‘Rural champion' elected to lead Tipperary County Council for coming year
At the Annual General Meeting of Tipperary County Council, Fianna Fáil councillor John Carroll was elected Cathaoirleach of the county council for the coming year, taking over from Fine Gael councillor Declan Burgess.
Proposed by councillor Michael Smith and seconded by councillor Sean Ryan, Mr Carroll was described as a champion of rural Ireland.
In proposing Cllr Carroll, Michael Smith said that the incoming council chair has plenty of experience which will serve him well in leading the county for the next year.
"He has proven to be a rural champion in relation to his involvement in the LCDC (Local Community Development Committee), in the North Tipperary LEADER programme, and while there was so many challenges throughout that time, he was there to the fore as chairperson and he led from the front,' Cllr Smith said.
"I have no doubt that with those great leadership skills that he showed in that forum, that he would make an excellent chairperson,' Cllr Smith added.
First elected in 1999, Cllr Carroll previously served as Cathaoirleach of North Tipperary County Council in 2006 before north and south Tipperary County Councils were amalgamated in 2014.
Speaking to the Irish Independent after his election, Cllr Carroll said that his priorities for the year will be agribusiness, roads funding and the delivery of homes for young people across the county.
"The content of council business and meetings has changed considerably [since 2006], there are key challenges today and there's a lot of benefits,' he said.
"I was focusing in on the agricultural economy in terms of the climate, the Government can't say one thing and not fund it, we were talking about the ACRES scheme – that's the environmental scheme to improve biodiversity – and they're over a year behind in payments to farmers, that's not a way to win co-operation, and the farmers are really up for it,' Cllr Carroll said.
Also among the incoming Cathaoirleach's priorities for the coming year is encouraging Uisce Éireann to develop more water infrastructure across the county to support home building.
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"Uisce Éireann providing waste water treatment plants for the towns and villages to sustain a young population that they have housing, so that they don't have to emigrate. We're a large county, when you have a good agricultural and vibrant economy that impacts positively and the same as sustainability of the towns and villages,' he added.
Carrick-on-Suir councillor Mark Fitzgerald was elected as Leas-Cathaoirleach for the coming year, having been proposed by Fine Gael colleague Marie Murphy and seconded by outgoing Cathaoirleach Declan Burgess.
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Irish Independent
4 hours ago
- Irish Independent
‘Rural champion' elected to lead Tipperary County Council for coming year
At the Annual General Meeting of Tipperary County Council, Fianna Fáil councillor John Carroll was elected Cathaoirleach of the county council for the coming year, taking over from Fine Gael councillor Declan Burgess. Proposed by councillor Michael Smith and seconded by councillor Sean Ryan, Mr Carroll was described as a champion of rural Ireland. In proposing Cllr Carroll, Michael Smith said that the incoming council chair has plenty of experience which will serve him well in leading the county for the next year. "He has proven to be a rural champion in relation to his involvement in the LCDC (Local Community Development Committee), in the North Tipperary LEADER programme, and while there was so many challenges throughout that time, he was there to the fore as chairperson and he led from the front,' Cllr Smith said. "I have no doubt that with those great leadership skills that he showed in that forum, that he would make an excellent chairperson,' Cllr Smith added. First elected in 1999, Cllr Carroll previously served as Cathaoirleach of North Tipperary County Council in 2006 before north and south Tipperary County Councils were amalgamated in 2014. Speaking to the Irish Independent after his election, Cllr Carroll said that his priorities for the year will be agribusiness, roads funding and the delivery of homes for young people across the county. "The content of council business and meetings has changed considerably [since 2006], there are key challenges today and there's a lot of benefits,' he said. "I was focusing in on the agricultural economy in terms of the climate, the Government can't say one thing and not fund it, we were talking about the ACRES scheme – that's the environmental scheme to improve biodiversity – and they're over a year behind in payments to farmers, that's not a way to win co-operation, and the farmers are really up for it,' Cllr Carroll said. Also among the incoming Cathaoirleach's priorities for the coming year is encouraging Uisce Éireann to develop more water infrastructure across the county to support home building. ADVERTISEMENT "Uisce Éireann providing waste water treatment plants for the towns and villages to sustain a young population that they have housing, so that they don't have to emigrate. We're a large county, when you have a good agricultural and vibrant economy that impacts positively and the same as sustainability of the towns and villages,' he added. Carrick-on-Suir councillor Mark Fitzgerald was elected as Leas-Cathaoirleach for the coming year, having been proposed by Fine Gael colleague Marie Murphy and seconded by outgoing Cathaoirleach Declan Burgess.
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Walsh described a 'roll back' on human rights in Hungary over the last few years, both for the LGBTQ+ community and for women and people of colour, as well as a weakening of adherence to rule of law. Related Reads Hungary is setting 'political trap' for EU with Pride ban, says Leo Varadkar Budapest mayor threatened with imprisonment as he defies police to host Pride parade 'I attended Pride in Hungary a number of years ago, and I remember speaking to media outlets at that point and saying there was maybe two or three LGBTI flags in windows, and then outside of that, you wouldn't know there was a public assembly of pride,' she said. 'In comparison to what we had in Mayo a couple of weeks ago, what people in Dublin will see this weekend – Pride is is still very much a protest in Hungary.' She said that Ireland must not be 'complacent' about protecting human rights in the face of a rise of far-right ideology. 'It's not just online anymore. They very much have bled into the offline and the physical space, and it is an incredible worry.' MEP Cynthia Ní Mhurchú is also part of the contingent of MEPs due to take part in the parade. In a statement, she said the ban was a 'blatant attack on our civil liberties within the European Union'. 'Can you imagine the 18 year old gay or lesbian young person in Hungary watching this unfold on the news? They will be scared, uncertain and afraid to come out,' she said. 'This isn't Russia, this is the EU, where we believe in diversity and equality.' Readers like you are keeping these stories free for everyone... A mix of advertising and supporting contributions helps keep paywalls away from valuable information like this article. Over 5,000 readers like you have already stepped up and support us with a monthly payment or a once-off donation. Learn More Support The Journal
