The Chief Executive, Mr. Eugene Cummins welcomed the newly elected members to the Chamber for the 2019-2024 term of Roscommon County Council and in particular newly elected and returning members. He paid tribute to outgoing member Domnick Connolly to whom he extended his best wishes. He said that the election of the members is a great achievement and an endorsement of democracy. He welcomed the press and members of the public including the members’ families to the meeting.

He asked the chamber to observe a minute’s silence in memory of Billy McDermott, father of Cllr. Marty McDermott and Mai Neary, mother of Cllr. Valerie Byrne who had passed away recently.

In accordance with Schedule 10 (4) of the Local Government Act, 2001 the Meetings Administrator read out the names of the persons duly elected as members of the Local Authority.

·         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.

·         In accordance with Section 36 of Local Government Act 2001 as amended 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 invited proposals for the position of Leas-Cathaoirleach

It was PROPOSED by Councillor Naughten

          SECONDED by Councillor Cummins

That Councillor Liam Callaghan be elected Leas-Cathaoirleach.

It was PROPOSED by Councillor Ward

          SECONDED by Councillor Waldron

  That Councillor Donal Kilduff be elected Leas- Cathaoirleach.

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

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

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

Cllr. Liam Callaghan was deemed elected as Leas-Cathaoirleach of Roscommon County Council by the Cathaoirleach.

Cllr. Callaghan thanked his proposer and seconder and will work closely with the Cathaoirleach to ensure that the Council is led with honour and dignity. He said he is honoured to be elected to this position and is looking forward to working with his fellow Councillors and the Executive to deal with issues raised on the doorsteps by the people are listened to and make sure their needs and expectations are met.

All of the members spoke and thanked the people who had voted for them, their campaign teams, and families. They expressed they sympathy to Cllr. McDermott and Byrne on their recent losses of their parents. They wished the incoming Cathaoirleach and Leas Cathaoirleach well in the coming term. They welcomed new faces on the Council and paid tribute to outgoing Councillor Connolly.

Other issues were raised as follows:

·         Disappointment of the Independent group that they were unable for lead the Council for the next five years, despite having ten non-party councillors elected by the people of Roscommon

·         66% of the vote in the county is represented by the Alliance

·         Need to listen to the issues that were raised on the doorsteps while canvassing

·         Concern about the conditions of the €100m Brexit beef bailout fund

·         Well done to the Returning Officer and staff of Roscommon County Council on how well the election process and count was managed.

·         Thanks to the local media for their coverage of the election.

·         Important that progress is made on the Fire Station and Rosalie Unit in Castlerea

·         Important for members to support the Cathaoirleach at events

·         Looking forward to the launch of the new tourism brand in King house in a couple of weeks

·         Welcome the inclusion of small towns and villages in a funding process

·         Of major concern is the decline of Rural Ireland.

·         The FF/FG alliance should be aware that there was a full government Department to come to Roscommon in decentralisation of government departments

·         Immediate areas to be addressed by the new council is job creation and innovation hubs

·         The Alliance programme does not include for increasing the numbers of outdoor staff in the Council

Cllrs. Marty McDermott and Valerie Byrne thanked everyone for their sympathies on their recent losses.

Cllr. Leyden stated that the Alliance, as part of their manifesto, will be bringing a motion to the June meeting to declare a climate and bio-diversity emergency and establish a committee to oversee the creation of a county climate and bio-diversity action. Cllr Kilduff stated that he has already submitted this motion for discussion.

It was PROPOSED by Cllr. Waldron

           SECONDED by Cllr. Dineen

That a special meeting is convened to discuss bringing investment and jobs to county Roscommon and the decline of Rural Ireland.

The Chief Executive introduced Mr. Liam Bergin who was appointed Director of Services on 4^th June and would be responsible for Planning, Environment, Governance and Corporate and Athlone Municipal District.

The Cathaoirleach also welcomed Mr. Bergin to the Management team of the Council.

Mr. Bergin thanked the Chief Executive and Cathaoirleach and said he looked forward to working with all of the Members. 

·         To elect four Strategic Policy Committee chairpersons

The Meetings Administrator stated that the following new Strategic Policy Committees are proposed for the 2019-2024 scheme and the chairs would be confirmed for each committee by the Corporate Policy Group.

·         Economic Development and Enterprise Support including Tourism, Culture and the Libraries.

·         Housing and ICT

·         Roads, Transportation and Emergency Services

·         Planning, Environment, Corporate and Governance.

