Fine Gael and Fianna Fail finalise County Council pact

Galway Bay fm newsroom – Fine Gael and Fianna Fáil have formally entered a power pact for Galway County Council.
There had been speculation for several days that the two parties would join together to ensure a majority of votes in the Council, but the agreement was only finalised this morning.
The pact, which involves 12 Fine Gael members and 12 Fianna Fáil members will mean the grouping will have 24 votes out of 39, giving them a majority.
The role of Mayor of the County is expected to be filled by 3 Fianna Fáil councillors over the next 5 years and 2 Fine Gael councillors.
Fianna Fáil Councillor Mary Hoade is expected to be nominated at the first mayor of the new Council at its meeting at NUIG today.
The Council meeting is being held at the Bailey Allen Hall as expansion works to the Council Chamber at Prospect Hill to accommodate the new extra councillors have not been completed.
Newcomer, Niamh Byrne from Fine Gael is due to be nominated as deputy mayor today.
The other councillors mooted to hold the position of Mayor during the 5 year term are FG’s Peter Roche, Michael Connolly of FF, Eileen Mannion of FG and Seán Ó Tuairisg of FF.
It’s understood Independent Councillor Michael Fahy will vote along with Fianna Fáil in the Council as he considers re-entering the party.