The Chief Executive, Mr. Shane Tiernan welcomed the newly elected and returned members to the chamber for the 2024-2029 term of Roscommon County Council.  He also paid tribute to the outgoing councillors.  He thanked them for their commitment and work in the County Council for the citizens of Roscommon.  He welcomed the press and members of the public, including the members’ families and friends to the meeting.

Mr. Tiernan thanked Caitlín Connelly as Returning Officer, supported by the Management Team and staff for the successful delivery of the local election.  He thanked the outgoing Cathaoirleach Councillor John Keogh and all Cathaoirligh that have supported him in making Roscommon a great place to live, work and invest.  Mr. Tiernan noted that Roscommon County Council is now entering a new Corporate Plan phase, setting the direction for the next 5 years, and this also links to the Annual Service Delivery Plan.

Mr. Tiernan wished all elected members well for a successful tenure.

The Meetings Administrator noted the names of persons duly elected as follows:

Councillor Larry Brennan, Councillor Valerie Byrne, Councillor Liam Callaghan, Councillor Dominick Connolly, Councillor Tom Crosby, Councillor Leah Cull, Councillor Nigel Dineen, Councillor Laurence Fallon, Councillor Paschal Fitzmaurice, Councillor Micheál Frain, Councillor Emer Kelly, Councillor John Keogh, Councillor Marty McDermott, Councillor Sean Moylan, Councillor John Naughton, Councillor Gareth Scahill, Councillor Anthony Waldron, Councillor Tony Ward.

·         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 election of Cathaoirleach of Roscommon County Council for the term 2024-2025.

It was PROPOSED by Councillor Marty McDermott

            SECONDED by Councillor Gareth Scahill

That Councillor Paschal Fitzmaurice be elected as Cathaoirleach

It was PROPOSED by Councillor Tony Ward

            SECONDED by Councillor Anthony Waldron

That Councillor Nigel Dineen 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 PASCHAL FITZMAURICE

Councillor Sean Moylan, Councillor Larry Brennan, Councillor John Naughton, Councillor John Keogh, Councillor Callaghan, Councillor Connolly, Councillor Crosby, Councillor Fallon, Councillor Fitzmaurice, Councillor Kelly, Councillor Keogh, Councillor McDermott, Councillor Scahill (12)

VOTING FOR THE ELECTION OF COUNCILLOR NIGEL DINEEN

Councillor Nigel Dineen, Councillor Tony Ward, Councillor Leah Cull, Councillor Anthony Waldron (4)

ABSTAINED

Councillor Byrne, Councillor Frain (2)

Councillor Pascal Fitzmaurice was duly elected as Cathaoirleach of Roscommon County Council. 

Councillor Fitzmaurice thanked his proposer and seconder and members that voted for him.  He said it was a great honour to be elected to this position, and that he intends to be fair to all members during his tenure.  He welcomed the new Councillors, and remembered the Councillors that retired, and stated that their time in Roscommon County Council is very well noted, and they brought forward many projects.

He thanked Mr. Tiernan and all staff of Roscommon County Council, stating they are very facilitating of the members in helping make Roscommon a great place. He thanked his family and friends for their support, those in the public gallery.  He also gave special thanks to his wife and children for their support. 

He outlined a number of different areas that he would prioritise during his term of office as Cathaoirleach including:

·        Traffic calming in villages and towns

·        Economic development – encouraging economic growth

·        Housing

·        Community and Tourism – a lot of work done and many projects coming.  Wants more work for playgrounds, parks and pools, for people with all abilities, especially children

·        Planning resources

·        Roads – focus on verge trimming

He acknowledged the contribution of Councillor Keogh over his last term as Cathaoirleach, and that he represented Roscommon very well. 

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

The Cathaoirleach, Councillor Fitzmaurice invited proposals for the election of Leas Cathaoirleach of Roscommon County Council for the term 2024-2025.

It was PROPOSED by Councillor Sean Moylan

            SECONDED by Councillor John Naughton

That Councillor Larry Brennan be elected as Leas Cathaoirleach

It was PROPOSED by Councillor Nigel Dineen

            SECONDED by Councillor Tony Ward

That Councillor Leah Cull 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 LARRY BRENNAN

Councillor Sean Moylan, Councillor Larry Brennan, Councillor John Naughton, Councillor John Keogh, Councillor Callaghan, Councillor Connolly, Councillor Crosby, Councillor Fallon, Councillor Fitzmaurice, Councillor Kelly, Councillor Keogh, Councillor McDermott, Councillor Scahill (12)

VOTING FOR THE ELECTION OF COUNCILLOR LEAH CULL

Councillor Nigel Dineen, Councillor Tony Ward, Councillor Leah Cull, Councillor Anthony Waldron (4)

ABSTAINED

Councillor Byrne, Councillor Frain (2)

Councillor Larry Brennan was duly elected as Leas Cathaoirleach of Roscommon County Council. 

