Mayo County Council
{{Short description|Local authority for County Mayo, Ireland}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=June 2021}}
{{Use Hiberno-English|date=June 2021}}
{{Infobox legislature
|name = Mayo County Council
|native_name = {{lang|ga|Comhairle Contae Mhaigh Eo}}
|coa_pic = COA of County Mayo.png
|coa_res = 90px
|logo_pic = Mayo County Council.svg
|logo_res = 260px
|house_type = County council
|jurisdiction = County Mayo
|body =
|motto = {{langx|ga|Dia is Muire Linn}}
"God and Mary be with us"
|leader1_type = Cathaoirleach
|leader1 = Seán Carey
|party1 = FF
|election1 =
|members = 30
|structure1 = Mayo County Council composition.svg
|structure1_res = 260px
|political_groups1 =
:{{Party index link|Fine Gael|border=darkgray}} (11)
:{{Party index link|Fianna Fáil|border=darkgray}} (10)
:{{Party index link|Aontú|border=darkgray}} (1)
:{{Party index link|Independent Ireland|border=darkgray}} (1)
:{{Party index link|Sinn Féin|border=darkgray}} (1)
:{{Party index link|Independent politician (Ireland)|border=darkgray}} (6)
|last_election1 = 7 June 2024
|session_room = County Hall, Castlebar.jpg
|session_res =
|meeting_place = County Hall, Castlebar
|website = {{official website}}
|footnotes =
}}
Mayo County Council ({{langx|ga|Comhairle Contae Mhaigh Eo}}) is the local authority of County Mayo, Ireland. As a county council, it is governed by the Local Government Act 2001. The council is responsible for housing and community, roads and transportation, urban planning and development, amenity and culture, and environment. The council has 30 elected members. Elections are held every five years and are by single transferable vote. The head of the council has the title of Cathaoirleach (chairperson). The county administration is headed by a chief executive, Kevin Kelly. The county town is Castlebar.
History
Originally meetings of Mayo County Council took place in Castlebar Courthouse.{{cite web|url=https://www.oireachtas.ie/en/debates/debate/dail/1982-05-26/121/|title=Local Authorities|date=26 May 1982|publisher=Oireachtas|accessdate=26 October 2019|archive-date=26 October 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191026151235/https://www.oireachtas.ie/en/debates/debate/dail/1982-05-26/121/|url-status=live}} The county council moved to modern facilities at County Hall further west on The Mall in Castlebar in 1989.{{cite web|url=https://www.mayoonline.ie/about-mayo/towns-of-mayo/castlebar.html|title=Castlebar|publisher=Mayo Online|accessdate=26 October 2019|archive-date=10 November 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191110140657/https://www.mayoonline.ie/about-mayo/towns-of-mayo/castlebar.html|url-status=dead}}
In the early 1930s, the County Council was dissolved for a time and replaced with a Commissioner because of the Mayo librarian controversy.
Regional Assembly
Mayo County Council has two representatives on the Northern and Western Regional Assembly who are part of the West Strategic Planning Area Committee.{{cite ISB|year=2014|type=si|number=573|name=Local Government Act 1991 (Regional Assemblies) (Establishment) Order 2014|date=16 December 2014|access-date=18 April 2023|provision=Article 5 and Schedule 3}}
Elections
Members of Mayo County Council are elected for a five-year term of office on the electoral system of proportional representation by means of the single transferable vote (PR-STV) from multi-member local electoral areas (LEAs).
