Carlow Labour Party branch elects new officers at AGM

THE REVIVAL of the Labour Party branch in Carlow Town took astep forward recently with a well-attended Annual General Meeting held at the Seven Oaks Hotel, at which new branch officers were elected.

Peter McCarthy was elected chairperson of the branch, with Tomás Ó Flaithearta taking on the role of secretary and Konstiantyn Serhan elected as youth officer.

The meeting was addressed by guest of honour Mark Wall TD, the Athy-based Dáil representative and Labour Party Spokesperson on social protection, children, disability and equality. Carlow County Councillor Willie Quinn of Borris also attended, and the meeting was chaired by Kilkenny Labour Councillor Seán Ó hArgáin, who serves as chairperson of the Carlow/Kilkenny Labour Party.

Deputy Wall praised the branch’s recent campaign for an hourly train service on the Dublin-Waterford line, which he said was aimed at tackling congestion on the M9, M7 and M50.

“The Labour Party has always represented workers in Carlow and the terrible difficulties involved in commuting are a real challenge for an increasing number of workers,” deputy Wall said. “The demand of employers for a return to the office and workplace has hugely increased that pressure in recent times.” He acknowledged progress made, noting that additional evening services had been secured through the party’s efforts in Kildare and Carlow/Kilkenny, but said significant gaps remained in daytime services along with considerable overcrowding. He also highlighted a shortage of student accommodation serving Carlow’s three colleges, and the need for improved public transport links to colleges in Waterford and Dublin.

Cllr Quinn raised the issue of flood damage to rural roads across the county, calling for a serious discussion about repairs and future flood prevention. He also voiced support for farmers in their current dispute with Bord Bia.

Cllr Ó hArgáin, who was the party’s candidate in the last general election, said Labour was actively looking ahead to the next local elections, with ambitions to contest all three electoral areas in the county.

“It is not long since we had five members of Carlow County Council and we fully intend to seriously challenge for at least one seat in each of the three electoral areas in the next local elections in three years’ time,” he said, adding that the party was keen to hear from both existing and prospective new members.

Newly elected chairperson Peter McCarthy said the branch would be an active, campaigning one, focused on local issues as well as those that could be raised at national level by Labour TDs and Senators. He encouraged people to engage with the branch’s online petition on improving train services and to share their views on other priorities.​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​