Councillor Brennan was congratulated by Councillor Fitzmaurice on his election as Leas Cathaoirleach. 

Councillor Brennan noted to the Cathaoirleach, Chief Executive and fellow elected members that he was very proud to accept the position. He thanks his proposer and seconder.  He commiserated with Councillor Leah Cull.  He said he was looking forward to working with the executive and other elected members in working for Co. Roscommon.  He acknowledged the presence of friends and family, and their support.  He paid tribute to outgoing Cathaoirleach in his role in last 12 months.  He acknowledged Councillor Fitzmaurice as Cathaoirleach and wished him the best for his role. 

All of the members spoke and thanked the people who had voted for them, their campaign teams and families.  They congratulated the Councillor Fitzmaurice and Councillor Brennan on their appointment to roles of Cathaoirleach and Leas Cathaoirleach.  They thanked Councillor Keogh for his successful tenure as Cathaoirleach last year.  The members also thanked Returning Officer Caitlín Conneely and all Roscommon County Council staff for their work in delivering a successful local election count.  Thanks were also conveyed to local media for their extensive coverage of the local election.

Other issues were raised as follows:

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

·        Castlerea Fire Station

·        Lough Funshinagh flooding

·        Importance of tourism and economic development

1.      Economic Development, Enterprise and Regeneration

2.      Roads, Planning and Emergency Services

3.      Housing, Integration, Community and Culture

4.      Climate Action, Environment and Rural Water

The Meetings Administrator stated that the following new Strategic Policy Committees (SPC) are proposed for the 2024-2029 scheme, and the chairs would be confirmed for each committee by the Corporate Policy Group.

·        Economic Development, Enterprise and Regeneration SPC

·        Roads, Planning and Emergency Services SPC

·        Housing, Integration, Community and Culture SPC

·        Climate Action, Environment and Rural Water SPC

The Meetings Administrator informed the Members that in accordance with Schedule 10 (18) of the Local Government Act 2001, a grouping of five Members is required to be allocated one of the four positions of Chairperson of the SPCs.

The grouping was confirmed by Councillor Dineen as Councillor Waldron, Councillor Dineen, Councillor Ward, Councillor Cull, Councillor Frain.

It was PROPOSED by Councillor Dineen

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

In accordance with the grouping system of Councillor Waldron, Councillor Dineen, Councillor Ward, Councillor Cull and Councillor Frain.

It was PROPOSED by Councillor Callaghan

           SECONDED by Councillor Fallon

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

It was PROPOSED by Councillor Callaghan

           SECONDED by Councillor Fallon

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

It was PROPOSED by Councillor Callaghan

           SECONDED by Councillor Fallon

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

Councillor Keogh requested an adjournment of the meeting, and this was agreed by the Cathaoirleach.  After the adjournment Councillor Ward spoke regarding the grouping in relation to the appointment of Chair to the SPCs.  Councillor Ward withdrew the nominee for Chair of an SPC as he confirmed that their grouping was 4 members not 5 members, as Councillor Frain was not part of the group.  The nomination of Councillor Waldron was withdrawn.

The Meetings Administrator confirmed that a grouping of 5 is needed to nominate a Chair, thus a group of 4 is not able to do so.

It was PROPOSED by Councillor Callaghan

           SECONDED by Councillor Brennan

And RESOLVED that Councillor Mc Dermott 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 John Keogh

              SECONDED by Councillor Naughton

And RESOLVED that Councillor Brennan be the voting delegate at the Annual Conference and also be the permanent delegate to the Standing Policy Council of the AILG for the full five year term.

It was PROPOSED by Councillor John Keogh

              SECONDED by Councillor Naughton

And RESOLVED that Councillor Callaghan be the voting delegate at the Annual Conference and also be the permanent delegate to the Standing Policy Council of the AILG for the full five year term.

It was PROPOSED by Councillor John Keogh

              SECONDED by Councillor Naughton

And RESOLVED that Councillor Byrne be the voting delegate at the Annual Conference and also be the permanent delegate to the Standing Policy Council of the AILG for the full five year term.

