Loftus sets two main priorities for year ahead as chair of north Mayo district

Leas cathaoirleach position goes to Councillor Jarlath Munnelly

COUNCILLOR Michael Loftus of Fianna Fáil is the new cathaoirleach of Ballina Municipal District.

He was elected unopposed at the authority's annual general meeting today.

The Crossmolina-based county councillor has previously held the role on two occasions and spent last year as cathaoirleach of Mayo County Council.

In that role he served everyone 'very well', said his proposer at the Ballina MD annual meeting, fellow Fianna Fáil Councillor Annie May Reape.

“It's not an easy task during an election year,” she added.

The proposal was seconded by Councillor Jarlath Munnelly (Fine Gael), who said Councillor Loftus brought 'common sense' to the role as county council cathaoirleach over the past 12 months.

“He represented us very well at home and abroad,” he continued.

Accepting the honour of being elevated to the role of cathaoirleach of Ballina MD, Councillor Loftus congratulated Councillor John O'Hara (Fine Gael) on his election as Mayo County Council cathaoirleach at its annual general meeting last Friday.

He noted that it's the third year in a row that the role has been filled by a Ballina MD representative, with Councillor O'Hara following the now retired Seamus Weir and Councillor Loftus himself in the position.

“We're punching above our weight,” said Councillor Loftus.

“It shows the calibre of councillors we have in the area.”

Regarding Mr. Weir, Councillor Loftus said he would miss his former colleague. He could be adventurous and also frustrating at times, but he was a very honourable gentleman.

Councillor Loftus also welcomed back the outgoing local representatives re-elected – Mark Duffy, Jarlath Munnelly, John O'Hara and Annie May Reape – and reserved special mention for the newly elected Councillor Joe Faughnan (Ind) who, as a Knockmore man, has big shoes to fill as he succeeds Mr. Weir from the same parish.

In terms of some objectives for the year ahead, Councillor Loftus highlighted the flood relief scheme for his hometown of Crossmolina and the R315 road from Crossmolina to Ballycastle as two projects he would like to see advanced as much as possible.

With a final 'thank you' reserved for everyone who helped him get re-elected, Councillor Loftus took the opportunity to say he felt the Ballina local election area was 'neglected an awful lot' in the count, which should have been done a lot quicker.

He suggested that a deputy returning officer should be appointed to oversee different counts in order to ensure they are conducted more quickly and efficiently.

The returning councillors joined the cathaoirleach in welcoming Councillor Faughnan as their new colleague, and he in turn said he was looking forward to working with everyone over the coming five-year term. He also wished Mr. Weir the best of luck in his retirement.

Meanwhile, Councillor Munnelly was elected to the role of leas cathaoirleach at the Ballina MD annual meeting.

He was proposed by Councillor O'Hara and seconded by Councillor Reape.