New Councillors Take their Seats

By Colm Croffy

Photo shows all the MDC Councillors with Kieran Coyne ,Senior Staff Officer and Angela Spellman, Meetings Covenor Galway County Council

Outgoing Chair Declan Geraghty thanked colleagues and staff for their support to him in his 12 months and remarked how closely and cooperatively they had all worked for their communities in the past five years, at their first meeting of the Municipal District Area Council since the Local Elections in June.

The longest serving fifth term Councillor and area Poll Topper, Michael Connolly, was elected unopposed to the Chair - first having served in the position in 2014. Cllr Peter Keaveney proposed, and Cllr Evelyn Parsons seconded him.

Cllr. Declan Geraghty proposed Cllr Dermot Connolly for Leas Cathaoirleach - or Deputy Chair, seconded by Cllr. Peter Keaveney.

Cllr. Michael Connolly, in his opening address thanked his colleagues, the council staff and welcomed the newcomer to the Chamber-Cllr. Alan Harney stating that "he was some 5 terms on the Council and still learning about new issues every month."

In setting out his priorities for the 12 months ahead he was keen to see the County Council properly secure Central Government funding on par with other counties from the Equalisation Fund and that investment and resources would be prioritised for East Galway.

"I have always believed that politics is about what is possible and know that all of us here will work for common goals. I was particularly proud of the sensitive handling of genuine concerns and the agreements they collectively secured from the Government over the accommodation of Ukrainian families. Where other communities struggled, we as a group showed positive leadership and collective

Director of Services Jackie Carroll, congratulated and welcomed the newly elected members of the MDC and wished both Chair and Vice-chair well in their 12 months ahead.
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The MDC meets monthly every Wednesday in the Civic Offices.