Irish Political Roundup’s County Councillors Caucus Roundtable Discussion. “The forgotten powerhouse of the Irish political system” Some of the topics discussed on Episode 8 of the County Councillors Caucus Roundtable Discussion are:
In this County Councillors Caucus Roundtable discussion – the topics discussed include:
• Budgeting it’s been a busy time for Councillors as they agree their annual budgets for 2026 across Ireland, which deals with spending a range of different areas from Roads to Housing and much more.
• Animal Cruelty and disjointed nature of Animal welfare which is across many different Government Departments and the lack of powers dog wardens have to issue on the spot fines.
• We find out more about the potential site for the Offaly Hospice in Tullamore which, requires a change to the County Development Plan which can be a long process for a planning application to be approved.
• On Affordable Housing Cllr Tommy Cahill says “There’s a group out there, we call them the squeeze Middle, you know, that have good, decent jobs, but they’re above the social housing threshold, so I think we need to do more for them in that respect”
• We ask what an affordable home is? and how that may vary in different parts of the Country.
• The importance of shopping local this Christmas and how Local Council’s will introduce free parking to increase footfall.
• Cllr Joe Kelly on the Housing Crisis say” if you look at it, the basic family structure was based on everybody having a house or being reasonable expectation of getting one.That’s now gone out the window in the island of today “
Joining County Councillors Caucus Roundtable Discussion with Roisin Ni Chleirigh and Paul Brophy are returning panellist: Cllr John Leahy Independent Councillor for Birr Local Electoral Area and Offaly County Council Cathaoirleach, Independent Cllr Michael Sheehan for New Ross LEA -Wexford County Council who like Cllr Leahy is a longstanding Public Representative and former Cathaoirleach of Wexford County Council.
The third experienced Public Representative joining County Councillors Caucus Roundtable Discussion Cllr Joe Kelly, who represents the Tramore West Waterford LEA on Waterford City and County Council. Cllr Kelly has been a Public Representative since 2004 and is a three time Mayor of Waterford City.
Also joining the panel for First-time is Fianna Fail’s Cllr Tommy Cahill: Kenmare LEA- Kerry County Council who was co-opted in December 2024 after his Dad Michael was elected to Dail to represent Kerry. Tommy is in fact the youngest member of Kerry County Council.
Credit to : Irish Political Roundup