A Day in the Life - David Fitzgerald, Mayor of Kilkenny

David Fitzgerald was elected Mayor of Kilkenny for a second time in June 2022. He is married to Paula, and they have four children.

David FitzGerald holds various qualifications including diplomas and degrees in Economics, Surveying and Marketing from Trinity College Dublin, Dublin Institute of Technology and The Marketing Institute of Ireland. He is a member of the Society of Chartered Surveyors (MSCSI).

It is hard to believe that David Fitzgerald is halfway through his Mayoral year. Not only has it been a very busy six months for him as Mayor, attending events as the country reopened, but he has also been using the role to open conversations around the real issues facing our city. 

Recently David did an Autumn Series of events tackling the climate crisis and cost of living. He hopes to discuss more matters in the New Year that are concerning the people of Kilkenny, such as housing, our city centre and farming.

Here is a glimpse into David’s world as Mayor of Kilkenny…

You set out three goals during your term as Mayor - Kilkenny to apply to become Ireland’s first carbon neutral City, completion of the Northern Kilkenny City Ring Road bridge and to secure a third level campus for Kilkenny in the SETU. Are you achieving these goals?

Regarding a Carbon Neutral City – I held a Town Hall meeting on this earlier this month. On the night we had a great panel of speakers who gave an insightful, realistic and alarming presentation on where we are at on Climate Change.

The night was successful with great debate in the room and engagement from the public in attendance. I will bring my proposal for Kilkenny to apply to be Ireland’s first carbon neutral city in early 2023.

The northern ring road will hopefully be in the consultation stage in the New Year.

I’m expecting an imminent announcement on the Kilkenny third level training in Kilkenny, and we are strongly lobbying to ensure that a campus is a core goal in the SETU strategic plan.

Kilkenny to become the first carbon-neutral city in Ireland - wow that would be some achievement. However, is that a realistic objective? 

As I said earlier the Climate action plan is before elected members in early 2023, then I will bring forward a motion in the New Year for Kilkenny to begin the application process.

Right now, a lot of groundwork is happening with regards to Kilkenny’ carbon emissions.

The Council is advancing the adaption of a climate action plan which will come before the members of Kilkenny County council.

We have hundreds of Ukrainian and other migrant families in our city this Christmas. What are we doing to make the festive season as meaningful for them, as it can be? 

This Christmas Kilkenny hosted over 1,200 Ukrainians across the City and County. This has been possible due to the generosity and hard work of so many people. I want to thank all those who have offered their homes to the Ukrainian and acknowledge the extraordinary effort to provide temporary accommodation separate from the public housing stock.

This Christmas we need to support all those who are in need of a home.

Your party leader returned to the Taoiseach's office recently, how do you think Micheál Martin has performed and is the three-party coalition working well? 

This government has successfully led the country through COVID. On the economic front we have seen Ireland bounce back with a strong economy and almost full employment.

Cost of living, housing and healthcare remain the biggest challenges.  This government needs to keep working on lowering the cost of living, set higher targets to deliver more private and public housing over the next 3-5 years and keep reforming the health service to deliver Slaintecare.

What would be your major priority or resolution for 2023? 

My top priority for Kilkenny is to deliver more housing while responding to the challenges of climate change through my plan for a Carbon Neutral City.

You have always highlighted mental health issues in your time as a public representative. What is your message for those struggling with their mental health at this time of the year? 

Christmas is a difficult time of year for many. We need to keep in touch with family and friends.

We are fortunate to have many great organisations who provide support across our community. Everyone should try to give some form of support to others less fortunate at Christmas.

Drop in on a neighbour to wish them a season's greeting, give a donation to a local charity if you can afford to, try to show kindness to the people in your life. Simple things can make an enormous difference.

Last question, who cooked the turkey in your house - yourself or Paula? 

As I come from a long line of bakers, food preparation is in the genes. I cook Christmas dinner and other Christmas food preparation.

It’s a nice change from work and politics. Paula has many other Christmas jobs, so our family Christmas is a team effort.

Finally, as Mayor, I want to thank you and your readers for all your support, and I wish everyone in Kilkenny a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.