Mayo councillor appointed MEP's constituency manager
Midlands-North-West MEP Maria Walsh has welcomed Fine Gael colleague, Councillor Michael Burke, to her team to fill the role of constituency manager.
As constituency manager, the Ballinrobe-based representative will be 'the link’ between MEP Walsh’s work in the parliament and across one of the biggest EU constituencies, the 13 county Midlands-North-West.
Councillor Burke has been involved in politics for close to 30 years, having been first co-opted to Mayo County Council in 1993.
He has a wide breadth of experience having served as the former chairperson of the Mayo County Council.
He is the current chairperson of Ballinrobe Enterprise Centre and vice-chairperson of the Ballinrobe Town Hall Development Committee, as well as a member of the Ballinrobe Racecourse Committee, and a champion of local development within the region.
Within his own work as a councillor for the Ballinrobe area, Councillor Burke is focusing his work in upgrading the derelict properties within the town, improving facilities for young children and families, and continuing to develop Ballinrobe’s roads and infrastructure.
The appointment of Councilor Burke as constituency manager was shared with Tanaiste Leo Varadkar and Fine Gael members during the Mayo AGM in Breaffy Resort Hotel.
“Due to Covid restrictions over the past two years, a number of events, town halls and youth engagements were forced to be postponed.
"Now as our communities are reopening, I am delighted that Councillor Burke agreed to join my team as my constituency manager to support the ambitious vision I have for Midlands-North-West”, MEP Walsh said.
“Now more than ever, we need to promote pro-European events to discuss the positive impact we can make in Europe, and how we can support the EU as the most west periphery Member State in our EU”, she added.
Councillor Burke commented: “I am delighted to join Maria’s team as her constituency manager.
"We both believe that our communities deserve the best at local, national and European levels.
"I am looking forward to meeting and working with other representatives, organisations and communities."