Parties’ arrangement ‘borders on Hitlerism’
THE FINE GAEL-Fianna Fáil arrangement to share the cathaoirleach and leas cathaoirleach positions on Gorey Municipal District over the five-year term was criticised again this year by the three councillors who aren’t part of the arrangement, with Cllr Mary Farrell saying it bordered on ‘Hitlerism’.
Cllrs Fionntán Ó Súilleabháin (SF), Mary Farrell (Ind), and Robbie Ireton (Lab) were once again out-voted by Cllrs John Hegarty (FG), Anthony Donohoe (FG), Malcolm Byrne (FF), Pip Breen (FF) and Joe Sullivan (FF) at the AGM last week. The election for cathaoirleach saw five votes for Cllr Sullivan and three for Cllr Farrell, while Cllr Donohoe was appointed as leas cathaoirleach without opposition.
The nomination of Cllr Farrell for cathaoirleach was proposed by Cllr Ó Súilleabháin and seconded by Cllr Ireton, who described the arrangement between FF and FG as ‘nothing short of disgraceful’ and said it was insulting the integrity of people who put them there. ‘Where is the fairness?’ he asked.
While welcoming Cllr Sullivan’s and Cllr Donohoe’s appointments, noting it was a proud day for their families, Cllr Ó Súilleabháin also didn’t feel the arrangement was the best way of doing things as it brings a ‘sense of entitlement’ where members of the parties are given prime positions on committees. Cllr Farrell said she received the third highest vote in the local election, and felt she should be given the chair or vice chair. ‘ This is not democracy,’ she stated. ‘ This borders on Hitlerism. It in no way reflects democracy or fairness.’ However, she wished Joe and Anthony well in their new roles.
In reply, Cllr Breen said that democracy is about the most votes. ‘Everybody who serves on this council is here for the public,’ he said. ‘ The system we have is not perfect, but it’s the system we have.’ Cllr Malcolm Byrne said he found Cllr Ireton’s ‘conversion’ to be ‘a little strange’ as he and Fine Gael kept Fianna Fáil out of power on the Town Council in the past. He said that councillors still have their own views on different issues, and party politics don’t interfere.
‘When it comes to positions, arrangements are entered into,’ he said. ‘ This is always going to be the case.’
‘Your side would get into bed with the devil to be in power,’ retorted Cllr Ireton. ‘You dominated the Town Council for years and years. I’ve never listened to as much bull in this chamber.’