Bree criticises Casserly motion on Dáil Bill
The Mayor of Sligo Municipal District Cllr Marie Casserly has been criticised for asking Sligo County Council to support a Private Members Bill on protecting homeowners facing repossession.
The ‘ Keeping People in their Homes Bill 2017’ has been brought forward by the Independent Alliance group in the Dáil as a Private Member’s Bill which must be passed by both Houses of the Oireachtas. In practice, the Government opposes Private Members’ Bills so it is very rare that a Bill will survive to become law.
Cllr Declan Bree said he was “at a loss” to understand why the Council was being asked to support the bill: “We are not members of the Dáil! The Independent Alliance are part of the Government. If it was serious about this Bill it would be introduced as part of Government business.”
“This appears to be some type of stunt?” he said. “We are serious about it,” said Cllr Casserly.
Cllr Bree then put forward a motion amending Cllr Casserly’s motion, calling on the Independent Alliance to submit the Bill as part of Government Business. It was agreed by the Council.