Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael take top seats in Portlaoise

Another Fianna Fáil-Fine Gael coalition has taken the top seats in the Portlaoise Municipal District, with the election today of Cllr Catherine Fitzgerald and Cllr Willie Aird as cathaoirleach and leas cathaoirleach respectively.

At today’s AGM of the local authority body at Laois County Hall, Cllr John Joe Fennelly proposed Cllr Catherine Fitzgerald (Fianna Fáil) for the role of cathaoirleach, seconded by Cllr Willie Aird (Fine Gael). Cllr Caroline Dwane Stanley (Sinn Fein) proposed Cllr Noel Tuohy (Labour), with Cllr Tuohy seconding himself.

By a show of hands, Cllr Fitzgerald was elected by four votes to two.

Taking the chair, Cllr Fitzgerald said she was delighted, honoured and privileged to be elected to represent the Portlaoise Municipal District.

Describing the district as a very good town and county, she said she was looking forward to working with everyone in the council and expressed her optimism for a good year to come.

For the position of leas cathaoirleach, Cllr Mary Sweeney (Fine Gael) proposed her stablemate Cllr Willie Aird, seconded by Cllr John Joe Fennelly (Fianna Fáil).

Cllr Noel Tuohy proposed Cllr Caroline Dwane Stanley, with Cllr Dwane Stanley seconding herself.

By a show of hands, Cllr Aird was elected by four votes to two.

Director of services, Mr Kieran Kehoe thanked outgoing cathaoirleach Cllr Mary Sweeney and described her as a courteous, very professional and very positive lady.

Cllr Sweeney said she always had a very good working relationship with all the council staff and described her tenure as a pleasure.