Minutes of the Shannon Municipal District Annual General Meeting June 2025

Present:

Councillors attending in person:

Councillors Pat O’Gorman (Cathaoirleach), John Crowe (Leas-Cathaoirleach), Michael Begley, David Griffin, Rachel Hartigan, James Ryan and Tony Mulcahy.

 

Officials attending in person:

Alan Farrell, Director of Services, Suzie Clifford, Senior Executive Officer (Meetings Administrator), Tom Mellett, Senior Executive Engineer and Patricia O’Neill, Staff Officer.

 

Presiding

The outgoing Cathaoirleach Pat O’Gorman opened the meeting and welcomed all present.

Cllr. O’Gorman reflected on the past year, stating that he was honoured to serve as the Cathaoirleach of the Shannon MD and enjoyed his tenure as Cathaoirleach.  He acknowledged projects that progressed during the year including the N19 Shannon Airport Access Road Improvement Scheme, the One Shannon Hub, Shannon Town and Environs Flood Relief Scheme and the Greenway from Shannon-Bunratty-Sixmilebridge.  While these projects are ongoing and still a significant amount of work to be done, he emphasised that it was important that they be kept to the forefront at all times. 

The increase in the numbers visiting Bunratty Castle and Folk Park since ownership was transferred to Clare County Council was highlighted including works on the restoration of buildings. 

Cllr O’Gorman highlighted the need for the commencement of Phase 2 of the Northern Distributor Road from Knocklisheen to the University of Limerick to help alleviate traffic congestion particularly following the recent grant of planning permission to a housing development in Carraig Midhe.

He stated that another positive from the last 12 months was the significant increase in passenger numbers going through Shannon Airport, which saw the highest number of passengers in 15 years.  Further growth in this area is expected with additional aircraft and routes being added. 

However, disappointment was expressed with the level of roads funding to the Shannon MD this year which saw a reduction from previous years, and he emphasised that this needs to be addressed going forward. 

He concluded by thanking his fellow Councillors for their support and for contributing to the betterment of the district.  Thanks was also expressed to the Management and staff of the Shannon MD for their assistance and support over the last 12 months.  The media were also acknowledged for their coverage of meetings throughout the year.

Mr. Alan Farrell, Director of Service, on behalf of the Management and staff of Clare County Council and the Shannon MD, thanked Cllr. Pat O’Gorman for his positive working relationship with staff, commitment to the various projects, work with community groups and the leadership skills he brought as Cathaoirleach.

These sentiments were also echoed by his fellow Councillors.

 

Item no. 1:  Election of Cathaoirleach for the next 12 months

Nominations for Cathaoirleach were invited.  On the proposal of Cllr. Tony Mulcahy and  seconded by Cllr. Michael Begley, Cllr. John Crowe was unanimously elected as Cathaoirleach.  Cllr. John Crowe then took the chair for the remainder of the meeting, having been handed the chain of office by Cllr. Pat O’Gorman.

Cathaoirleach John Crowe thanked the Members for the nomination as Cathaoirleach and also thanked Cllr. Pat O’Gorman for his hard work and guidance over the last 12 months, being a challenging 1^st year of the 5 year term for the newly elected Councillors, bringing new and existing Councillors together.  Cllr. Crowe looked forward to the year ahead working together with the Members and staff. 

 

Item no. 2:  Election of Leas Cathaoirleach for the next 12 months

The Cathaoirleach invited nominations for the election of Leas Cathaoirleach.

Cllr. David Griffin proposed Cllr. Michael Begley, and this was seconded by Cllr. Tony Mulcahy.

 

Item no. 3: Approval of payment of allowances to the Cathaoirleach

The payment of allowances to the Cathaoirleach under Regulation 17 of the Local Government (Expenses of Local Authority Members) Regulations 2021 for the term was proposed by Cllr. Michael Begley, seconded by Cllr.  Pat O’Gorman and agreed by all.

 

Item no. 4:  Draft Schedule of Meetings for the next 12 months

• Tuesday 15^th July 2025 at 9:45am
• Tuesday 16th September 2025 at 9:45am
• Tuesday 18th November 2025 at 9:45am
• Tuesday 20th January 2026 at 9:45am
• Tuesday 24th March 2026 at 9:45am (3^rd Tuesday in March is 17^th March St. Patrick’s Day and therefore propose to move to Tuesday 24^th March)
• Tuesday 19th May 2026 at 9:45am

 

This was proposed by Cllr. David Griffin, seconded by Cllr. Tony Mulcahy and agreed by all.

 

Cathaoirleach John Crowe concluded by stating he was delighted and honoured to take the position of Cathaoirleach and this is his 3^rd time holding this position.  He acknowledged the challenges ahead while also maintaining a positive outlook.

This concluded the business of the meeting.

 

Signed:                                                           Signed:                                                          

            Meetings Administrator                               Cathaoirleach

 

 

Dated:            July, 2025

Page last reviewed: 15/07/25

Content managed by: Shannon Municipal District

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