This article is from page 19 of the 2013-03-12 edition of The Clare People. OCR mistakes are to be expected so download the original SWF or the rendered page 19 JPG
CALLS for Ennis Town Council not to accept representations from Clare TDs and engage in a form of “blue flu” strike action have been rejected by councillors.
The proposal was tabled by Cllr Brian Meaney (GP) at the March meeting of Ennis Town Council.
In the motion, Cllr Meaney stated, “Having regards to the proposed abolition of town councils and the refusal of Clare TDs to, in any way, contribute to the costs of running of Ennis Town Councils services despite their ongoing representations to avail of these services. Taking account that they have no mandate to town councils and should concentrate on national matters. I humbly request that the council no longer assist the impression hawked by our Oireachtas members that they have a function in local authority matters. I request that this council cease to accept representations from our Oireachtas members and request them to direct such representations to the elected members of Ennis Town Council.”
Explaining his reason for submitting the motion, Cllr Meaney referred to a letter sent by the Impact trade union to members of the then government parties, Fianna Fáil and the Green Party, in March 2010.
The letter stated that in response to cuts in public service salaries, the Irish Congress of Trade Unions (ICTU) had requested that that all public service unions commence a work to rule as part of a campaign to reverse the cuts.
Andy Pike, Impact Assistant General Secretary, stated that the campaign included a bar on processing all political representations from government TDs, senators and coun- cillors.
Cllr Meaney said the letter had left a “sour taste” in his mouth.
He told the meeting that if a trade union could stop councillors making representations, then the council could do the same to TDs.
Cllr Meaney said TDs had treated the council chamber with “disdain”.
He said the motion would illustrate the unhappiness with the decision to abolish town councils if members had the “nerve and steel” to pass it.
Cllr Tommy Brennan (Ind) said the council could not direct staff not to deal with TDs representations.
Cllr Brennan did however express annoyance that the outcome of some private council meetings on housing were disclosed to members of the public.
The council did pass a proposal from Cllr Brennan that correspondence for the mayor and councillors be sent only to those recipients and not TDs.
Cllr Johnny Flynn (FG) said he could not support Cllr Meaney’s motion.
He added, “I think we should be working with our Oireachtas members instead of throwing dirt at each other.”
Cllr Paul O’Shea (Ind) criticised Cllr Meaney’s motion, describing as “bordering on the ridiculous”.
Cllr Michael Guilfoyle (Ind) expressed support for Cllr Meaney, saying it was one of the “better motions” to come before the council.
He said by abolishing local authorities, the Government are “taking the voice away from the people”.
In his reply, town clerk Leonard Cleary stated, “Ennis Town Council is obliged to have regard to the 2001 Local Government Act and the regulations commenced subsequently. In this regard the council is required to brief Oireachtas members on council services. The council is also required to engage with all other arms of the State including the Oireachtas.”
Cllr Meaney’s motion was not passed. A second proposal, calling for the council to engage in a “blue flu” style strike action in relation to TDs representations, was not supported.