An event will be held this Saturday, March 22, at the Galway Bay Hotel to mark the contribution made by Éamon Ó Cuív to political life in Galway.
As councillor and TD, Ó Cuív represented Galway for three and a half decades.
After the general election in November last year, for the first time since 1987, the name 'Cuív, Eamon Ó' was not an option for voters, as the veteran politician announced his retirement last summer.
Ó Cuív first contested an election in 1985, attempting to win a seat on Galway County Council. He subsequently contested general elections in 1987 and 1989, before succeeding to become a member of Dáil Éireann in 1992.
He held that seat through seven general elections, frequently being returned as the first choice of most voters in Galway West.
“It really was an incredible record,” says Fianna Fáil’s current Galway West TD, John Connolly.
“One of Éamon’s biggest supporters once told me that when they began assessing his electoral chances, they realised that there were only 2,000 electors living within 30km of his home, meaning being successful would require travelling lots of hard roads and long hours, but this didn’t deter him.”
“His success was a combination of hard graft and innovation. He was reforming as a minister. During his time in the department of the Department of Rural, Gaeltacht and Community Affairs, Éamon revolutionised the remit of the department. He initiated new schemes like the Rural Social Scheme, the Clár Programme and the RAPID Programme.
“There was a substantial increase in the funding, resourcing and organising of Community Development Companies during Eamon’s time as minister. These schemes and programmes have stood the test of time, and continue to provide vital supports to communities today.”
“He was the Minister who drafted the first Official Languages Act, and established the office of Language Commissioner. He also founded Foras na Gaeilge following the Good Friday Agreement, and was minister when Irish became an official language of the EU.
“It will probably be for the work on the promotion of the Irish Language that Éamon will best be remembered, but this really is only part of the contribution he made,” said Connolly.
Councillor Mary Hoade (FF ) said the event this Saturday was a vote of thanks on behalf of the people whom he served so diligently with loyalty.
“Éamon had a great sense of public service and went to great lengths to help anybody who sought his help,” she said. “We’re fortunate that he is still available to us locally as public representatives when seeking his knowledge or guidance.”
Tickets are available at www.secure.tickets.ie, or by contacting Deputy Connolly.
