Cork City Council (Irish: Comhairle Cathrach Chorcaí) is the local authority of the city of Cork in Ireland. As a city council, it is governed by the Local Government Act 2001. Before 1 January 2002, the council was known as Cork Corporation. The council is responsible for housing and community, roads and transportation, urban planning and development, amenity and culture, environment and the management of some emergency services (including Cork City Fire Brigade).[3] The council has 31 elected members. Elections are held every five years and are by single transferable vote. The head of the council is elected on an annual basis and has the honorific title of Lord Mayor. The city administration is headed by a chief executive, Valerie O'Sullivan. The council meets at City Hall, Cork.
Cork City Council Comhairle Cathrach Chorcaí | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Type | |
| Type | |
| Leadership | |
| Structure | |
| Seats | 31 |
 | |
Political groups |
|
| Elections | |
| Single transferable vote | |
Last election | 7 June 2024 |
| Motto | |
| Latin: Statio Bene Fida Carinis "A safe harbour for ships"[1][2] | |
| Meeting place | |
 | |
| City Hall, Cork | |
| Website | |
Official website  | |
Boundary changes
editThe area under the administration of Cork City Council was expanded in 1840, in 1955 and in 1965.[4][5][6]
The area was extended from 31 May 2019, taking in territory under the administration of Cork County Council.[7] This implemented changes under the Local Government Act 2019.[8]
The 2015 Cork Local Government Review recommended merging Cork City Council and Cork County Council into a single "super council", within which a metropolitan district council will govern the Metropolitan Cork area; however, a minority report opposed the merger.[9][10] This was subsequently followed in 2017 by a report published by an expert advisory group recommending a city boundary extension.[11] The city boundary was to be extended to include Little Island, Cork Airport, Ballincollig, Blarney, and Carrigtwohill, adding a population of over 100,000, however the final extension will not include either Little Island or Carrigtwohill.[12] Places farther out will remain part of the county, including Cobh, Carrigaline, and Midleton, as well as Ringaskiddy, the centre of the Port of Cork.[12] The report gives parameters for compensation to be paid by the city to the county for the consequent reduction in its revenue.[13][14] The revised proposal was welcomed by Micheál Martin but criticised by some county councillors.[12] The city council voted unanimously to accept it.[15] Barry Roche of The Irish Times wrote that the Mackinnon Report "has proven almost as divisive as its predecessor", except with the city and county councils' positions reversed.[16] On 6 June 2018 Cabinet approval was given for the boundary extension, to include the surrounding areas of Cork Airport, Douglas and others.[17][18]
Regional Assembly
editCork City Council has two representatives on the Southern Regional Assembly who are part of the South-West Strategic Planning Area Committee.[19]
Elections
editMembers of Cork City 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 | FG | SF | GP | Lab | PBP–S | SD | II | WP | PDs | Ind | Total | |||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 9 | 5 | 4 | 3 | 3 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 0 | — | 4 | 31 | |||||||||||
| 2019 | 8 | 7 | 4 | 4 | 1 | 1 | 0 | — | 1 | — | 5 | 31 | |||||||||||
| 2014 | 10 | 5 | 8 | 0 | 0 | 3 | — | — | 1 | — | 4 | 31 | |||||||||||
| 2009 | 6 | 8 | 4 | 0 | 7 | 1 | — | — | 1 | — | 4 | 31 | |||||||||||
| 2004 | 11 | 8 | 2 | 1 | 6 | 1 | — | — | 0 | 1 | 1 | 31 | |||||||||||
| 1999 | 12 | 8 | 1 | 1 | 5 | 0 | — | — | 0 | 2 | 2 | 31 | |||||||||||
| 1991 | 9 | 6 | 0 | 1 | 6 | — | — | — | 3 | 3 | 3 | 31 | |||||||||||
| 1985 | 13 | 8 | 0 | 0 | 5 | — | — | — | 2 | — | 3 | 31 | |||||||||||
Local Electoral Areas
editCork is divided into five LEAs, defined by electoral divisions and wards.[20]
| LEA | Definition | Seats |
|---|---|---|
| Cork City North-East | The electoral divisions of Blackpool A, Blackpool B, Mayfield, Montenotte A, Montenotte B, St. Patrick's A, St. Patrick's B, St. Patrick's C, The Glen A, The Glen B, Tivoli A and Tivoli B as described in the County Borough of Cork (Wards) Regulations 1970[21] and therein referred to as a ward;
in the electoral division of St. Mary's (part); the townlands of Ballincolly, Ballincrokig and Kilbarry; and that part of the townland of Ballyvolane that is contained within the electoral division of St. Mary's (part); and those parts of the electoral divisions of Caherlag, Rathcooney (Part) and Riverstown that are contained within the City of Cork. |
6 |
| Cork City North-West |
