Laois County Council have elected new Cathaoirleach as Cllr Paschal McEvoy takes the chain for the first very time.
First elected in 2014, the Fianna Fáil man success Fine Gael’s Thomasina Connell following a vote this afternoon.
The Timahoe native, who lives in Stradbally, was nominated by Padraig Fleming and seconded by Catherine Fitzgerald.
He was up against Sinn Féin’s Aidan Mullins who was proposed by Caroline Dwane-Stanley and seconded by James Kelly.
Cllr McEvoy won the vote 13-6. Willie Aird, Conor Bergin, Paddy Bracken, Thomasina Connell, Ollie Clooney, John Joe Fennelly, Catherine Fitzgerald, Padraig Fleming, John King, Seamus McDonald, PJ Kelly and Barry Walsh voted for Cllr McEvoy.
While Caroline Dwane-Stanley, Ben Brennan, James Kelly, Aisling Moran and Marie Tuohy voted for Cllr Mullins.
Before the vote, Cllr Caroline Dwane-Stanley hit out at what she called ‘politics of exclusion’ as the technical group – Sinn Fein, Labour and Independents – have not held the position over the last ten years.
A pact between Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael, similar to the current government, has seen them keep control of the Council but Cllrs Paddy Bracken and Willie Aird told Cllr Dwane-Stanley that this was simply ‘democracy in action’.
Following the vote, Cllr Aidan Mullins wished Cllr McEvoy well in the role and said how the pair worked very well together at Municipal level – something that he said would continue.
Upon his election Cllr McEvoy said: “Fellow Elected Members, Chief Executive of Laois County Council, Director of Services, Laois County Council, family and friends: I wish to take this opportunity to thank my proposer and seconder.
“I’m honoured and privileged at my election to this prestigious position as Cathoirleach of Laois County Council for the forthcoming year.
“I would like to express a warm welcome to everybody for coming here today. We have 19 members in this Council and I know each of them are doing their best to serve the community that they represent.
“Our role as Councillors is to serve our local community and to voice the concerns of those we represent. Local issues touch the lives of all our community. The issues we need to address as a Council are many and wide ranging.
“I’m sure that my fellow Councillors will agree that one of the main challenges facing us today is the issue of taking responsible and practical steps to respond to the threats posed by climate change.
“It affects every citizen and business in our County and no time should be lost in trying to reduce our carbon footprint to protect our precious environment and to mitigate against the further degradation of natural habitat.
“Laois County Council have had an excellent record of social housing delivery and I would like to see progress on cost rental and affordable housing.
“I am delighted to see the National Broadband roll-out across the County and look forward to more progress in this area.
“As your Cathaoirleach, I will be doing everything in my power to promote more cycling in our towns, to encourage energy efficient, to eliminate single use plastics and to make significant progress on this critical and pressing challenge.
“Finally, on a personal level – I would like to thank family, friends and supporters for all their help and support over the years and for sharing this special day with me.
“I look forward to the coming year and to discharging my duties as Cathoirleach of Laois County Council to the best of my ability.”
A similar vote took place to elect the Leas-Cathaoirleach with Padraig Fleming defeating Ben Brennan by the same margin.
Outgoing chair, Thomasina Connell, also spoke about her year in office.
She said: “It has been the honour of a lifetime to have served this County as Cathaoirleach for the past 12 months and I’d like to express my thanks to the Members for their support, assistance and encouragement. In particular, I’d like to thank my Fine Gaelgroup for putting my name forward for Cathaoirleach.
“Laois is a great County; one of the best and I’m so proud to have had the opportunity to represent our County and our People.
“I love Laois, I believe in Laois and I believe in its people. During my term I gave my all to making it a better place, promoting Laois across Ireland and further afield, and always standing up for us when faced with criticism.
“Over the past twelve months I have witnessed significant and sustained progress in the development of our County.
“Our County’s rising population has presented us with the opportunity for the delivery of community facilities and enhancing our infrastructure. Laois County Council hasn’t been found wanting with the continued roll out of amenities across the County: playgrounds, cycle-ways, parks, walking trails and our new County Library just completed. Laois is Booming.
”Our Junction 17 National Enterprise Park is now full and the businesses that occupy it employ over 250 people with a further 250 jobs to come.
“We have exceeded all the targets set for the delivery of Social Housing in Laois. Delivering Social Housing benefits everyone, it takes people off our Housing List and frees up private rental properties, taking pressure off rents and house prices.
”So many vacant and derelict properties across the County are now giving our younger people a chance to become a home–owner through the new Croi Conaithe Vacant Homes Fund Scheme administered by Laois County Council. We are beginning to see the results of these new measures in the streetscapes of our towns and villages as new life is breathed into old and run-down shops and houses.
”As National Broadband continues its roll out across our county, quality of life for those living in Laois has been dramatically transformed over the past number of years with the changes in how we work.
