New Cathaoirleach elected to Portlaoise MD but not without 'tit for tat' row

The annual switcheroo between Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael to hold the Cathaoirleach's chair in Portlaoise Municipal District sparked a row at their June meeting.

The two parties are in a pact to vote together as four votes against three, to keep the higher profile, paid position within their ranks.

Fianna Fáil Cllr John Joe Fennelly has been voted to chair the central Laois district for the coming year, replacing Fine Gael Cllr Paddy Buggy. They also hold the dominant vote for Leas Cathaoirleach - vice chair - with Cllr Buggy voted in.

Non-party Cllr Tommy Mulligan from Portlaoise who won the most number 1 votes at last year's local elections on his first time to run, slammed the process as "the furthest thing from democracy". He had been proposed as vice chair by Cllr Caroline Dwane Stanley.

While first congratulating Cllr Fennelly from Abbeyleix as "a natural, very respectful and a good public representative" he demanded "fairness".

"It doesn't sit right with me, I totally disagree with this pact of excluding us. I don't get why you exclude me or Marie (Cllr Tuohy) or Caroline (Cllr Dwane Stanley). Nobody here is any better or worse than another. 

"We have to have this conversation. We go for coffee together, we second each other's motions but from our eyes we're shown no respect. We've asked you to show fairness. You can change this. I'd like to think there are some people here with integrity who are interested in fairness. The public are not aware of a pact. This isn't a football match, it's about fairness," he argued.

Cllr Catherine Fitzgerald said she would not take part in a "tit for tat" but roundly defended the voting.

"I want to thank Paddy for an exceptional job and I wish John Joe well. Politics is politics. I think you were asked to join our group. People vote for certain people. We have the majority and the majority normally wins. When Brian (Stanley) was elected chair I was in opposition, we were sidelined for a long time and I accepted that, we hadn't the numbers. I've great respect for you and Marie and Caroline, but this is the way the cookie crumbles. That's life, that's politics," she said.

Cllr Dwane Stanley had been proposed by Cllr Mulligan to be the Cathaoirleach. She had congratulate Cllr Buggy for his fairness as chair, and wished Cllr Fennelly well. 

"this is the only chance we get to put our names forward, the people elect all of us. The public don't realise there is a cohort of councillors excluded. I don't want to take from today, you are entitled (to be elected as chair) but so is everyone else," she said.

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The Director of Services Simon Walton represents Laois County Council at the Portlaoise MD meeting.

"Thank you to Cllr Buggy, you managed affairs in your role with efficiency. You make a personal call into the office the day before meetings so that you are familiar with the agenda and motions, all with a view to efficiency.

"Cllr Fennelly, I'm sure I speak for everybody, notwithstanding politics, I am delighted to see you as Cathaoirleach, I am sure you will perform the role similarly to Cllr Buggy," he said.

"I'll get a loan of his stopwatch," quipped Cllr Fennelly.