'A formidable lady' new Laois councillor fills vacant seat
The Portlaoise Municipal District now has a "gender balance" at 40% women, noted at the Laois County Council meeting where a new councillor was formally welcomed.
Labour party Cllr Marie Tuohy has filled the seat vacated by husband Noel, who has retired early due to ill health.
She was warmly welcomed with a standing ovation to the February meeting.
Sinn Féin Cllr Caroline Dwane Stanley proposed her for the vacancy, which will see the new Cllr Touhy join the "technical group" which the six councillors who are not part of Fine Gael or Fianna Fáil call themselves in Laois County Council.
"She is a formidable lady, an absolute rock and constant strength for Noel when he was on the council. I've no doubt she'll do a fantastic job and please god retain her seat at the next election. I am delighted to welcome her to our group," she said.
Cllr Willie Aird seconded.
"I am delighted to see Marie come in here. Noel was elected in two electoins. Marie has always been a friend of mine as well as Noel, I was never found wanting especially in supporting receptions for their very famous son Zach.
"She was an excellent secretary in the leisure centre for many years, under difficult circumstances. She will have a huge contribution to make," he said.
The new Cllr Tuohy made her first speech.
"Thank you for the kind words. I feel privileged knowing what this seat meant to Noel. I will do my best in every way I can to help everyone. But a word of warning, I have no sense of direction, I will be found wandering in the hallways here.
"My thanks to my family and good friends, it is a proud but also an emotional day for us all.
"I look forward to a good productive working relationship with everyone," Cllr Marie Tuohy said.
It was Cllr Ben Brennan who noted the better gender balance, with two out of the six technical group now women.
"We've a better looking person here now," he added jokingly.
The Cathaoirleach Cllr Thomasina Connell described Cllr Tuohy as "kind with great empathy and strength".
"I am keen to see more women in the political space, a space traditionally occupied by men," she said.
Cllr Tuohy was then proposed and seconded to fill the five committee seats also vacated by Noel.
Those are on: the Transport, Environment and Emergency Services Strategic Policy Committee, the Naming Committtee for housing estates, infrastructure and monuments, Laois Arts Theatre Company, Laois Leisure and Treo Nua.
Noel Tuohy was presented with a gift by Laois County Council CEO John Mulholland, with family and friends of the Tuohy family all present in county hall for the seat changeover at the monthly meeeting on Monday, February 27.