The AGM of Laois County Council is always one of the most pleasant meetings of the year.
With a chamber full of visitors, there’s an element of the councillors being on their best behaviour. The bickering is toned down considerably.
But the agenda sets a different tone. The AGM marks the last day for the outgoing Cathaoirleach and the first day for the new one.
On this occasion it was Padraig Fleming, the Fianna Fáil councillor from The Swan and a member of the Graiguecullen-Portarlington Municipal District, whose term in the chair was coming to an end. He was replaced by Barry Walsh (Fine Gael) from Ballyroan.
The role – the first citizen of Laois – entails representing the council at events, locally, nationally and internationally, as well as chairing the monthly meetings.
And as his 12-month spell in the role concluded and he literally handed the chain of office over to Cllr Walsh, he was met with warm praise and congratulations on how he fulfilled his duties. All 18 of his fellow councillors as well as CEO Michael Rainey made a contribution.
In his own brief few words, Cllr Fleming said he’d “be forever grateful for the kindness and generosity” shown to him in the role, saying that it was a “symbol of democracy at local government”.
Cllr John Joe Fennelly opened the tributes by praising his leadership and saying that the Cathaoirleach had attended over 100 events in his role. “Pure dedication to us as a council and to the citizens of Laois,” he added.
“You were an excellent chair,” added Cllr Paschal McEvoy. “You love meeting people and you’d go to anything. You really did the position justice.”
Outgoing leas Cathaoirleach John King said he was a “great man of the people” and that so present was Cllr Fleming in the role that Cllr King rarely got a call to go to anything to deputise. “The first time I had to look for the chain,” he laughed.
Cllr Vivienne Phelan said he was very supportive to her as a new councillor while Cllr Barry Walsh said he was “fair an approachable” and brought “great charisma to the role”.
Cllr Ben Brennan and Cllr Caroline Dwane-Stanley acknowledged Cllr Fleming’s fairness in the chairman’s role in “looking over here” and giving plenty of speaking time to the Technical Group, who are essentially the opposition.
Michael Rainey, CEO of the Council, was the last to speak, saying that if he were to sum up Cllr Fleming’s time in the position it would be his “positivity and professionalism”.
“It was how he attended to his role as first citizen. It is a big deal. It adds dignity and importance to any occasion.
“The word ‘gentleman’ comes up a lot. Padraig was extremely accommodating to staff and any time they’d ask anything, he’d go out of his way to be of assistance.
“I want to thank you and congratulate you on a great year.”
Before vacating the seat, Cllr Fleming was presented with a copy of the books of minutes from the various meetings he chaired and a book of photographs of his year in office.
SEE ALSO – Proud and emotional day as Barry Walsh is elected as the new Cathaoirleach of Laois County Council