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

It was PROPOSED by Councillor Callaghan

            SECONDED by Councillor Crosby

And RESOLVED that Councillor Naughton be elected to the NWRA.

It was PROPOSED by Councillor Callaghan

            SECONDED by Councillor Crosby

And RESOLVED that Councillor Frain be elected to the NWRA.

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

It was PROPOSED by Councillor Callaghan

              SECONDED by Councillor Naughton

And RESOLVED that Councillor Scahill 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 Keogh

            SECONDED by Councillor Naughton

And RESOLVED that Councillor Brennan be nominated to the GRETB.

It was PROPOSED by Councillor Keogh

            SECONDED by Councillor Naughton

And RESOLVED that Councillor Scahill be nominated to the GRETB.

It was PROPOSED by Councillor Keogh

            SECONDED by Councillor Naughton

And RESOLVED that Councillor Connolly be nominated to the GRETB.

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

It was PROPOSED by Councillor McDermott

            SECONDED by Councillor Naughton

And RESOLVED that Councillor Keogh be elected to represent Roscommon County Council at the AGM of the Board of IPB.

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

            SECONDED by Councillor Crosby

And RESOLVED that Councillor Callaghan be elected delegate to the AGM of the Library Association of Ireland.

It was PROPOSED by Councillor Brennan

            SECONDED by Councillor Scahill

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

It was PROPOSED by Councillor Brennan

            SECONDED by Councillor Scahill

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

It was PROPOSED by Councillor Brennan

            SECONDED by Councillor Scahill

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

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

It was PROPOSED by Councillor Callaghan

            SECONDED by Councillor Keogh

And RESOLVED that Councillor Naughton be nominated to LAMA.

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

It was PROPOSED by Councillor Naughton

            SECONDED by Councillor Kelly

And RESOLVED that Councillor Fallon be appointed a member of the LCDC.

It was PROPOSED by Councillor Naughton

            SECONDED by Councillor Kelly

And RESOLVED that Councillor Brennan be appointed a member of the LCDC.

It was PROPOSED by Councillor Naughton

            SECONDED by Councillor Kelly

And RESOLVED that Councillor Connolly be appointed a member of the LCDC.

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

It was PROPOSED by Councillor Keogh

            SECONDED by Councillor Fallon

And RESOLVED that Councillor Moylan be nominated to the Regional Health Forum West.

It was PROPOSED by Councillor Keogh

            SECONDED by Councillor Fallon

And RESOLVED that Councillor Scahill be nominated to the Regional Health Forum West.

It was PROPOSED by Councillor Keogh

            SECONDED by Councillor Fallon

And RESOLVED that Councillor Kelly be nominated to the Regional Health Forum West.

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

It was PROPOSED by Councillor Kelly

            SECONDED by Councillor Moylan

And RESOLVED that Councillor Keogh be nominated to the LTACC.

It was PROPOSED by Councillor Kelly

            SECONDED by Councillor Moylan

And RESOLVED that Councillor Crosby be nominated to the LTACC.

It was PROPOSED by Councillor Kelly

            SECONDED by Councillor Moylan

And RESOLVED that Councillor Callaghan be nominated to the LTACC.

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

It was PROPOSED by Councillor Keogh

            SECONDED by Councillor Naughton

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

It was PROPOSED by Councillor Keogh

            SECONDED by Councillor Naughton

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

It was PROPOSED by Councillor Keogh

            SECONDED by Councillor Naughton

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

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

It was PROPOSED by Councillor McDermott

            SECONDED by Councillor Connolly

And RESOLVED that Councillor Moylan be nominated to the Roscommon Comhairle Na Nog Steering Committee.

It was PROPOSED by Councillor McDermott

            SECONDED by Councillor Connolly

And RESOLVED that Councillor Scahill be nominated to the Roscommon Comhairle Na Nog Steering Committee.

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

It was PROPOSED by Councillor Brennan

            SECONDED by Councillor Callaghan

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

It was PROPOSED by Councillor Brennan

            SECONDED by Councillor Callaghan

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

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

It was PROPOSED by Councillor Scahill

            SECONDED by Councillor Fallon

And RESOLVED that Councillor Crosby be nominated to the Rural Water Local Monitoring Committee.

It was PROPOSED by Councillor Scahill

            SECONDED by Councillor Fallon

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

It was PROPOSED by Councillor Scahill

            SECONDED by Councillor Fallon

And RESOLVED that Councillor Frain be nominated to the Rural Water Local Monitoring Committee.

