History made in Wexford County Council as two women elected to chair and vice-chair for the first time
Wexford PeopleAfter months of upheaval, months of acrimony and animosity, there was a sense that the slate was being cleaned and a new era was being ushered in at County Hall on Friday afternoon last.
That acrimony and animosity had begun in April with the riotous arrival of the fuel protestors and never really left, the bad blood and ill will from that day seeping from one meeting into the next as scores were left unsettled and grievances lingered in the air.
However, at the 2026 Annual General Meeting (AGM) that was put to one side as outgoing cathaoirleach Joe Sullivan officially confirmed his departure from Fianna Fáil in an understated manner and simultaneously welcomed a member of his now former party into the hot seat.
Just the fourth woman in the history of Wexford County Council (WCC) to hold the position of cathaoirleach, Councillor Lisa McDonald was proposed by her Fianna Fáil colleague Barbara Anne Murphy.
“She is steeped in this county and loves it dearly,” said Cllr Murphy, “she will always seek to right any wrongs she finds, and ensures everyone is represented whether they have a million euro in the bank or not a penny to their name.”
That proposal was seconded by Cllr Ger Carthy who noted that Cllr McDonald had remained loyal to Fianna Fáil when perhaps others had not.
“She works to improve the lot of her people and does so with great tenacity,” he said. “She’s very proud of her roots with Fianna Fáil and has supported the party through good and bad.”
With Cllr Sullivan’s resignation from Fianna Fáil meaning the government parties were a man down in the chamber, Cllr Paddy Kavanagh of the Wexford Independent Alliance (WIA) proposed an alternative candidate for the position of cathaoirleach.
26/06/2026. Cllr Lisa McDonald elected Wexford County Council Cathaoirleach. Photograph Patrick Browne
“I propose Pat Barden (WIA), we have 16 government votes in the chamber and 18 others, so I am asking councillors to vote for Pat and show the government parties you’re not happy with how things are being run.”
That proposal was seconded by Cllr Tom Forde of Sinn Féin.
“I would like people to consider a break from the parties who have dominated the position of cathaoirleach for decades,” he said. “I would also like to see our so-called independents vote independently. While it’s always good to see women receive the top roles, female progression appears to be confined to these parties. Those who profess to be part of the opposition, now is the time to prove it.”
However, the independent councillors and those in opposition parties insisted they were voting not on party lines but on who they believed was the right person for the job.
Voting in favour of Cllr Lisa McDonald were:
Vicky Barron (Labour), Pip Breen (FF), Aidan Browne (FF), Trish Byrne (FG), Ger Carthy (IND), Anthony Donohue (FG), Mary Farrell (IND), John Fleming (FF), Pat Kehoe (FG), Leonard Kelly (IND), Donal Kenny (FF), Garry Laffan (FF), Darragh McDonald (FG), Lisa McDonald (FF), Barbara Anne Murphy (FF), Bridín Murphy (FG), John O’Rourke (IND), Michael Sheehan (IND), Frank Staples (FG), Robbie Staples (FG), Biddy Walsh (LAB), and Oliver Walsh (FG).
Meanwhile, the following councillors voted for Cllr Barden:
Pat Barden (Wexford Independent Alliance), Nicky Boland (WIA), Jim Codd (Aontú), Craig Doyle (SF), John Dwyer (IND), Tom Forde (SF), Paddy Kavanagh (WIA), Marty Murphy (WIA), Aoife Rose O’Brien (SF), Jackser Owens (IND), Raymond Shannon (WIA), and Joe Sullivan (IND).
As a result, Cllr McDonald was elected to the position of chair of WCC on a vote of 22-12.
Accepting the chains from the outgoing chair, Cllr McDonald immediately set about changing the tone, switching the focus from internecine bickering to delivering for the people of Wexford.
“You know I can be a hard taskmaster,” she said, addressing the councillors but also the executive staff. “That is because delivery matters to me. The people want action not words, and they are entitled to see progress on the ground.
“We can have all the plans, strategies, reports, and meetings in the world, in fact we are addicted to commissioning reports and consultants in this country. As Cllr Carthy would say – ‘if the cat had kittens, we would commission a report’ - but reports can often delay delivery, and consultants are in short supply.”
