The new Cathaoirleach of Donegal County Council, Councillor Gerry McMonagle, says that he plans to use his term as Donegal’s First Citizen to ‘build a prosperous Donegal’.
McMonagle, a native of Derry city who has been living in Letterkenny since 1984, took the Mayoral chain yesterday at the AGM of Donegal County Council, succeeding Councillor Terence Slowey.
The Sinn Féin Councillor – pictured above by Joe Boland, North West Newspix – has outlined some of his aims and has suggested that the Council explore the possible establishment of a ‘College of Excellence in Irish Music in Donegal.
“Our traditional music and our heritage is out unique selling point to promote Donegal,” he said following his appointment.
“What better place to establish a College of Excellence in Irish Music than in Donegal?
“It creates 26,500 jobs, it accounts for 0.5 per cent of our GDP and arts is now ahead of media in Derry in terms of economic contribution. We could transform the Gaeltacht area of west Donegal and have people to learn our traditional music and culture. I want to make it a priority to investigate the possibility of making it happen.”
Mental health and policing will be towards the forefront of his plans, while he has urged the Council to work closely with their counterparts across the border.
Indeed, the Chair of the Derry City and Strabane District Council is Maolíosa McHugh, a Sinn Féin Councillor, while the party has newly-elected MPs close by in the form of Francie Molloy and Elisha McCallion.
Councillor McMonagle said: “It is vital that we work with the Derry-Strabane Council and the Omagh Council to develop strong cross border relationships. We need to be best placed to deal with the uncertainty of Brexit.
“I want us to build a prosperous Donegal.
“We have great entrepreneurial, sports, arts and business people; we have to tap into that rich vein if we are to prosper further. With those ideas and vision, we can all work together to accomplish a better place to live in.”
Councillor Gerry McMonagle, after being elected as the new Cathaoirleach of Donegal County Council, with members of his family in Lifford. Picture by Joe Boland, North West Newspix
Perennial issues such as the decline of rural Donegal and the roads infrastructure will dominate a fair portion of his time in the office.
He said: “A lack of rural development leads to isolation.
“We are connected like never before, but there is still a decline in our rural areas, with a lack of public transport and the closure of banks, post offices and Garda stations. We have to fight to prevent that.
“If Donegal is to develop equally, broadband must be rolled out. Telecommunications companies mustn’t be about profit, but about connectivity. Connectivity is everything if were are to develop into the future.
“It is important that we campaign for investment into roads across all areas of the county.
“Letterkenny is the premier town, but it experiences massive gridlock on a daily basis. We have to work hard to ensure that Letterkenny, as the hub of Donegal, gets the road infrastructure it needs. We will lead a delegation to meet with the Minister for Transport and Roads to progress the Bonagee Link and the Leck road. We have to get balanced development, not just in Letterkenny, but in the whole county.”
Councillor McMonagle was accompanied in the chamber by his wife Zena, by sons Ultan, Martin and Dean, his daughters Teresa, Dearbhaile, Nicola and Carol, and a wide circle of the McMonagle clan as he took up the position for the first time.
The Leas Cathaoirleach will be Sinn Féin Councillor Noel Jordan. McMonagle was elected to Donegal County Council in the 2014 General Election and in 2015/16 was the Mayor of the Letterkenny Municipal District, having previously served as a Letterkenny Town Councillor and indeed was Mayor of Letterkenny in the 2011/12 term.
He has suggested reaching out to the people more; in effect, bringing the Council to the people.
Councillor McMonagle said: “I propose that this executive connects to every corner of the county. I hope to hold Town Hall-type meetings about how we can develop Donegal. We must listen to our people more. Our development plans that go to public consultation only attracts a small number of people. We have to give people an opportunity to travel a short distance and have their views heard.”
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