;
Home | About

Deirdre Donnelly

WHO AM I?

I live in the Stillorgan area in Dublin where I grew up and have lived most of my life in Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown. I attended Scoil Náithí in Ballinteer and later Coláiste Íosagáin on Stillorgan Road. I have a B.A. in Irish and French from UCD and a Post Grad in business from DIT. I also have an M.A. in European Studies from the School of Politics and International Relations in UCD. I am a fluent Irish and French speaker.

I worked in RTÉ for a number of years in a variety of roles including TV and radio.

WHY HAVE I ENTERED POLITICS?

Over the years I have interviewed many politicians and members of the public. I am acutely aware of the frustration among the public at politicians who have failed to deliver on their promises.

Wanting to make a political contribution, I ran for election for the first time in 2014 and won a seat representing the Stillorgan LEA on Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council. I am a fulltime County Councillor and the only Independent local representative in this area. I was re-elected in 2019 and elected Leas-Cathaoirleach of Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council.

OTHER INTERESTS

I have a keen interest in culture and the arts. I am a regular cinema goer, and have reviewed films in both print and broadcast media. One of the highlights of my year is the annual Dublin International Film Festival. I also like to try and keep fit by going to the gym and do a lot of walking.

An Ghaeilge

One of my election promises in 2014 was the promotion of the Irish language in the county. I tabled a motion asking for the implementation of the Irish language scheme and have emphasised the importance of the use of the language. I have consistently raised this issue at Council level and on the Community, Culture and Ageing Committee of which I am a member insisting that the language should be used, when possible, in the various festivals, events throughout the year and annually during Seachtain na Gaeilge.

In 2018 I was delighted to be one of four Councillors from around the country to take part in a panel discussion at the Association of Irish Local Government conference in Waterford on the use of the Irish language in councils country-wide.

In 2019 I represented the county and spoke at Féile na nÓg, a well-attended event for children at the County Library, The Lexicon.

I am a regular contributor to Irish language media-RnaG, TG4, Nuacht RTÉ. I am also a member of the national Fóram Forbartha Teanga.

BOARDS AND COMMITTEES

I am on the following committees in Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council:

  • Chair of Board of DLR Leisure
  • Board member of Pavilion Theatre (County Theatre)
  • Member of Pavilion Theatre Governance Committee
  • Board Member of DLR Sports Partnership
  • Member of Council Organisation, Procedure and Protocol Committee
  • Dundrum Local Area Committee member
  • Member of Transport and County Wide Movement Strategic Policy Committee
  • Member of Community Development, Culture and Ageing Strategic Policy Committee
  • Member of S2S (Sutton to Sandycove) joint committee with Dublin City Council

Other Committies

  • Member of An Fóram Forbartha Teanga (Language Development Forum)
  • Member of Arthritis Ireland Advocacy Working Group
  • Member of Association of European Journalists Committee
Since my election in 2014, I have continuously worked hard for my community. I have kept residents updated on issues of relevance to their own areas.

As a full-time councillor, I have responded quickly to requests and queries relating to trees/hedges, repair of lighting, parking problems, footpath and road repairs and much more.

I have organised a number of meetings – some public and others focusing on smaller groups regarding a single local issue. I have an extremely high attendance record at Council, Local Area Committee, Strategic Policy Committee and deputation meetings.

I have submitted a large number of submissions/observations taking your views into account across a number of issues such as planning applications, Stillorgan Reservoir, Fernhill, Stillorgan Local Area Plan and more. I have also had motions passed locally to have laneways and footpaths taken in charge and repaired.

Cllr. Deirdre DONNELLY.

Your Independent Councillor in Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown. Working full-time for you.