Fine Gael’s Barry Saul elected Cathaoirleach of Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council
Councillor Barry Saul has been elected Cathaoirleach of Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council at the authority’s Annual General Meeting held on Monday.
Cllr Saul, a Fine Gael councillor for the Stillorgan Local Electoral Area, was first co-opted to the council in 2003 and has been elected in his own right since 2009. He previously served as Cathaoirleach in 2015.
At the meeting, he was nominated by outgoing Cathaoirleach Cllr Jim Gildea. Other nominations for the role were Green Party councillor Tom Kivlehan and People Before Profit councillor Melisa Halpin.
Cllr Saul received 24 votes, while Cllr Halpin received 10 and six votes went to Cllr Kivlehan.
Speaking following his election, Cllr Saul said it was “an honour to serve in public office as the first citizen of the county”, adding that it was a privilege “which many seek, but few are privileged to attain”.
“Although this is my second time to serve as Cathaoirleach, I would ask for the members’ patience while I acclimatise myself to this new chair,” he said at the meeeting.
“One of my aims is to continue to conduct our council business in a business-like manner, and that we respect and show courtesy to our fellow councillors.
“I will try to be fair and accommodating to everyone, ensuring that people’s opinions are heard and respected.
“Across the 40 councillors, we represent different political persuasions and traditions. We all share a very genuine desire to make things better for all of the people of this county. As Cathaoirleach, my door will always be open to all councillors.”
Outlining his priorities for the year ahead, Cllr Saul said he would focus on promoting the county as a destination for tourism and investment, alongside housing delivery.
“There are a few things I’d like to focus on during my year as Cathaoirleach. First of all, promotion of our county. I will work with our council, national and local agencies to assist in the promotion of our county as a destination for tourism and investment,” he said.
“[On] housing delivery… we need to stay focused on the delivery of housing and particularly affordable housing, working with our housing team and other agencies to help deliver on our housing targets.”
He also highlighted a number of major capital and infrastructure projects, including the new public library in Stillorgan, the development of a multi-sport campus at St Thomas’ Fields, and the implementation of the Sandyford Urban Framework Plan.
At the AGM meeting, Cllr Mary Fayne was elected Leas Chathaoirleach of Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council.
Cllr Barry Saul, Cathaoirleach of Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council and Leas Chathaoirleach Cllr Mary Fayne.
Cllr Fayne is a Fine Gael councillor for the Dún Laoghaire Local Electoral Area, who was first elected in 2014. She was born and raised in Dún Laoghaire, worked at St Michael’s Hospital, and raised her family locally.
She said she was looking forward to the year ahead, describing the appointment as a “great honour”.
“I’m looking forward to it so much, especially working as hard as I can for Dún Laoghaire, which is where I’m from and where I love,” she added.