Issue - meetings

Lord Mayor Alison Gilliland welcomed the Members to the Annual Meeting to elect the 354^th Lord Mayor of Dublin and Deputy Lord Mayor. She spoke of the highlights of her time in office which included the awarding of the Freedom of the City to three amazing women, the Lord Mayor’s Awards and her trip to Ramallah. Although it was a very busy year it was an incredibly enjoyable and satisfying time in her life. The Lord Mayor thanked her family, fellow Councillors, the Deputy Lord Mayor, Group Leaders, City Council staff, the Senior Management Team and the Chief Executive for their support. She paid special tribute to the staff of the Mansion House who worked incredibly hard throughout the year to enable her to achieve so many of the ambitions she had for the role. In particular to Fanchea Gibson who has shown immense dedication and commitment over many years during her time in the Mansion House and who will be moving on to a new role in the City Council from tomorrow.      

Members from all the political groups on the Council paid tribute to the Lord Mayor. They thanked her for her dedication and leadership during her time in office and commended her for her professionalism in chairing the City Council meetings, demonstrating fairness and generosity in her treatment of her fellow Councillors. They also acknowledged the work she did in relation to championing the role of women and girls in the City.  

The Lord Mayor then called for nominations for the position of Lord Mayor.

It was moved by Cllr. Clare Byrne and seconded by Cllr. Dermot Lacey “that Councillor Caroline Conroy is proposed for the office of Lord Mayor of the City of Dublin for the period from 27^th June, 20202 to continue in such office (subject to her death, resignation, disqualification, removal from office or otherwise ceasing to be a Member of the City Council) until her successor shall have been elected at the Annual Meeting of the City Council in June 2023”.

As no other nominations were received the motion was put to a vote and Councillor Caroline Conroy was duly elected Lord Mayor and was invested with the Collar of SS and the Insignia of Office. The Members of the City Council, Chief Executive and staff warmly congratulated the newly elected Lord Mayor and wished her well for her time in office. Full details of the vote can be found in Appendix A to these minutes.

Lord Mayor Conroy then took the chair and thanked her fellow Councillors for electing her as Lord Mayor. She said it was a great honour to be elected to this important position. She paid tribute to her family, friends and party colleagues who had supported her on her journey and outlined her hopes and aspirations for the year ahead with particular emphasis on biodiversity and young people.

It was moved by Cllr. Mary Freehill and seconded by Cllr. Catherine Stocker “that Councillor Alison Gilliland is proposed for the office of Lord Mayor of the City of Dublin for the period from 28^th June, 20201 to continue in such office (subject to her death, resignation, disqualification, removal from office or otherwise ceasing to be a Member of the City Council) until her successor shall have been elected at the Annual Meeting of the City Council in June 2022”.

As no other candidates were proposed Cllr. Alison Gilliland was unanimously elected Lord Mayor and was invested with the Collar of SS and the Insignia of Office. The Members of the City Council, Chief Executive and staff all warmly congratulated the newly elected Lord Mayor.

Lord Mayor Gilliland then took the chair and thanked her fellow Councillors for their support in electing her as Lord Mayor. She paid tribute to outgoing Lord Mayor Hazel Chu who had done a wonderful job in the most difficult of circumstances. She outlined her hopes and aspirations for the year ahead with particular emphasis on Housing. The provision of affordable housing for all citizens will be the central theme of her time in office. The building of affordable public housing  on public land, bringing vacant units bank into use and the efficient turnaround of voids will be key in reducing the housing waiting lists.

The Lord Mayor also paid tribute to those women who came before her in this role. They helped pave the way for her and she hoped that her time in office will be an example to other woman and young girls. Being a role model is an important part of her responsibility and she will use her position to give voice to the concerns of women and girls in the City and to champion and advocate for their rights.