Parties keen to continue Donegal County Council power-sharing agreement

Political parties are anxious to maintain power-sharing when the new Donegal County Council convenes for the first time on Friday-week.

Following the weekend's local elections, which saw ten new councillors elected in Donegal, the AGM of Donegal County Council takes place on June 21 in Lifford.

The various parties and groups will meet separately in advance of the AGM, both to review their election performance and put a strategy in place for the next term.

Donegal County Council has shared power across parties without any coalitions forming in an attempt to seize control.

The last power-sharing agreement existed between Fianna Fáil, Sinn Féin, Fine Gael and some of the independent councillors.

Senior sources across the political spectrum have told Donegal Live that the parties are keen for the arrangement to continue.

“I don't know of any party involved who would be opposed,” one said. “It worked well for both the management and the councillors. The power-sharing arrangement is the only way to go as it ensures the Council is fully representative of its members.”

Donegal County Council has used the D'Hondt system which means allocations are made pertaining to political strength.

Fianna Fáil and Sinn Féin are the largest parties with ten seats each on the new Donegal County Council.

Ten new Councillors were elected, including four from the 100% Redress party - Ali Farren, Joy Beard, Tomas Sean Devine and Denis McGee.

New independent councillors Declan Meehan, Martin Scanlon and Jimmy Brogan will be joined by Fine Gael newcomer Manus Boyle, Sinn Féin's Dakota Nic Mheanman and Fionán Bradley of Fianna Fáil.

Among the agreements sought when parties meet will be in determining who will be Mayor and Deputy Mayor for the next year.

Parties will also thrash out the various representations on bodies such as the Donegal Joint Policing Committee (JPC), Donegal Education and Training Board (ETB), Regional Health Forum and cross-border committees.

Donegal County Council also has six strategic policy committees (SPCs) with positions to be allocated on each: Economic Development, Enterprise & Emergency; Roads & Transportation; Housing & Corporate; Community, Social & Culture; Climate Action & Environment; and Planning.