Cristíona Kiely will be co-opted as Green Party representative for Tramore – Waterford City West on Waterford City and County Council at the monthly Council meeting next week.
She will replace Susan Gallagher who resigned from the seat in late August, due to work commitments.
Cristíona works as a Secretarial Assistant to Deputy Marc Ó Cathasaigh and has been involved in the Waterford branch of the Green Party since 2014.
Having worked with organisations such as Greenpeace, Global Action Plan and GIY, Cristíona brings 30 years’ experience in campaigning, activism, and politics to her new role in the council. She has worked on environmental campaigns as far afield as Japan and Canada.
She was co-founder of IrishBusinessWomen.com, an online support network for women in business. She co-authored Campaigns and How to Win Them – a guide to environmental and social campaigning and was editor of the GIY book Grow Cook Eat.
Cristíona Kiely said; “I am very happy to take on the role of Councillor on Waterford City and County Council where I will continue to work with my Green Party colleagues Marc Ó Cathasaigh TD, Grace O’Sullivan MEP and Cllr Jody Power, as well as all other Councillors for the betterment of Waterford.”
“Waterford City has just been voted the Best Place to live in Ireland and Tramore is undergoing a transformation with the regeneration of the town centre and the new public realm works. My electoral area spans ‘from the sea to the quay’ and I look forward to working with organisations and individuals as we move towards a sustainable future for us all.”
Marc Ó Cathasaigh TD welcomed Cristíona as the new Green Party representative in his constituency;
“Cristíona Kiely has lived out her Green principles since her time on the Greenpeace boats and before, and I'm delighted to see her step into the role of councillor to bring those values and experiences to representational politics. I first came to meet Cristíona when I was teaching her kids, but since then she has been a campaign manager, a sounding board, an assistant, and a trusted and valued friend.
She has a deep understanding of small business and community enterprise which I think will be an invaluable perspective in her council work alongside traditional core Green competences. Her wisdom, intellect, and unshakeable moral core, married with her positive and engaging outlook, will make her an excellent councillor for Waterford and for the Green Party.”