The electoral divisions of Churchfield, Commons, Fair Hill A, Fair Hill B, Fair Hill C, Farranferris A, Farranferris B, Farranferris C, Gurranebraher A, Gurranebraher B, Gurranebraher C, Gurranebraher D, Gurranebraher E, Knocknaheeny, Shanakiel, Shandon A, Shandon B, Sundays Well A and Sundays Well B as described in the County Borough of Cork (Wards) Regulations 1970 and therein referred to as a ward; in the electoral division of St. Mary's (part); the townlands of Ballycannon, Ballygrohan, Ballysheedy, Clogheen, Coolymurraghue, Killard, Killeens, Knocknacullen East, Knocknagorty, Mount Desert; and those parts of the townlands of Commons, Garranabraher and Knocknacullen West that are contained within the electoral division of St. Mary's (part); and those parts of the electoral divisions of Blarney, Carrigrohanebeg, Matehy and Whitechurch that are contained within the City of Cork. |
6 |
| Cork City South-Central |
The electoral divisions of Ballyphehane A, Ballyphehane B, Centre A, Centre B, City Hall A, Evergreen, Gillabbey A, Gillabbey B, Gillabbey C, Greenmount, Mardyke, Pouladuff A, Pouladuff B, South Gate A, South Gate B, The Lough, Togher B, Tramore A, Tramore B, Tramore C, Turners Cross A, Turners Cross B, Turners Cross C and Turners Cross D as described in the County Borough of Cork (Wards) Regulations 1970 and therein referred to as a ward; in the electoral division of Lehenagh; the townlands of Ballycurreen, Curraghconway, Grange and Inchisarsfield; and in the electoral division of Douglas; the townlands of Ballinvuskig, Rathmacullig East and Rathmacullig West. |
6 |
| Cork City South-East |
The electoral divisions of Ballinlough A, Ballinlough B, Ballinlough C, Browningstown, City Hall B, Knockrea A, Knockrea B, Mahon A, Mahon B, and Mahon C as set out in the County Borough of Cork (Wards) Regulations 1970 and therein referred to as a ward; in the electoral division of Douglas; the townlands of Ardarrig, Ballinimlagh Ballybrack, Castletreasure, Douglas, Grange, Hop Island, Knocknamullagh, Maryborough, Moneygurney, Monfieldstown, Mounthovel, Oldcourt, Rochestown; and that part of the townland of Ballyorban that is contained within the City of Cork; and those parts of the electoral divisions of Carrigaline (in the former rural district of Cork) and Monkstown Rural that are contained within the City of Cork. |
6 |
| Cork City South-West |
The electoral divisions of Bishopstown A, Bishopstown B, Bishopstown C, Bishopstown D, Bishopstown E, Glasheen A, Glasheen B, Glasheen C and Togher A as described in the County Borough of Cork (Wards) Regulations 1970 and therein referred to as a ward; those parts of the townlands of Ballinaspig More and Inchigaggin that are contained within the electoral division of Bishopstown (part); in the electoral division of Lehenagh; the townlands of Ballyduhig North, Gortagoulane, Lehenagh Beg and Lehenagh More; and those parts of the electoral divisions of Ballincollig, Ballygarvan, Inishkenny and Ovens that are contained within the City of Cork. |
7 |
Councillors
editThe following were elected at the 2024 Cork City Council election.
2024 seats summary
edit| Party | Seats | |
|---|---|---|
| Fianna Fáil | 9 | |
| Fine Gael | 5 | |
| Sinn Féin | 4 | |
| Green | 3 | |
| Labour | 3 | |
| Independent Ireland | 1 | |
| PBP–Solidarity | 1 | |
| Social Democrats | 1 | |
| Independent | 4 | |
Councillors by electoral area
editThis list reflects the order in which councillors were elected on 7 June 2024.[22]
| Council members from 2024 election | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Local electoral area | Name | Party | |
| Cork City North East | Ken O'Flynn[a] | Independent Ireland | |
| John Maher | Labour | ||
| Margaret McDonnell | Fianna Fáil | ||
| Joe Kavanagh | Fine Gael | ||
| Ted Tynan | Independent | ||
| Oliver Moran | Green | ||
| Cork City North West | Tony Fitzgerald | Fianna Fáil | |
| Damian Boylan | Fine Gael | ||
| John Sheehan | Fianna Fáil | ||
| Kenneth Collins | Sinn Féin | ||
| Michelle Gould | Sinn Féin | ||
| Brian McCarthy | PBP–Solidarity | ||
| Cork City South Central | Shane O'Callaghan | Fine Gael | |
| Seán Martin | Fianna Fáil | ||
| Pádraig Rice[a] | Social Democrats | ||
| Dan Boyle | Green | ||
| Paudie Dineen | Independent | ||
| Fiona Kerins | Sinn Féin | ||
| Cork City South East | Terry Shannon | Fianna Fáil | |
| Kieran McCarthy | Independent | ||
| Mary Rose Desmond | Fianna Fáil | ||
| Des Cahill | Fine Gael | ||
| Peter Horgan | Labour | ||
| Honore Kamegni | Green | ||
| Cork City South West | Fergal Dennehy | Fianna Fáil | |
| Colm Kelleher | Fianna Fáil | ||
| Garret Kelleher | Fine Gael | ||
| Joe Lynch | Sinn Féin | ||
| Laura Harmon | Labour | ||
| Terry Coleman | Fianna Fáil | ||
| Albert Deasy | Independent | ||
- Notes
Co-options
edit| Party | Outgoing | LEA | Reason | Date | Co-optee | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Independent Ireland | Ken O'Flynn | Cork City North East | Elected to 34th Dáil at the 2024 general election | 17 December 2024 | Noel O'Flynn[23] | |
| Social Democrats | Pádraig Rice | Cork City South Central | Elected to 34th Dáil at the 2024 general election | 17 December 2024 | Niamh O'Connor[23] | |
References
edit- ^ statiō bene fīdā carīnīs: literally "a good trust-station for keels", adapted by inversion from Virgil's Aeneid (II, 23: statio male fida carinis, "an unsafe harbour"). Sometimes corrupted to "fide".
