Clarity sought on conflict of interest item added to Mayo council agendas

A NEW item - conflict of interest - has been added to council meeting agendas in Mayo.

It is an opportunity for elected members to declare an interest in any other items down for discussion on the agenda.

When it first appeared on a Westport-Belmullet Municipal District meeting this month, there was a call for it to be removed pending a full report on what it entails.

It was item No. 2 on the agenda and the point was made by Councillor Brendan Mulroy that they would have conflicts of interest under item No. 3, the approval of GMA funding, as they were all involved with clubs and organisations that would be receiving money.

Councillor Paul McNamara said they had received no documentation to say what they can and cannot do. They could fall into a trap if they were involved in something unknown to themselves. It was Mayo County Council covering themselves and he proposed they take it off the agenda until they have a proper report on it.

He wanted it to be made clear to them what the conflict is, what they can and cannot do.

Members were told it's a standard item on board agendas.

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