Mayo FG councillors protest as tensions flare over reduced speaking time

A political row has erupted in the aftermath of yesterday’s meeting of Mayo County Council in Castlebar.

The Fine Gael party has indicated it is withdrawing from the traditional practice of attending the whips meeting ahead of the November meeting of the authority.

The reason for the controversial move has been outlined by the party’s deputy whip, Councillor Jarlath Munnelly, in an email to the cathaoirleach, Councillor Richard Finn.

The email has been copied to Fianna Fail whip, Councillor Damian Ryan, and a number of others.

In the email, Councillor Munnelly outlined his party’s disappointment that the ‘spirit of cooperation’ within the chamber has broken down.

At the core of the issue are growing tensions over speaking time at statutory meetings being reduced due to the requirement to complete the agenda within two hours due to Covid restrictions.

Prior to the pandemic, meetings could last in excess of four hours as rules on speaking time were far more relaxed.

However this episode has caused tensions ahead of the forthcoming Budget meeting when wide agreement is required in reaching key decisions for the future of the authority.

Councillor Richard Finn told The Connaught Telegraph that the cathaoirleach does not get involved in the internal affairs or decisions made by any political party.