Updated at 3.45pm
AS ANTICIPATED, A Fianna Fáil/Fine Gael power sharing deal has been agreed in Kerry County Council.
FF’s John Brassil was elected as Cathaoirleach of the 33-seat local authority this afternoon, with former FF TD Tom McEllistrim taking the deputy chair role.
Its expected other members of the two parties will take turns in the chair over the next five years.
The Civil War parties won nine seats each on the council, which had previously been controlled by a Fine Gael/Labour/independents alliance.
Opposition members were quick to weigh in with commentary on the development, as Radio Kerry reports…
Commenting on the pact Independent Cllr Brendan Cronin joked that the new chamber should have had metal detectors installed while Sinn Fein Cllr Toireasa Ferris added there would be a few grenades thrown from their side of the house too.
The two parties have also been doing deals in other councils around the country, following Fianna Fáil’s resurgence in last month’s local elections.
FF councillor Mary Hoade was voted in as mayor of Galway County Council this afternoon, with FG backing. The two parties control 12 seats each on the authority.
The local FG TD’s sent his congratulations…
In Limerick, the inaugural meeting of the newly-merged city and county council has also been taking place, with Fianna Fáil Askeaton councillor Kevin Sheahan securing the backing of Fine Gael to fill the cathaoirleach position.
A similar pact had also been on the cards in Cork County Council, but the mooted plan fell apart in recent days.
Fianna Fáil’s Alan Coleman was elected as county mayor at a meeting earlier today, with the support of the majority of the independents.
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