BMW REGIONAL ASSEMBLY ELECTS NEW CATHAOIRLEACH

Councillor Joe Flanagan from Moyvoughley, Moate, Co Westmeath has been elected unopposed as the new Cathaoirleach of the Border, Midland and Western Regional Assembly at their Annual General Meeting held on Friday 16th July, 2010 in Ballaghaderreen. Councillor Flanagan was first elected to Westmeath County Council in 1979 for the Kilbeggan electoral area and has represented this area since. Cllr. Flanagan was Chairperson of Westmeath County Council in 2006 and Chairman of the Midland Regional Authority in 2007. He has been a member of the BMW Regional Assembly since 1999 and the Midland Regional Authority since 1994. Cllr Aidan Boyle, Cavan County Council, was elected Leas Cathaoirleach. In accepting the position, Councillor Flanagan said that he was both honoured and privileged to be elected Cathaoirleach of the Assembly. He informed the meeting that in these challenging times there are many sectors struggling to cope with a dormant economy. Councillor Flanagan stressed the important roles played by the Regional Assembly as Managing Authority for the BMW Regional Operational Programme, in monitoring the impact of investment programmes on the region and in ensuring that National policies take Regional issues into account. Councillor Flanagan stated that it was his hope that by working collectively the Assembly members and staff can ensure that the BMW region gets its fair share of both government and EU resources and that its inhabitants enjoy improved quality of life. In conclusion, Cllr. Flanagan thanked the members for their unanimous support. He acknowledged the outgoing Cathaoirleach Andrew Boylan for the wonderful job he had done over the past year and for his chairing of meetings with firmness and fairness. He also thanked the outgoing Leas Cathaoirleach Councillor Owen Bannigan. Mr. Gerry Finn, Director of the Border, Midland and Western Regional Assembly, congratulated Councillor Flanagan on his appointment and stated that he looked forward to working with him over the coming year. He also paid tribute to the outgoing Cathaoirleach, Councillor Andrew Boylan for the effective way in which he discharged his duties over his term as Cathaoirleach and to Councillor Owen Bannigan who acted as Leas Cathaoirleach for the past year.