The outgoing Cathaoirleach Cllr. Joe Murphy welcomed the Elected Members, Executive, guests in the public gallery and the press to the 2022 annual meeting of Roscommon County Council.

He started his year full of optimism with the lifting of Covid restrictions and our economy strong, the contracts for the N5 due to be signed and the issue of Lough Funshinagh about to be solved with the works being undertaken by the Local Authority. Unfortunately, everything has had to be reset since with the war in the Ukraine, our biggest challenge due to the sharp increasing costs of living, the court case over Lough Funshinagh and the N5 contractor in receivership but we look forward to a new contractor on site early next year. Cllr. Murphy paid tribute to the work of the Ukraine Response Forum. He also commended the work being carried out by the Council throughout the county in collaboration with communities which means that as a county we are in a very strong position. Some of his highlights during the year was visiting local committees involved in all types of projects from tidy towns, cemeteries and the arts. He thanked all of the people who helped him in his role over the past 12 months, including the Chief Executive and Directors, the Council staff both here and in the area offices and in particular his fellow councillors for their politeness and guidance and co-operation. He also thanked his work manager and family for their support in his role.

The Members thanked Cllr. Murphy for his service over the past year to Roscommon County Council, his excellent work as ambassador for the county and great achievement in steering the County Development Plan to its adoption in March this year.

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. Murphy invited proposals for the election of Cathaoirleach of Roscommon County Council for the term 2022-2023.

On the PROPOSAL  of Councillor Cummins

               SECONDED by Councillor Fallon

It was AGREED that Councillor Tom Crosby be elected as Cathaoirleach of Roscommon County Council in accordance with Section 22(c) and Part V of the Local Government Reform  Act, 2014 to hold office until his/her successor shall have been appointed in accordance with law.

The new Cathaoirleach, Cllr. Crosby was presented with his chain of office and chaired the remainder of the meeting. He welcomed the members of his family in attendance at today’s meeting – his wife Pauline, daughters Vicky and Pearl and grandson Michael. He thanked his proposer and seconder and the members for the alliance that supported him as 44^th Chairperson and his fourth term as Cathaoirleach of Roscommon County Council since he was first elected in 1991. He thanked the outgoing Cathaoirleach for sis work and representation of the Council over the past year.

He noted there are great challenges ahead but is looking forward to working with the Elected Members, the Chief Executive and Management team and the staff.

Jobs is his greatest concern for the county, and many jobs have been lost with Bord na Mona ceasing peat harvesting and the closure of the power station in Lanesboro. However Atlantic Mills has recently been sold and is being refurbishished and he is looking forward to seeing this come to fruition.

Tourism is a great employer in the county with Lough Key one of the best attractions in the West of Ireland. Strokestown Park House is another great tourist asset and he paid tribute to the Callery Family for the work they have done in the €5m investment in the famine museum.

The River Shannon is a great asset to the county with 60 miles of the river traversing the county boundary. The Shannon tourism masterplan to invest more than €70 million in visitor facilities in the Shannon river region by 2030 and should benefit the county greatly.

County Roscommon is well placed to capture a considerable share of the activity holiday market. The Greenway from Dublin to Galway, through Athlone is also a welcome tourism attraction and the public consultation of the Strokestown, Ballyleague and Rooskey environs linking to the greenway is a welcome proposal – as a Council we need to do our best to facilitate any such initiatives as this.

Another tourist attraction would be to open up more access to rivers and lakes and try to get fishing opened back to the county.

Our tidy towns committees do wonderful work in their local areas and it shows the great civic pride in the county.

We should encourage moue Tus rural schemes – our numbers are low in Roscommon – the work they do is invaluable addition but the rates paid are low and this must be addressed by National Government.

One negative is Litter, one of  ...  view the full minutes text for item 97.22

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.

On the PROPOSAL of Cllr. Keogh

SECONDED by Cllr. Naughten

It was AGREED to elect Cllr. Laurence Fallon as Leas-Cathaorleach of Roscommon County Council in accordance with Section 22(c) and Part V of the Local Government Reform Act, 2014 to hold office until his successor shall have been appointed in accordance with law.

The members congratulated Cllr. Fallon on this appointment:

·         He was first elected in 2009 and subsequently in 2014 in a different electoral area and has served the people well since

·         As a former president of Macra na Feirme, he is an advocate for the people of Lough Funshinagh and surrounding areas

The Cathaoirleach wished Cllr. Fallon well and is looking forward to working with him in the coming year.

To fix dates on which the County Council Meetings will be held within the period to 30^th June, 2023 (Provisional list of dates attached).

On the PROPOSAL of Cllr. Murphy

SECONDED by Cllr. Keogh

It was AGREED that the following should be the dates for holding the Plenary Meetings in 2022-2023:  

26th July, 2022

No Meeting in August

26^th September 2022

24^th October 20212

28^th  November 2022

19^th  December 2022

23^rd   January 2023

27^th  February 2023

27^th   March 2023

24^th April 2023

22^nd  May 2023

26^th June 2023 -  Annual Meeting

26^th June 2023