Taoiseach thanks John Deasy for 30 years of service

An Taoiseach, Leo Varadkar, has thanked Fine Gael TD John Deasy for three decades of service to Fine Gael, Waterford and Ireland.

Speaking oday the Taoiseach said:

“I thank John for 30 years of service to Fine Gael, Waterford and Ireland. John’s retirement from the Dáil will end more than half a century of service by the Deasy family; one the proudest and most honourable in our political history.

“John has done stunningly effective work as my envoy to Capitol Hill informing Congress about the impact Brexit could have on Ireland and campaigning for immigration reform for Irish citizens. That work will continue for the duration of this Government and hopefully beyond.

“John can be proud of the service he has provided to his home town of Dungarvan, which is also my mother’s home town. The regeneration of the waterfront, restoration of St John’s Castle, the smarter transport project, Mercyhurst College and the Déise Greenway have all transformed the town in the past few decades into a tourism, leisure and employment hub between Waterford City and Cork City.

“In Waterford, Fine Gael secured 30% of the vote in last General Election and 25% in the recent Local Elections. On both occasions, we polled ahead of any other party. We will now seek a candidate to join Senator Paudie Coffey on the ticket to secure our seat and, on a good day, challenge for a second in the next General Election.”