"My interest now is in the future because I am going to spend the rest of my life there," he quipped.

For Cllr Gallahue and five other councillors, Monday's meeting was their last day in the council chamber as they are not contesting the county council elections on June 5. A seventh member, Cllr Cormac Hurley, is standing for election for the City Council following the boundary revision.

But Cllr Gallahue emphasised that being a public representative for 10 years had been an honour.

"I have found that, while being a politician involves long hours of travel and even longer hours of work, it is a hugely rewarding job. To represent one's community is an honour, and for me it has been an experience I will cherish for the rest of my life," he said.

"Many people believe that politicians are society's most powerful figures. However, as a local councillor I know that this could not be further from the truth. The power and authority held by county councillors has been entrusted to them by the people. By exercising their vote in the local elections every five years, it is clear that it is the people who hold the real power. Our job is to serve our local communities to the best of our ability," he said.

And he thanked the manager and staff of the council.

"We might not always have agreed but it is fair to say we never really disagreed," he said.

Cllr Gallahue then presided over the presentation of Recognition of Achievement certificates to his six outgoing colleagues, before being presented with one himself by county secretary John Gallahue.

All seven councillors were cheered and given a standing ovation by their fellow councillors.

The presentations were made to Cllr Jim Houlihan in appreciation of his 24 years' service as a councillor; Cllr Eddie Creighton in honour of his contribution to the county during 18 years' service and to Cllr Cormac Hurley, Cllr Pat McAuliffe, Cllr Noreen Ryan and Cllr John Gallahue, each of whom has served as councillor for 10 years. Cllr Tom Neville was also recognised for his six years' service on Limerick County Council.