FIANNA FÁIL has added Waterford city-based Councillor Eddie Mulligan to its general election ticket. Cllr Mulligan, who currently represents Waterford City East on Waterford City & County Council, said he was “delighted and immensely proud” to have been nominated. He says his selection is an acknowledgment of his work “on the ground” in Waterford by Fianna Fáil headquarters. Cllr Mulligan will join the party’s current TD Mary Butler on the ballot paper in the next general election.
““We are incredibly fortunate to have Mary working as our Fianna Fáil TD,” said Cllr Mulligan. “I am a big believer in team work and I am determined to work with Mary to return a second Fianna Fáil seat in the constituency.”
“I firmly believe that Waterford thrives when Fianna Fáil is in government. I will work night and day to win a second seat for our party, and to join Mary in Dáil Éireann.”
Cllr Mulligan says he has been “overwhelmed” by the messages of goodwill he has received within the past week, including from family, friends, constituents and from within the Fianna Fáil party itself.Despite being a city based politician, Cllr Mulligan believes he also has a profile throughout County Waterford and is confident of gaining support further West. “I have been contacted by people in Mid and West Waterford in relation to different issues. Anyone in those areas who has encountered me will know that I have worked with them and followed up on their issues and found solutions,” he said.
Eddie Mulligan, who will join Mary Butler on the Fianna Fáil General Election ticket in Waterford.
Cllr Mulligan added: “I hope people see that with Mary being from Portlaw, and with myself from the city, we would make a very strong team in Waterford and we would be a very strong team for Waterford in Dublin.” Cllr Mulligan, who promises to be the “loudest voice that Waterford has ever had”, believes Waterford remains the “forgotten city” and in a “stagnant position”.He says the two government TDs, Minister John Halligan (Ind) and Deputy John Deasy (FG), are “not producing” for Waterford.
Asked about his views on the Confidence and Supply Agreement which is keeping the current government intact, Cllr Mulligan says Fianna Fáil must continue to hold the government to account. “A lot of initiatives wouldn’t have happened without Fianna Fáil input,” he said. He went on to say that a change in government is “crucial to ensuring that Waterford City and County gets the investment it needs to see it maximise its potential.”“Returning Waterford to its former position as the economic hub of the South East is a core priority for me,” he added. “To do this, we need to see real delivery on housing, health and education – they are crucial to restoring Waterford to its former position.”Cllr Mulligan says he will not neglect his responsibilities in the locality should a general election be called. “Anyone in my area will know that I never neglect my local responsibilities,” he said. “Should people give me an opportunity I will not change from being a strong politician listening to the concerns of people on the ground.”
Addressing his controversial decision to join the Fianna Fáil party in 2014 after being elected as an Independent candidate (which he admits may become an issue on doorsteps during a general election campaign) Cllr Mulligan says he believes his decision has been vindicated.
“I made the decision to join Fianna Fáil and, at the time, I asked people to bear with me and look at what I achieve,” he said.“My top three priorities are Waterford, Waterford, Waterford. I hope people will look at my work rate and see I have represented them as they expected me to do.” Cllr Mulligan is married to Dervla and the couple have one daughter, Erin, aged 10.He is a former officer in the Irish Naval Service and spent four years training as an Executive Officer with a year spent at The Royal Britannia Naval College in Dartmouth and almost a year training as a Minewarfare & Clearance Diving Officer with the Royal Navy.
He holds a diploma in law from University College Cork (UCC). Since his retirement from the Irish Naval Service, Cllr Mulligan continues to serve his country as Officer Commanding of the Naval Service Reserve, Waterford Unit.