Minutes of 2025 Annual General Meeting of Clare County Council

Present

Councillors

Councillors P. Daly, M. Howard, P. Murphy, A. Baker Bashua, T. Guilfoyle, C. Colleran Molloy, T. O’Callaghan, P. Hayes, A. O’Callaghan, P. Burke, T. O’Brien, C. Ryan, R. Hartigan, J. Crowe, P. O’Gorman, M. Begley, T. Mulcahy, B. Slattery, J. Garrihy, J. Killeen, D. Gould, R. McInerney, I. Lynch, G. Keating, M. Shannon.

Officials

• Gordon Daly, Chief Executive.
• Mary McMahon, A/Meetings Administrator.
• Aoife Coote, Assistant Staff Officer.
• Ann Reynolds, Director of Rural Development.
• Carmel Kirby, Director of Economic Development.
• Noeleen Fitzgerald, Director of Finance and Support Services.
• Siobhán McNulty, Director of Tourism Development.
• Jason Murphy, Director of Social Development.
• Alan Farrell, Director of Physical Development.

 

Present via MS Teams:

Cllrs. D. Griffin, J. Ryan, S. Talty

 

Presiding

The outgoing Cathaoirleach, Cllr. A. O’Callaghan addressed the meeting and stated that it was a great honour to serve as Cathaoirleach for the last year and acknowledged the support he received from his fellow elected members during that time and paid special thanks to the Leas-Chathaoirleach Cllr. Mary Howard for all her help throughout the year.

 

Cllr. O’Callaghan noted that he was fortunate enough to witness at first hand the many examples of community-led projects throughout the county, including in roads and infrastructure.

Cllr. O’Callaghan stated he had the great honour of helping to open the new de Valera library in Ennis and the Brian Boru bridge in Killaloe, noting what a transformative project it is that will open up a new era in east Clare and the county as a whole.

 

Cllr. O’Callaghan highlighted the All-Ireland triumph in July 2024 and noted the celebrations in the Fair Green in Ennis where 40,000 people gathered to celebrate the winning team.

 

The elected members paid tributes to the outgoing Cathaoirleach, Cllr. A. O’Callaghan and complimented the manner which he carried out his duties and co-ordinated the meetings during the year. 

 

Item 1: Election of Cathaoirleach of the Council for the coming year.

The outgoing Cathaoirleach called for nominations for the post of Cathaoirleach for the forthcoming year.  Cllr. J. Crowe proposed Cllr. P. Murphy for the position of Cathaoirleach of Clare County Council for the year 2025-2026, this proposal was seconded by Cllr. C. Colleran Molloy and agreed by all present. 

As there were no other nominations, Cllr. P. Murphy was declared elected as Cathaoirleach of Clare County Council for the coming year.

Cathaoirleach, Cllr. P. Murphy addressed the meeting and thanked Cllrs. John Crowe and Clare Colleran Molloy for nominating him for the position of Cathaoirleach.

Cathaoirleach, Cllr. P. Murphy referred to the power sharing agreement that has been in place since 2004 and noted how this agreement has served the county exceptionally well for the last 20 years.

Cllr. Murphy stated that becoming the first citizen of the county is a privilege like no other and one he will cherish forever. He noted that he is looking forward to continuing working for the people of the Ennis Municipal District and the county. He stated that as a public representative he has always worked to make Clare a better place to live, work and do business in and noted that communities needed thriving towns and villages to survive. Cllr. Murphy stated that the Councils key function is the delivery of services including maintenance and upgrading of roads, provision of housing and wastewater facilities, he further stated that the future economic progression of County Clare depends on these services and Central Government must continue to play its part in financing these services and the associated infrastructure.

Cathaoirleach, Cllr. P. Murphy stated that he looks forward to working closely with the Chief Executive, his fellow elected members and all the staff of Clare County Council over the next 12 months.

The Cathaoirleach took the opportunity to commend Cllr. Alan O’Callaghan for his work as Cathaoirleach and stated that he represented our county with pride and honour.

Cathaoirleach, Cllr. P. Murphy acknowledged the appointment of Cllr. Mary Howard as Mayor of Ennis Municipal District, Cllr. Bill Slattery as Cathaoirleach of West Clare Municipal District, Cllr. J. Crowe as Cathaoirleach of Shannon Municipal District and Cllr. Pat Burke as Cathaoirleach of Killaloe Municipal District.

Finally, he thanked the electorate of Ennis Municipal District, his family, friends and invited guests for attending the meeting and for supporting him on his journey as a Councillor to date and stated that it is a great privilege and honour for him.

The members present congratulated Cathaoirleach, Cllr. Paul Murphy on his appointment as Cathaoirleach of Clare County Council, wished him well and committed their support during his term.  The elected members commended the power sharing arrangement that has been in place for the benefit of the county.

 

Item 2: Election of Leas Cathaoirleach of Council for coming year.

The Cathaoirleach, Cllr. P. Murphy called for nominations for the position of Leas Cathaoirleach.

Cllr. P. Hayes proposed Cllr. C. Colleran Molloy for the position of Leas Cathaoirleach and this was seconded by Cllr. M. Begley and agreed by all present.

As there were no other nominations for the post the Cathaoirleach declared Cllr. C. Colleran Molloy elected as Leas Cathaoirleach for the coming year.

Cllr. C. Colleran Molloy addressed the meeting and thanked her fellow Councillors for the nomination and the honour to work as Leas Cathaoirleach. She wished Cathaoirleach, Cllr. P. Murphy all the best in the role as Cathaoirleach and stated she would be on hand to assist wherever possible and that she looked forward to serving the county for the next twelve months.

The Chief Executive, Gordon Daly, acknowledged the former Cathaoirleach, Cllr. A. O’Callaghan stating that he was a great ambassador for the county at home and abroad. Mr. Daly noted that Cllr. O’Callaghan always struck the right tone no matter the situation and on behalf of the Management and staff of Clare County Council wished him all the best for the future.

Mr. Daly congratulated Cathaoirleach, Cllr. P. Murphy and Leas Cathaoirleach, Cllr. C. Colleran Molloy and assured them of his full support and commitment for the year ahead as well as the support of the Council staff. 

 

Item 3: Schedule of Ordinary Meetings for next twelve months.

The Schedule of Meetings was circulated with the agenda and was proposed by Cllr. M. Begley, seconded by Cllr. P. O’Gorman and agreed by the members present. 

 

Item 4: Approval for payment of the Cathaoirleach and Leas Cathaoirleach allowances for the forthcoming year.

Approval for payment of the Cathaoirleach and Leas Cathaoirleach allowances for the forthcoming year was proposed by Cllr. A. O’Callaghan, seconded by Cllr. P. Daly and agreed by the members present.

 

Conclusion

The meeting then concluded.

Signed: ____________________________
Riarthóir Cruinnithe

Signed: _____________________________
Cathaoirleach

Date:               _____________________________

Page last reviewed: 15/07/25

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