Large crowd at opening of Peter Burke TD's office

Some 150 people attended the launch of Peter Burke TD’s office last night in Blackhall place, Mullingar.

The opening was MC’d by Cllr Andrew Duncan and was addressed by Minister Michael Ring, Peter Burke TD and Minister Leo Varadkar, who performed the official opening.

Minister Varadkar commented on the relationship he has with Peter and said that it was a great feature that the party had such strong backbenchers who run efficient and busy constituency offices while contributing to national debate.

He said that the party relied on Peter to bat for them on various issues, the PAC and on national radio and television.

Peter spoke of the busy office and the many representations he is honoured to carry out for Longford and Westmeath.

“It is a privilege to serve the people of this constituency and I am humbled and honoured to do it, and do not take one day for granted.

“I aim to do my best for the people I meet and speak to every day.

“This would not be possible without the support of my wife Olivia and son Leo, who have to be very understanding and tolerant of the impact public representation has on family life.

I also want to thank my parents for raising me and giving me every opportunity in the world, which has led me to political life.

“I hope to continue to do my best for the people of Longford Westmeath. I also want to push for more resources for this constituency to ensure that we continue to increase our quality of life here in the midlands.”

Minister Michael Ring also welcomed the official opening of the office: “In Mullingar, your always pick very capable TDs, like Paul McGrath in the past and Peter now,” he said.

“Peter has a bright future in politics, he is hugely able on the PAC and I’m sure that the people will support him and re-elect him as his future is promising, he can bring someone else along with him and we won’t need to depend on anyone else”.

Minister Ring also outlined why, as a rural TD, he was voting for Leo Varadkar.

Also present on the evening were Westmeath councillors Mick Dollard, Emily Wallace, Andrew Duncan and John Dolan.

There were a number of Longford county councillors along with members of the party from both Westmeath and Longford, and members of the public from Mullingar and its surrounds.

Cllr Duncan stated the importance of teamwork in the constituency, where Fine Gael makes a positive contribution with 13 councillors between Longford and Westmeath.

“We must all row in behind our TD and work together for the people around Mullingar and further afield. Peter’s office is very busy with various representations and I am hopeful that after the next election, a promotion is in store for Fine Gael so that our people here can have further influence on key decision-makers in government.”

Closing the meeting, Minister Leo Varadkar TD cut the ribbon and stated that if elected, he intends to make sure that our growing economy is managed well and that he is not hesitant in now letting the economy pay a dividend to the people who have sacrificed so much over the last number of years.

“I continue to work with Peter in Longford Westmeath to ensure he has access to key decision-makers and to give Longford Westmeath the best chance possible to return two Fine Gael government TDs at the next election.

“Peter has done a huge amount of work since he was elected only a year ago and made a big contribution to national and local debate. He has a bright future in our party, and I only wish he was elected before last year.”