‘Thank you for your dedication’: Tributes paid to Ann Doherty on her last meeting as Cork City Council chief executive

The chief executive of Cork City Council, Ann Doherty, received a standing ovation at what was her last council meeting at the helm of the local authority this evening, where she was described as someone who made a “huge and very significant contribution” to the development of the city.

Ms Doherty, who in 2014 became the first female chief executive of the city council, opted to extend her contract in 2021 for a further three years.

She has served the maximum tenure period possible as a chief executive, which is 10 years in the same local authority.

At Monday evening’s full council meeting, veteran Fianna Fáil councillor Terry Shannon said Ms Doherty has made a “huge and very significant contribution” to the development of the city.

Challenges

The South East ward councillor noted that Ms Doherty navigated a number of challenges during her tenure – most notably the boundary extension and the Covid-19 pandemic.

“On behalf of Fianna Fáil I want to wish you every success in, not your retirement, because I have absolutely no doubt that you’re going to go on to – I won’t say bigger things or better things because there’s nothing bigger or better than Cork City Council – but similar organisations and I do hope that we see more of you around,” he said.

Fine Gael councillor Des Cahill commended the manner in which the Ms Doherty reshaped the executive side of the council in a bid to better handle the workload.

Respected

Green Party councillor Oliver Moran said the chief executive always respected elected members role as policy makers.

“I have always noticed that you have stood behind that principal – that this is the policy making body and your roll as executive was to execute that policy, which is I think unfortunately is sadly too rare among chief executives. It’s something you have done exceptionally well,” he said.

He said Ms Doherty had also made efforts to improve Cork City Council’s customer service.

Sinn Féin councillor Fiona Kerins said she had always found Ms Doherty to be “approachable” and “honest”.

However she said that some issues which had faced the council 10 years ago, such as housing, persist and called for central government to invest further in local authorities.

Workers’ Party councillor Ted Tynan said he wished Ms Doherty well but said he felt she could have “applied more pressure” on central government for additional funding.

Evolution

Independent councillor Kieran McCarthy said Ms Doherty has been “head of a very strong evolution of the city in the last 10 years”.

“Thank you for being you. Thank you for your energy, thank you for your humour and wit - which is in spades - thank you for your dedication and all that you’ve done for this safe harbour for people and best of luck as you sail away from here bound for another north star,” he added.

Ms Doherty said it has been a “personal and professional pleasure” to lead the council for the last decade and paid tribute to elected members and council staff.

“We don’t always get it right, I don’t always get it right,” she said, but added that much has been achieved over the last 10 years such as the development of more than 4,200 social and affordable homes across the city, housing maintenance works, and the development of amenities.