·         In accordance with Sections 36 and 37 of the Local Government Act 2001 as amended to elect the Cathaoirleach of Roscommon County Council to hold office until his/her successor shall have been appointed in accordance with law.

The Chief Executive invited proposals for the position of Cathaoirleach

.

It was PROPOSED by Councillor Ward

          SECONDED by Councillor Dineen

  That Councillor Kathleen Shanagher be elected Cathaoirleach.

It was PROPOSED by Councillor Leyden

          SECONDED by Councillor Fallon

 That Councillor Paschal Fitzmaurice be elected Cathaoirleach.

A vote was taken on the election of Cathaoirleach which resulted as follows:-

VOTING FOR THE ELECTION OF COUNCILLOR SHANAGHER:-  Councillors Byrne, Connaughton, Dineen, Kilduff, Mulligan, Shanagher, Waldron, Ward (8)

VOTING FOR THE ELECTION OF COUNCILLOR FITZMAURICE:-  Councillors Callaghan, Crosby, Cummins, Fallon, Fitzmaurice, Keogh, Leyden, McDermott, Murphy, Naughten (10)

Cllr. Paschal Fitzmaurice was deemed elected as Cathaoirleach of Roscommon County Council by the Meetings Administrator.

Cllr. Fitzmaurice thanked his proposer and seconder for the nomination and said he was very proud to be voted by his fellow councillors as first citizen of the county. He represents a new Alliance in the Council that has agreed a programme of works for the coming five year term that will focus on economic development, communities and enterprise.  He outlined a number of different areas that he would prioritise during his term of office as Cathaoirleach including:

·         Addressing the replacement of storage heating in local authority housing

·         Prioritising the funding of roads that are in most need of repair

·         Economic Development bringing jobs to the county and progress on the innovation centres in Roscommon town and Monksland

·         The development of tourism

·         Planning and the need to allow the building of housing in rural areas of the county

·         The introduction of bye-laws to deal with illegal dumping

·         The reopening of Castlerea Fire Station

·         The retaining of the Rosalie Care Unit as a care home in Castlerea

Finally the Cathaoirleach thanked his family for their support, the members and the executive of the Council as he looks forward to working with everyone for the betterment of the County  in the year ahead.