| class="wikitable" style="text-align:right; padding-left:1em"
!align="left"|Year | {{abbrev party name with color|Fine Gael}} | {{abbrev party name with color|Fianna Fáil}} | {{abbrev party name with color|Sinn Féin}} | {{abbrev party name with color|Aontú}} | {{abbrev party name with color|Independent Ireland}} | {{abbrev party name with color|Labour Party (Ireland)}} | {{abbrev party name with color|Independent politician (Ireland)}} !align="left"|Total |
| align=left|2024
|colspan=2|10 |colspan=2|10 |colspan=2|1 |colspan=2|1 |colspan=2|1 |colspan=2|0 |colspan=2|7 |30 |
| align=left|2019
|colspan=2|12 |colspan=2|11 |colspan=2|1 |colspan=2 {{n/a}} |colspan=2 {{n/a}} |colspan=2|0 |colspan=2|6 |30 |
| align=left|2014
|colspan=2|10 |colspan=2|10 |colspan=2|3 |colspan=2 {{n/a}} |colspan=2 {{n/a}} |colspan=2|0 |colspan=2|7 |30 |
| align=left|2009
|colspan=2|17 |colspan=2|7 |colspan=2|2 |colspan=2 {{n/a}} |colspan=2 {{n/a}} |colspan=2|0 |colspan=2|5 |31 |
| align=left|2004
|colspan=2|15 |colspan=2|12 |colspan=2|1 |colspan=2 {{n/a}} |colspan=2 {{n/a}} |colspan=2|1 |colspan=2|2 |31 |
| align=left|1999
|colspan=2|13 |colspan=2|16 |colspan=2|0 |colspan=2 {{n/a}} |colspan=2 {{n/a}} |colspan=2|1 |colspan=2|1 |31 |
| align=left|1991
|colspan=2|13 |colspan=2|15 |colspan=2|0 |colspan=2 {{n/a}} |colspan=2 {{n/a}} |colspan=2|1 |colspan=2|2 |31 |
| align=left|1985
|colspan=2|14 |colspan=2|15 |colspan=2|0 |colspan=2 {{n/a}} |colspan=2 {{n/a}} |colspan=2|0 |colspan=2|2 |31 |
Local electoral areas and municipal districts
County Mayo is divided into LEAs and municipal districts, defined by electoral divisions.{{cite ISB|year=2018|type=si|num=627|title=County of Mayo Local Electoral Areas and Municipal Districts Order 2018|date=19 December 2018|access-date=8 September 2020|archive-date=2 February 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190202212116/http://www.irishstatutebook.ie/eli/2018/si/627/made/en/print}}
| class="wikitable" | |||
| Municipal District
!LEA !Definition !Seats | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| colspan=2|Ballina | Ardagh, Ardnaree North, Ardnaree South Rural, Ardnaree South Urban, Attymass East, Attymass West, Ballina Rural, Ballina Urban, Ballycastle, Ballysakeery, Carrowmore, Crossmolina North, Crossmolina South, Deel, Derry, Fortland, Kilfian East, Kilfian South, Kilfian West, Kilgarvan, Killala, Lackan North, Lackan South, Mount Falcon, Rathoma, and Sallymount | 6 | |
| colspan=2|Castlebar | Abhainn Bhrain, Addergoole, An Cheapaigh Dhuibh, Baile an Chalaidh, Baile Óbha, Balla, Ballinafad, Ballyhean, Ballynagoraher, Bellavary, Breaghwy, Burren, Burriscarra, Castlebar Rural (part), Castlebar Urban, Clogher (in the former Rural District of Castlebar), Cloonkeen, Croaghmoyle, Islandeady, Killavally, Letterbrick, Manulla, Partraí, Pontoon, Roslee, Strade, Tamhnaigh na Graí, and Turlough | 7 | |
| rowspan=2|Claremorris | Claremorris | Ballindine, Ballinrobe, Ballyhaunis, Ballyhowly, Bekan, Caraun, Claremorris, Cloghermore, Cong, Coonard, Course, Crossboyne, Culnacleha, Dalgan, Garrymore, Hollymount, Houndswood, Kilcolman, Kilcommon, Kilmaine, Kilvine, Knock North, Knock South, Mayo, Murneen, Neale, Newbrook, Shrule and Tagheen | 6 |
| Swinford | Aghamore, Ballinamore, Bohola, Brackloon, Callow, Cloonmore, Coolnaha, Cuildoo, Doocastle, Kilbeagh, Kilkelly, Killedan, Kilmovee, Kiltamagh, Loughanboy, Meelick, Sonnagh, Sraheen, Swineford, Toocananagh, Toomore, Tumgesh and Urlaur | 4 | |
| rowspan=2|Westport–Belmullet | Westport | Aghagower North, Aghagower South, Aillemore, Bundorragha, Clare Island, Clogher (in the former Rural District of Westport), Croaghpatrick, Derryloughan, Drummin, Emlagh, Erriff, Glenhest, Kilgeever, Kilmaclasser, Kilmeena, Kilsallagh, Knappagh, Louisburgh, Newport East, Owennadornaun, Slievemahanagh, Westport Rural and Westport Urban | 4 |
| Belmullet | Acaill, An Corrán, An Geata Mór Theas, An Geata Mór Thuaidh, Ballycroy North, Ballycroy South, Bangor, Barr Rúscaí, Béal an Mhuirthead, Béal Deirg Mór, Bunaveela, Cnoc an Daimh, Cnoc na Lobhar, Cnoc na Ráithe, Dumha Éige, Gleann Chaisil, Gleann na Muaidhe, Glenco, Guala Mhór, Moing na Bó, Na Monga, Newport West, Sheskin, Slievemore and Srahmore | 3 |
Councillors
The following were elected at the 2024 Mayo County Council election.
