Councillor Alan O’Callaghan (Fianna Fáil) has been elected Cathaoirleach of Clare County Council during the annual general meeting of the Council this afternoon.
Cllr O’Callaghan, who succeeds Cllr Joe Cooney (Fine Gael) in the role, said it was his great honour to stand before the Council as Cathaoirleach.
“I am humbled and deeply privileged to assume this role and to do so with your full support. I accept this honour knowing that I follow in the footsteps of so many established servants of this Council down through the years.”
“I want to pay tribute to my predecessor, Joe Cooney, and to those of you gathered here today who have previously held the office. I am delighted to be part of a power sharing agreement which will ensure that all groups on the Council will get an opportunity to play a meaningful role during the next five years.”
Cllr O’Callaghan pointed to tourism and roads as priorities for him in his 12-month stint as Cathaoirleach.
“Tourism can be a big driver to the betterment of Clare, with its potential to create and sustain jobs and to draw people to visit and spend in our county. Clare County Council’s tourism directorate has done superb work in growing tourism in the county and we need to continue to push this work forward.”
“Another priority of mine is improving and upgrading our road network. We need decent and well-maintained roads to facilitate economic growth and for our people to be safe as they go to work and school and as they go about their daily lives.”
The outgoing Cathaoirleach of Clare County Council, Cllr Joe Cooney, said that he had been privileged to be Cathaoirleach. He said, “Serving as Cathaoirleach of Clare County Council has been the greatest honour of my life.”
Cllr Cooney added, “It was a particular privilege for me to represent the county overseas during my term as Cathaoirleach. I was fortunate enough to be part of our delegation to the Milwaukee Irish Fest last August. The Irish Fest was a wonderful showcase for our county as a tourism destination and as a gateway to Ireland and Europe through our airport in Shannon.”
“Through the work of our elected members and county council staff, we have achieved great success in attracting funding for the county, be it for tourism development, roads projects or public realm regeneration work in our towns and rural villages.”
Cllr Mary Howard (Fine Gael) has been elected as Leas-Chathaoirleach of Clare County Council.
