Cathaoirleach role for Phyll Bugler
Fine Gael councillor Phyll Bugler is the new Cathaoirleach of the Nenagh Municipal District, having received the backing of two Fianna Fáil members at the Annual Meeting of the district authority on Thursday of last week.
Cllr Bugler was proposed to fill the top role for the next 12 months by Fianna Fáil’s Cllr JP O’ Meara. The proposal was seconded by his party colleague, Cllr John Carroll.
SECURED POSITION
Cllr Bugler secured the position without having to face a contest. A pact between Fine Gael, Fianna Fáil and Labour ensured a voting majority that paved the way for her promotion to the chair.
Cllr Bugler began her life as a political representative when she was elected to North Tipperary County Council in 2004. She has regained her seat in every local election since then and has filled the chair previously both at county council and district level.
The holder of a doctorate in chemistry, she increased her vote substantially in last year’s local elections. She went on to represent Fine Gael in the general election last November, but was not elected to the Dáil.
On assuming the chair, Cllr Bugler thanked Cllr O’ Meara and Cllr Carroll for their support. After working as a local representative for 21 years, she said she was well aware of the challenges facing the district.
focal points
She said her key ambitions would be promoting local business and tourism and bringing new jobs to the district.
It was difficult to predict what was coming down the line, but the district needed to be prepared for all challenges.
Cllr Bugler said the construction of a new bridge over the Shannon at Ballina-Killaloe had been a great boon to the local economy. What she wanted to see now was a new flood relief scheme implemented in Ballina, a town that had experienced a number of flooding problems over the past number of years.
She said she would be using her term as Cathaoirleach to press for more funding to improve local roads.
She looked forward to seeing the council progress with its plans to construct a centre of excellence in sustainable development at Martyrs Road in Nenagh. She also wanted to see the delivery of proper wastewater treatment plants in Nenagh, Ballycommon and Cloughjordan.
Cllr Fiona Bonfield, the outgoing Cathaoirleah, and Cllr Pamela Quirke O’ Meara said it was great to see another woman taking over at the helm for the coming year.
Cllr Bonfield said Cllr Bugler had amassed great experience as a public representative and was someone with a great work ethic.
District Administrator Rosemary Joyce said that knowing Cllr Bugler, she was quite sure she would be well able to meet any challenges she faced during her next 12 months as Cathaoirleach.
Cllr Joe Hannigan said he was confident that Cllr Bugler would do a great job, while Cllr Michael O’ Meara said she had a proven track record as a councillor for over two decades.
Cllr Joe Hannigan takes up the role of Leas Cathaoirleach for the coming year, taking over from Cllr Séamie Morris (Independent).