Former Minister returns to County Council, but not as a councillor

From Kilkenny Councillor, to TD, to Minister of State, and back to Kilkenny County Council – Ann Phelan has come full circle.

However, her new role is not as a Councillor but rather as an employee of the council.

The former Junior Minister has been employed as one of 12 Community Water Officers.

In a statement to KCLR today from Kilkenny County Council, they say Ms Phelan was selected out of the 247 applicants in what they say was an open and merit-based process.

She had contested this year’s General Election but failed to hold onto her seat.

Her new role includes getting the public to participate in protecting our natural waters and developing links with sectors such as agriculture, industry, chambers of commerce and NGOs.