Clare Council Cathaoirleach Joe Cooney meets An Taoiseach in Government Buildings

Clare County Council Cathaoirleach Cllr Joe Cooney met with An Taoiseach and Fine Gael Party Leader, Leo Varadkar, in Government Buildings on Tuesday evening.

The Taoiseach, along with all of his senior Ministers, met with the 13 Fine Gael Councillors who have recently been elected as the first citizen of their county.

Councillor Cooney was elected as Cathaoirleach in June and listed extra funding for roads as one of his main priorities during his term.

He also called for improvements to water infrastructure for rural villages around Clare.

Taoiseach Leo Varadkar said: “I had a good two-hour meeting with Councillor Cooney in Government Buildings on Tuesday evening to discuss the issues that matter to the people of Clare. The meeting gave Councillor Cooney the opportunity to raise these issues directly with me. I committed to Councillor Cooney to work on these issues.

“The need for more funding this year for local and regional road maintenance, a top up allocation for the Local Improvement Scheme and, in the coming years, funding to advance new road projects that are delayed, the urgent need to service much more land for housing were raised at the meeting. On energy security and climate, they impressed on me the need to increase aid to farmers, schools, community buildings and businesses to install solar panels and become energy efficient.

“I look forward to working with Councillor Cooney and visiting Clare during his term as Cathaoirleach.”

Fine Gael is making a real impact in communities through the hard work of our local representatives. With 13 Mayors/Cathaoirligh across the country, Fine Gael is representing stronger, safer communities in every part of the country.

ENDS