This article is from page 79 of the 2007-06-19 edition of The Clare People. OCR mistakes are to be expected so download the original SWF or the rendered page 79 JPG
just before his name was read into the 30th Dail as a Clare Fine Gael TD he reflected on how he was his own verb
“Sometimes people look at you as walking in your father’s footsteps. It is hard to come out of that shadow as well and develop your own niche. I’ve done that through my work in Clare County Council and I estab- lished my own vote throughout the Ennis area. I got the biggest vote in the Ennis area in the last general election and that was a testament to my hard work and dedication on be- half of the people in the Ennis area in particular,’ he said.
Once on the plinth of Leinster House he was joined by his fiancée Grace and the flash bulbs dazzled.
Fellow Clare TD, Pat Breen (FG), spoke briefly with his new colleague before moving on.
This was Carey’s day, there would be time enough again for the inevi- table political jostling for the lime- bhedaie
This was a day Carey dreamed
about but until the previous day feared he may not see. He had been dogged with a viral illness and had just been discharged from hospital. While other new TDs. arrived with an entourage of supporters and friends, the rest of his family made up his support group including his father Donal who had travelled with
him the night before.
ad AR LUM OOT- TMU ODKMMDOSToM ERIM (oo eI didn’t know whether I would be able to come or even a few days ago so thanks be to God I’m able to be here today and put my best foot forward and the business starts today.
“Given that I wasn’t in great health I didn’t go about organising a big
razzmatazz entrance to the Dail. Over the coming months I will be organising such a visit for my sup- porters, friends and family to come to Dail Eireann,” he explained.
“T am delighted to be here today. God gave me the strength to be here today and I am very grateful for that.
“T really am looking forward to it. It is a new challenge and I have the energy ability and drive to work at this for the people of County Clare,” he said.
In his early thirties he believes youth is on his side and will be a ereat advantage in working as a TD as will the support and knowledge of VELA slow
“It 1s something we spoke about all right and he will be of great help to me over the coming months and years,” he said.
“I always thought about Dail Eir- eann and representing people. It is a lifetime ambition that I have achieved and it really is a humbling experience,’ he added, explaining that the hours and years he saw his father dedicate to the life did not put him off.
Deputy Carey was visibly subdued, tired and slightly scarred by the ill- ness of the last ten days but was de- termined to be there for the historic opening of the 30th Dail.
Questions or comments that would normally spark the young TD into a familiar, belly laugh and a vigor- ous response were now receiving a knowing smile and a softly spoken, considered, short response.
He was tired but grateful to be there. The celebrations would wait.