New county council set to meet for first time

The new Offaly County Council is due to meet today for the first time.

The annual meeting is scheduled for Áras an Chontae in Tullamore at 2pm. Fianna Fáil are certain to wield control of the council, having returned eight county councillors to the overall 19-strong council. Fine Gael have five, Sinn Féin three, Independent Ireland one, and there are two independents.

It's expected that the two from independents John Leahy and Sean O'Brien and Independent Ireland's Fergus McDonnell will support the Fianna Fáil group.

The new council will sit for five years, with the position of Cathaoirleach to be rotated The first meeting takes place on Friday at 2pm in county buildings with the main items being the election of the new Cathaoirleach, Leas Cathaoirleach and the chairpersons of the four Strategic Policy Committees. The council will also appoint representatives to an array of organisations, committees and groups.