Local councillor elected chairperson of new Southern Regional Assembly

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Local councillor elected chairperson of new Southern Regional Assembly

Councillor Kevin O’Keeffe has been elected as chairperson of the new Southern Regional Assembly.

Thursday, 22 January 2015
10:11 AM GMT



The Southern Regional Assembly, established on January 1 and one of the three Assemblies in Ireland following on from the dissolution of the BMW and Southern & Eastern Regional Assemblies, has elected local County Councillor Kevin O’Keeffe as its first chairperson.

The Assembly consists of the six Munster counties plus Wexford, Kilkenny and Carlow, and incorporates the functions of both the former regional authorities and assemblies, with enhancement of some powers, particularly in relation to spatial planning and economic development.

“I was delighted to be appointed as the new chairman for the first six months, it will be an exciting challenge,” Cllr O’Keeffe told The Avondhu.

“We would have an input on the basic planning strategy of the whole south east area, spatial planning as it’s called, so that all county development plans would tie in with each other and would conform with national guidelines.

“My interest now would be getting growth in employment, and another big issue would be the delivery of broadband. We’d be hoping there will be some money available for such projects from the EU directly.”

The headquarters for the new Southern Regional Assembly is located in Assembly House in Waterford city. Dungarvan/Lismore councillor Damien Geoghegan was elected as vice-chairperson, with their terms of office running for six months.



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