Donegal County Council (Irish: Comhairle Contae Dhún na nGall) is the authority responsible for local government in County Donegal, Ireland. As a county council, it is governed by the Local Government Act 2001. The council is responsible for housing and community, roads and transportation, urban planning and development, amenity and culture, and environment. It has 37 elected members. Elections are held every five years and are by single transferable vote. The head of the council has the title of Cathaoirleach (chairperson). The county administration is headed by a chief executive, John McLaughlin. The county town is Lifford.
Donegal County Council Comhairle Contae Dhún na nGall | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Type | |
| Type | |
| Leadership | |
Leas-Cathaoirleach | |
| Structure | |
| Seats | 37 |
 | |
Political groups |
|
| Elections | |
Last election | 7 June 2024 |
| Motto | |
| Mutuam habeatis caritatem (Latin) "Maintain among you mutual love and charity" | |
| Meeting place | |
 | |
| County House, Lifford | |
| Website | |
| donegalcoco.ie | |
History
editDonegal County Council, which had previously held its meetings in Lifford Courthouse,[2] acquired County House in Lifford for use as its meeting place and administrative headquarters in 1930.[3]
The d'Hondt method has been deployed by Donegal County Council since 2009 and has worked on all but Budget Day, leading Martin Harley (running mate of Joe McHugh at the 2020 general election) to suggest it be used to help form a government.[4]
Following the 2015 RTÉ programme Standards in Public Office, in March 2019, John O'Donnell was found by the Standards in Public Office Commission to have contravened the Local Government Act in three different instances, including failure to maintain proper standards of integrity, conduct and concern for the public interest.[5]
Regional Assembly
editDonegal County Council has three representatives on the Northern and Western Regional Assembly where they are part of the Border Strategic Planning Area Committee.[6]
Elections
editMembers of Donegal County Council are elected for a five-year term of office on the electoral system of proportional representation by means of the single transferable vote (PR-STV) from multi-member local electoral areas (LEAs).
| Year | FF | SF | 100%R | FG | Lab | IFF | WP | DPP | Ind | Total | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 10 | 10 | 4 | 3 | 1 | — | 0 | — | 9 | 37 | |||||||||
| 2019 | 12 | 10 | — | 6 | 1 | — | 0 | — | 8 | 37 | |||||||||
| 2014 | 11 | 9 | — | 6 | 1 | — | 0 | — | 10 | 37 | |||||||||
| 2009 | 10 | 4 | — | 8 | 2 | — | 0 | — | 5 | 29 | |||||||||
| 2004 | 14 | 4 | — | 8 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 29 | |||||||||
| 1999 | 14 | 0 | — | 8 | 1 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 29 | |||||||||
| 1991 | 11 | 1 | — | 9 | 1 | 4 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 29 | |||||||||
| 1985 | 11 | 2 | — | 9 | 0 | 5 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 29 | |||||||||
Local Electoral Areas and Municipal Districts
editCounty Donegal is divided into local electoral areas and municipal districts, defined by electoral divisions.[7]
| Municipal District | LEA | Definition | Seats |
|---|---|---|---|
| Donegal | An Bhinn Bhán, An Leargaidh Mhór, Ballintra (in the former Rural District of Ballyshannon), Ballintra (in the former Rural District of Donegal), Ballyshannon Rural, Ballyshannon Urban, Bonnyglen, Bundoran Rural, Bundoran Urban, Carrickboy, Cavangarden, Cill Charthaigh, Cill Ghabhlaigh, Cliff, Clogher, Corkermore, Cró Chaorach, Crownarad, Donegal, Dunkineely, Eanymore, Gleann Cholm Cille, Grousehall, Haugh, Inver, Killybegs, Laghy, Loch Iascaigh, Málainn Bhig, Pettigoe, Tantallon, Tawnawully, Templecarn, Tieveskeelta and Tullynaught. | 6 | |
| Glenties | An Clochán Liath, An Craoslach, An Dúchoraidh, An Ghrafaidh, An Machaire, Anagaire, Árainn Mhór, Ard an Rátha, Ards, Baile na Finne, Caisleán na dTuath, Críoch na Sméar, Cró Bheithe, Dawros, Dún Fionnachaidh, Dún Lúiche, Gleann Gheis, Gleann Léithín, Gort an Choirce, Inis Caoil, Inis Mhic an Doirn, Leitir Mhic an Bhaird, Maas, Machaire Chlochair, Maol Mosóg, Mín an Chladaigh, Na Croisbhealaí and Na Gleannta. | 6 | |
| Inishowen | Buncrana | Birdstown, Buncrana Rural, Buncrana Urban, Burt, Castleforward, Desertegny, Fahan, Illies, Inch Island, Kilderry, Killea, Mintiaghs, Newtown Cunningham, Three Trees and Whitecastle. | 5 |
| Carndonagh | Ardmalin, Ballyliffin, Carndonagh, Carthage, Castlecary, Culdaff, Dunaff, Gleneely (in the former Rural District of Inishowen), Gleneganon, Glentogher, Greencastle, Malin, Moville, Redcastle, Straid, and Turmone | 4 | |
| Letterkenny–Milford | Letterkenny | Ballymacool, Castlewray, Corravaddy, Edenacarnan, Gortnavern, Killymasny, Kincraigy, Letterkenny Rural, Letterkenny Urban, Magheraboy, Manorcunningham, Mín an Lábáin, Suí Corr and Templedouglas. | 7 |
| Milford | An Cheathrú Chaol, An Tearmann, Ballyarr, Carraig Airt, Cnoc Colbha, Creamhghort, Fánaid Thiar, Fánaid Thuaidh, Gartán, Glen, Glenalla, Grianfort, Killygarvan, Kilmacrenan, Loch Caol, Millford, Rathmelton, Rathmullan, Ros Goill and Rosnakill. | 3 | |
| Lifford–Stranorlar | Allt na Péiste, An Clochán, Castlefinn, Cloghard, Clonleigh North, Clonleigh South, Convoy, Dooish, Feddyglass, Figart, Gleneely (in the former Rural District of Stranorlar), Goland, Killygordon, Knock, Lettermore, Mín Charraigeach, Raphoe, St. Johnstown, Stranorlar, Treantaghmucklagh and Urney West. | 6 | |
Current councillors
editThe following were elected at the 2024 Donegal County Council election.
