“I SUPPOSE it’s like the buses when they all seem to
come at once,
? joked former Lord Mayor of Dublin Emer Costello about
promotions, following the announcement that she is to replace Labour MEP
Proinsias De Rossa next month.
The North Inner City ward councillor’s new job comes
just four weeks after her husband, Deputy Joe Costello, was appointed to the
position of Minister of State at the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade.
Deputy Costello’s promotion to minister seemed
inevitable given his dedicated service to the Labour Party and his success in
driving President Michael Higgins’ election campaign.
However, Mrs Costello’s promotion to the prestigious
position and Mr De Rossa’s departure came relatively out of the blue.
“It is kind of amazing how it all happened although I
had an idea before Christmas that Proinseas might be stepping down,
? she told
Northside People.
“Proinsias and I had spoken a while ago when he said
he felt that he wouldn’t stay on until the end of his tenure.
“I’d thought that he’d step down maybe in the summer
but just before Christmas I realised that the position would become available
much sooner.
?
Mr De Rossa remained tight-lipped on his reason for
stepping down when he announced his resignation last week.
Mrs Costello was the obvious successor having been
selected as a replacement in such an event back in 2009.
“Proinsias said he wanted to ensure that I had a good
run at the job before the next elections,
? Mrs Costello continued.
“I’m really delighted to be given the opportunity and
I’m up for the challenge.
“I’m hugely interested in European politics and hope
that I can bring my experience with Leargas (Irish National Agency for European
Co-Operation) and as a city councillor and Lord Mayor to the position.
“I understand the bread and butter issues that are
affecting people and I’m rooted in the reality of the current situation we find
ourselves in as a country.
?
There’s no doubting that this will be a busy year for
both Mrs Costello and her husband as they divide their time between countries
and constituencies.
“I’m going to Brussels in the next few days to get the
lay of the land,
? she explained.
“They say it’s best if you rent accommodation for the
three days that you’re based in Brussels rather than living out of a hotel.
“We are going to have a busy home but we’ve always
been busy. We’re not shy of hard work and we dedicated our lives to public
service a long time ago.
?
Mrs Costello revealed how she is
“more than daunted
?
by the prospect of taking over from Mr De Rossa next month.
“He has championed the marginalised and less well off
in our society, and as Minister for Social Welfare in the
’90s, effected many
changes including the establishment of the first national poverty strategy,
?
she added.
“As an MEP he has played a leading role in trying to
bring about solutions to the Israeli/Palestinian conflict. He will be a hard
act to follow.
?
Mrs Costello’s promotion creates its own vacancy on
Dublin City Council where her former colleagues wished her well as she embarks
on a career in Europe.
Cllr Nial Ring (Ind) led the tributes and thanked her
for her dedication to the people of her constituency.
“Emer is a hardworking and experienced councillor who
represented our constituents in a very professional and caring way,
? he said.
“She will be missed but I am sure she will use her
influence in Europe to ensure that Dublin is well looked after and I have no
doubt that the North Inner City will benefit from her work as an MEP.
“Myself and my fellow councillors can only reassure
our constituents that we will continue to give the same level of representation
as before.
?
She is the second councillor from the North Inner City
ward to vacate her seat following the resignation of Independent councillor for
the area, Marie Metcalfe.