James Carroll (Fianna Fail)

One always needs a good woman behind them, a lesson I have learned. To the people of Drogheda east who elected me to the county council in June I wish to clarify that lest they think I will skive off to Dublin and forget them, I will continue to be their full-time public representative. I thank the people of Monasterboice, Togher, Clogherhead, Termonfeckin and Drogheda town who elected me to the council.

The Visitors Gallery is filled with people who assisted in getting me elected. When I started on this road 12 months ago I did not know how to go about getting elected. I am forever indebted to the people in the Gallery who assisted me in this regard. Without their hard work and faith and belief in me I would not be here.

My girlfriend, Alison, who is also in the Gallery has had to put up with for the past 12 months the worst boyfriend in history given the amount of canvassing and meetings involved in my getting elected. However, it is to be hoped things will improve now.