‘Whirlwind’ year in Cork County Council for its newest elected members on ‘a steep learning curve’
CorkmanA steep learning curve with no two days the same – that’s the verdict from new councillors who’ve now completed a full year in Cork County Council.
The June 2024 local elections saw 14 new members elected to the 55-member body. The Irish Independent talked to some of the first-timers to get a flavour of what the last year has been like.
West Cork Councillor Isobel Towse said she’s learned that power mainly lies with the executive rather than councillors. “This can be positive or negative, depending on the issue and if you align with the executive. Ultimately councillors need more power in decision-making, within the realms of national legislation and guidelines,” the Social Democrat said.
At the same time she welcomes the fact that the council is bound by national and EU legislation: “I fear that if councillors had the power to override such legislation, hedges would be shaved within an inch of their lives all year round, we would be dredging rivers without consultation, we would generate less renewable energy and ultimately emit even more carbon than we currently do.”
Cllr Towse likes that voting on the council is less party-centric than it is in the Dáil. “Voting feels a bit freer and there's a sense of working together on the more local issues in particular,” she says.
Cllr Rory Cocking was elected in East Cork for Fine Gael. He says it has been a “quick learning curve” over the past year with no two days the same.
“Being a councillor is in one sense both what I expected it to be, and, in a complete contradiction, it is like nothing I could have imagined. In just over twelve months the role has opened my eyes to projects and proposals that I knew nothing of previously.
“It has shown me firsthand the continued dedication and sacrifice of both community groups and representatives, it has taken me to places that I have never visited and it has enabled me to meet people of all interests and backgrounds.”
Fermoy Councillor Nelius Cotter said: “it’s been a whirlwind of a year since my election, from meeting officials, engineers and council staff and really figuring out how to get stuff done.”
“As someone who likes dealing with people, it’s a very rewarding job from helping constituents with small day-to-day issues or getting big constituency projects over the line,” the Fianna Fáil councillor said.
Cllr Daniel Sexton was elected in West Cork and represents Independent Ireland. He describes the last year as a “huge learning curve.”
“I might have thought going into politics that I would change everything overnight, but I’ve learned that even making very small positive changes and helping people where I can make a real difference. I’ve come to realise just how much the council is involved in shaping life across the county,” he said.
It’s tougher to be an independent, Cllr Peter O'Donoghue has learned. He was elected in Fermoy and is one of eight independents in the council.
“Being an independent is much more difficult than being a member of a party as you have very little backup and very few people to fall back on for a helping hand or advice. The benefits though are that you can speak your mind and represent your constituents as you see fit and not be curtailed by any party whip in doing so.”
Cllr John Buckley, an independent elected in East Cork, agrees. "As an independent you have to be very forceful with your voice as the bigger parties seem to dismiss the independent voice. Sometimes it feels like if I joined a party - which has been offered to me - that I would achieve more.
“But for now I will be remaining an independent councillor. The role of an independent councillor can be a lonely role at times but I am there to keep the bigger parties in check and to see that I get the best for my constituents in East Cork.”