Carlow has elected its youngest ever Cathaoirleach of Carlow County Council.
Yesterday’s meeting of the local authority was the first in-person non-virtual meeting this year due to the Covid-19 restrictions.
Fianna Fáil Cllr Fintan Phelan replaces Fine Gael’s Tom O’Neill and has been telling KCLR News “It’s a huge honour but also a huge responsibility that has been placed on my shoulders and one that I’m enthusiastic and energetic about getting going with the work that we have to do here in Carlow and it’s one that I’m really looking forward to”.
He outlines one of his key intentions for the next year, noting “What we’ve seen throughout the last 12 months is the remarkable resilience and bravery and I spoke about this at the meeting and AGM of the council, we’ve seen resilience and bravery of our frontline workers, of the council staff and of the people of Carlow and I think one of the things I want to do is mark those extraordinary efforts over the course of the next year”.
And Cllr Phelan’s promising to be a voice for young and old, saying “As the youngest Cathaoirleach of the council I also want to ensure that the ideas and innovative spirit of young people from right across the county are heard and the pandemic has been challenging for both young and old and during the term of office I look forward to drawing on the experiences of all to shape how we go forward”.
Stay tuned to KCLR, the new council Chair will be on KCLR Live this morning (Tuesday, June 15).
