PICTURES: Del Chappa’s! Minister opens TD’s Kilkenny City constituency office

It was a significant day in the political career of Peter ‘Chap’ Cleere on Monday as the local TD opened his new constituency office on Patrick Street in Kilkenny City.

Deputy Cleere, a former member of Kilkenny County Council was elected to Dáil Eireann for the very first time following the General Election last year.

Since then, the Skoeghvousteen native has made waves in the political party and just nine months into the post, has already take up the mantle as Fianna Fáil’s Agricultural Spokesperson. 

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Amongst the dignitaries present at the grand opening of the state of the art offices was the Minister for Public Expenditure and Deputy Leader of Fianna Fáil, Jack Chambers.

"We’ve taken three out of five seats here in the last General Election and ‘Chap’ has been an incredible worker since he's entered the Dáil," the minister said.

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"He has such a strong record from his time on the council and it’s wonderful to see him open his constituency office here in the heart of Kilkenny."

"Chap has been one of a number of new TDs that’s joined since we won 48 seats and they’ve all made an excellent contribution," Minister Chambers continued.

The Dublin West TD also spoke of the importance of TDs having local bases to remove any disconnect with constituents.

"We want to be in the heart of community, representing people and as TDs that’s our primary function, to be at the coalface of people and their issues. The connection of ground politics with national government is so unique in Ireland compared to many other jurisdictions, it’s something we really value as a party," he added.

Unsurprisingly, the upcoming Presidential Election dominated much of the conversation with Deputy Chambers openly supporting the now selected former Dublin senior football manager Jim Gavin as the Fianna Fáil candidate. A support not shared by Mr Cleere who backed party MEP Billy Kelleher.

The local reaction was similarly divided, with grassroots party members not shy in sharing their opinions with the minister.

"Jim Gavin, is someone who I think has a fantastic track record of public service and in terms of his role across communities, is someone who I think would make an excellent president," Minister Chambers commented.

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