Councillor for Borris-in-Ossory–Mountmellick, Laois County Council

Seamús McDonald

Fianna Fáil

Elected 7 June 2024.

Voting record

Tá — yes
Níl — no
Staon — abstained
Didn't vote

Named votes of Laois County Council while Seamús McDonald was a member, from the council’s minutes. Most council decisions are made without a named vote, and not every meeting’s minutes have been read yet.

20 votes

9 Jun 2026Tá80. CONSIDERATION OF CHIEF EXECUTIVE’S REPORT ON VARIATION NO. 3 TO THE LAOIS COUNTY DEVELOPMENT PLAN 2021-2027A motion to adopt the Variation to the Laois County Development Plan 2021-2027,(Variation No 3) as recommended by the Chief Executive was proposed by Councillor John King and seconded by Councillor Paschal McEvoy .Carried 17–0
25 May 2026Tá66. CONSIDERATION OF CHIEF EXECUTIVE’S REPORT ON VARIATION NO. 1 TO THE LAOIS COUNTY DEVELOPMENT PLAN 2021-2027A motion to adopt the Variation to the Laois County Development Plan 2021-2027,(Variation No 1 ) as recommended by the Chief Executive was proposed by Councillor Paschal McEvoy and seconded by Councillor Elva Kelly.Carried 15–0
25 May 2026Tá67. CONSIDERATION OF CHIEF EXECUTIVE’S REPORT ON VARIATION NO. 2 TO THE LAOIS COUNTY DEVELOPMENT PLAN 2021-2027A motion to adopt the Variation to the Laois County Development Plan 2021-2027,(Variation No 2) as recommended by the Chief Executive was proposed by Councillor Elva Kelly and seconded by Councillor Paschal McEvoy.Carried 16–0
27 Apr 2026Níl60. NOTICE OF MOTIONS - Notice of Motion No: 27/2026“That Laois County Council in the interest of transparency and accountability introduce Live Streaming and recording of all public meetings”Result not recorded 4–9
27 Apr 2026Níl60. NOTICE OF MOTIONS - Notice of Motion No: 28/2026“That Laois County Council put forward a Statement of ‘No Confidence’ in the Government for their blatant disregard of the wants and needs of the Irish people. There is a clear lack of respect and understanding”Result not recorded 4–10
15 Dec 2025Tá414. PROPOSED MATERIAL CONTRAVENTION OF THE LAOIS COUNTY DEVELOPMENT PLAN 2021 – 2027 (i) Planning Ref No: 2560385 – Applicant: Bircrest LimitedOn the proposition of Councillor Catherine Fitzgerald seconded by Councillor Marie Tuohy, it was agreed to proceed with the proposed material contravention of the Laois County Development Plan 2021-2027 for the construction of 92 No. residential dwellings comprising 86 No. 4-bed houses and 6 No. 2 bed sheltered housing units at Summerhill, Portlaoise, Co. Laois.Carried 15–0
15 Dec 2025Tá414. PROPOSED MATERIAL CONTRAVENTION OF THE LAOIS COUNTY DEVELOPMENT PLAN 2021 – 2027 (ii) Planning Ref No: 2560386 – Applicant: Bircrest LimitedOn the proposition of Councillor John Joe Fennelly seconded by Councillor Tommy Mulligan, it was agreed to proceed with the proposed material contravention of the Laois County development Plan 2021-2027 for the construction of a creche (c.961 sq. m) and 74 housing units at Summerhill, Portlaoise, Co. Laois.Carried 16–0
15 Dec 2025Tá414. PROPOSED MATERIAL CONTRAVENTION OF THE LAOIS COUNTY DEVELOPMENT PLAN 2021 – 2027 (iii) Planning Ref: 2560387 – Applicant: Bircrest LimitedOn the proposal of Councillor Catherine Fitzgerald seconded by Councillor Tommy Mulligan. It was agreed to proceed with the proposed material contravention of the Laois County Development Plan 2021-2027 for the construction of 36 No. 4 bed, 2 No. Storey houses at Summerhill, Portlaoise, Co. Laois.Carried 16–0
15 Sep 2025Níl321.CONSIDERATION OF THE NOMINATION OF A CANDIDATE FOR THE PRESIDENTIAL ELECTIONSCouncillor Aisling Moran proposed the nomination of Mr. Gareth Sheridan for the Presidential Elections.Lost 8–11
30 Jun 2025Tá312. ADOPTION OF THE CE REPORT ON THE DRAFT PORTARLINGTON JOINT LOCAL AREA PLAN 2025-2031 (WITH MINOR MODIFICATIONS)That the lands be zoned as Existing residentialResult not recorded 18–0
30 Jun 2025Tá312. ADOPTION OF THE CE REPORT ON THE DRAFT PORTARLINGTON JOINT LOCAL AREA PLAN 2025-2031 (WITH MINOR MODIFICATIONS)A motion to adopt the Draft Portarlington Joint Local Area Plan 2025-2031, as recommended by the Chief Executive and as further amended by way of a roll call vote on the proposal of amending the Plan which was proposed by Cllr. Aidan Mullins seconded by Cllr. Ben Brennan.Result not recorded 17–0
24 Feb 2025Tá234. Proposed Material Contravention of the Laois County Development Plan 2021-2027Proposed Material Contravention of the Laois County Development Plan 2021-2027 - Pl Ref 24/60058 - Construct infill development of 6 no. 2 storey townhouses, including new site boundary treatments, car parking, hard and soft landscaping, ancillary site services and associated site works, alterations to existing site entrance onto existing roundabout at brownfield site at junction of Block Road (L6311) with Dublin Road (R445), Portlaoise, Co. LaoisResult not recorded 19–0
