Heated exchanges as Sligo councillor accused of ‘casting aspersions on members of staff’

By Philip Rooney, The Sligo Champion

There were heated exchanges in County Hall during the March meeting of Sligo County Council when a motion put forward by Cllr Michael Clarke received a less than favourable response from fellow elected representatives.

Cllr Clarke’s motion called on the local authority to “Provide a report to confirm that all notices of motion to write to the Government ministers and Taoiseach were actually complied with and if not, to give an explanation.”

The second part of Cllr Clarke’s motion called on the local authority to “write to the Ceann Comhairle Verona Murphy TD and Michael Lowry TD to inform them that Sligo County Council are concerned that the Government is not providing answers to notices of motion and to take appropriate action.”

Addressing the meeting Cllr Clarke said “For four months a letter has not been acknowledged or replied to.”

Cllr Clarke said the Ceann-Comhairle should be made aware and asked why letters are not being replied to. He also asked that Michael Lowry be written to saying, “Michael Lowry is the real Taoiseach and should be informed. He is the man we should be talking to.”

In reply, Cathaoirleach Cllr Donal Gilroy said an acknowledgment was received on February 18 to the correspondence in question. Cllr Gilroy criticised Cllr Clarke for “casting aspersions on members of the council staff,” adding “I won’t be supporting the motion.”

Cllr Clarke asked for the comments made by Cllr Gilroy to be withdrawn but instead Cllr Paul Taylor offered his opinion.

Addressing Cllr Clarke, Cllr Taylor said, “If you are talking about sly remarks you should have a look at yourself.”

Article Funded by the Local Democracy Reporting Scheme.