Tipperary councillors call for new internal voting system at recent MD meeting

The first meeting of the Nenagh Municipal District saw the election of Cllr Fiona Bonfield as Cathaoirleach and Cllr Seamus Morris as Leas Cathaoirleach.

While the Nenagh municipal area councillors were all happy with Cllr Bonfield’s election, a number of them expressed their frustration with the voting process used to determine elected positions.

Cllr Joe Hannigan kicked off the conversation by saying, “Congratulations to you Cllr Bonfield, you are one of the best people for the job there’s no doubt about it.

“However, I want to just call out this trend of parties coming together and creating voting pacts to take all the plumb jobs.

“Not naming names but there are poll toppers in the council who have never had the chance to chair which doesn’t make any sense to me.

“I would like to ask that in future we go back to the system where those that got the most votes from the public are given priority when it comes to positions like Chairperson.”

Cllr Seamus Morris backed up Cllr Hannigan’s sentiment in saying, “I also want to congratulate you Cllr Bonfield and I agree with what Cllr Hannigan is saying.”

“Of course this wouldn’t matter with your getting elected anyway Cllr Bonfield as you were a poll topper in your LEA but I agree that this thing of parties coming together to form pacts that stop Independents from getting positions on the council needs to come to an end.”

The same issue of party voting pacts was called out at a recent Thurles Municipal District meeting by Cllr Jim Ryan who is another Independent councillor.

With committees now decided for the most part it will likely be next year before any changes are made to the current format.