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

It was PROPOSED by Councillor Callaghan

            SECONDED by Councillor Keogh

And RESOLVED that Councillor Moylan be nominated to the Standing Orders Committee.

It was PROPOSED by Councillor Callaghan

            SECONDED by Councillor Keogh

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

It was PROPOSED by Councillor Callaghan

            SECONDED by Councillor Keogh

And RESOLVED that Councillor Scahill be nominated to the Standing Orders Committee.

It was PROPOSED by Councillor Callaghan

            SECONDED by Councillor Keogh

And RESOLVED that Councillor Fitzmaurice be nominated to the Standing Orders Committee.

It was PROPOSED by Councillor Callaghan

            SECONDED by Councillor Keogh

And RESOLVED that Councillor Naughton be nominated to the Standing Orders Committee.

It was PROPOSED by Councillor Callaghan

            SECONDED by Councillor Keogh

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

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

It was PROPOSED by Councillor Connolly

            SECONDED by Councillor Naughton

And RESOLVED that Councillor Scahill be nominated to the Western Inter-County Railway Committee.

·         To nominate one (1) member to Udarás na hOllscoile Governing Authority, National University of Ireland, Galway

It was PROPOSED by Councillor Naughton

            SECONDED by Councillor Keogh

And RESOLVED that Councillor Callaghan be nominated to the Udarás Na hOllscoile Governing Authority, National University of Ireland, Galway.

·         To nominate one (1) member to TFI Local Link Longford Westmeath Roscommon

It was PROPOSED by Councillor Moylan

            SECONDED by Councillor Scahill

And RESOLVED that Councillor Callaghan be nominated to the TFI Local Link Longford Westmeath Roscommon.

·         To appoint Cathaoirleach or one (1) nominated member

It was PROPOSED by Councillor Connolly

            SECONDED by Councillor Fallon

And RESOLVED that Councillor Naughton be nominated to the Midlands Regional Transition Steering Committee.

On the PROPOSAL of Councillor Naughton

               SECONDED by Councillor Kelly

It was AGREED that the Annual Meeting of the Athlone Municipal District will take place on Thursday 27^th June 2024 at 10am in the Athlone MD Office.

On the PROPOSAL of Councillor Callaghan

               SECONDED by Councillor Crosby

It was AGREED that the Annual Meeting of the Boyle Municipal District will take place on Friday 28^th June 2024 at 11am.

On the PROPOSAL of Councillor McDermott

               SECONDED by Councillor Scahill

It was AGREED that the Annual Meeting of the Roscommon Municipal District will take place on Thursday 27^th June 2024 at 2pm.

On the PROPOSAL of Councillor Keogh

        SECONDED by Councillor Naughton

It was AGREED to fix the dates of the next Plenary Meetings of Roscommon County Council as follows:

Monday 22nd July 2024

Monday 23rd September 2024

Monday 21st October 2024

Monday 25th November 2024

Monday 16th December 2024

Monday 27th January 2025

Monday 24th February 2025

Monday 24th March 2025

Monday 28th April 2025

Monday 26th May 2025

Annual Meeting Monday 23rd June 2025

Monday 23rd June 2025

On the PROPOSAL of Councillor Keogh

          SECONDED by Councillor Crosby

It was AGREED to adopt the Draft Annual Report of Roscommon County Council 2023.

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

On the PROPOSAL of Councillor Byrne

        SECONDED by Councillor Naughton

It was  AGREED to nominate all of the elected members of Roscommon County Council to attend the induction seminar organised by AILG, which will take place on Friday 28th June.

·         (To be circulated)

The Meetings Administrator informed the members that the Standing Orders are under review and will be presented for adoption at the next scheduled council meeting.

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 has written to the relevant members with the appropriate correspondence for completion, this must be submitted no later than 26^th July.

·         Circular F.7A- 24 dated 8^th April 2024

The Meetings Administrator informed the members that all candidates are legally required to submit a disclosure of Donations and Expenditure in relation to the local election.  This is required to be returned by 5^th September 2024.

The Cathaoirleach, all elected members and Chief Executive wished retiring Meetings Administrator, Patricia Bohan, well for her forthcoming retirement, and thanked her for her support and contribution to Roscommon County Council.

Patricia Bohan thanked the members and the executive team for their well wishes, and wished them all the best for their new council term.