Two adjournements as independent councillors voice anger at Donegal County Council AGM

The AGM of Donegal County Council was adjourned twice on Friday amid a row over the allocations of places on various committees.

There was considerable disquiet within the Council Chamber in Lifford as the newly-elected Council sat for the first time.

Some independent councillors voiced displeasure at how power-sharing talks had allegedly taken place between some groupings within the Council.

The last power-sharing agreement existed between Fianna Fáil, Sinn Féin, Fine Gael and some of the independent councillors and the Council used the D'Hondt system, which means allocations are made pertaining to political strength.

Councillor Michael McBride said the way certain positions were being allocated was “not a good start for a new council”.

“At no time during the divvying up of those positions was I or a number of other independents in this chamber allowed to negotiate or have any act or part in selecting what positions that we could get going forward,” Councillor McBride said.

“We need to sit down and renegotiate these positions so it is fair and equitable and so that everyone is properly represented.”

Councillor McBride branded the manner of selecting the positions as “nothing short of an insult to the people who were elected or the people who elected them” and proposed an adjournment to the meeting.

“If this is how the Council is starting off, it's a sad day for Donegal,” he said.

Raphoe-based Independent Councillor Frank McBrearty asked for a copy of the power-sharing agreement.

“I want to reiterate that this is now what the electorate voted for on the 7th of June,” he said. “Two-thirds of the people in this county voted for independents and included in that is the 100% Redress Party and now there is a clear message that it is the same old, same old political establishment.”

Councillor McBrearty told the meeting that he would “expose this corruption” and added: “I have been given a huge mandate and I am the only councillor elected in the Laggan Valley. I have been given a vote of confidence from the people in the Laggan Valley to come in here and hold the executive to account.”

Councillor McBrearty took to his feet and demanded that he be given a copy of the power-sharing agreement.

“I am objecting on behalf of the public,” he said.

Killybegs-based Independent Councillor Niamh Kennedy was earlier elected as the new Cathaoirleach of Donegal County Council.

Councillor McBrearty told Councillor Kennedy: “You and others have agreed without me and others being present.”

After some toing and froing about the power-sharing agreement, the meeting was adjourned for a short time.

After the meeting resumed, newly-elected Milford Independent Councillor Declan Meehan also voiced his annoyance.

“This has been touted as an all-inclusive Council, but it is my belief that it is not that because five independents were excluded from the talks putting together the agreements” he said. Councillor Meehan also asked if members could be provided with the names of people who were in negotiations on behalf of the various groupings.

“The seats that have been allocated to the independent block were done so under the D'Hondt system counting the numbers of five independent councillors who were not in the room negotiating that.”

Mountcharles Councillor Jimmy Brogan added that he was “not aware that I was being represented in talks with anyone. I just want to reiterate that some independents were not notified.”

Annagry Independent Councillor Michael Cholm Mac Giolla Easbuig indicated that he, too, was not part of the negotiation process.

Those five independents – Councillors Jimmy Brogan, Mac Giolla Easbuig, McBrearty McBride and Meehan – voted against Councillor Kennedy as Cathaoirleach.

They, along with the four councillors from the 100% Redress party voted for Councillor Tomas Sean Devine from the 100% Redress party to get the chain of office.

A proposal from Councillor McBrearty for Councillor Joy Beard to become Leas Cathaoirleach did not get a seconder from anyone present in the chamber, leaving Councillor Jimmy Kavanagh elected unopposed as Leas Cathaoirleach.

During a further exchange around the makeup of an independent grouping, the Cathaoirleach ruled Councillor McBrearty out of order when he called her a “liar”.

“I am not accepting that from you or anyone else in this chamber,” Councillor Kennedy told Councillor McBrearty.

The meeting was adjourned for one hour and Councillor McBrearty did not return when business resumed.