Warm praise for council’s outgoing and incoming chiefs

There were warm words of sincere delight in the chamber of Westmeath County Council on Monday as Ballinagore man Liam McDaniel was unanimously selected as cathaoirleach of Westmeath County Council.

The Fianna Fáil councillor endured a gruelling health battle over a year ago, and colleagues from all parties shared both their happiness that he had come through his health difficulties and their confidence that he would be a capable steward for the final year of this current council.

The leas-cathaoirleach selected was Green Party councillor, Louise Heavin from Athlone.

Tributes were paid to the popular outgoing cathaoirleach, Aengus O’Rourke, who is credited with having done an excellent job in the role. Cllr O’Rourke said it had been an honour to serve as cathaoirleach but he was also proud to be part of the 20-strong group of solid, hardworking and fiercely dedicated councillors he knew his colleagues to be.

“From the outset, I was determined that to be fair to you all, and to ensure that party politics did not frustrate or distract from the job of this chamber,” he said, thanking all for their cooperation.

Cllr O’Rourke extended thanks to the staff and management of the council, as well as the families of the council members for their support of the members.

Looking back, he said that the “standout moment” for him was the opening of the fleadh last summer, and this would stay with him for a very long time.

Cllr Ken Glynn thanked Cllr O’Rourke, and said he had been very fair to all. Cllr Tom Farrell agreed: “Everybody got a fair call and everybody was listened to,” he remarked, going on to comment that Cllr O’Rourke “wore the county jersey with pride”.

Cllr Heavin described Cllr O’Rourke as both fair and practical, while Cllr Mick Dollard said he had carried out his work in “a most excellent manner”.

Cllr Denis Leonard chose the words “fair, equitable, non-partisan and inclusive” to describe Cllr O’Rourke’s approach, and Cllr Paul Hogan summed him up as “fair, balanced and impartial”.

County CEO Pat Gallagher said he appreciated Cllr O’Rourke’s cooperation, advice, efficiency and effectiveness.

It was Cllr Vinny McCormack who proposed Cllr McDaniel to take over the role of cathaoirleach, remarking that even while in a hospital bed, Cllr McDaniel served his constituents with both fortitude and distinction.

“I’ve known Liam personally through our mutual involvement in the GAA for many years. I can honestly say that he is someone who is respected and liked in equal measure right across the county,” he said, remarking that he was also a strong family man.

The nomination was seconded by Cllr Glynn.

Accepting the role, Cllr McDaniel said he was “both honoured and humbled” to have been selected: “As a proud Westmeath man, and I am, my election today is definitely the highlight of my career.”

He paid tribute to his wife Ann, son and daughter Tommy and Nicola and grandchild Pearl and his brothers, sisters and extended family.

Cllr McDaniel said he was committed to representing all the people of Westmeath, urban and rural. He hoped to continue the Westmeath County Council tradition of agreement through consensus rather than majority voting.

“Housing, climate change, support services for our elderly and rural development,” he said, are some of the major issues facing councillors, and they welcomed the hard work of Pat Gallagher and his team in helping deal with these.

Cllr Heavin was nominated for the leas-cathaoirleach role by Cllr Glynn and seconded by Cllr O’Rourke.