CITY COUNCIL APPROVE MEATH COUNTY MANAGER AS NEW CITY MANAGER

Date Published: 08-Apr-2013

Several city councillors have expressed their disappointment at the fact that the new city manager did not come from within Galway city council.

Their comments came as they approved the public appointments commission nominee to the post Meath County Manager Brendan McGrath to the post

Galway bay fm reports Councillor Frank Fahy told the chamber he was disappointed neither acting city manager nor dir of services Ciaran Hayes got the job.

This view was echoed by several members who said they were disappointed with the outcome on that the nominee did not come from in house

Joe O Neill was praised for his excellent stewardship of the city for the last 3 years and for always having the welfare and the economic drive of the city at heart

Cllr Catherine Connolly said the city has had 7 managers in 14 years and the question needs to be asked is the city best served in this way

Outgoing manager Joe O Neill thanked cllrs for their kind comments and said that as a native of the city it is always an honour for him to serve the city council and quipped he'll be around for a while more

He said he will inform councillors of Brendan McGrath's start date when it's finalised

Mayor Terry O Flaherty summed up councillors views in welcoming Mr McGrath and said he faces a tough challenge as it's a big city to deal with