Lord Mayor's column: 125 years of local government will be recognised at seminar

This week, we said goodbye to the former lord mayor, long time Cork North Central TD, and Minister for State, Dan Wallace.

He was the third former lord mayor whose passing I have had to acknowledge in my time as lord mayor, after the sad passings of Bernard Allen and Brian Bermingham.

Each has been remembered fondly and strongly by family, friends, and by those on whose behalf they worked.

Next week, Cork City Council is going to hold a seminar to recognise 125 years of local government elections in Ireland.

It is an opportunity to acknowledge the importance of local government while also examining what it has achieved and looking critically at how it needs to change to meet the challenges of the present and future needs of the country.

I’m also looking forward to acknowledging the contributions that many former members of Cork City Council have made to the life of the city.

To serve is an honour, to continue to serve is also an honour.

For the many who have served as councillors, all of them continue to contribute to life in the city and in their communities in different ways.

As Lord Mayor, I want to take the opportunity of acknowledging the ongoing contribution that many people who have served on Cork City Council have made.

The next local elections won’t be until 2029. Despite that, I believe we should recognise those who work to make our city a better place.

That would especially apply to those who stand as candidates but don’t succeed in being elected.

We need constant conversation on the type of city we want to have.

Democratic politics may not be perfect, it doesn’t always get it right, but it’s the best system we have.