€10,000 set aside for new Offaly County Council Chains of Office
A total of €10,000 has bee set aside to buy four new Offaly County Council Chains of Office.
Evan Fennell, Senior Executive Officer, Offaly County Council, told the recent meeting of the Council's Corporate Policy Group that it’s going to cost €10,000 to buy four new Chains of Office to replace the current Chains.
Mr Fennell pointed out that the Cathaoirleach of Offaly County Council will receive a replacement Chain, as will each Cathaoirleach of the three Municipal Districts.
The CPG agreed to proceed with the purchase of the new Chains. A draft protocol for the use of the Chains will also be drawn up and agreed upon at a future CPG meeting.
"Chains of office are not cheap" said Cllr John Leahy, who is the current Cathaoirleach of the Offaly local authority, “but this is an issue which has been going on a long time and I think we need to agree on it and put it to bed once and for all.”
Cllr Leahy said the existing chain of office will be put “in cold storage” for the foreseeable future, and he suggested that perhaps it could eventually be put “on permanent display” in the council chamber.
Chief Executive Anna Marie Delaney said the new chains of office will be ready probably before the end of 2025.