By Tara Maher
Following former Councillor Seamus McGrath's move to national politics, Patrick Donovan has been co-opted by Cork County Council to assume his duties within the Carrigaline Municipal District.
“These are big shoes to fill,” Cllr. Donovan told The Carrigdhoun. “But I’m looking forward to the challenge ahead.”
From a young age, Patrick was torn between two career paths: politics and teaching. Guided by the advice to “follow his heart,” he chose politics and went on to study Government at University College Cork (UCC). It was there that he became actively involved in Ógra Fianna Fáil, gaining invaluable experience in canvassing and campaigning.
Outside of politics, Patrick is deeply committed to his community. He serves as Chairman of Fundraising for Crosshaven RNLI and is also a volunteer with the Crosshaven-Carrigaline Credit Union.
Patrick's political career took off when he was appointed as Political Assistant to Micheál McGrath, first during his tenure as Minister for Finance and later as Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform. This role gave him hands-on exposure to the inner workings of government, reinforcing his decision to pursue a career in politics.
The opportunity to step into Seamus McGrath's role came when it was confirmed that Micheál McGrath would take up a new post as the EU Commissioner for Democracy, Justice, the Rule of Law, and Consumer Protection. With Seamus McGrath preparing to run in the upcoming General Election, Patrick's name was put forward as a potential successor.
“We followed the party's protocols, and even though I was the only name, there was a vote, and everyone was supportive of putting me forward,” he recalled. Patrick was officially co-opted to Cork County Council on Friday 20th December.
Since joining the council, Cllr. Donovan has focused on addressing the needs of the Carrigaline Local Electoral Area. His key priorities include increasing the availability of affordable housing, expanding funding opportunities for local organisations and sports clubs, and boosting Garda resources.
Public transport has also been a hot topic in recent months, and Cllr. Donovan is committed to working with Bus Éireann, the National Transport Authority (NTA), and possibly BusConnects to create a more frequent and reliable bus service for the area.
As a "fresh face" in politics, Cllr. Donovan is aware of the challenges that come with the role. However, he is eager to build a rapport with constituents and hopes to engage with local clubs and organisations to strengthen his connections with the community. He plans to hold regular constituency clinics to ensure he remains accessible to those he represents.
Having worked alongside Cllr. Audrey Buckley within Fianna Fáil and Cllr. Jack White from Fine Gael—whom he attended school with—Cllr. Donovan is excited to collaborate with all the representatives of the Carrigaline LEA. He believes that for the area to thrive, teamwork and cooperation among councillors are essential.
With much work ahead over the next five years, Cllr. Patrick Donovan remains realistic about what can be achieved. While he may not be able to tick off every goal on his list, he is hopeful that by making meaningful progress on key issues, he will be able to make a significant impact on the community.
Comments