Controversy over recording meeting minutes heard at Kildare County Council meeting
An Independent councillor found herself at odds with Kildare County Council (KCC) and her fellow councillors regarding the recording of minutes at a KCC meeting.
Cllr Fiona McLoughlin-Healy found herself in a dispute with her colleagues at the latest Kildare-Newbridge Municipal District (MD) meeting, which was held on Wednesday, September 20 last.
She appeared at the meeting via video call.
Cllr McLoughlin-Healy motioned for KCC to ‘clarify who in the executive has the authority and on what grounds to deny a request by a councillor at a MD meeting, to have something stated at the MD meeting, recorded in the minutes of that meeting?’
Her motion was seconded by Social Democrats Cllr Chris Pender.
Independent councillor Fiona McLoughlin-Healy. File photograph.
The council elaborated: "Minutes of the proceedings of a meeting of the MD shall be drawn up by the Meetings Administrator.
"The minutes shall include: the date, place and time of the meeting; the names of the Members present at the meeting; the names of the senior employees of the council present at the meeting; reference to any report submitted to the Members at the meeting.
"Where there is a roll call vote, the number and names of members voting for and against the motion and of those abstaining; particulars of all resolutions passed at the meeting; such other matters considered appropriate."
Speaking directly to KCC at the meeting, Cllr McLoughlin-Healy alleged that 'some very important discussions had been left out (of meetings with KCC).'
She added: "I’m not saying everything needs to be included, but if someone believes that something is of importance, then it is beyond me who decides that that (issue) is left out.
"I just want confirmation that the report (from KCC) clarifies that no one in the Executive has the right to exclude something, unless it’s defamotory or for another reason."
After she was done speaking, Cathaoirleach Noel Heavey opened the floor up to the other councillors.
Fianna Fáil (FF) Cllr Suzanne Doyle said that 'the onus is on the Executive to record the minutes in a fair manner,' and explained that she had concerns of certain issues being 'cherrypicked' if every item was to be noted by KCC in its meeting minutes.
"It may not reflect what everyone else at the meeting believes," she added.
Cllr Heavey, who is also a member of FF, pointed out that members can request KCC to amend the minutes of a meeting prior to the commencement of the next one.
"Now, if there is a pattern where they are not being accommodated, then there is a case there," he added.
In response, Cllr McLoughlin-Healy admitted that she was 'staggered' by the response, and said: "It’s certainly good practice to note it, it’s about accuracy, not propaganda."
The meeting's administrator objected to Cllr McLoughlin-Healy’s comments, and said: "I want to put this on the record: I have never, ever been asked by anyone to put something on the minutes that I haven’t taken down myself. To suggest that the secretary would change the minutes is ridiculous."
One councillor, who objected to her claims, could also be heard saying that Cllr McLoughlin-Healy should have brought up her concerns prior to the meeting.
Cllr Heavey attempted to move on to a question, one which was put forward by Fine Gael Cllr Tracey O’Dwyer, but Cllr McLoughlin-Healy interrupted her.
Cllr Heavey asked her to wait for the meeting to come back to her, and after Cllr O’Dwyer’s question was answered, Cllr Heavey opened the floor back to Cllr McLoughlin-Healy.
She said: "I had previously submitted a motion to this MD which was excluded on improper or unreasonable grounds; the response that I got was that it wasn’t relevant (to the meeting), and I reject that."
Cllr McLoughlin-Healy then put forward a motion to suspend Standing Orders, but this fell through, as there was no councillor to second it.
She thanked Cllr Heavey for giving her the opportunity to put the motion forward.