Heated debate over naming of ministers on council motions

A rule preventing councillors from naming ministers in motions sparked a lively debate.

Speaking at the monthly meeting of Wexford County Council, Cllr Mick Roche questioned a request by county secretary Pat Collins to Cllr Tom Forde to remove a minister’s name from a motion.

Chairman Cllr Keith Doyle said the county council’s Corporate Policy Group committee agreed that the names should be removed from motions as names personalise people. An unconvinced Cllr Forde said: ‘I don’t understand why we can’t use a minister’s name. Where do we draw the line? This is the person we are asking to write to and who is responsible in that area. I think it’s in the public interest that the public knows who the motion is addressed to.’

Cllr Michael Sheehan said people reading the motion will already know the referenced minister’s name. ‘If not the councillor will explain it.’

Cllr Forde said: ‘We all know who that person was but the public might not realise it.’

Cllr Lisa McDonald said ministers change often but the ministry stays the same, arguing that motions and minutes may have to be amended if the minister changes during the lifetime of the issue. ‘It’s not about individualising anyone therefore the legal office holder is the ministry.’

Cllr Fionntain Ó’Suilleabhain said the rule is over the top. ‘We have often mentioned Minister Ross here,’ he said.

Cllr Doyle said the Corporate Policy Group recommended the change, while Cllr Tony Dempsey said he saw nothing wrong with naming ministers in motions. ‘This is semantics,’ he added. The debate dragged on so long, Cllr Malcolm Byrne was given to say: ‘By the time we get to the motions the minister could have changed.’

Cllr Doyle said the matter will go to the protocol committee to decide upon.