Councillor objects to votes of sympathy at Laois County Council meeting

A Laois councillor has objected to votes of sympathy being given at the start of the monthly Laois County Council meetings.

Cllr Aisling Moran spoke after several minutes were spent hearing sympathies offered by other councillors to families of various people who were well known in their communities who died recently at the start of the September meeting.

The independent councillor representing the Portarlington Graiguecullen Municipal District said it goes against the standing orders of meetings.

"What is the procedure around votes of sympathy? I don't think we can do it for everyone who dies in the county. I get it for staff. You say items can't be discussed unless they are on the agenda. If you have rules you're supposed to be sticking to them," she said.

Her point was overwhelmingly unpopular with other councillors.

"I don't agree. Are we to arrange for someone to die before the agenda is written a week before the meeting? I don't think this should be discussed at all," said Cllr Ben Brennan.

Cllr Paddy Bracken said "five minutes is all it takes at any meeting. We'll be talking here all day if we cannot even give five minutes to people we know in the community. This is a disgrace".

Cllr Caroline Dwane Stanley said such votes should be allowed.

"Someone could pass in a couple of days before the meeting, but the CPG meeting to decide the agenda happens a week before the council meeting. Five minutes is all it takes," she said.

"It's a total disgrace what Aisling is saying," said Cllr Padraig Fleming.

The Cathaoirleach Cllr Barry Walsh said that the discussion will be brought before the CPG (corporate policy group).

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Director of Services Donal Brennan said that "strictly speaking they should be presented to the authority before the meeting, but it is a matter for members themselves".

"Your opinion will be noted," he told Cllr Moran.