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    Tuesday 18 June 2013

    Labouring for nomination

    With Michael McLaughlin expected to take the chain at next week's last ever AGM of Westport Town Council, Labour's Keith Martin has thrown his hat in the ring for the position of Leas-Cathaoirleach of the council.

    Of the 9 sitting councillors Cllr Martin is the only member of the current council who has never served as Cathaoirleach of the council and with the planned abolition of the council it seems he never will. 

    Fine Gael, with five seats, have control of the Chain and have kept it within the party and are expected to continue this with the election of Cllr McLaughlin.

    Cllr Martin has written to his colleagues requesting their support but he may be locked out of the position by Fine Gael after the outgoing Cathaoirleach, Cllr Ollie Gannon, announced at last year's AGM that Fine Gael would not be looking outside the party for a Leas Cathaoirleach given the "quality of candidates" within Fine Gael on the town council.

    Despite this Cllr Martin is looking to his colleagues in Fine Gael, Fianna Fail and Independent Martin Keane to support his nomination for the chair so that he can serve out the 10th year of his term on the council as its last ever Leas Cathoirleach.

    According to Cllr Martin "It will always be a disappointment to me that after 10 years on Westport Town Council that I never got to serve as Cathaoirleach.  It is my hope that I can serve out what could be the last term of the council as its Leas Cathaoirleach.  Westport Town Council is famous for leaving politics outside the council chamber.  It is in that spirit and in recognition of my ten years service on the council that I hope my nomination will be supported by all councillors."