Former CEO of Limerick Chamber of Commerce Dee Ryan who is the Fianna Fáil candidate for the position of directly elected mayor of Limerick has responded to media reports that she has been critical of both Fianna Fáil and of party leader Micheál Martin in her social media posts in the past.
Ms Ryan was pictured with Mr Martin along with Fianna Fáil TD Willie O’Dea and Fianna Fáil Junior Minister Niall Collins at a photocall at Limerick’s quayside on Monday evening.
It was part of her promotion as a Fianna Fáil candidate for election to the new position of directly elected mayor, on which citizens of Limerick will vote in June, the same day as voting for local and European elections will take place.
The people of Limerick voted in a plebiscite in 2019, by a slim margin, to be able to elect their own mayor, in a move described as the most significant reform of local government since the foundation of the State. The citizens of both Cork and Waterford rejected the proposal.
In a statement tonight in response to media enquiries about her social media posts Ms Ryan said: "My opinion of Fianna Fáil and Tánaiste Micheál Martin, particularly through his leadership today, could not be more positive.
"I’ve been very impressed by his and the party’s strong leadership since re-entering Government four years ago, not least in guiding the country through the challenging pandemic.
"When it came to my candidacy for mayor, I felt Fianna Fáil with party values of fairness and equity, was the best fit for me.
"As Taoiseach and now Tánaiste, Micheál Martin has presided over a Government that not alone maintained economic stability, but returned the country to remarkable growth, albeit with much still to do and moreover with an appetite to do it.
"I am passionate about politics and have been for many years and I’ve been a member of other political parties, but my opinions have been my own and I’ve no difficulty in saying that they have evolved.
"I remain unafraid to speak my mind and if the people of Limerick choose to do me the honour of electing me as their mayor, I can assure them that I will be a strong voice in pursuit of our shared agenda to make Limerick a better place for all its citizens."
