25 March 2015
By Bryan T. Smyth
bryan@TheCork.ie
For years there were calls in Carrigaline and other boom areas for a “Town Council”; a form
of local Government that was closest to the people. Those hopes were dashed
last year when Town Councils were abolished. There had been 80
nationally, of which 12 were in Cork. Cllr Margaret Murphy O’Mahony
(FF) had a motion at Monday’s County Council meeting proposing that
Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government Alan
Kelly would “…re-establish Town Councils”.
Cllr Murphy O’Mahony represents the Bandon-Kinsale Muncipal District,
which includes part of Carrigaline. She said the position of Town
Mayor being lost was one of the most serious. While complimenting the
overall County Mayor Cllr Alan Coleman, who is also from her party,
she said there was a need for a local figurehead in each Town which is
not being met. There was a suggestion that the Chairperson of each
Municipal District should have an official chain of office to wear at
civic events.
A number of Councillors lamented the loss of Town Councils, but there
was a consensus that they did have imperfections, and had needed
reform. It was noted that Carrigaline and Ballincollig are large
towns, yet never had their own Town Councils. The wording of the
motion was changed from “re-establish” Town Councils to “re-examine”.
Officials at County Hall will now send a letter to the Minister, and
any reply will be considered in County Hall at a future meeting.
