Egan and Harvey take top roles in Birr and Tullamore districts

It was a case of pastures new and familiar for two Offaly councillors this week as they were elected to serve as Cathaoirleach of their respective Municipal Districts.

Fine Gael's Cllr Hugh Egan is a first-time Cathaoirleach of Birr Municipal District, while Cllr Declan Harvey was elected to the chief role in Tullamore Municipal District for the second time since his election to local political office in 2009.

Having completed his first year as a public representative, Cllr Egan was elected Cathaoirleach of Birr Municipal District during its AGM this week. He was proposed for the role by Cllr Eleanor Clendennen and seconded by Cllr John Leahy.

The Doon-based dairy farmer said it was a "great honour" to be chosen as Cathaoirleach and it showed the trust placed in him by his fellow councillors in the Municipal District.

"I am relishing the challenge ahead and will give 100% to the role," Cllr Egan said.

"There are a number of projects which I would like to push as forward as possible in the year to come, but as Cathaoirleach you have to address issues as they arise.

"I have learned much during my first year as a Councillor and maybe the Cathaoirleach role has come earlier than expected but there is a very experienced team of elected representatives in the Municipal District and we all work as a team," Cllr Egan added.

Looking ahead to his Cathaoirleach term, Cllr Egan said he would work with community groups to assist with applications for grant funding, that he would advocate for farmers, and would seek to address road safety issues, particularly in the vicinity of local schools. The enhancement of the Clonmacnoise monastic site is also a cause which Cllr Egan said is "close to my heart".

Independent Councillor John Leahy will serve in the role of Birr Municipal District Leas Cathaoirleach.

Meanwhile, Fianna Fáil's Cllr Declan Harvey is the new Cathaoirleach of Tullamore Municipal District, after being nominated by outgoing Cathaoirleach, Cllr Frank Moran. The nomination was seconded by Cllr Oliver Bryant.

The long serving Councillor said it was a "privilege" to be elected as Cathaoirleach of Tullamore Municipal District and that looked forward to his term in office.

Thanking his fellow Municipal District councillors for the support shown to him, Cllr Harvey said that one of his aims during his term as Cathaoirleach was the progress of infrastructure plans for Tullamore, Clara, Killeigh and Mucklagh. The Cathaoirleach said he would retain a focus on jobs creation, calling for further industry development in Tullamore, and he stressed the need to continue tackling the ongoing housing crisis in the Municipal District.

Looking forward to his term as Cathaoirleach, Cllr Harvey commended the work of his fellow Municipal District councillors who, he said, "always work closely together, no matter the political party colours, for the benefit of the District".

Fianna Fáil Councillor Shane Murray will serve in the role of Tullamore Municipal District Leas Cathaoirleach.