Cllr Pat Balfe joins Labour to strengthen Kildare team
Cllr Pat Balfe joins Labour to strengthen Kildare team - The Labour Party
The Labour Party has welcomed Cllr Pat Balfe, sitting councillor on Kildare County Council, to the Labour Party.
First elected to the Council in 2024, Cllr Balfe has announced today that he is joining the Labour Party having developed a strong working relationship with Labour Kildare South TD Mark Wall.
Speaking today, Cllr Pat Balfe said:
“I am delighted to confirm today that I have joined the Labour Party and look forward to working closely with Deputy Mark Wall and the local Labour team across Kildare.
“Since my election to the Council representing Monasterevin, Kildare, Rathangan the Curragh, Suncroft and Ballysax in 2024, I have remained utterly focused in addressing the concerns people raise with me every day.
“Working with Mark I will continue to focus on the issues that impact on local residents such as improving access to public transport and active travel, to support the delivery of affordable housing, helping those on the hard edge of the housing crisis and fighting for dedicated youth spaces so that our young people can be proud to grow up in Kildare.
“As a retired member of our Defence Forces, I also want to continue providing effective representation and support for serving and retired members of our Forces locally, and working with Mark and the Labour Party to ensure our Defence Forces get the investment that is so urgently needed. There are deep rooted challenges within the Defence Forces that Government must tackle head on. I know that that’s what the Labour Party will continue to drive.
“There are significant challenges facing our community right now, from housing to the cost of commuting to the provision of local services. I look forward to working with my new Labour colleagues and using my experience on the council to deliver for the people I represent.”
Welcoming Cllr Balfe, Labour Kildare South TD Mark Wall said:
“I am delighted to welcome Cllr Pat Balfe to the Labour Party.
“Pat has a strong record of representing people at the council level. Together, we’ve worked on many projects locally, and I have been so impressed by his commitment to delivering practical improvements that make everyday life safer, fairer and better.
“I know that Pat will make a great addition to the Labour team in Kildare and will bring a depth of experience on Defence issues, and his extensive knowledge and understanding of the local community.”
Labour leader Ivana Bacik TD also welcomed the news, commending Pat’s strong commitment to practical local representation.
Deputy Bacik said:
“We are so proud to have Councillor Pat Balfe join the Labour Party to continue working to serve the people of Kildare effectively at Council level.
“Pat joins Labour’s team of 56 Councillors, an MEP for Dublin, two Senators and 11 TDs. Labour is a party of deep roots and green shoots that continues to grow. Our public representatives, like Pat, are working in communities to deliver real change and effective representation for people.
“Across Ireland, Labour Councillors are working hard to deliver for their communities. People are constantly telling us that they feel left behind and ignored by this Government, particularly when it comes to the cost of living. The Labour Party offers a real alternative. We believe that, working together, we can create a fairer, better, more sustainable future.”
ENDS
Biography:
Cllr Pat Balfe was born and raised in the Curragh Camp and is currently living in Monasterevin with his wife and daughter.
Before entering politics, Pat served in the Irish Defence Forces for 35 years before retiring in 2022. During that time, Pat completed ten overseas deployments including service in Lebanon and on a range of UN and international peace support missions.
Pat’s involvement in voluntary youth work began in 2006, establishing Monasterevin Youth Club in 2007 and Monasterevin Youth Action in 2013. Currently, Pat works in learning and development with Scouting Ireland where he supports the training of adult volunteers across the organisation.
Pat was elected to Kildare County Council in June 2024.