Historic Mayo County Council alliance formed
A new alliance is in place for the next term of Mayo County Council.
Fianna Fail and Fine Gael have agreed to join forces and will hold the balance of power during the next term of Mayo County Council.
The move was always on the cards after each of the parties secured 10 seats each. The pact signals an end to the 10-year alliance that had been in place between Fianna Fail and the Independent grouping on the council.
Cllr Michael Kilcoyne had predicted this was a likely outcome and said the Independents were left in no doubt after a recent meeting with Fianna Fail.
Fianna Fail held a vote on the matter and while the decision was not unanimous a significant majority wanted to end the agreement with the Independents and link up with the Fine Gael.
The new agreement will see Fianna Fail hold the Cathaoirleach’s post for three out of the five years while a Fine Gael councillor will twice wear the chain.
A Fine Gael councillor will take up the post of Cathaoirleach at Friday’s first meeting of the new-look council. Cllrs John O’Hara, Jarlath Munnelly, and Peter Flynn are understood to be among those in line for the role.
