Southern Regional Assembly gathers for first meeting in Waterford

The first meeting of the new Southern Regional Assembly took place today in Waterford, Friday, July 12 2024.

The new term sees 19 former members returning alongside 15 elected members serving their first term on the Assembly, including for the first time, the directly elected Mayor of Limerick.

Following the recent local elections, every local authority in the region, Carlow, Clare, Cork City, Cork County, Kerry, Kilkenny, Limerick, Tipperary, Waterford and Wexford, nominates elected members to the regional assembly for the five-year term.

The members representing Tipperary are Cllr Michael Murphy, Cllr Mairin McGrath, Cllr Peggy Ryan and Cllr Michael Smith.

The regional assembly is part of the regional tier of government in Ireland and has responsibility for EU funded Programmes and regional planning.

Cllr Garret Kelleher, Cork CITY Council, Fine Gael has been elected as the Cathaoirleach 2024-25, succeeding Cllr Terry Shannon from Cork City Council. Cllr Ken Murnane, Carlow County Council, Fianna Fáil was elected as Leas Cathaoirleach.

Cllr Kelleher, Cathaoirleach said:

“I am honoured to wear the Chain of Office as Cathaoirleach of the Southern Regional Assembly. The functions of the Regional Assemblies have become increasingly important as the regional tier of government and key champions of the regional perspective in economic and spatial development. I am looking forward to working with my colleagues across the political spectrum on the very significant programme of work ahead, including a review of the Regional Spatial and Economic Strategy for the Southern Region and the adoption of the next Corporate Plan for the Assembly.”

Congratulating the new Cathaoirleach and Leas-Cathaoirleach, Director of the Assembly, David Kelly said that he and all the staff in the Assembly look forward to working with them and the new Assembly over the coming years.