TENSIONS SOARED at a special meeting of New Ross Town Council last week over the postponement of a civic reception event for various individuals and organisations linked with the town.
The event was originally scheduled to take place on Thursday, February 27, however it was subsequently postponed and the issue of why that happened caused tension between officials and Council members at a special meeting on Tuesday afternoon.
At that meeting Senior Official, Mick McCormack, outlined the timetable of events, from the officials’ perspective, leading up to the postponement.
However, the Cathaoirleach, Cllr. Niamh Fitzgibbon was particularly vocal in her criticism of how the whole matter was handled and laid the blame firmly at the hands of officials.
Mr. McCormack told the members that on February 18 it was brought to officials’ attention that both the Barrow Wheelers and St. Mary’s Secondary school were not contacted about the scheduled civic reception event.
He said that the following day the Town Clerk, Anthony Bailey, contacted the Principal of St. Mary’s, John Michael Porter, notifying him about the scheduled date for the event.
“Declan Delaney was also contacted [regarding the Barrow Wheelers],” said Mr. McCormack.
He added that on February 20, Cllr. Fitzgibbon asked that the event be postponed because one of the cycling group’s members would not be able to attend.
“The Town Clerk was ready to go but the Cathaoirleach rang around the members to tell them,” said Mr. McCormack.
“My main issue was procedural,” replied Cllr. Fitzgibbon.
“If staff members handed it over to other staff members it would have been a flop,” she added.
In response Mr. McCormack said: “We were happy with everything, procedurally, to go ahead.”
Tensions then began to rise between Cllr. Fitzgibbon and Mr. McCormack with the Cathaoirleach asking: “Why were they not contacted?” – referring to the local cycling group.
“They were,” replied Mr. McCormack.
Cllr. Fitzgibbon seemed to be particularly critical of when the Barrow Wheelers, of whom she is a member, were contacted and added: “When were the Barrow Wheelers contacted?”
“Six days before the event is not acceptable,” she added before Mr. McCormack could reply to her initial question.
However, when he did reply he said: “In your view it is [not acceptable] we were ready.”
“That is not acceptable,” repeated Cllr. Fitzgibbon.
Cllr. Michael Sheehan then asked when the letters regarding the civic reception event went out and added: “I was told the letters did not go out.”
“The letter went out on Monday and the event was on Thursday and that is not acceptable,” replied Cllr. Fitzgibbon.
“Four days in advance is not acceptable,” she added.
She then added: “The officials were given the information 15 days before it was passed on to the Barrow Wheelers and that is not acceptable.”
She then said it was “very unfortunate” that the Wheelers were “excluded on that Monday”.
However, Mr. McCormack completely refuted that suggestion and said: “”They were contacted on the 19th and the event was on the 27th. You said it was four days and it wasn’t, it was eight days [notice].”
“He [Mr. Delaney] was contacted by email a week before and there was a letter to everyone else and that is not acceptable,” replied Cllr. Fitzgibbon.
Cllr. Ollie Somers:
Cllr. Ollie Somers then commented: “We had this on the last civic reception [where a group couldn’t attend] and we went ahead without them. Why change this time?”
He then addressed Cllr. Fitzgibbon directly and said: “When you rang me I asked you ‘why’ [it was being postponed].”
Cllr. Somers then said the whole thing had reflected badly on the Council in terms of public perception: “It’s been said to me [on the street] that you could not even organise a civic reception.”
“We left the last group out that wasn’t notified so why make an exception this time?” he asked.
“Could they not accept notification by phone?” he added.
Cllr. Fitzgibbon then accused her fellow councillors of being ok with [excluding] one group and said: “I am disappointed that my fellow councillors would [exclude] some groups. I am disappointed in you.”
That comment prompted Cllr. Michael Sheehan to accuse the Cathaoirleach of misleading the members: “You said the officials did not send the letter.”
However, Cllr. Fitzgibbon didn’t respond to the accusation and instead said: “I am happy to proceed. I am disappointed in what you have done.”
