Cllr O'Brien accused of electioneering at municipal district meeting

Councillor Sean O'Brien was accused of electioneering at the April meeting of Tullamore Municipal District when he asked for a suspension of standing orders to discuss the condition of the roads.

''It's a huge issue we are all getting it in the face. I think it's something we need to give some attention to. Every day of the week I am getting someone on to me. In fairness, I'm not blaming the staff for this, I'm just trying to find a solution,'' said Cllr O'Brien.

Councillor Neil Feighery interjected to say that this was the second time the subject was discussed.

But Cathaoirleach Councillor Declan Harvey told Cllr Feighery to ''let him finish.''

No sooner had Cllr O'Brien resumed than Councillor Frank Moran interrupted to ask ''why are we suspending standing orders, there is an agenda agreed.''

''If we can't talk about roads then there is no point in having a meeting,'' responded Councillor O'Brien and he continued to point out all of the areas that had potholes,including Patrick Street, Arden View, Hop Hill, Durrow back road. Councillor O'Brien asked if the council had the resources to do the work.

''This is a joke that you can take over a meeting like this. said Councillor Tony McCormack.

''I disagree with someone hijacking the meeting for something that we are all getting at the door. That's a notice of motion which has to be in two weeks before the meeting, That's hijacking the meeting and you allowed it Chairman, I'm disappointed in you,'' said Cllr McCormack to Cllr Harvey.

''I just don't believe it,'' said Cllr Moran. ''Obviously the issues that Cllr O'Brien are bringing up are very important issues, but we have an agenda that was put before us.

I do believe the issues we are talking about are serious, we have it in Clara, we have it in Tubber, we have it in Ballycumber, we have it all over the county but I don't believe the correct procedure for the issues to be discussed is to suspend standing orders.

We need to get through the agenda first and then there is a portal which is AOB (any other business). Go to the first item on the agenda,'' instructed Cllr Moran.

Councillor Neil Feighery said, ''We as a council have worked and created a programme of works for the year ahead. The whole country knows the weather has been absolutely diabolical. We haven't had an opportunity to commence our programme and we have to allow our officials to get the work done and it's being assessed. Look at the rain. I believe we should proceed with the agenda as is.''

''Councillor O'Brien is electioneering here bringing this up,'' said Cathaoirleach Cllr Harvey.

''Lads I was caught between a rock and a hard place. I have no problem with anyone bringing up anything. I let this go for a reason, Councillor O'Brien would have said something about me after, that I wouldn't let things go. This is electioneering at its best,'' said Cllr Harvey.

''It's the worst kind of electioneering,'' insisted Councillor McCormack. ''We spent two hours and 10 minutes discussing the roads programme at our last meeting. I think we spent enough time on it. We all know about potholes, we know about the weather, we know what's causing it, we know John Connelly and his team are doing their best to sort it.''

''I totally reject the accusation,'' answered Cllr O'Brien.

''You can reject what you want, that's what I feel, said Cllr Harvey.

''Just because you are Chairman doesn't mean your word is correct,'' said Cllr O'Brien. ''I'm elected to represent the people. And if people raise issues with me I will come here and represent them. I don't need your permission or Councillor Feighery's permission to raise anything here. I'm as equal a councillor as any of ye. I will raise this and I will keep raising it, there is huge unease and uncertainty about it and I'm astounded at the fact you would try to stop me.''

''There is no one trying to stop you, that's why I let you talk, No one stopped you saying your piece,'' said Cllr Harvey.

''There is no one disagreeing with the issues or as to the pertinence of them,'' said Cllr Frank Moran.

''However, there is protocol in place, there are standing orders. We should proceed imminently with item number 2 on the agenda and if Councillor O'Brien wishes to bring up something under AOB then he can. There is nobody any more senior to you, we are all equal and we all have a mandate, But I believe we should proceed now.,'' said Cllr Moran.

With that the meeting continued.