Likening the number of projects currently in development in Co Wexford to planes circling in a holding patterns, the new cathaoirleach said it was time to finally land some of those planes and tackle the cynicism towards the local authority.
“The people need to see real things happening - that is the bargain they struck with us when they elected us as their local councillors. Therefore, my theme for this year must be delivery.”
Referencing some of the projects she wants to see come to completion in the next 12 months, Cllr McDonald cited the conversion of the old Ballast Office into a new council office, the opening of The Market House in Gorey, and the works to develop housing in Killeens as examples of schemes which she believed could be “shovel ready” during her term.
26/06/2026. Cllr Lisa McDonald elected Wexford County Council Cathaoirleach, also pictured is outgoing Cathaoirleach Cllr. Joe Sullivan. Photograph Patrick Browne
Looking beyond her tenure as cathaoirleach, she said the long-awaited M11 for Oylegate to Rosslare Harbour needed to be submitted for planning permission in the coming months ahead of construction commencing.
“It’s dragged on for far too long and people need certainty and communities need the heavy traffic off the local roads.”
Calling for an increased focus on “disability and age friendly housing”, stronger legislation on the “scourge of vape shops” in urban centres, and delivery of flood relief works in Enniscorthy, Bunclody, and Bridgetown, Cllr McDonald said history would remember the actions of those who served the people of Co Wexford in 2026 and beyond.
“Let’s not be the generation of leaders who become more obsessed with likes on Facebook than delivery on the ground, let’s look to the challenges and transform our hopes into solutions.
“We must continue to promote Wexford as the best place in Ireland to live, work and play. And we should say that with confidence, because it is true.”
And with so many recent meetings descending into a chaos bordering on farce, Cllr McDonald asked all those elected to the council to conduct themselves with decorum and dignity in the coming months.
“This chamber should be a place that connects us. It should be a place where we learn from each other about the issues affecting citizens across every part of Co Wexford. It should be a place where we debate strongly, yes, but always with the purpose of applying solutions and advancing the common good.
“We will not always agree. That is democracy. But we must always remember that the people who sent us here did not send us here merely to talk, or post on social media.
“They sent us here to work, to challenge, to represent, and to deliver. The strength to do this is in this room.”
Before that work could begin in earnest, Cllr McDonald’s vice-chair had to be voted in. And once more there were two prospective candidates.
“I would like to propose Cllr Bridín Murphy,” said Cllr Trish Byrne. “She has given many years of dedicated service as a councillor, and has a genuine passion for public service and a strong work ethic for the community she represents.”
That proposal was seconded by Cllr John Fleming before an alternative option was offered by Cllr Jim Codd.
“I propose Cllr Aoife Rose O’Brien,” he said. “This is an opportunity for the opposition parties to elect someone outside of Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael and its supporters.”
That proposal was seconded by Cllr Craig Doyle and so, again, a vote was taken.
The following voted for Cllr Murphy:
Vicky Barron (LAB), Pip Breen (FF), Aidan Browne (FF), Trish Byrne (FG), Ger Carthy (IND), Anthony Donohue (FG), Mary Farrell (IND), John Fleming (FF), Pat Kehoe (FG), Donal Kenny (FF), Garry Laffan (FF), Darragh McDonald (FG), Lisa McDonald (FF), Barbara Anne Murphy (FF), Bridín Murphy (FG), John O’Rourke (IND), Michael Sheehan (IND), Frank Staples (FG), Robbie Staples (FG), and Oliver Walsh (FG).
Meanwhile, the following councillors voted for Cllr O’Brien:
Pat Barden (WIA), Nicky Boland (WIA), Jim Codd (Aontú), Craig Doyle (SF), John Dwyer (IND), Tom Forde (SF), Paddy Kavanagh (WIA), Leonard Kelly (IND), Marty Murphy (WIA), Aoife Rose O’Brien (SF), Raymond Shannon (IND), Joe Sullivan (IND), and Biddy Walsh (LAB).
As a result, Cllr Murphy was named leas-cathaoirleach of WCC on a vote of 20-13 and, for the first time ever, the positions of chair and vice-chair will be held by women.
“It’s a proud day for us and for all women who have served in government,” said Cllr Murphy. “As the mother of two young girls I am especially proud and I hope they grow up knowing that no role is beyond them and that leadership is open to everyone.”