It was  PROPOSED by  Councillor  Ward

                SECONDED  by Councillor  Waldron

And  RESOLVED  that  Councillor Nigel Dineen be elected as Chairperson of a  Strategic Policy Committee in accordance with the new SPC  Scheme.

In accordance with the grouping system of Councillors Ward, Connaughton, Shanagher, Waldron, Kilduff and Dineen.

It was  PROPOSED by  Councillor Cummins

                SECONDED  by Councillor  Keogh

And      RESOLVED  that Councillors  Orla Leyden  be elected as Chairperson of a Strategic Policy Committee in accordance with the  new SPC  Scheme.

It was  PROPOSED by  Councillor  Leyden

                SECONDED  by Councillor  Keogh

And      RESOLVED  that Councillor John Cummins be elected as Chairperson of a Strategic Policy Committee in accordance with the  new SPC  Scheme.

It was  PROPOSED by  Councillor Leyden

                SECONDED  by Councillor Keogh

And      RESOLVED   that Councillor John Naughten  be elected as Chairperson of  a Strategic Policy Committee in accordance with the  new SPC  Scheme.

·         To nominate three (3) members (one from each Municipal District) to be

o   Voting Delegates at the Annual Conference

o   Permanent delegates to the Standing Policy Council of the Association for the full five-year term

It was PROPOSED by Councillor Ward

           SECONDED by Councillor  Waldron

And   RESOLVED that Councillor Connaughton be the voting delegate at the Annual Conference and also be a  permanent delegate to the Standing  Policy Council of the Association of Irish Local Government (AILG) for the full five year term.

In accordance with the grouping system of Councillors Ward, Connaughton, Shanagher, Waldron, Kilduff and Dineen.

It was PROPOSED by Councillor Keogh

           SECONDED by Councillor  Crosby

And   RESOLVED that Councillor Orla Leyden be the voting delegate at the Annual Conference and also be a permanent delegate to the Standing  Policy Council of the Association of Irish Local Government (AILG) for the full five year term.

It was PROPOSED by Councillor Naughten

           SECONDED by Councillor  Fallon

And   RESOLVED that Councillor Liam Callaghan be the voting delegate at the Annual Conference and also be a permanent delegate to the Standing  Policy Council of the Association of Irish Local Government (AILG) for the full five year term.

·         To nominate two (2) members to the Northern and Western Regional Assembly.

It was PROPOSED by  Councillor Keogh

          SECONDED by Councillor   Cummins

And   RESOLVED that Councillor Orla Leyden elected to the Northern and Western Regional Assembly.

It was PROPOSED by Councillor Keogh

          SECONDED by Councillor Cummins

And   RESOLVED that Councillor John Naughten elected to the Northern and Western Regional Assembly.

·         To nominate one (1) member to the County Roscommon Heritage Forum

It was PROPOSED by  Councillor Keogh

          SECONDED by Councillor  Fallon

And   RESOLVED that Councillor Joe Murphy be elected to the County Roscommon Heritage Forum.

The Cathaoirleach declared Councillor Joe Murphy to be the elected member of the County Roscommon Heritage Forum.

·         To nominate three (3) members to the Galway and Roscommon Education and Training Board

It was PROPOSED by Councillor Creaton

          SECONDED by Councillor Connolly

And   RESOLVED that Councillor Shanagher be nominated to the Galway and Roscommon Education and Training Board.

In accordance with the grouping system of Councillors Ward, Connaughton, Shanagher, Waldron, Kilduff and Dineen.

It was PROPOSED by Councillor Cummins

          SECONDED by Councillor Crosby

And   RESOLVED that Councillor McDermott be nominated to the Galway and Roscommon Education and Training Board.

It was PROPOSED by Councillor Naughten

          SECONDED by Councillor Keogh

And   RESOLVED that Councillor Fallon be nominated to the Galway and Roscommon Education and Training Board.

The Cathaoirleach declared the following members nominated to the Galway/Roscommon Education & Training Board:-Councillors Shanagher,  McDermott and Fallon.   

·         To nominate one (1) member to Irish Public Bodies Mutual Insurances Limited

It was PROPOSED by Councillor Leyden

          SECONDED by Councillor Naughten

And   RESOLVED that Councillor Keogh be elected to represent Roscommon County Council at the Annual General Meeting of the Board of Irish Public Bodies Mutual Insurances Ltd.

The Cathaoirleach declared Councillor Keogh to be elected to represent Roscommon County Council at the Annual General Meeting of the Board of Irish Public Bodies Mutual Insurances Ltd.

