Michelle Mulherin opens Ballina constituency office

Deputy Mulherin opens new Ballina office


Trevor Quinn

In front of a throng of well-wishers and following a blessing by Fr Brendan Hoban, the Constituency Office of newly-elected TD, Michelle Mulherin, was opened last Friday by Deputy Phil Hogan, Minister for Environment, Community and Local Government.
While there, he announced the approval of funding for the Killala sewerage scheme. Deputy Mulherin thanked the Minister for his announcement and spoke of her own interest in the project. “Approval of the Killala sewerage scheme is particularly dear to me as the first words I spoke in the Dail were about it and I want to thank you for your announcement.” She continued by explaining why it was of such importance. “We live in a beautiful area, renowned for its fishing and tourism and it is terrible to think that raw sewerage is going into the bay.”
Located on John Street in the centre of Ballina, a few doors away from the post office, its opening marks another step in Michelle’s progress as a public representative and it will act as a focal point for her to serve her constituents.
Minister Hogan explained that the purpose of a TD’s office is for community service, adding, “We are there for people who need help, sometimes you get blamed but most of the time you get thanked. Helping people in this way is a professional speciality in its own right.”
Minister Hogan continued by praising Deputy Mulherin’s work in getting elected to the DΡil and by making history in taking the fourth seat in a five seat constituency, a feat that had never before been accomplished by a political party.  “I know exactly what it is that people in local and national government have to endure and that you have laboured in this constituency in your work as a County Councillor. We are all very proud of the fact that you are a part of the team from Mayo. I wish you every success in this office in meeting the requests of your constituents.”
Concluding Deputy Mulherin expressed her hopes for the new office: “I hope that it will be an instrument for my constituents where I will be able to do my best for people. That’s my intention. If we go with the ethos of helping people, we will have success.”She expressed her gratitude to Minister Hogan, Fr Hoban, her family, supporters, colleagues in local and national government and her staff for their help and support. She said a heartfelt thank you to her political mentor, Ernie Caffrey, for guiding her through her political career.