16 Dec 2024Tá213. ADOPTION OF THE PORTLAOISE LOCAL AREA PLANin accordance with the provisions of Section 20 of the Planning and Development Act 2000 (as amended), the members agree, by resolution, to make the Plan, as recommended by the Chief Executive at the Council Meeting on 16th December 2024 on the proposal of Councillor Catherine Fitzgerald and seconded by Councillor Barry Walsh to proceed in accordance with Section 20 of the Planning and Development Act 2000 (as amended) to publish notice of the making of the Portlaoise Local Area Plan 2024-2030.Carried 14–0
18 Nov 2024Níl181 Proposed Material Contraventions of the Laois County Development Plan 2021 – 2027 to allow for: • The construction of 2 no. two and a half storey detached dwellings, connection to onsite services, boundary treatments, off street parking and all associated site works at Plot 19, Bruach Na Habhainn, Killeen, Maganey, Co. Laois – Planning Ref: 24/60077Councillor James Kelly proposed that this application be granted and was seconded by Councillor Ben Brennan.Result not recorded 3–11
18 Nov 2024Tá182. Proposed Material Contraventions of the Laois County Development Plan 2021 – 2027 to allow for: • The construction of a single dwelling house and garage, new site entrance, connection to public water mains and public sewerage system and all associated site works at The Swan, Co. Laois - Planning Ref: 24/60231Councillor Ben Brennan proposed that this application be granted and was seconded by Councillor Paschal McEvoy.Result not recorded 17–0
21 Oct 2024Níl168. REPORT ON CPG MEETING HELD ON THE 23rd OF SEPTEMBER 2024“That Laois County Council call on the Minister for Housing, Local Government & Heritage, Mr. Darragh O Brien, T.D., to make regulations in the public interest, to mandate that all Local authorities, commence Live Streaming and Archiving of Statutory Council meetings, to provide appropriate funding from Central Government and to implement as soon as possible”Lost 7–12
30 Sep 2024Didn't voteNotice of Motion No: 35/2024“That Laois County Council, in the interest of transparency and accountability facilitate the implementation of live streaming of all public meetings and archiving of same. This will encourage more public engagement and facilitate education of what happens in Local Government. This needs to be done as soon as possible. I first brought forward this motion in June 2021 and every year since. The last Council agreed that it would be considered by the new Council in 2024.Lost 5–9
10 Sep 2024Didn't vote142. Consideration of the Draft Portlaoise Local Area Plan 2024-2030 (LAP) and the report of the Chief Executive on the submissions received during the public consultation period and to make or amend the Draft Plan in accordance with Section 20(3) of the Planning and Development Act 2000 (as amended)A motion to amend the Draft Portlaoise Local Area Plan 2024-2030, as recommended by the Chief Executive and as further amended by way of resolutions by Councillor Willie Aird seconded by Councillor Caroline Dwane Stanley was proposed and a Roll call vote held as follows:Carried 13–0
29 Jul 2024Tá134. ADOPTION OF THE CARLOW GRAIGUECULLEN JOINT URBAN AREA PLAN 2024-2030 – CONSIDERATION OF THE CHIEF EXECUTIVE REPORT ON MATERIAL ALTERATIONS –On the proposition of Councillor Aisling Moran seconded by Councillor Paschal McEvoy, it was proposed to accept Material Amendment No. 61 & 62.Carried 17–0
29 Jul 2024Tá134. ADOPTION OF THE CARLOW GRAIGUECULLEN JOINT URBAN AREA PLAN 2024-2030 – CONSIDERATION OF THE CHIEF EXECUTIVE REPORT ON MATERIAL ALTERATIONS –in accordance with the provisions of Section 20 of the Planning and Development Act 2000 (as amended), the members agree, by resolution, to make the Plan, as recommended by the Chief Executive at the Council Meeting on 29th July 2024 on the on the proposal of Councillor Aisling Moran seconded by Councillor Paschal McEvoy , with 17 members voting in favour, 0 members voting against and 0 members abstaining, and 2 members absent and to proceed in accordance with Section 20 of the Planning and Development Act 2000 (as amended) to publish notice of the making of the Carlow-Graiguecullen Joint Urban Local Area Plan 2024-2030.Carried 17–0

Council meetings and minutes

Roster checked on 4 November 2026. Sources: Laois County Council — Councillors, 2024 Laois County Council election (Wikipedia), Laois County Council (Wikipedia), Co-options and changes since the 2024 local elections (Adrian Kavanagh, updated 28 October 2026).

On the council

Voting record

Sources

On the council

Voting record

Sources