=2024 seats summary=
| class="wikitable" style="font-size: 95%;" |
| colspan=2|Party
!Seats |
|---|
| {{party name with colour|Fianna Fáil}}
|align="center"|10 |
| {{party name with colour|Fine Gael}}
|align="center"|10 |
| {{party name with colour|Aontú}}
|align="center"|1 |
| {{party name with colour|Independent Ireland}}
|align="center"|1 |
| {{party name with colour|Sinn Féin}}
|align="center"|1 |
| {{party name with colour|Independent politician (Ireland)}}
|align="center"|7 |
=Councillors by electoral area=
This list reflects the order in which councillors were elected on 7 June 2024.{{cite web|url=https://www.rte.ie/news/elections-2024/results/#/local/mayo-county |title=Mayo County Council – Elected Candidates|work=RTÉ News|access-date=20 June 2024}}
{{Multi seat members begin
|constituency = LEA
|title = Council members from 2024 election
}}
{{Multi seat constituency
|name = Ballina
|seats = 6
|member1 = {{sortname|John|O'Hara|nolink=1}}
|party1 = Fine Gael
|member2 = {{sortname|Mark|Duffy|Mark Duffy (politician)}}{{efn|name=change|Changed party, see table below for details.}}{{efn|name=coopt}}
|party2 = Independent politician (Ireland)
|member3 = {{sortname|Annie May|Reape|nolink=1}}
|party3 = Fianna Fáil
|member4 = {{sortname|Michael|Loftus|nolink=1}}
|party4 = Fianna Fáil
|member5 = {{sortname|Joe|Faughan|nolink=1}}
|party5 = Independent politician (Ireland)
|member6 = {{sortname|Jarlath|Munnelly|nolink=1}}
|party6 = Fine Gael
}}
{{Multi seat constituency
|name = Belmullet
|seats = 3
|member1 = {{sortname|Paul|McNamara|nolink=1}}
|party1 = Fianna Fáil
|member2 = {{sortname|Gerry|Coyle|nolink=1}}
|party2 = Fine Gael
|member3 = {{sortname|Seán|Carey|nolink=1}}
|party3 = Fianna Fáil
}}
{{Multi seat constituency
|name = Castlebar
|seats = 7
|member1 = {{sortname|Michael|Kilcoyne|nolink=1}}
|party1 = Independent politician (Ireland)
|member2 = {{sortname|Ger|Deere|nolink=1}}
|party2 = Fine Gael
|member3 = {{sortname|Blackie|Gavin|nolink=1}}
|party3 = Fianna Fáil
|member4 = {{sortname|Al|McDonnell|nolink=1}}
|party4 = Fianna Fáil
|member5 = {{sortname|Cyril|Burke|nolink=1}}
|party5 = Fine Gael
|member6 = {{sortname|Donna|Sheridan|nolink=1}}
|party6 = Fine Gael
|member7 = {{sortname|Harry|Barrett|nolink=1}}
|party7 = Independent politician (Ireland)
}}
{{Multi seat constituency
|name = Claremorris
|seats = 6
|member1 = {{sortname|Patsy|O'Brien|nolink=1}}
|party1 = Independent politician (Ireland)
|member2 = {{sortname|Richard|Finn|nolink=1}}
|party2 = Independent politician (Ireland)
|member3 = {{sortname|Damien|Ryan|nolink=1}}
|party3 = Fianna Fáil
|member4 = {{sortname|Alma|Gallagher|nolink=1}}
|party4 = Fine Gael
|member5 = {{sortname|Michael|Burke|nolink=1}}
|party5 = Fine Gael
|member6 = {{sortname|Paul|Lawless|Paul Lawless (politician)}}{{efn|name=coopt|Replaced during term, see table below for details.}}
|party6 = Aontú
}}
{{Multi seat constituency
|name = Swinford
|seats = 4
|member1 = {{sortname|Gerry|Murray|nolink=1}}