·         To nominate one (1) member to the Local Authority Members Association (LAMA)

It was PROPOSED by Councillor Keogh

          SECONDED by Councillor Fallon

And   RESOLVED that Councillor Cummins be elected to the Local Authority Members Association (LAMA)

The Cathaoirleach declared Cllr. John Cummins to be the elected member of the Local Authority Members Association (LAMA).

·         To nominate one (1) member as a delegate to the Annual General Meeting of the Library Association of Ireland

·         To nominate three (3) members as delegates to the Annual Conference of the Library Association of Ireland

It was PROPOSED by Councillor Naughten

          SECONDED by Councillor Cummins

And   RESOLVED that Councillor Callaghan be elected delegate to the Annual General Meeting of the Library Association of Ireland.

The Cathaoirleach declared Councillor Callaghan to be the elected delegate to the Annual General Meeting of the Library Association of Ireland.

It was PROPOSED by Councillor Ward

          SECONDED by Councillor Dineen

And   RESOLVED that Councillor Waldron be appointed a delegate to the Annual Conference of the Library Association of Ireland

In accordance with the grouping system of Councillors Ward, Connaughton, Shanagher, Waldron, Kilduff and Dineen.

It was PROPOSED by Councillor Fitzmaurice

          SECONDED by Councillor Crosby

And   RESOLVED that Councillor McDermott be appointed a delegate to the Annual Conference of the Library Association of Ireland.

It was PROPOSED by Councillor Naughten

          SECONDED by Councillor Cummins

And   RESOLVED that Councillor Callaghan be appointed a delegate to the Annual Conference of the Library Association of Ireland.

·         To nominate three (3) members to the Local Community Development Committee (LCDC)

It was PROPOSED by Councillor Ward

          SECONDED by Councillor Connaughton

And   RESOLVED that Councillor Kilduff be appointed as a member of the Local Community Development Committee

In accordance with the grouping system of Councillors Ward, Connaughton, Shanagher, Waldron, Kilduff and Dineen.

It was PROPOSED by Councillor McDermott

          SECONDED by Councillor Callaghan

And   RESOLVED that Councillor Fitzmaurice be appointed as a member of the Local Community Development Committee

It was PROPOSED by Councillor Naughten

          SECONDED by Councillor Keogh

And   RESOLVED that Councillor Fallon be appointed as a member of the Local Community Development Committee

·         To nominate three (3) members to the Local Traveller Accommodation Consultative Committee (LTACC)

It was PROPOSED by Councillor Ward

          SECONDED by Councillor Dineen

And   RESOLVED that Councillor Shanagher be appointed to the Local Traveller Accommodation Consultative Committee.

In accordance with the Grouping System of Councillors Ward, Connaughton, Shanagher, Waldron, Kilduff and Dineen.

It was PROPOSED by Councillor Fitzmaurice

          SECONDED by Councillor Callaghan

And   RESOLVED that Councillor Cummins be appointed to the Local Traveller Accommodation Consultative Committee.

It was PROPOSED by Councillor Keogh

          SECONDED by Councillor Fallon

And   RESOLVED that Councillor Crosby  be appointed to the Local Traveller Accommodation Consultative Committee.

The Cathaoirleach declared the following members appointed to the Local Traveller Accommodation Consultative Committee:-  Councillors  Shanagher, Cummins and Crosby

·         To nominate three (3) members to the Regional Health Forum West.

It was PROPOSED by Councillor Dineen

          SECONDED by Councillor Shanagher

And   RESOLVED that Councillor Ward be appointed to the Regional Health Forum West

In accordance with the Grouping System of Councillors Ward, Connaughton, Shanagher, Waldron, Kilduff and Dineen.

It was PROPOSED by Councillor McDermott

          SECONDED by Councillor Callaghan

And   RESOLVED that Councillor Cummins be appointed to the Regional Health Forum West

It was PROPOSED by Councillor Naughten

          SECONDED by Councillor Leyden

And   RESOLVED that Councillor Crosby  be appointed to the Regional Health Forum West

The Cathaoirleach declared the following members appointed to the Regional Health Forum West: Councillors Ward, Cummins and Criosby.

·         To nominate three (3) members to the Road Safety Together Committee.

It was PROPOSED by Councillor Ward

          SECONDED by Councillor Dineen

And   RESOLVED that Councillor Waldron be nominated to the Road Safety Together Committee.

In accordance with the grouping system of Councillors Ward, Connaughton, Shanagher, Waldron, Kilduff and Dineen.

It was PROPOSED by Councillor Keogh

          SECONDED by Councillor Naughten

And   RESOLVED that Councillor Murphy be nominated to the Road Safety Together Committee.

