'Get out of the chamber' Laois councillor forcibly silenced
A Laois councillor clashed repeatedly with her Fine Gael colleague and Cathaoirleach at the Laois County Council monthly meeting, resulting in a suspension of the meeting.
Cllr Aisling Moran was told to "respect the chair or get out of the chamber" by Cathaoirleach Cllr Thomasina Connell after she had repeatedly refused to be silenced.
She had asked "why are we giving away land?" after councillors had approved to dispose of three plots of land.
One was given at no charge, a 0.0057ha plot to “rectify the boundary” of a house in Abbeyleix. The other two were sold for just €300 each to a community group water scheme in Cullohill.
"Take that up with Gerry (Finance Director)," Cllr Connell said and told her she was not allowing her to speak on the issue and delay the meeting.
Cllr Moran then alleged "so Thomasina Connell is not allowing me to speak about public funds".
The meeting was about to continue but then Sinn Féin Cllr Caroline Dwane Stanley interrupted.
"I've a serious issue, this is not democracy," she said.
"We are public representatives entitled to ask questions and you are constantly blocking me," Cllr Moran then told the Cathaoirleach.
Sinn Féin Cllr Aidan Mullins supported her.
"When items are on the agenda for proposing and seconding, I don't see why it is not appropriate for members to have a question," he said.
"You can take it up separately with the finance director, I'm trying to run the meeting as professionally as I can in here. I am not allowing the council's time to be taken up," Cllr Connell said.
Cllr Moran went on to read a lengthy text to make a point that local authorities should be continuously monitored.
"How are we working out what we are giving away land for?" she asked.
Director of Services Simon Walton then explained that the lands were being sold so the group water scheme volunteers could apply for grants as the landowner.
"The transfer fee reflects the public service of supplying hundreds of local houses with water. Why would we seek €30,000 for what is essentially a public service," he said.
He noted that with all land sales by the council no matter how small the site, the buyers have to pay their own legal fees which usually cost about €2,500.
Further into the meeting, Cllr Moran began again alleging that every time she asks questions about money at meetings, she is "blocked".
She referred back to the January council meeting where she had tabled two motions related to financial council queries. Neither were seconded and supported by other councillors, so they could not be heard or commented upon. When Cllr Moran had tried to speak anyway she was repeatedly muted by the Cathaoirleach in the online meeting.
Cllr Moran said she then emailed Cllr Connell and the CEO John Mulholland after that meeting, demanding information under a ‘section 136’ rule but got no reply.
"I was muted on several occasions at the last meeting. Why every time I ask a question regarding funding and public spending I'm being blocked, especially by you Cathaoirleach," she said.
"I'm asking you to take that back," the Cathaoirleach said, and while Cllr Moran continued to speak, announced that the meeting was suspended for 15 minutes.
“You’ve no right to do that,” Cllr Moran told the Cathaoirleach.
When it resumed, no retraction was made, but the CEO John Mulholland told Cllr Moran that he had not replied because her email was not addressed to him directly, but cc’d.
“In 2014 monthly management reports were introduced which obviates the need for Section 136. Section 136 is not for individual councillors to move on, but for a whole council. If anyone is requesting information from the CEO, you give notice to me,” Mr Mulholland said.
“I understand now. But I feel every time I ask a question I’m stopped,” Cllr Moran said, before the monthly meeting finally continued.