LATEST: Councillor Paul Murphy elected as new Cathaoirleach of Clare County Council at AGM

Ennis-based councillor Paul Murphy has been elected Cathaoirleach of Clare County Council for the coming twelve months.

The Fine Gael councillor was selected at the Annual General Meeting of the local authority on Friday afternoon.

He succeeds Cllr Alan O’Callaghan in the role and becomes the second Cathaoirleach to be elected since last year's local elections.

Cllr Clare Colleran-Molloy of Fianna Fáil was elected as Leas-Chathaoirleach of Clare County Council at the same meeting.

Thanking his family and friends for their ongoing support, the newly-elected Cathaoirleach said it was his great honour to stand before the Council as Cathaoirleach.

“To become first citizen of this beautiful county is a privilege like no other, and one that I will cherish from this day forward,” he said in his maiden speech.

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“I am delighted to be part of a cross-chamber power sharing agreement that has been in place since 2004, ensuring that all groups in the council get the opportunity to play a meaningful role in the running of Clare County Council.

"This agreement has served the county exceptionally well throughout this time, uniting all 28 Councillors as a team and it is vital that this continues. Many hands make light work, agus ní neart go cur le chéile - there is no strength without unity.”

Looking to the future, Cllr Murphy said: "One of the council's key functions is the delivery of services, including maintenance and upgrading of roads, provision of housing and wastewater facilities. 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.

“We are very lucky to have dedicated staff, across all directorates carry out great work on a continual basis, and they must be commended. In particular, our outdoor staff face out into all kinds of weather; rain, hail, sunshine and storms, and they deserve special mention and thanks. I look forward to working with you, Chief Executive (Gordan Daly), your officials and your staff, as we look to continue deliverance of our key services to the wider community over the next 12 months.”

Cllr Murphy also paid tribute to the outgoing Cathaoirleach Cllr Alan O'Callaghan and those of you who have previously held this office.

"Alan has done a fantastic job for the last 12 months and I want to acknowledge that. I have no doubt that I will be able to turn to him for any advice that I may seek during my term in office," he said.

Cllr Paul Murphy was elected Cathaoirleach of Clare County Council at its AGM on Friday while Cllr Clare Colleran-Molloy was elected as Leas-Chathaoirleach

Acknowledging the support of his fellow elected members, particularly outgoing as Leas-Chathaoirleach Cllr Mary Howard, Cllr O’Callaghan said, “Every time I have put on the Cathaoirleach’s chain, I have done so knowing I represent everyone in this Chamber and in County Clare.”

“With the support and contribution of elected members, much has been achieved in the last year and continues to be achieved. The role played by the Councillors of this Chamber in this regard cannot be overstated.

"Through your work and through the work of county council staff, we have achieved great success in attracting funding for the county, be it for tourism development, roads and infrastructure projects or public realm regeneration work in our towns and rural villages.”

“As Cathaoirleach, I have been fortunate enough to witness at first hand the many examples of community-led projects throughout our county, including in roads and infrastructure. I had the great honour of helping to open the magnificent new de Valera library in Ennis and the Brian Boru bridge in Killaloe, a transformative project that will open up a new era in east Clare and the county as a whole."

Cllr O'Callaghan said he could not run through the highlights of the year without mentioning Clare's All-Ireland triumph last July.

"When I stood up here 12 months ago to accept this honour of being Cathaoirleach, I never imagined that after a few weeks I’d be up on stage in the Fair Green celebrating the team homecoming. I would like to wish the incoming Cathaoirleach the very best during their term of office. It will be a very busy time, but also very enjoyable,” he said.

Elsewhere, the new Cathaoirligh and Leas-Chathaoirligh of Clare County Council’s four Municipal Districts have also been elected over the past week.

Shannon MD was first to hold its AGM on Friday last when Cllr John Crowe was elected as Cathaoirleach, and Cllr Michael Begley as Leas-Chathaoirleach.

Cllr Mary Howard is the new Mayor of Ennis having been elected on Thursday with Cllr Pat Daly as deputy Mayor of Ennis.

Killaloe MD held its AGM in the newly opened Inis Cealtra Visitor Experience in Mountshannon. Cllr Pat Burke was elected as Cathaoirleach and Cllr Tony O’Brien as Leas-Chathaoirleach.

Finally, in West Clare, Cllr Bill Slattery will be Cathaoirleach for the next year with Cllr Michael Shannon serving as Leas-Chathaoirleach.