“Many of the 11,000 people who previously commuted out of the county daily are now in a position to dotheir jobs remotely, working within their communities. During my term I’ve met many of those who have benefitted from this change and many more who have made Laois their home. Whenthey could have chosen to live anywhere on this island, they chose to make their life in our beautiful county, and that makes me really proud.
“I’m proud too of what we delivered in Arts and Culture in this county which has never been so alive and vibrant; the many events that took place right across the County: The Leaves Festival with Booker shortlisted author Claire Keegan; On Culture Night we launched the Protectour, a large artwork at the gateway to Portlaoise which represents the seven clans of Laois, and of course the annual Adult Summer Art Course in Laois Arthouse led by the very talented local artist Bridget Flannery. Little of this possible without the backing and support of our Arts Office and Arts Officer.
“It is clear that our Community and Voluntary groups are the lifeblood of our County, working tirelessly to breathe energy into every village, town and townsland. I thank the Community Section for their work.
“The Laois Community & Voluntary Awards provided an opportunity to celebrate and acknowledge the work of the voluntary sector in our County.
“I was delighted to see so many Laois people who participate in their communities being recognized for the significant role they play in enhancing the quality of life of everyone across County Laois. Ballinakill was the County Laois nominee for the All-Island Pride of Place Competition, and they really knocked it out of the park back in September. A vibrant, growing community that maximizes the beauty, history and amenities of its village. The village certainly exhibited that energy when the Judges came to visit and were so impressed!
“As the 5th woman to be Cathaoirleach of this County I was keen to mark International Women’s Day in March with a special event. Over 65 women from women’s groups across Co. Laois gathered in the Council Chamber with speaker Ellen O’ Malley Dunlop for an inspiring and motivational event. The wide range of backgrounds amongst the women in the room that day demonstrated the diversity of our county, which is truly spectacular.
“Portlaoise as Ireland’s first Low Carbon Town continues to be at the forefront of Climate Action with the roll out of successive proactive initiatives and supporting Biodiversity across the County. I was delighted to open ‘The Cube’, a Low Carbon Centre of Excellence in Portlaoise Town Centre, the first of its kind in the region.
“When I travelled to New York for St. Patrick’s Day in March I had the opportunity to discuss our Industrial Development with the IDA which gave me an insight into what our strengths are and shows us what we can build on.
“My visit to Franklin, Tennessee with whom we are twinned was the reestablishment of a relationship which has seen the commencement of student exchange programs this year and we look forward to welcoming a delegation from Franklin in September to experience the National Ploughing Championships to further strengthen the bond between our two communities.
“It was a great honour for me also to accord Cathaoirleach’sreceptions to the following groups for their tremendous achievements:-
“Civic Reception to Mr. Mike Dunphy, Laois Association in recognition of his dedication and contribution to the promotion of County Laois in New York and New Jersey who I had the pleasure of meeting again following an invitation to New York for St. Patrick’s Day.
“Civic Reception to the Portlaoise AFC Girls U14 Soccer Team in recognition of their winning the SFAI U14 national Cup Final
“Civic Reception to the World Ploughing Organisation and the National Ploughing Association on the occasion of Laois hosting the 2022 National and World Ploughing Championships
“Civic Reception to the U-16 Camogie Squad on winning the Leinster and All Ireland U16 Championships
“Civic Reception to Zach Tuohy in recognition of his national and international sporting achievements
“Civic Reception to the Laois Ladies Football Team in recognition of winning the All-Ireland Intermediate Championships 2022
“Civic Reception to Mr. Martin McDonald in recognition of winning the O/65 race in the 21st World Masters Mountain Running Championship
“Civic Reception to Mr. Teddy Fennelly in recognition of winning Ireland’s National Heritage Hero 2022
“Civic Reception to Ms. Mary Mulhare in recognition of her success at the 2022 Cross Country Championships in Italy
“Last week among my final official engagements, I officially opened the new playground in Borris-in-Ossory and also thenew blueway walking trail at Courtwood GAA.
“I would like to extend my gratitude to the CEO, theManagement Team & the wonderful staff in Laois County Council who set themselves apart in the delivery of public service for our County. Special word of thanks to Michelle McCormack who gave me such help and guidance throughout the year.
“I would like to thank Minister Sean Fleming, Charlie Flanagan, T.D., Brian Stanley, T.D., for their hard work and commitment to this County. I’d also like to thank the Leas-Cathaoirleach, Councillor P.J. Kelly for his help and assistance during the year.
“I leave my role today with no regrets. I’m confident that our County is on a very definite path to success on every single front.
All of what I have undertaken this past year would not have been possible without the help from my family; to Tristan thank you for your unwavering support, to my mother for the listening ear and to Baby Tom – thank you for your patience.
“I wish to take this opportunity to wish all of my fellow elected representatives the very best for the year ahead and look forward to working together for this County.”
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