Councillors formally co-opted

CLARE County Council welcomed two new members this week as Councillor Bill Slattery from Lahinch and Councillor Sean McLoughlin from Shannon were formally co-opted onto the local authority on Monday evening.

Both men were congratulated on their new positions by their fellow councillors. The council seats had become vacant following the election to the Seanad of Tony Mulcahy who had served the Shannon electoral area and Martin Conway, who had represented the North Clare electoral area.
At the meeting, Councillor Joe Arkins nominated Bill Slattery describing him as someone who is “not new to politics”.
Mr Slattery’s grandfather Bill Murphy had been a Fine Gael TD and also represented North Clare on the county council. The new councillor also missed out on a seat on Clare County Council when he stood for election in 1985 and 1999. The nomination was seconded by Councillor Sonny Scanlan.
The newly co-opted Councillor Slattery promised to work closely with his council colleagues for the people of North Clare and the entire county. “I will liaise with the rest of the council to ensure that I work to the best of my ability,” he said.
Councillor John Crowe proposed that Sean McLoughlin be co-opted onto the seat vacated by Tony Mulcahy. He outlined that Mr McLoughlin has been a member of Shannon Town Council since 2004. He described him as “an outstanding representative for the people of Shannon through the years.” Councillor Crowe recalled that during the pullout of the Shannon Heathrow slots, Councillor McLoughlin had been mayor.
“He stood out in the way he represented Shannon and the county then. I know he will serve the people of the Shannon area as well as he has represented those in Shannon town.”
The nomination was seconded by Councillor Sonny Scanlan.
After he was formally co-opted, Councillor McLoughlin commented, “I intend to work with my fellow councillors for the good of the people of Shannon.”
He said he will be “fighting” for Shannon Airport as well as other local issues.
Members of the council praised both men and wished them well. Councillor Pat Daly pointed out that Councillor McLoughlin had been “an excellent mayor of Shannon”.
Councillor Michael Kelly described Councillor Slattery as coming from a “sound and solid background”. He recalled, “When Bill and myself had a joust for co-option and I was co-opted, he held up my hand and congratulated me.” Councillor Tommy Brennan described it as a “great day”.
County manager Tom Coughlan told the new members “the relationship between the  members and the executive is based on partnership and team work”.
Tributes were also paid by the members to Senators Martin Conway and Tony Mulcahy. Councillor PJ Kelly commented, “We have lost two great members of the chamber but I know they will make a contribution. The two new councillors have a hard act to follow.”
Councillor Gerry Flynn added, “It’s fantastic for the county to have such a strong team in the Oireachtas and we have two able bodied people to take the place of Tony Mulcahy and Martin Conway.”
Congratulations were also offered to Fine Gael TDs, Pat Breen who was appointed chairman of the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Trade and Foreign Affairs and Joe Carey who was appointed assistant government chief whip.