About me
I have a BSc from UCD and a PhD in Chemistry from University of Edinburgh. I’ve worked in operations, project management and business development. In Scotland, I worked in the energy sector, first with a start-up and then with universities and companies developing solar technologies. I was a board member of the Scottish Solar Energy Group and Solar Cities Scotland. I’m a board member of Kerry Sustainable Energy Co-op (KSEC), a non-exec director of AES Solar and Cool Planet Champion for Kerry.
My Priorities & Ideas
Thriving Local Economy: We need the council to better support local businesses and create a vibrant environment that allows for jobs to be created. We need to take full advantage of the available National and EU funding for urban regeneration.
Happy Healthy Connected Community: I want to help make Tralee an even better place to live and bring up children by improving its surroundings and the well-being of our community. As a parent I want to help improve childcare options in the town.
Why I am (or will be) a good politician
Because I can see things from lots of different perspectives. This is thanks to my broad experience working in SMEs, academia, large corporations and community groups such as KSEC. I am passionate about seeing my local area realise its potential and as a parent I want to help Tralee be an even better place to live.
Name three characteristics of a great politician
Integrity
Empathy
Good Communication Skills
What would you like to achieve in the next 5 years?
I’d like to help bring more national and EU funding for community energy projects and circular economy projects to Tralee
What politician or ex-politician outside Ireland do you admire and why?
Angela Merkel – because she embodies the values I would like to see more often in politicians. She has compassion but can also make tough decisions. She’s also a chemist by training, like myself.
What is the one mistake you witness politicians making more frequently than others?
Saying one thing and doing another
In politics there can be a tendency for the “system” to dampen the “inspiration.” How do you keep this from happening?
By remembering why you got into politics and staying true to yourself.
What advice would you give your younger self?
You can do it
What are three words you would use to describe yourself?
Conscientious
Open Minded
Caring
Who is on the guest list for your ideal dinner party?
My friends
If you could have personally witnessed anything in history, what would you want to have seen?
The Big Bang.
What is on your bucket list?
Getting a community owned solar farm up and running in Kerry.
How do you unwind/switch off?
With a nice cup of tea and some chocolate!
What’s your favourite movie?
The Shawshank Redemption
Who are your heroes?
Mary Robinson
