Local heroes can be given civic honours locally

Council agree to protocol changes

MUNICIPAL districts have been given the power to host civic receptions to honour local individuals, teams and groups following the adoption of new protocols by Galway County Council.

Up to now, individuals or groups who had achieved honours on a national or international stage could only be recognised at functions held at County Hall. A civic reception is the highest honour awarded by the council.

However, new protocols, which were adopted by councillors during their December plenary meeting, mean the municipal districts - in Tuam, Ballinasloe, Athenry-Oranmore, Connemara and Loughrea - will be afforded the opportunity to honour those who deserve recognition for achievements at a more local level.

“To be considered for a civic reception, the person or individual should have achieved something which would been seen as exceptional by the people of Galway,” explained Director of Services Michael Owens.

“Opening the prospect of civic receptions at MD level will also allow for more local honours to be recognised, which wouldn’t need to be a national achievement.”

The process for nominating a particular individual or group for a civic reception will remain the same, but a councillor seeking one at MD level can now do so via their district’s meeting, where a decision whether to host the reception will be made.

Requests from councillors can still be made at plenary level, but the decision whether it would be hosted by the county or by the local MD will be made by the council’s Corporate Policy Group.

To maintain the value and honour associated with civic awards, a maximum of four civic receptions per year will be held by the plenary council, with each MD also given the opportunity to host up to four civic receptions per year too, all held on a quarterly basis.