Agenda and minutes

The Deputy Lord Mayor congratulated the following former Members of Dublin City Council who were recently elected to Dáil ÉireannPaul Mc Auliffe, Chris Andrews, Patrick Costello, Gary Gannon and Neasa Hourigan

Approval was given for members to attend the  Planning, Environmental & Local Government Bar Association (PELGBA) Conference on  Saturday 29^th February 2020.

The Deputy Lord Mayor then invited Former Lord Mayor Paul Mc Auliffe to address the Chamber.  Paul McAuliffe said that the being the 350^th Lord Mayor was the greatest honour of his life.  He thanked former Lord Mayors for their assistance.  He spoke of all the things that he learnt in the Council over his ten year period and how that helped him in his role as Lord Mayor.  He also mentioned how he had worked with all of the Chairs across all the SPCs. He spoke of the new initiative of a Library Card for all children across the City.  He encouraged future Lord Mayors to continue to work with the European Union of Capital Cities.  He thanked the staff of the Lord Mayor, whom he considered as part of his family.  He also thanked his wife Ciara, his Mum, his daughter Mille and son Hugh for all their support at numerous events.  He thanked Deputy Lord Mayor Tom Brabazon for all his support during his term and the other deputies across all parties for their support also.  He highlighted how Gaelic Games was a unique part of his term culminating in lighting the five blue lamps and awarding the freedom of the City to Jim Gavin.  He encouraged the newly elected members of the Dáil to continue to work with local government.

It was proposed by Councillor Keith Connolly and seconded by Councillor Racheal Batten “That Ms. Briege MacOscar be co-opted to replace former Councillor Paul McAuliffe who was elected to Dáil Eireann and therefore was deemed to have resigned from Dublin City Council.” The motion was put and carried.  Councillor MacOscar took her place in the Chamber and joined the meeting.  Congratulations were extended to her by the Lord Mayor and by the Members of the City Council.

It was proposed by Councillor Séamas McGrattan and seconded by Councillor Janice Boylan “That Mr. Daniel Céitinn be co-opted to replace former Councillor Chris Andrews who was elected to Dáil Eireann and therefore was deemed to have resigned from Dublin City Council.” The motion was put and carried.  Councillor Céitinn took his place in the Chamber and joined the meeting.  Congratulations were extended to him by the Lord Mayor and by the Members of the City Council.

It was proposed by Councillor Michael Pidgeon and seconded by Councillor Claire Byrne “That Ms. Carolyn Moore be co-opted to replace former Councillor Patrick Costello who was elected to Dáil Eireann and therefore was deemed to have resigned from Dublin City Council.” The motion was put and carried.  Councillor Moore took her place in the Chamber and joined the meeting.  Congratulations were extended to her by the Lord Mayor and by the Members of the City Council.

It was proposed by Councillor Michael Pidgeon and seconded by Councillor Donna Cooney “That Ms. Darcy Lonergan be co-opted to replace former Councillor Neasa Hourigan who was elected to Dáil Eireann and therefore was deemed to have resigned from Dublin City Council.” The motion was put and carried.  Councillor Lonergan took her place in the Chamber and joined the meeting.  Congratulations were extended to her by the Lord Mayor and by the Members of the City Council.

It was proposed by Councillor Tara Deacy and seconded by Councillor Catherine Stocker “That Ms. Cat O’Driscoll be co-opted to replace former Councillor Gary Gannon who was elected to Dáil Eireann and therefore was deemed to have resigned from Dublin City Council.” The motion was put and carried.  Councillor O’Driscoll took her place in the Chamber and joined the meeting.  Congratulations were extended to her by the Lord Mayor and by the Members of the City Council.

It was then moved by Cllr. Deirdre Heney and seconded by Cllr. Claire O’Connor       “That Councillor Tom Brabazon is proposed for the office of Lord Mayor of the City of Dublin for the period from 24^th February, 2020 to continue in such office (subject to his death, resignation, disqualification, removal from office or otherwise ceasing to be a Member of the City Council) until his successor shall have been elected at the Annual Meeting of the City Council on 29^th June 2020”

It was then moved by Cllr. Christy Burke and seconded by Cllr. Cieran Perry “That Councillor Anthony Flynn is proposed for the office of Lord Mayor of the City of Dublin for the period from 24^th February, 2020 to continue in such office (subject to his death, resignation, disqualification, removal from office or otherwise ceasing to be a Member of the City Council) until his successor shall have been elected at the Annual Meeting of the City Council on 29^th June 2020”

Following a vote, Councillor Tom Brabazon was declared to be elected Lord Mayor and he 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. For full details of this vote, see Appendix A to these minutes.

Lord Mayor Tom Brabazon then took the chair and thanked his fellow Councillors for their support in electing him as the Lord Mayor.  He said that it was a privilege to be elected as first citizen of his native City and thanks his proposer and seconder for their kind words and support.  He thanked Paul McAuliffe for the energy and enthusiasm that he brought to the role of Lord Mayor since June last year.  He commended the Breathe Life Campaign and the Climate Brave Initiative where the city and surrounding administrative areas signalled collectively our intent to reach WHO air quality standards in the city by 2030. He said that this initiative is a great example of how a Council can lead on change rather than waiting for Government to lead.  He spoke of the need to drive towards carbon neutrality as well as to protect of our biodiversity. He intends to work closely with Cllr Michael Pidgeon and the Climate Action SPC to drive this agenda and to keep up the momentum that has gathered in this area since the local elections last year.  He also spoke about his intention to continue to work on the initiative on scrambler bikes as well as accessibility and the need to ensure that all services are accessible to the citizens regardless of physical or mental abilities.  He spoke of the housing and homeless crisis and the need to do more and of his intention to push for increased delivery locally by Dublin City Council and for funding from a national level. He thanked his wife Liz, his son and three daughters for their love and support. 

Lord Mayor Brabazon then called for nominations for the position of Deputy Lord Mayor.

It was moved by Councillor Keith Connolly and seconded by Councillor Deirdre Heney   “That Councillor Racheal Batten is proposed for the office of Deputy Lord Mayor of the City of Dublin for the period 24^th February 2020 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 on 29^th June 2020”.

It was moved by Councillor Danny Byrne and seconded by Councillor Ray McAdam   “That Councillor Colm O’Rourke is proposed for the office of Deputy Lord Mayor of the City of Dublin for the period 24^th February 2020 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 on 29^th June 2020”.

Following a vote, Councillor Racheal Batten was declared to be elected as Deputy Lord Mayor.  Full details of the vote can be found in Appendix B to these Minutes.

The new Deputy Lord Mayor was then warmly congratulated by the Lord Mayor, Members of the City Council the Chief Executive and staff.  The Deputy Lord Mayor thanked all the Members of the City Council for electing her and said that she looked forward to working with the Lord Mayor, Council management, the Mansion House staff and Councillors from all political parties in dealing with the many challenges that faced the City.   She thanked her husband Karl, her mum, her brothers and sister.  She hoped to use the role to highlight the plight of many citizens of the city.  She called for action in relation to the pain and suffering of those who are homeless.  She paid tribute to her late sister who struggled for equality in a world that still does not fully understand those with disabilities.  In her role as Deputy Lord Mayor she will highlight issues of inequality, disabilities, fight for the mental health and the wellbeing of the citizens while demonstrating the values of integrity and kindness and hard work.  She will be working towards the goal to make the city a stronger, better, safer and kinder place. She congratulated the Lord Mayor, outgoing Councillors on their election to the Dáil and extended a welcome to the newly co-opted Councillors.  She finished by paying tribute to her party colleagues and group leader.   

The meeting concluded at 7.40 p.m.