Mayo cathaoirleach clarifies his position on controversial meeting

The cathaoirleach of Mayo County Council, Councillor Seamus Weir, has clarified his position regarding his requisitioning of a special meeting of the authority next Friday to discuss migrant accommodation in the county.

The Knockmore-based representative told The Connaught Telegraph he had no direct responsibility in seeking the meeting or framing the wording of the agenda.

"I was approached on behalf of the three group whips about the proposed meeting and, in the interest of democracy, I requisitioned it.

"I believed it was my duty to do so because it was made clear to me the councillors from the three groupings, Fianna Fáil, Fine Gael and Independents, wanted it.

"Requisitioning the meeting as the cathaoirleach was my only role in this matter."

Councillor Weir said he is unhappy with item 1 (a) on the agenda which states: "Having regard to the recent and sudden population increase in towns and villages in Mayo, and in the absence of a clear strategy to ensure the delivery of critical services (medical, policing, education, etc.), that Mayo County Council no longer cooperates with the intake of Ukrainian refugees (BOTP) and international protection asylum seekers (IPAS) into the county until the aforementioned strategy is prepared, resourced and delivered."

He explained: "I am hoping this wording will be changed ahead of the meeting. I am certainly working to ensure this will happen. I am not happy with it at all.

"I could have said no to the meeting in the first place.

"But when it was indicated to me that the majority of councillors wanted it, I was left with no choice."

Ongoing discussions are likely to take place over the weekend between Councillor Weir, the three whips - Councillor Damian Ryan, Councillor Peter Flynn and Councillor Michael Kilcoyne - and the council executive over the matter.

A number of councillors - Mark Duffy (Ind.), Councillor Ger Deere (FG) and Councillor Annie May Reape (FF) - have already indicated they will not be attending the meeting.

See also:

Special council meeting sought on migrant accommodation issue in Mayo

'A damaging move for brand Mayo' - independent councillor