DURING talk of transparency and accountability within Limerick Council at a public meeting this Monday, proceedings came to an abrupt end almost three-hours into proceedings.
As councillors discussed Mayor John Moran’s motion for the Council’s monthly meetings to be live-streamed and recorded for public viewing, Council Príomh Chomhairleoir, Cllr Catherine Slattery (FF) unexpectedly walked out of the Dooradoyle chamber as the item was being debated.
“The Príomh Chomhairleoir is after leaving the chamber,” Cllr Bridie Collins (FF) declared as she looked on at the bewildering scene unfolding.
Moments later, those in attendance at the plenary meeting were informed that Cllr Slattery had requested an adjournment.
“Lads, what’s going on inside there at all?” asked Fine Gael councillor Adam Teskey, who was viewing the meeting from the online portal.
Aontú councillor Sarah Beasley, also attending online, was not impressed either.
“I’m very sick today with chest infection. This isn’t fair at all,” she said.
Leas Príomh Chomhairleoir, Cllr Michael Collins took to the mic to explain what was happening in the chamber.
“The Príomh Chomhairleoir has asked for an adjournment. She’s obviously visibly upset so I think we should afford her that,” Cllr Collins suggested.
Independent councillor Maria Donoghue, also viewing the meeting online while on holiday, explained: “I’m not in the country and my family are waiting for me to go for dinner. If this is adjourned any further, I will have to leave the meeting.”
Cllr Michael Collins was having none of it, telling the chamber: “The meeting is adjourned. It wasn’t planned. It’s adjourned and that’s it.”
15 minutes later, Council members were informed by Cllr Collins that they were “desperately trying to come to some agreement but hadn’t come to that stage yet”, before proposing another 15-minute adjournment.
“This is just crazy stuff now, it isn’t reasonable at all,” Cllr Beasley fired back.
“Councillor, it isn’t reasonable, but we don’t know who is going to say what at any point. We have an impasse and I am looking for a further 15 minutes,” Cllr Collins clarified.
Sinn Féin councillor Sharon Benson pointed out that the adjournment took place because Cllr Slattery was upset, not because there was an impasse.
“You need to be honest with the people in the chamber when you’re calling an adjournment. This is ridiculous,” Cllr Benson insisted.
As the clock ticked down and 15 minutes came and went, councillors started asking if perhaps the adjournment was actually for 30 minutes?
Independent councillor Ursula Gavan took the mic to keep councillors online in the loop.
“We’re still in an impasse. Nobody knows what’s going on. We’ve 15 minutes after 15 minutes. The executive are sitting there. Councillors are standing around having a chat. The Príomh Chomhairleoir is still outside and as soon as we know anything we’ll let you know,” Cllr Gavan disclosed.
Moments later, the meeting restarted briefly with Cllr Slattery addressing the chamber: “Can I just make a comment to the Mayor?”
“Mayor, will you repeat the comment you made to me off the mic? This comment made me feel disrespected and demeaned to an extent that I had to abandon my role as Príomh Chomhairleoir and leave the chamber.
“To proceed with this meeting, I want you to apologise and withdraw your comment,” Cllr Slattery said.
Mayor Moran suggested it was “best that we adjourn this meeting for the day”.
“I can feel equally upset about the entire situation and I do not want accusations going out into the public domain about me or meetings that I chair. They are unsubstantiated so I am going to suggest that we terminate this meeting.”
Green Party councillor Seán Hartigan asked if there was a witness to what was allegedly said.
“Yes,” said Cllr Slattery.
“Is the Mayor a ventriloquist?” Hartigan inquired.
Cllr Slattery again addressed the Mayor, saying: “Mayor, you are aware that I have started a formal complaint process against you under dignity at work breaches as I felt bullied and intimidated on several occasions since being elected as Príomh Chomhairleoir, and you’ve done it again to me today,” she claimed, before adjourning the meeting.
“We’ll be back on Prime Time again,” Cllr Teskey cried.
Following the meeting, Independent councillor Ursula Gavan condemned this latest Limerick Council meeting collapse, saying: “I believe it’s no coincidence that one of the items on the agenda was a call for the live screening of Council meetings, which is normal practice in other counties. The truth is that a minority of councillors don’t want the public to see how they behave and act on their behalf in the chamber.”
“We are coming close to two years of this Council being tied up in gridlock due to behaviour that wouldn’t be acceptable in a crèche. As a result, Government have put all plans for democratically-elected mayors in other jurisdictions on hold. Limerick Council has descended into national embarrassment.”
Taking to social media after the meeting, Mayor Moran posted on X (formerly Twitter): “I bet I am not the only mayor who can relate a bit to this statement: ‘Changing a city is complicated, because even the most progressive people don’t want to alter their habits. To succeed, you have to have a strategy, be determined and, yes, accept being unpopular.'”
There was no response from Cllr Slattery when contacted by the Limerick Post.