Who gets what after Laois councillors battle it out for 78 roles?

Two weeks after fighting for election, Laois County Council's 19 newly selected county councillors met for the first time to begin their five year term with another battle.

The councillors met at their AGM on Friday, June 21 to divvy out 80 roles, some paid, some voluntary.

The two biggest roles were filled first as the new Cathaoirleach and Leas Cathaoirleach were elected by votes.

Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael and one independent councillor banded together for the third time to maintain a majority vote of 12 to 7 to hold both chair and vice chair positions.

They chose Cllr Padraig Fleming as the new Cathaoirleach, with Cllr John King as Leas Cathaoirleach. Read more.

With the seven remaining councillors failing in that battle, the next battle ground was for the 78 positions on committees and boards across the county, ranging wide from leisure centres and policy committees to traveller accommodation and drugs task forces.

Independent Cllr Aisling Moran and Sinn Féin Cllr Caroline Dwane Stanley tried and failed to get three of nine seats on the Naming Committee.

Fianna Fáil Cllr John Joe Fennelly said they could only have two.

The Director of Services Donal Brennan confirmed that those nine seats would require a full council vote and they had to be spread across the three Municipal Districts.

"We put three people forward, we are told we are only allowed two, we will seek clarification from the department. You can do what you like but you won't be able to appoint anyone without clarification. In the interests of moving on the meeting we'll accept the two," Cllr Moran said.

"Look at the agenda, it clearly states three from each district, so that's wrong. The agenda is wrong," claimed Cllr Dwane Stanley. MORE BELOW PICTURE.

The so-called technical group is made up of Sinn Féin, independents and Labour Party councillors. Pic: Michael Scully

Later proposing one of three seats on the Portlaoise Enterprise Centre for Cllr Tommy Mulligan, the group were initially pushed out when Fianna Fáil proposed Cllr John Joe Fennelly and Fine Gael proposed Cllr Willie Aird as well as Cllr Barry Walsh.

"Why are you taking the three, in the interests of fairness?" Cllr Aidan Mullins asked.

"I call on Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael to withdraw. We are the largest group, in the interests of democracy. Our group is entitled to one of those positions," said Cllr Caroline Dwane Stanley.

In answer, Fianna Fáil Cllr Paddy Bracken said "we are going to get a lecture".

"Itr's not a lecture, don't be so greedy," Cllr Dwane Stanley answered.

The newly elected Cllr Tommy Mulligan spoke for his first time.

"58% of the proportional representation shouldn't get 100% of the choice," he said.

Cllr Barry Walsh then agreed to withdraw, giving his seat to Cllr Tommy Mulligan

Out of the 78 seats, Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael took 56 positions, with Cllr Paschal McEvoy taking on the most at eight roles, and seven each given to Cllr Willie Aird, Cllr Padraig Fleming and Cllr Vivienne Phelan.  

Four councillors took just one role each, Sinn Féin Cllr Aidan Mullins, Fianna Fáil Cllr Seamus McDonald, non-party Cllr Ben Brennan and independent Cllr Ollie Clooney.

Another position was ceded by choice by Fianna Fáil Cllr Catherine Fitzgerald who withdrew so a seat on the Treo Nua Ltd board could go to Cllr Caroline Dwane Stanley. 

Sinn Féin Cllr Aidan Mullins was given a seat on the Portarlington Enterprise Centre board, when Fianna Fáil said they would not propose anyone for the two seats going, with the other given to Fine Gael Cllr Vivienne Phelan.