- ^ "Cork City Coat of Arms". Cork City Council. Archived from the original on 15 September 2015. Retrieved 21 February 2016.
- ^ "Council Services". Cork City Council. Archived from the original on 1 October 2020. Retrieved 10 October 2020.
- ^ "History and Legislation". Cork City Council. Retrieved 3 January 2022.
- ^ Local Government Provisional Order Confirmation Act 1955 (No. 1P of 1955). Enacted on 16 March 1955. Act of the Oireachtas. Retrieved from Irish Statute Book on 3 January 2022.
- ^ Local Government Provisional Order Confirmation Act 1965 (No. 2P of 1965). Enacted on 29 June 1965. Act of the Oireachtas. Retrieved from Irish Statute Book on 3 January 2022.
- ^ Local Government Act 2019 (Transfer Day) Order 2019 (S.I. No. 25 of 2019). Signed on 30 January 2019. Statutory Instrument of the Government of Ireland. Archived from the original on 8 February 2020. Retrieved from Irish Statute Book on 17 March 2019.
- ^ Local Government Act 2019 (No. 1 of 2019). Enacted on 25 January 2019. Act of the Oireachtas. Archived from the original on 8 July 2019. Retrieved from Irish Statute Book on 17 March 2019.
- ^ Cork Local Government Committee (September 2015). "Local Government Arrangements in Cork" (PDF). Department of the Environment, Community and Local Government. Archived (PDF) from the original on 1 August 2017. Retrieved 8 September 2015.
- ^ "Merger of Cork councils to be in place for 2019 elections". Evening Echo. 7 September 2015. Archived from the original on 10 October 2015. Retrieved 8 September 2015.
- ^ "Cork city to double in size taking in Ballincollig, Blarney and Carrigtwohill". 9 June 2017. Archived from the original on 30 July 2017. Retrieved 29 July 2017.
- ^ a b c Riegel, Ralph (9 June 2017). "How Cork's 'super council' has been dismissed - and the city is getting a border extension". Irish Independent. Archived from the original on 9 June 2017. Retrieved 9 June 2017.
- ^ English, Eoin (9 June 2017). "Cork council merger plans to be axed but extension of city boundary recommended". Irish Examiner. Archived from the original on 9 June 2017. Retrieved 9 June 2017.
- ^ Expert Advisory Group on Local Government Arrangements in Cork 2017, §§9.11,13.2
- ^ English, Eoin (13 June 2017). "Cork City councillors accept boundary extension findings". Irish Examiner. Archived from the original on 13 June 2017. Retrieved 13 June 2017.
- ^ Roche, Barry (15 July 2017). "Cork City Council needs 'extended boundary' to tackle housing crisis". The Irish Times. Archived from the original on 29 July 2017. Retrieved 16 July 2017.
- ^ "County Hall spends more than €30,000 on legal advice on boundary changes". Evening Echo. 6 June 2018. Archived from the original on 12 June 2018. Retrieved 7 June 2018.
- ^ "Boundary increase for Cork City Council approved by Cabinet". The Irish Times. 6 June 2018. Archived from the original on 16 November 2018. Retrieved 7 June 2018.
- ^ 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 4 May 2023.
- ^ City Of Cork Local Electoral Areas Order 2019 (S.I. No. 27 of 2019). Signed on 31 January 2019. Statutory Instrument of the Government of Ireland. Archived from the original on 11 September 2020. Retrieved from Irish Statute Book on 19 March 2019.
- ^ County Borough of Cork (Wards) Regulations 1970 (S.I. No. 246 of 1970). Signed on 22 October 1970. Statutory Instrument of the Government of Ireland. Retrieved from Irish Statute Book on 4 May 2023.
- ^ "Cork City Council – Elected Candidates". RTÉ News. Retrieved 17 June 2024.
- ^ a b Campbell, Amy (17 December 2024). "Cork City Council gets two new members to replace newly elected TDs". EchoLive. Retrieved 17 December 2024.