Gilliland won’t seek re-election

Former Lord Mayor of Dublin and Labour Councillor Alison Gilliland has announced she will not be seeking re-election in Artane-Whitehall. 

Gilliland, who served as Lord Mayor between 2021 and 2022, has bowed out from seeking a potential third term on Dublin City Council.

First elected in 2014 and re-elected in 2019, Gilliland has made way for local area representative John Nisbet. 

Announcing her decision on Twitter, Gilliland said the decision not to run again was “difficult,” but she felt it was “time to step aside and allow a new candidate to serve and support our local area.”

She said “I  have known John for years as a person of integrity, someone who is committed, informed and solution-focused. He knows our area and the issues that arise. I will be supporting John in his campaign and no doubt you’ll see him out and about over the next 6 months.”

“I appreciate and value the support my local area and local colleagues have given me over the last 10 years and I hope that you will give John that same support and allow him to serve you in the next Dublin City Council.”

Her most high-profile move as Lord Mayor of Dublin was representing the city at the 2022 COP27 summit in Egypt.

She attended the summit as part of the Committee of the Regions, a European Union advisory body made up of local and regional representatives who weigh in on laws made in the EU.

Speaking at the summit, she said that cities can play a major part in combatting climate change and that local authorities such as Dublin City Council should be instrumental in bringing about change.

“We think that if you split a country down into more manageable chunks and evaluate what is happening on the ground, you can really identify those areas that are excelling and those areas that perhaps need a little bit more support,” she said at the time.

Gilliland’s Council colleagues paid tribute to her, with Sinn Fein’s Daithí Doolan saying “you were one of the best, most effective Councillors I’ve worked with, you will be greatly missed.”

Fianna Fáil Councillor Racheal Batten thanked Gilliland for her work over the last 10 years, as did  Green Party Senator Pauline O’Reilly thanked Gilliland for her work.

Green Councillor Michael Pidgeon said he was “sorry to hear” about the decision.

The Dublin Bay North branch of Labour said that Gilliland’s performance as Lord Mayor “struck just the right tone at a time of turmoil in Dublin.”