*Cllr Conor Ryan (FG) and Cllr James Ryan (SF).
CLARE’S newest councillors have taken their seats on the County Council for the first time.
At a special meeting of the local authority on Thursday, both Cllr Conor Ryan (FG) and Cllr James Ryan (SF) were co-opted to the Council. Two of the twenty eight seats became vacant following the General Election success of Joe Cooney TD (FG) and Donna McGettigan (SF), both of whom were in Áras Contae an Chláir for the meeting. Fifteen existing councillors were present for the gathering.
Bridegtown woman, Geraldine Tuohy (FG) at Fine Gael’s selection convention suggested ‘Converse with Conor’ as the slogan to follow for the political career of Cllr Conor Ryan while referencing the success of ‘Talk to Joe’ for Cooney Dáil bid.
However it is possibly more apt to stick with the radio catchphrases and ‘The Ryan Line is open’ once again on Clare County Council following the co-options of both Conor and James.
Addressing the meeting, Mayor of Clare, Cllr Alan O’Callaghan (FF) congratulated his now former colleagues, Cooney and McGettigan on their success. “They were hard workers, they always had their Municipal District at heart and the county at heart, now that they are elevated to Dáil Éireann we will have ye back on numerous occasions in the next few years. I wish ye the best of luck and keep Clare at the heart of what ye do”.
Proposing the co-option of James Ryan, Cllr Tommy Guilfoyle (SF) stated that he worked with James for the “last couple of years as a Sinn Féin activist”. He maintained Deputy McGettigan would “represent the county in a progressive manner in the Dáil, she may not be in Government this time but Sinn Féin and Donna will soon be in Government in the future”. He reckoned both he and his new Council colleague were “up against it when it comes to numbers but we will take them on”.
Seconding the proposal, Cllr Michael Begley (IND) informed the meeting that he was in school with James’ father, “I won’t say how long ago it was”. He said of the Westbury resident, “he is an active person in his community and he will make a big contribution to this Chamber in what is almost a full-term for him”.
Conor Ryan was proposed to fill Cooney’s vacancy by Cllr Pat Burke (FG), “the last time I sat here proposing someone for a prominent role was when I proposed Joe Cooney as Mayor of Clare in 2023, it is a great honour to sit here and propose a replacement for Joe Cooney who has gone on to bigger and better things”.
In recent years, Conor has impressed as Chairman of Fine Gael’s cumann in O’Callaghans Mills according to Cllr Burke, “As a true Blue it is great to nominate Conor because he is a true blue, there is a long tradition in his family, Conor is stepped in Fine Gael”. He pointed out that his daughter and Conor canvassed for Hildegarde Naughton TD (FG) in Galway while studying in the University of Galway. “To put your name forward for a co-option, I’ve never had to do it but for Conor to do it deserves great praise, putting your hand up to replace Koe Cooney is not easy because there are big shoes to fill”.
Backing the proposal, Cllr Paul Murphy (FG) commented, “he first came on my trajectory about ten days ago when the rumour mills were circulating on who was doing the rounds, I asked Pat Burke and he mentioned Conor Ryan, I can’t say I heard of him before but Pat Burke spoke highly of him, he was against two fine candidates”. Having attended the selection convention in Cnoc na Gaoithe, Paul remarked, “Without doubt he was the best candidate on the night”.
Murphy felt there was similarities between himself and Conor as he was also co-opted when in his early thirties following the election of a councillor to the Dáil (Joe Carey), their interest in farming and “I’m also from a long history of politics”. He added, “Joe Cooney was the stalwart for EC and he will be for the county but you are your own man and do your own thing”.
Welcoming both councillors, Cllr O’Callaghan advised, “This is a democratic place you are now elected to, your voice is to be here, heard and known, we respect everyone, we are power sharing, we’re here for the detriment of our Municipal District” to which Cllr Mary Howard (FG) corrected him, “the betterment”.