It was PROPOSED by Councillor Fallon

          SECONDED by Councillor Cummins

And   RESOLVED that Councillor Naughten be nominated to the Road Safety Together Committee.

The Cathaoirleach declared the following members be nominated to the Road Safety Together Committee:- Councillors Waldron, Murphy and Naughten

·         To nominate two (2) members to the Roscommon Comhairle na nOg Steering Committee

It was PROPOSED by Councillor Leyden

          SECONDED by Councillor Naughten

And   RESOLVED that Councillor McDermott be elected to the Roscommon Comhairle na nOg Steering Committee.

It was PROPOSED by Councillor Fallon

          SECONDED by Councillor Cummins

And   RESOLVED that Councillor Crosby be elected to the Roscommon Comhairle na nOg Steering Committee.

The Cathaoirleach declared Councillors McDermott and Crosby to be the elected members of the Roscommon Comhairle na nOg Steering Committee.

·         To nominate thirteen (13) members to the Joint Policing Committee (JPC)

o   Nomination of a minimum of two members from each Municipal District

o   Cathaoirleach and Chief Executive – ex-officio members of the Committee

It was PROPOSED by Councillor Ward

          SECONDED by Councillor Dineen

And   RESOLVED that Councillor Waldron be elected to the County Roscommon Joint Policing Committee

It was PROPOSED by Councillor Ward

          SECONDED by Councillor Dineen

And   RESOLVED that Councillor Kilduff be elected to the County Roscommon Joint Policing Committee

It was PROPOSED by Councillor Ward

          SECONDED by Councillor Dineen

And   RESOLVED that Councillor Shanagher be elected to the County Roscommon Joint Policing Committee

It was PROPOSED by Councillor Ward

          SECONDED by Councillor Dineen

And   RESOLVED that Councillor Dineen be elected to the County Roscommon Joint Policing Committee

It was PROPOSED by Councillor Ward

          SECONDED by Councillor Dineen

And   RESOLVED that Councillor Ward be elected to the County Roscommon Joint Policing Committee

It was PROPOSED by Councillor Keogh

          SECONDED by Councillor Cummins

And   RESOLVED that Councillor Leyden be elected to the County Roscommon Joint Policing Committee

It was PROPOSED by Councillor Keogh

          SECONDED by Councillor Cummins

And   RESOLVED that Councillor Naughten be elected to the County Roscommon Joint Policing Committee

It was PROPOSED by Councillor Keogh

          SECONDED by Councillor Cummins

And   RESOLVED that Councillor Fitzmaurice be elected to the County Roscommon Joint Policing Committee

It was PROPOSED by Councillor Leyden

          SECONDED by Councillor Cummins

And   RESOLVED that Councillor Callaghan be elected to the County Roscommon Joint Policing Committee

The It was PROPOSED by Councillor Leyden

          SECONDED by Councillor Cummins

And   RESOLVED that Councillor Cummins be elected to the County Roscommon Joint Policing Committee

It was PROPOSED by Councillor Leyden

          SECONDED by Councillor Cummins

And   RESOLVED that Councillor Murphy be elected to the County Roscommon Joint Policing Committee

It was PROPOSED by Councillor Leyden

          SECONDED by Councillor Cummins

And   RESOLVED that Councillor Crosby be elected to the County Roscommon Joint Policing Committee

It was PROPOSED by Councillor Leyden

          SECONDED by Councillor Cummins

And   RESOLVED that Councillor Fallon be elected to the County Roscommon Joint Policing Committee

Cathaoirleach declared Councillors Waldron, Kilduff, Shanagher, Dineen, Ward, Naughten, Fitzmaurice, Callaghan, Cummins, Fallon, Crosby, Leyden, and Murphy elected to the County Roscommon Joint Policing Committee.

·         To nominate two (2) members to the Roscommon County Council Audit Committee

It was PROPOSED by Councillor Murphy

          SECONDED by Councillor Callaghan

And   RESOLVED that Councillor Cummins be nominated to the Roscommon County Council Audit Committee

It was PROPOSED by Councillor Crosby

          SECONDED by Councillor Keogh

And   RESOLVED that Councillor Fallon be nominated to the Roscommon County Council Audit Committee

The Cathaoirleach declared the following to be nominated  to Roscommon County Council Audit Committee:- Councillors  Cummins and Fallon.

·         To nominate three (3) members to the Rural Water Local Monitoring Committee

It was PROPOSED by Councillor Ward

          SECONDED by Councillor Shanagher

And   RESOLVED that Councillor Kilduff be nominated to the Rural Water Monitoring Committee

In accordance with the grouping system of Councillors Ward, Connaughton, Shanagher, Waldron, Kilduff and Dineen.

