like to thank Lorcan and the late Eileen Higgins for giving me an opportunity in politics. I would also like to thank my friend Des Carty who has been a constant source of help and support.”

Cllr Sullivan also paid tribute to his wife Patricia and sons Tom and Cian for their “help and encouragement” as he forged a career as a public representative. Looking forward to the year ahead, the new chair said he would be working specifically on three projects: 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.

“These projects will significantly impact on the future of education, transport and housing in our county,” he said. “Now that I have been elected I will undertake to discharge the duties of this office to the best of my ability, on behalf of the people of Wexford. I look forward to the challenges ahead and working with my fellow councillors, executive and staff for the coming year.”

Tributes promptly poured forth from the chamber with Cllr Sullivan’s colleagues keen to wish him the best in his year as chair.

Having served alongside him on the housing strategic policy committee (SPC), Cllr Jim Codd had no doubt about Cllr Sullivan’s credentials for the job in hand.

“I saw how on the housing SPC how Cllr Sullivan defended the marginalised on numerous occasions,” he said. “As a human being I find him to be a remarkably decent man who fights the cause for his people.”

“You get an education when you’re in his company,” added Cllr Pat Barden, “he will do a wonderful job.”

The plaudits continued courtesy of Cllrs Michael Sheehan, Mary Farrell, Catherine ‘Biddy’ Walsh, and Ger Carthy.

“You will be immensely fair and will do an outstanding job, enjoy the day,” said Cllr Sheehan.

“You’re relentless when you’re working on an issue, like a dog with a bone,” said Cllr Farrell.

Cllr Walsh noted that the new chair was one of the few councillors who always spoke with clarity in County Hall, praising his “booming voice” and ability to “make himself heard” above the din.

Wishing the new chair well, Cllr Carthy said he had “every confidence” Cllr Sullivan will fulfil the role with “tenacity, strength, and drive”.

Further congratulations were offered by chief executive Eddie Taaffe who said Cllr Sullivan had two traits which stood out. “You’re a great judge of people in situations and have a great ability to get to the heart of an issue and come up with a sensible solution.”

Cllr Anthony Donohue then nominated Cllr Oliver Walsh as the leas-cathaoirleach (vice-chairman) for the year describing him as the “father of the house” as he entered his 25th year on the council.

There was also praise for outgoing cathaoirleach Pip Breen who vacated the position after representing the council on, among other events, a trip to Savannah, Georgia

“You represented us well nationally and abroad,” said Cllr Walsh. “It was a privilege to travel to Savannah with you and witness you speak in the Georgia House of Representatives. I’m not sure a Wexford person has ever spoken there before.”

Cllr Jackser Owen was impressed by Cllr Breen’s year in charge, but not overly so.

"I’d give you 70/100 for the year, not bad,” he said.

This was quickly rejected by Mr Taaffe who gave Cllr Breen top marks.

“On behalf of the team and the staff, I would like to give you 100/100 for the last year,” he said. “We’re the Model County and you were most definitely the model cathaoirleach. The relationships you established with senior politicians in Georgia will stand to us for years to come and they’re already bearing fruit with the Georgia Southern Universtiy investment in Wexford.”

Cllr Barden had the “pleasure of Cllr Breen’s company” on a couple of occasions during the latter’s tenure as chair and had one piece of advice for him going forward.

“I’ll just say if we’re ever ordering a 26-year-old whiskey again you’re buying it.”