The outgoing Cathaoirleach Cllr. Crosby addressed the members and reflected upon his year in office:

·        He paid tribute to the tenacity, courage and pride shown by local communities, citing the recent Roscommon Climate Action launch as evidence of collaboration between the Local Authority and communities.

·         He recalled being present in Budapest at the announcement of Keadue as one of the winners of the prestigious Entente Florale competition.

·        His visit to New York in March to meet with the diaspora of the county at the invitation of the County Roscommon Society of New York was remembered  while representing the county with Chief Executive, Shane Tiernan, Director of Services, Majella Hunt and Louise Ward of the Local Enterprise Office,  exploring business and investment opportunities for the county.

·         In December, the Freedom of Roscommon was conferred on sisters Lisa and Aoife O’Rourke who were honoured for their World and European boxing titles.

·         He cited a number of projects which have been completed or are near completion, including the Village Renewal Schemes for Rooskey and Tarmonbarry; the ongoing refurbishment of the former Royal Hotel in Boyle under the Rural Regeneration Fund and the signing of the contract for the Enterprise Hub in Monksland. Other projects referenced included the development of a ‘civic space’ in Roscommon town, the new performance space in Somers Park Castlerea and the continued development of ‘Enterprise Hubs’ in Boyle, Monksland, and Castlerea.

·        The outgoing Cathaoirleach also referred to the development of the Bawn Street and Church Street areas of Strokestown under the National Town Centre First Strategy and the unveiling of newCredit Union ATM machines in Strokestown, Elphin, Ballaghaderreen and Roscommon town.

·        He encouraged Roscommon people, not only to shop local but to support local events and activities with many festivals and artistic events taking place across the county.

·         He acknowledged the support ofthe Chief Executive, Shane Tiernan, his predecessor Eugene Cummins, the Directors of Services and staff of Roscommon County Council for their support during his term of office. He also acknowledged the support of his Leas Cathaoirleach Cllr Laurence Fallon and his fellow Councillors throughout his tenure.

·         He wished his colleagues every success in the year ahead and particularly his colleagues for whom this was their last annual meeting and who would not be contesting next year’s local elections and finally he wished his successor well in the role of Cathaoirleach.

In accordance with Section 22(c) and Part V of the Local Government Reform    Act, 2014 to elect the Cathaoirleach of Roscommon County Council to hold office until his/her successor shall have been appointed in accordance with law.

The outgoing Cathaoirleach, Cllr. Crosby invited proposals for the election of Cathaoirleach of Roscommon County Council for the term 2023-2024.

It was PROPOSED by Councillor Cummins

          SECONDED by Councillor Naughten

That Councillor John Keogh be elected as Cathaoirleach.

It was PROPOSED by Councillor Ward

          SECONDED by Councillor Waldron

That Councillor Kathleen Shanagher be elected as Cathaoirleach

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

VOTING FOR THE ELECTION OF COUNCILLOR KEOGH:-  Councillors Callaghan, Crosby, Cummins, Fallon, Fitzmaurice, Kelly, Keogh, Leyden, McDermott, Murphy, Naughten. (11)

VOTING FOR THE ELECTION OF COUNCILLOR SHANAGHER:-  Councillors Dineen, Kilduff,  Shanagher, Waldron, Ward (5)

ABSTAIN: Councillor Byrne, Councillor Mulligan (2)

Councillor John Keogh was duly elected as Cathaoirleach of Roscommon County Council.

In accordance with Section 22(c) and Part V of the Local Government Reform Act, 2014 to elect the Leas-Cathaoirleach of Roscommon County Council to hold office until his/her successor shall have been appointed in accordance with law.

The Cathaoirleach, Cllr Keogh invited nominations for the position of Leas Cathaoirleach:

It was PROPOSED by Councillor Leyden

          SECONDED by Councillor Kelly

That Councillor John Cummins be elected as Leas Cathaoirleach.

