Councillors object to votes of sympathy at Laois County Council meeting

Two Laois councillors have objected to multiple votes of sympathy being offered at the start of the monthly Laois County Council meetings, to bereaved members of the public.

Cllrs Tommy Mulligan and Aisling Moran spoke after several minutes were spent at the start of the September meeting, listening to sympathies offered by other councillors to families of recently deceased various Laois people.

Cllr Mulligan representing Portlaoise Municipal District was first to query the practice, at the September meeting.

"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 when you do it for council staff and their families," he said.

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 Mulligan.

Cllr Moran said it went again the standing orders of the meeting.

"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.

Cllr Catherine Fitzgerald said that it was "a new thing".

"Before, a letter would go out from each councillor but not anymore. Now a vote is passed at meetings," she said.

Cllr Moran added "It was agreed that it could be said to the Cathaoirleach and then they would say it to the council."

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

Their 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.

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"I totally disagree with 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).