Ballina Independent replaces Fine Gael brother on Mayo County Council

he sister of Ballina-based Fine Gael Senator Mark Duffy has been co-opted onto Mayo County Council as an Independent councillor.

Marie-Thérése Duffy, a national school teacher from Ballina, was co-opted onto Mayo County Council to replace her brother Mark who was elected as a senator in January's Seanad Éireann elections.

Although Senator Duffy joined the ranks of Fine Gael to run for the party ahead of November's General Election, he was elected to the council as an Independent and as a result, his replacement must also be an Independent and receive support from no less than 20 members of the council.

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When the item was raised at yesterday's monthly meeting of Mayo County Council, Ms Duffy's name was proposed by Fine Gael councillor Jarlath Munnelly and seconded by Fianna Fáil councillor Michael Loftus.

There was no counter-proposal although former Ballina-based town councillor Willie Nolan, who had indicated a wish to take the seat, did attempt to address the council meeting but was not permitted.

As there was a full agreement from all councillors to Ms Duffy's nomination she was deemed co-opted onto the council. Senator Duffy was in the council chamber to congratulate his sister.

Mandate

In proposing Ms Duffy, Cllr Munnelly said that they had to have regard for the mandate received by her brother at last June's local elections when he topped the poll as an Independent. He also added that by co-opting her onto the council it will increase the representatives of females on the local authority from four to five.

“It is a great opportunity to put a young woman on Mayo County Council to represent Ballina. We have just passed International Women's Day and currently the representation rate in this Chamber is 13 percent and it was worse. We have an opportunity to increase the proportion of women in this chamber from 13 percent to 17 percent. That is low and a long way short on what it should be but it is an improvement,” he said.

As well as being a school teacher, Mr Munnelly said that she has a great interest in the Irish language and culture and also plays both Gaelic and soccer for local teams in Ballina.

In seconding Ms Duffy, Cllr Loftus said it was clear that she is committed to Ballina and her community and that is what is important. He said that co-opting her to replace Senator Duffy is the right thing to do and added that if she is anything like him it will be an honour to work with her.

In accepting her seat on Mayo County Council, Ms Duffy thanked her proposer and seconder and all the councillors for allowing her to take the seat.

Honoured

“It is an honour to be co-opted onto Mayo County Council. I will look forward to continuing Mark's work within our community and I am committed to working tirelessly for our constituents. I look forward to working together with everyone in this chamber for the betterment of Co Mayo,” she said.

Although she was co-opted as an Independent, Ms Duffy took her seat in her brother's old chair among the Fine Gael councillors which was quickly remarked upon by the Independent councillors. Claremorris-based Independent Richard Finn commented he thought she would also be sitting beside him after he had the honour of sitting beside Senator Duffy in the chamber before he joined Fine Gael.

“That might be a sign for the future insofar that you are sitting there in that seat,” he said jokingly. “I welcome Marie Therese and I hope we can have a relationship in the council that works. I told Mark that when the next council election comes up you will canvass for her to be elected as an Independent councillor for the people of Ballina. In fairness I want to wish you both luck,” he said.

Fianna Fáil councillor Damien Ryan wished Ms Duffy luck in her new role and stated it was nice to see more youth and energy in the chamber and looked forward to working with her.

Cathaoirleach of Mayo County Council, Cllr John O'Hara, also welcomed Ms Duffy to the chamber and was of no doubt that she will be a success in her new role.

Ms Duffy also filled the vacancies left by her brother on the Northern and Western Regional Assembly and on the Roads and Sustainable Travel Strategic Policy Committee.

Her position on the Northern and Western Regional Assembly was opposed by the Independent group of councillors who nominated Aontú councillor Deirdre Lawless but Ms Duffy received 18 votes to eight to take her place on the assembly.