It was PROPOSED by Councillor Murphy

          SECONDED by Councillor Crosby

And   RESOLVED that Councillor Cummins be nominated to the Rural Water Monitoring Committee

It was PROPOSED by Councillor Naughten

          SECONDED by Councillor McDermott

And   RESOLVED that Councillor Callaghan be nominated to the Rural Water Monitoring Committee

The Cathaoirleach declared the following members be nominated to the Rural Water Monitoring Committee:- Councillors Kilduff, Cummins and Callaghan.

·         To nominate six (6) members to the Standing Orders Committee

It was PROPOSED by Councillor Shanagher

          SECONDED by Councillor Dineen

And   RESOLVED that Councillor Dineen be nominated to the Standing Orders Committee

In accordance with the grouping system of Councillors Shanagher, Kilduff and Connaughton

It was PROPOSED by Councillor Ward

          SECONDED by Councillor

And   RESOLVED that Councillor Ward be nominated to the Standing Orders Committee

In accordance with the grouping system of Councillors Ward, Dineen and Waldron.

It was PROPOSED by Councillor Leyden

          SECONDED by Councillor Naughten

And   RESOLVED that Councillor Cummins be nominated to the Standing Orders Committee

It was PROPOSED by Councillor Callaghan

          SECONDED by Councillor Keogh

And   RESOLVED that Councillor Naughten be nominated to the Standing Orders Committee

It was PROPOSED by Councillor Murphy

          SECONDED by Councillor Callaghan

And   RESOLVED that Councillor McDermott be nominated to the Standing Orders Committee

It was PROPOSED by Councillor Naughten

          SECONDED by Councillor Leyden

And   RESOLVED that Councillor Crosby be nominated to the Standing Orders Committee

The Cathaoirleach declared the following members be nominated to the Standing Orders Committee:- Councillors Ward, Dineen, Cummins, Naughten, McDermott and Crosby.

·         To nominate one (1) member to the Western Inter-County Railway Committee

It was PROPOSED by  Councillor Fallon

          SECONDED by Councillor  Cummins

And   RESOLVED that Councillor Crosby be elected to the Western Inter County Railway Committee

The Cathaoirleach declared Councillor Crosby to be the elected member of the Western Inter-County Railway Committee.

·         To nominate one (1) member to Údarás na hOllscoile Governing Authority, NUIG.

It was PROPOSED by  Councillor Cummins

          SECONDED by Councillor  Fallon

And   RESOLVED that Councillor Keogh be elected to the Udaras na hOllscoile Governing Authority, National University of Ireland Gaillimh.

The Cathaoirleach declared Councillor Keogh to be elected to the Udaras na hOllscoile Governing Authority, National University of Ireland Gaillimh

On the PROPOSAL of Cllr. Leyden

                SECONDED by Cllr. Murphy

It was AGREED that the Annual Meetings of the Municipal Districts tale place as follows:

Athlone at 2.30pm on Monday 17^th June, 2019

Boyle at 2.30pm on Monday 17^th June, 2019

Roscommon at 11.00am on Monday 17^th June, 2019

The Cathaoirleach informed the members that the schedule of meetings for 2019/2020 would be discussed at a Corporate Policy Group meeting after this annual meeting.

On the PROPOSAL of Cllr Leyden

                SECONDED by Cllr. Keogh

It was AGREED to fix the date of the next Plenary meeting of Roscommon County Council on Monday 24^th June 2019.

·         That Roscommon County Council nominates all elected members to attend training seminar organised by the Association of Irish Local Government which will take place on Thursday 11^th July in Mullingar Park Hotel.

On the PROPOSAL of Cllr. Keogh

SECONDED by Cllr. Dineen

It was AGREED to nominate all of the elected members of Roscommon County Council to attend the Induction Seminar organised by the Association of Irish Local Government which will take place on Thursday 11^th July in Mullingar Park Hotel.

-       Circular F.10A/19 dated 4^th April 2019

The Meetings Administrator advised the Members of the implementation of provisions  contained in the Local Elections (Disclosure of Donations and Expenditure) Act 1999 requiring a written statement of all election expenses incurred in relation to a local election must be furnished in person by a candidate to their local authority within 90 days after polling day at that election i.e. 22^nd August 2019

The Meetings Administrator informed the members that those elected for the first time must return the annual declaration form no later than six weeks from the day they came into office. The Ethics Registrar will be writing to the relevant members with the appropriate correspondence for completion.