Potential Donegal twinning with Indianapolis would raise 'profile internationally’

Donegal Municipal District are to consider a twinning arrangement with Indianapolis after a motion was supported at the latest Municipal District Meeting at Donegal Town.

The Municipal District Cathaoirleach, Cllr Micheál Naughton, forwarded a motion, supported by Cllr Michael McMahon, asking that Donegal Municipal District support a twinning with the American city of Indianapolis, on request of a delegation that visited Donegal in June. 

Indianapolis is the capital and most populous city of the state of Indiana, with a population of around 900,000 people, famous for, amongst many things, the iconic Indianapolis 500 motor sports event. 

Currently, Indianapolis has 11 sister cities, including Cologne in Germany, as well as the renowned motor racing locations of Le Mans and Monza. 

When Cllr Naughton highlighted the Donegal connections of a visiting Indianapolis delegation that visited Donegal in June, and are due to return in January 2025, and said it was “only fitting” that Donegal was twinned with Indianapolis. 

He stated: “Twinning allows us to share our knowledge, culture, friendship and renewed economic links. That is why we want to go with twinning. Twinning will raise the profile internationally and let people know that Donegal is an outward-looking county and that we are ambitious. 

“This is about investment in a long-term relationship that we can grow as a county for years to come. 

“I am asking this Municipal District to support my motion, that we can build bridges between Donegal and Indianapolis. I have been in talks, and if it were to come off, it would put Donegal and the Northwest on the map.”

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When Pauric Sheerin, the Area Manager of Donegal Municipal District for Housing and Corporate Services, showed some caution to the motion, Cllr Naughton responded: “We are the only Municipal District that basically doesn’t have a twinning.”

Whilst clarifying that any such decision was for councillors to make, Sheerin warned: “I would not like to see a scenario where a commitment is made, and then we are not in a place to do what needs to be done.”

Cllr McMahon showed his support for the motion. He said: “It is a very important motion to open avenues with America because we have a very long history. It is certainly a great opportunity to show what Donegal has. 

“This is another city, and people will want to be associated with Donegal and all that Donegal has to offer, with the tourism and beauty of Donegal. 

“We have a lot of undocumented Irish living over there, and we can associate with everything. We have a lot of people who will be very interested in it. The Irish-American is still very fond of Ireland. I am very happy to support the motion.”

The Council Executive’s official response to the motion highlighted the Local Government Act 2001 and the Local Government Reform Act 2014 and stated that  “twinning arrangements and decisions in relation to the same are a reserved function of both the Local Authority and the relevant Municipal District members.” 

It also highlighted how the relevant laws states that ‘a local Authority shall not enter into an arrangement unless it is satisfied that the arrangement is justified: (a) the benefits likely to accrue to its administrative area and the local community, and (b) the social, cultural and general interests of its administrative area and the local community, and (c) the total cost involved.’”

The response concluded: “Having regard for the considerations that are required in legislation and referenced in the Local Government Act 2001, and the substantial resources that may be required in relation to financial and human resources, it is clear that a scoping exercise should initially be completed to establish the merits of such an arrangement. 

“This exercise should also consider the potential benefits, resources required, and the potential mechanisms to establish, develop and maintain such an arrangement, if approved, so as to ensure that any such arrangement will provide for a mutually beneficial relationship between the parties involved.

“In the event that such a scoping exercise is completed for the consideration of the members, a decision can then be made by the Municipal District members, having satisfied the provisions contained in legislation.”