|party1 = Sinn Féin
|member2 = {{sortname|Adrian|Forkan|nolink=1}}
|party2 = Fianna Fáil
|member3 = {{sortname|John|Caulfield|nolink=1}}
|party3 = Fianna Fáil
|member4 = {{sortname|Neil|Cruise|nolink=1}}
|party4 = Fine Gael
}}
{{Multi seat constituency
|name = Westport
|seats = 4
|member1 = {{sortname|Chris|Maxwell|nolink=1}}
|party1 = Independent Ireland
|member2 = {{sortname|Peter|Flynn|nolink=1}}
|party2 = Fine Gael
|member3 = {{sortname|John|O'Malley|nolink=1}}
|party3 = Independent politician (Ireland)
|member4 = {{sortname|Brendan|Mulroy|nolink=1}}
|party4 = Fianna Fáil
}}
{{end}}
;Notes
{{notelist}}
==Co-options==
{{Council co-option begin}}
{{Council co-option
|party = Aontú
|outgoing = Paul Lawless
|elec_area = Claremorris
|reason = Elected to the 34th Dáil at the 2024 general election
|date = 2 January 2025
}}
{{Council co-option
|party = Fine Gael
|outgoing = Mark Duffy
|elec_area = Ballina
|reason = Elected to the 27th Seanad at the 2025 Seanad election
|date = 30 January 2025
}}
{{end}}
==Changes in affiliation==
{{Council change affiliation begin}}
{{Council change affiliation
|name = Mark Duffy
|elec_area = Ballina
|old_party = Independent politician (Ireland)
|new_party = Fine Gael
{{end}}
Assessment
Mayo County Council was identified in 2011 by An Taisce, the national trust, as among the worst county councils in Ireland's planning system during the 2000–2011 period.
County councils in Ireland were assessed by the organisation in relation to overzoning; decisions reversed by An Bord Pleanála after being passed by a local authority; percentage of vacant housing stock; and percentage of one-off houses permitted. An Taisce's report of its findings described the results as "stark and troubling".
In Mayo, many council planning decisions were overturned because the council violated its own County Development Plan. Overdevelopment in Mayo was another problem identified, with too many vacant houses in the county (not inclusive of holiday homes). A spokesman for An Taisce commented, "Mayo didn't do well on one-off houses either. What a lot of local authorities don't seem to appreciate is that it is more expensive to provide infrastructure to one-off houses in the countryside than it is to do so to estates."{{cite web|url=http://www.mayonews.ie/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=15114:mayo-planning-among-worst-in-country&catid=23:news&Itemid=46|title=Mayo planning among worst in country|work=The Mayo News|date=17 April 2011|access-date=18 April 2012|archive-date=21 February 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140221184251/http://www.mayonews.ie/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=15114:mayo-planning-among-worst-in-country&catid=23:news&Itemid=46|url-status=live}}
References
{{Reflist}}
External links
- {{official website}}
{{Mayo County Council elections}}
{{Local government in the Republic of Ireland}}
{{Authority control}}
Category:Politics of County Mayo