| Party | Seats | |
|---|---|---|
| Fianna Fáil | 10 | |
| Sinn Féin | 10 | |
| 100% Redress | 4 | |
| Fine Gael | 3 | |
| Labour | 1 | |
| Independent | 9 | |
Councillors by electoral area
editThis list reflects the order in which councillors were elected on 7 June 2024.[8]
| Council members from 2024 election | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Local electoral area | Name | Party | |
| Buncrana | Jack Murray | Sinn Féin | |
| Joy Beard | 100% Redress | ||
| Paul Canning | Fianna Fáil | ||
| Terry Crossan | Sinn Féin | ||
| Fionán Bradley | Fianna Fáil | ||
| Carndonagh | Ali Farren | 100% Redress | |
| Martin McDermott | Fianna Fáil | ||
| Albert Doherty | Sinn Féin | ||
| Martin Farren | Labour | ||
| Donegal | Micheál Naughton | Fianna Fáil | |
| Noel Jordan | Sinn Féin | ||
| Michael McMahon | Sinn Féin | ||
| Jimmy Brogan | Independent | ||
| Manus Boyle | Fine Gael | ||
| Niamh Kennedy | Independent | ||
| Glenties | Micheál Choilm Mac Giolla Easbuig | Independent | |
| Michael McClafferty | Independent | ||
| Anthony Molloy | Fianna Fáil | ||
| Brian Carr | Sinn Féin | ||
| John Shéamais Ó Fearraigh | Sinn Féin | ||
| Denis McGee | 100% Redress | ||
| Letterkenny | Donal 'Mandy' Kelly | Fianna Fáil | |
| Tomás Seán Devine | 100% Redress | ||
| Gerry McMonagle | Sinn Féin | ||
| Ciaran Brogan | Fianna Fáil | ||
| Jimmy Kavanagh | Fine Gael | ||
| Michael McBride | Independent | ||
| Dónal Coyle | Fianna Fáil | ||
| Lifford–Stranorlar | Martin Scanlon | Independent | |
| Gary Doherty | Sinn Féin | ||
| Martin Harley | Fine Gael | ||
| Frank McBrearty Jnr | Independent | ||
| Patrick McGowan | Fianna Fáil | ||
| Dakota Nic Mheanman | Sinn Féin | ||
| Milford | Declan Meehan | Independent | |
| Liam Blaney | Fianna Fáil | ||
| Pauric McGarvey | Independent | ||
References
edit- ^ a b "Councillor Niamh Kennedy elected as Cathaoirleach of Donegal County Council". Donegal Daily. 21 June 2024. Retrieved 22 June 2024.
- ^ "Establishment of Donegal County Council". Donegal County Council. Retrieved 31 October 2019.[permanent dead link]
- ^ "Local Authorities". Oireachtas. 26 May 1982. Archived from the original on 26 October 2019. Retrieved 26 October 2019.
- ^ Walsh, Harry (20 February 2020). "Harley says d'Hondt method could be used to form new government". Donegal News. p. 5.
- ^ Kelly, Fiach (26 March 2019). "Sipo finds against two councillors over RTÉ undercover report". The Irish Times. Archived from the original on 6 May 2019. Retrieved 26 March 2019.
- ^ Local Government Act 1991 (Regional Assemblies) (Establishment) Order 2014, Article 5 and Schedule 3 (S.I. No. 573 of 2014). Signed on 16 December 2014. Statutory Instrument of the Government of Ireland. Retrieved from Irish Statute Book on 17 April 2023.
- ^ County of Donegal Local Electoral Areas and Municipal Districts Order 2018 (S.I. No. 613 of 2018). Signed on 19 December 2018. Statutory Instrument of the Government of Ireland. Archived from the original on 31 January 2019. Retrieved from Irish Statute Book on 30 January 2019.
- ^ "Donegal County Council – Elected Candidates". RTÉ News. Retrieved 19 June 2024.