New Cathaoirleach of Mayo County Council identifies housing as the key challenge ahead
Belmullet-based councillor Seán Carey has been elected as Cathaoirleach of Mayo County Council at Friday’s Annual General Meeting.
He said his focus will be on “the advancement of capital projects that will shape our future” and identified housing as a “key challenge that we face as a country.”
Cllr Carey addressed his acceptance speech to “the people of Mayo at home and abroad” and accepted the role of Cathaoirleach with “deep gratitude and great honour”.
He focused on the development of capital projects in the region saying, “I want to see substantial progress made on projects such as the Ireland West Strategic Development Zone at Ireland West Airport, and the reopening of the Western Rail Corridor.
“They are big ticket items that are of massive strategic importance to our county and the whole western region. If we are serious about growth and investment then we need to push these projects. We need to engage meaningfully with government ministers from the county to ensure that we are receiving appropriate funding,
“These projects aren’t just investments in infrastructure, they’re investments in our people and in their future.”
Originally from Kilmore in the region of Erris, Cllr Carey said he will be “keeping pressure on ensuring the delivery of projects” in his area. Belmullet District Hospital and the Belmullet indoor swimming pool will be high on his list of priorities.
The Fianna Fáil representative, who was elected to Mayo County Council in 2019 and has served as Cathaoirleach of the Westport-Belmullet municipal district on three occasions, said more must be done for people who wish to build houses in rural Mayo. Cllr Carey also pledged to make sure that those affected by the pyrite scandal receive the correct support.
“My colleagues and I have consistently raised the challenges and articles that young people and families face in the planning process in this county. I will make addressing these issues a priority,
“We want young people, young couples, to stay and build homes and live in our villages. We want families to return to our communities. We need more affordable housing, it’s urgently required” he said.
Cllr Carey, who comes from a farming background, also spoke about the EU’s updated version of the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP), which is expected to be ready later this year. He said he will work closely with Minister Calleary to stay up to date on the negotiations taking place in Brussels.
Another priority outlined was the upgrade of the R312 road in northwest Mayo that runs from Derrycoosh to Bellacorick. Cllr Carey said, “Further funding is required for regional and local roads in the county that will better connect our towns and villages,
“Through funding investments such as the Urban Regeneration Development Fund (URDF), the Rural Regeneration Development Fund (RRDF), the Town and Village Renewal Scheme (TVRS) and other funding schemes, I hope to see meaningful and transformative investments taking place.”
His nomination to Cathaoirleach was proposed by fellow Fianna Fáil representative, Cllr Damien Ryan, who described Cllr Carey as a community activist and somebody who has been “deeply involved in community initiatives in the North Mayo and Erris area.”
The nomination was seconded by Cllr Brendan Mulroy, the outgoing Leas-Cathaoirleach of Mayo County Council, who said that rural Ireland and the farming community couldn’t have a better advocate. Outgoing Cathaoirleach Cllr John O’Hara congratulated his successor saying it was a proud day for Erris.
Throughout the meeting, Cllr O’Hara was commended by his fellow councillors for his performance as Cathaoirleach over the last 12 months. He was recognised as a hardworking community man who had been a fantastic ambassador for Mayo.
Castlebar-based councillor Ger Deere was elected Leas-Cathaoirleach. He thanked his nominators, Cllr Cyril Burke and Cllr Donna Sheridan and offered Cllr Carey his full support over the next 12 months.
Dara Calleary, Minister for Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht, was present at the meeting today, as was Senator Ollie Crowe.
This article was funded by the Local Democracy Reporting Scheme.