The forthcoming 2024 local elections will see 79 candidates vying for 32 positions within the six electoral areas of Waterford City and County Council. The former year saw an equal distribution of seven seats each for Fine Gael and Fianna Fáil, however, they both lost a seat relative to the 2014 election. Independent councillors experienced a decrease from nine to six, with Labour and the Green Party increasing their seat count by three and two respectively. Sinn Féin managed to sustain their six seats in 2019 and will be putting forward 18 representatives in the next round.
Mary Roche, a former Fianna Fáil member, who left the party in 2003 over unsatisfied promises regarding radiotherapy services in Waterford, will be standing for the Social Democrats. Her prior position on the council was obtained as an Independent following the election of Matt Shanahan to the Dáil in 2020.
A prominent conversation amongst locals hinges on the fulfilment of a Government promise from the past November to establish a commercial airport in Waterford. Any progress in this matter is likely to pique interest in Cllr Jim Griffin (Sinn Féin) and Cllr Jody Power (Green), both of whom hold positions on the airport board.
Controversy over housing provisions persist in Waterford as it does universally, and electorates anticipate more funding for the University Hospital Waterford and the South East Technological University, in the hopes of refining services across the region.
Four upcoming parties will be fielding candidates this year, namely: Independent Ireland; Rabharta; The Irish People and Party for Animal Welfare.
Seat arrangements by electoral area are as follows:
Dungarvan has six; Lismore has three; Portlaw – Kilmacthomas and both Tramore – Waterford City West and Waterford City East will each have six. Waterford City South also hold six seats.
Additional regions and locations participating in the 2024 Elections include:
– European Election
– Dublin
– MNW
– Ireland South
– EU&I Voter App
– Limerick Mayor
– Local Elections
– Carlow
– Cavan
– Clare
– Cork City
– Cork County
– DLR
– Donegal
– Dublin City
– Fingal
– Galway City
– Galway County
– Kerry
– Kildare
– Kilkenny
– Laois
– Leitrim
– Limerick
– Longford.
The following names pertain to different locations within the realm of the United Kingdom: Louth, Mayo, Meath, Monaghan, Offaly, Roscommon, Sligo, South Dublin, Tipperary, Waterford, Westmeath, Wexford, and Wicklow.