The AGM of the Carbery branch of Young Fine Gael (YFG) was held in the Imperial Hotel
in Clonakilty recently. Guest speakers on the night included the newly elected deputy
Jim Daly TD. Apologies were extended by both Noel Harrington TD and Councillor Humphrey
Deegan.
The meeting consisted of a roundup of the past year’s events in the constituency from outgoing
Chairperson Noel O’Donovan who spoke about his time as Chairperson over the past three years and
how he has witnessed the buzz about the party grow and grow. Cllr O’Donovan then thanked
everyone for the support he received during the convention for his council seat. He then spoke
about how he plans to continue to highlight issues that are being forgotten by others because it was
easy to do so. He encouraged members to continue to fight for change and use Young Fine Gael as a
method for doing just that.
Incoming Chairperson John O’Sullivan firstly thanked everyone for supporting him in
his bid for Chairperson. He vowed not to disappoint all who have showed such confidence in him.
He paid tribute to Cllr Noel O’Donovan on the fine job he did in setting up the branch which now has
over 100 members. O’Sullivan then went on to outline his plans for the coming year which included
policy debates and more active lobbying and campaigns.
Incoming Secretary Tadhg O’Donovan welcomed and thanked the YFG National Executive members for coming to Clonakilty and paid tribute to the Vice-President of YFG Bríd Murphy, from Innishannon on her success in getting elected at the recent National Conference. He then spoke about the upcoming Summer School which will be held in July and will be a must attend event for all members.
Guest speaker Jim Daly TD then spoke by commending the branch for the work that was carried out
during his election campaign. He went on further to say that the enthusiasm shown by the young
people of the area was a contributing factor in retaining the two seats in the Cork South West
constituency. Munster Regional Organiser, Conor Creen thanked the outgoing committee for their
tiresome work over the past year and said he was heartened by the large numbers at the meeting.
YFG Vice-President, Miss Bríd Murphy, spoke about the advantages that the branch now has in that it has the youngest Councillor on the Council. She challenged members to run campaigns incorporating Cllr O’Donovan and to continue to make their voices heard. She thanked the branch for their nomination for her for the YFG National Executive. National Director of Communications, Mr Graham Dullaghan BSc, spoke proudly at how this branch resembles his own home branch of Donegal and regularly punches about its weight having its own Councillor and Vice- President of the national organisation.
The election of officers was overseen by Cllr Jim Daly.
Elected on the night were as follows:
Chairman: John O’ Sullivan
Secretary: Tadhg O’ Donovan
Treasurer: Shane McCarthy
PRO: John Kingston
Membership Officer: Eimear Hayes
Organiser: John Appelbe
YFG is the youth wing of the Fine Gael party and always welcomes new
members aged between 15 and 30. If you wish to join the branch do not
hesitate to contact us at carberyyfg@gmail.com.