Reading his script in the Council Chamber for the first time, Cllr Conor Ryan said, “I was given two bits of advice, learn this off and keep it short and I’ve kept it short. I am truly honoured to be here today to represent people of the Killaloe Municipal District”. He stressed, “Indeed Deputy Cooney is a hard act to follow and I’ve big shoes to fill, I’ve inherited his seat but I will not replace him, I am not Joe Cooney. He brought tireless energy, he worked hard and was dedicated to Clare people over the last two decades, he is already making great strides in the Dáil, he has shown there is a model to follow as a councillor and it is simple, work hard and remain honest to the people you represent”.
There was “special thanks” reserved for Cllr Burke and Cllr Murphy who “have been particularly welcoming and helpful to me”. He added, “Fine Gael has always been a party of coalition, we all have the same goals to better the lives of the people of Co Clare”.
“Two Ryans do make a right,” quipped James Ryan. He said he was “quite humbled” to take over from Donna McGettigan. On the advice he received from the new TD, James outlined, “She said everyone comes from different parties but everyone wants to do well for Clare, 99% of the time party colours are left at the door, I hope to try represent and do as well as Donna has done for the Shannon MD, I’ve quite a bit of time to do that as well”.
Warm welcomes were extended by Cllr Pat Hayes (FF), “it is a wonderful day for two new councillors”. He wished both Deputy Cooney and Deputy McGettigan well “on their great election, they are a loss to the Council, it creates a void but it adds new energy”. He said, “We might publicly have spats but we are here to deliver for the people that elect us” and encouraged the new representatives to “take it easy over Christmas, take time to build into it”.
There are “high expectations” for the two new TDs, said Cllr Howard who admitted they would be missed in the Council. She told councillors elected for the first time in June that they are “no longer the new kids on the block”. Electing two councillors to the Dáil in the one election was “a record,” Cllr Joe Killeen (FF) believed.
Co-opted himself in December 2022 before winning his seat in June, Cllr Tom O’Callaghan (FF) said, “I made it my business to be here to welcome you here, it is a proactive chamber but there is democracy”. He continued, “If you don’t come into this Chamber as your own individual you shouldn’t be here, if you feel strongly about something this is where it needs to be debated”.
McGettigan’s election means Cllr Rachel Hartigan (FF) is now the only female councillor in the Shannon MD. “I have got to know James who I’ve got to know in last few years, he is a real community activist and has done fantastic work in Westbury and Ardnacrusha, I look forward to working with you, we’ve a strong population base and I look forward to representing them as best as I can with you”.
Seated beside Conor Ryan was Cllr John Crowe (FG) who commented, “I had Joe Cooney sitting alongside me for the last twenty years, I’m looking forward to sitting alongside you for the next twenty”. He noted that Conor was “very impressive” on the doors during the General Election, “I said to myself this young man has potential and he has big boots to follow”. He added, “the Dáil doesn’t realise what they’re getting with Joe and Donna up there”.
Interim Chief Executive of the Council, Carmel Kirby congratulated Cooney and McGettigan and also welcomed the new councillors. She noted it was “a proud day for you and your families”. A briefing to help them familiarise to their new role will be arranged by Acting Director of Rural Development, Ann Reynolds.
Speaking in the Chamber, Deputy Cooney stated, “I’m beginning to wonder are we in Clare or Tipperary with all the Ryans around us but we will always be proud Clare people”. He said, “Ye are getting a massive opportunity, I wouldn’t be paying much heed to Cllr Hayes saying to relax because he won’t be relaxing”. He also felt Cllr Crowe was unlikely to have twenty years beside Cllr Ryan in the Chamber. “Ye are well aware of how to work with people and represent people which is vital and important. Make sure ye work to represent people in the area”.
He continued, “At the end of the day comes down to getting extra funding into our county, we want to make our county a better place to live, work and enjoy”. The O’Callaghans Mills man said, “I enjoyed working with every councillor over the last twenty years. I wish everyone here a happy Christmas. The staff have been simply fantastic, the same as the staff in Dáil Éireann who are also simply fantastic”.
Co-operating on the Council helped Deputy McGettigan grow as a politician, she believed. “I know what it is liked to be co-opted, every single councillor helped me and they helped me to grow in my political career”. She said, “Clare for us is very important, now ye are taking up the mantle and taking on what we have been doing previously, we’ve picked the best people to do this, it is up to you to work for the people”.
