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03 Oct 2025
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03 Oct 2025
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With 24 seats in the council, 13 is the magic number for a majority - and Fianna Fail have 11, Fine Gael seven
It’s looking increasingly likely that an existing political pact between local Fianna Fail and Fine Gael councillors to run Kilkenny County Council will be renewed for the next five years.
While nothing has been fully agreed publicly as yet, some details have begun to emerge as the two parties prepare to elect their members to a variety of positions on the council and special committees.
The annual meeting of Kilkenny County Council is due to be held this Friday at 3pm in the council chamber at County Hall.
Along with several new councillors taking their seats for the first time, the meeting will see the election of councillors to a number of roles, including cathaoirleach of the council, leas-cathaoirleach and the appointment of various strategic policy committee chairs.
With 24 seats in the council, 13 is the magic number for a majority. A combination of Fianna Fail (11 seats) and Fine Gael (seven seats) will give them a sizeable majority to progress whatever policies and issues they want and elect their members to these roles. Councillors can then take up various positions, including mayor, deputy mayor and committee chairmanships. These positions come with a financial allowance.
For many years, the pact was between Fine Gael, Labour and a small number of others, leaving Fianna Fail members out in the cold and lamenting their plight. However, things have changed in recent years, with Fine Gael/Fianna Fail first allying in 2014-2019, and then again in the most recent term, 2019-2024.
As the various municipal district roles are decided in the coming days, it’s likely that the Mayor of Kilkenny, as well as the council cathaoirleach for this coming year, will be one each from Fianna Fail and Fine Gael.
Multiple members from these parties will then get a turn over the five-year term, including those who have previously served in the roles. The exact order may change if it is complicated by external events, such as certain councillors running and being elected to the Dail.
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