I was first elected to South Tipperary County Council in 2004, was Cathaoirleach of Tipperary/Cahir/Cashel Municipal District in 2017, currently I sit on Housing Strategic Policy Committee, Planning and Emergency Services Strategic Policy Committee, Audit Committee.

I also represent Tipperary on the Regional Health Forum and The Tipperary Education and Training board and I am a member Education Training Board Ireland. I am very heavily involved and committed to Tipperary GAA and this is my first time representing the people of Tipperary as Cathaoirleach of Tipperary County Council.

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I welcome the new County Development Plan 2022-2028 for Tipperary which is the blueprint for attracting investment, ensuring Tipperary can access funding, support job creation, community projects and local people to live in their own rural and urban communities, it will give people choices and protect our environment and landscape for existing and future generations to benefit from and enjoy. I would like to thank the elected members and staff who were involved in the development plan process.

Community, Enterprise and Economic Development are two areas which are close to my heart and I hope to help facilitate the ongoing development of both.

Meeting our commitment for matching funding will be difficult and I will be seeking the members support in this regard. Housing is a very emotive topic and this county has more than fulfilled its remit of targets laid down for social housing in the county.

It could be seen from preliminary reports of the Census 2022 that the population of Tipperary had increased by 5.1% and the number of houses had increased by 2.8%. This council will exceed their targets for social housing but it is important to ensure that those earning above the qualifying income threshold for social housing are facilitated to build for themselves or purchase newly built houses.

It is as a challenge that the Council cannot afford to shirk or lose.