County Cathaoirleach honour for Roscrea-based Fianna Fáil representative
Housing countywide and nursing home provision in Roscrea are among the priorities of the next 12 months for the new Cathaoirleach of Tipperary Co Council, Cllr Michael Smith.
With historic drama playing out on the national political stage, last Friday also saw significant events at local level as Cllr Smith was elected unopposed at the council's AGM in Thurles. For the Roscrea-based Fianna Fáil representative - who was expelled from his party's local grouping in 2014 despite topping the poll in that year's local elections - it was a moment to savour.
“It's been a long time coming!” he told those gathered at The Dome beside Semple Stadium, quoting the Tom Jones song. Accepting the chain from outgoing chairman Cllr Michael Murphy (FG) for the 2020/’21 council term, the Clonakenny man was proposed for cathaoirleach by Nenagh Municipal District councillor John Carroll.
Cllr Carroll said his party colleague comes from a family “steeped in politics”. Cllr Smith's father, former minister Michael Smith, served as a member of North Tipperary Co Council, as did his uncle Dan and grandfather Bill Smith.
CONSIDERABLE EXPERIENCE
“Michael is a young man with considerable experience as a public representative and I know he will bring such qualities as innovation, enterprise and steely determination to the role as cathaoirleach,” Cllr Carroll said, assuring the chairman of his full support “at this very challenging time for the county”.
Cllr Smith said it was an honour and privilege to be elected county cathaoirleach, and it was very important to him to have been elected unanimously. “Today I follow in that proud tradition of family involvement,” he said, adding that his father was unable to attend the AGM due to the Covid-19 situation, but that they would “raise a glass” together that night.
Outlining his priorities for the next 12 months, the new first citizen of the Premier County said he would be meeting formally with the chairpersons of Tipperary's five municipal districts as well as the council executive. The housing crisis was a key issue, said Cllr Smith, informing those present of his determination to find a workable solution for the 3,500 people on the council's housing waiting list. Building new houses would not go far enough and the local authority would have to find ways of bringing vacant dwellings into use for those who need them.
OPPORTUNITIES AND CHALLENGES
Covid-19 had brought new opportunities as well as challenges, but more could be done to assist local businesses in the wake of the crisis, Cllr Smith said. Among the “exceptional projects” that the council would have to keep to the fore are the new bridge at Ballina, realignment of the Nenagh-Thurles road at Latteragh, and preparation of a new County Development Plan.
The new chairman concluded with an issue “very close to my heart”, that of finding funding to secure the future of public nursing home care in Roscrea. He said he would be seeking a meeting with the new Minister for Health about the situation as soon as possible.
Among those welcoming Cllr Smith to his new role were Fine Gael councillors Ger Darcy and Noel Coonan, both of whom served on North Tipperary Co Council with his uncle, “Big Dan”. Added Cllr Coonan: “I know you will bring a particular focus to Roscrea and that part of the county, which is in need of a big boost, and I look forward to working with you in that manner.”
Welcoming the new cathaoirleach on behalf of Sinn Féin, Cllr David Dunne observed that Cllr Smith is “not afraid to go against the grain”. Fine Gael's Cllr Mary Hanna Hourigan of Cappawhite was elected Leas Cathaoirleach. Earlier in the meeting, tributes were paid to the outgoing cathaoirleach, Cllr Murphy of Clonmel, whom speakers agreed had demonstrated distinguished leadership over the last 12 months, particularly in the face of the Covid-19 crisis.
HIGHLIGHTS OF TERM
Among the many highlights of his term, Cllr Murphy mentioned Tipp's all-Ireland hurling success, and attending the Australian embassy with Lorrha's Cllr Michael O'Meara (Ind) ahead of the diplay of First World War hero Martin O'Meara's Victoria Cross at the National Museum. The outgoing chairman also spoke of the great work of Tidy Towns groups across Tipperary, and of the many works contracts signed over the last months.
“There is incredible community spirit across the county,” Cllr Murphy said.
“I'm very optimistic of the months ahead. If we work together, that spirit will help us become stronger than ever.”
Joining in the tributes to both Cllrs Murphy and Smith, CEO Joe MacGrath spoke of the challenging brief of leading the council. “It is a very demanding position that impacts every aspect of your life - that's not always seen by the public,” Mr MacGrath said of the role of cathaoirleach.