It was PROPOSED by Councillor Shanagher

          SECONDED by Councillor Dineen

That Councillor Donal Kilduff be elected as Leas Cathaoirleach

A vote was taken by the Meetings Administrator on the election of Leas Cathaoirleach which resulted as follows:-

VOTING FOR THE ELECTION OF COUNCILLOR CUMMINS:-  Councillors Callaghan, Crosby, Cummins, Fallon, Fitzmaurice, Kelly, Keogh, Leyden, McDermott, Murphy, Naughten. (11)

VOTING FOR THE ELECTION OF COUNCILLOR KILDUFF:-  Councillors Dineen, Kilduff,  Shanagher, Waldron, Ward (5)

ABSTAIN: Councillor Byrne, Councillor Mulligan (2)

Councillor John Cummins was duly elected as Leas Cathaoirleach of Roscommon County Council

The Chief Executive paid tribute to the outgoing Cathaoirleach and Leas Cathaoirleach describing them as exemplary in their respective roles. He wished the new Cathaoirleach well, who he described as a strong Councillor with a great knowledge of politics. He also welcomes the presence of his partner Cormac and his family at the meeting.

Members also paid tribute to the outgoing Cathaoirleach and Leas Cathaoirleach while also paying tribute to the newly elected Cathaoirleach and Leas Cathaoirleach.

Cllr. Keogh said he was honoured and privileged to be elected as Cathaoirleach and said he would perform his duties to the best of his ability:

·         He paid tribute to his family and friends who were present in the public gallery as well as paying tribute to his late parents. He also acknowledged the support of his constituents in the Athlone Municipal District.

·         He also paid tribute to the work carried out by the outgoing Cathaoirleach and Leas Cathaoirleach and commiserated with Cllrs. Shanagher and Dineen who both put themselves forward for election and this is an important part of our democracy.

·         The provision of housing and the delivery of targets will be one of his key objectives during the year, particularly the provision of social and affordable housing.

·         He is also looking forward to the unveiling of the new Climate Action Plan, claiming progress had been made on the previous plan but more was required.

·         Cllr. Keogh said he wished to see the continued support of local communities as a key objective of his work as well as the creation of sustainable jobs.

·         The Cathaoirleach also cited the importance of the county’s waterways and hopes to see the creation of a plan for the Hodson Bay area.

·         He appealed to the Minister for Agriculture to bring forward specific schemes to support the local farming community.

·         Another priority during his term of office is the development and upgrade of the N61 route from a national secondary to a national primary route and he appealed for new safety measures to be adopted for the route.

·         The Cathaoirleach wished all his colleagues well ahead of next year’s local elections and paid tribute to members who will not be standing for election.

The new Cathaoirleach proposed a letter be sent to the Department of the Environment requesting the process for the appointment of a new Chief Executive be concluded without delay as it is unreasonable to expect an interim Chief Executive to make major decisions while in the role on a temporary basis.

Responding, the Chief Executive said competition for the role is underway and will be complete by end of July with a name emerging from the process for approval by the Members by August or September at the latest. The Cathaoirleach welcomed the update and withdrew his proposal.

On the PROPOSAL of Cllr. Keogh

SECONDED by Cllr. Fallon

It was AGREED that a letter be sent to the Minister to call for an upgrade of the N61 from National Secondary to a National  ...  view the full minutes text for item 79.23

On the PROPOSAL of Cllr. Murphy

SECONDED by Cllr. Fitzmaurice

It was AGREED to appoint Cllr. Orla Leyden as Chairperson of the Economic Development and Enterprise Support (including Tourism, Culture and Libraries) SPC, with immediate effect to replace Cllr. John Keogh, who resigned.

To fix dates on which the County Council Meetings will be held within the period to 31^st May 2024 (Provisional list of dates attached).

On the PROPOSAL of Councillor Murphy

             SECONDED by Councillor Crosby

It was AGREED that the following should be the dates of the Plenary Meetings 2023/2024:  

Monday 24^th July 2023

No Meeting in August

Monday 25th September 2023

Monday 23rd October 2023

Monday 27th November 2023

Monday 18^th December 2023

Monday 22nd January 2024

Monday 26th February 2024

Monday 25th March 2024

Monday 22nd April 2024

Monday 27th May 2024