Politicans are putting people off Politics

mayo | politics / elections | press release

Thursday July 22, 2004 20:13

by Keith Martin - Independent Non Party

newseditor at ireland dot com

Westport Mayo

Cllr dismayed at party political in-fighting and "carry-on" at meeting

Independent Cllr Keith Martin has expressed his dismay at the events surrounding the election of the Cathaoirleach of Westport’s Electoral Area Committee last week.

Independent Cllr Keith Martin has expressed his dismay at the events surrounding the election of the Cathaoirleach of Westport’s Electoral Area Committee last week. Cllr Martin says he is disappointed to see party politics interfering in the good running of the Westport area.

Cllr Martin says “This is the kind of carry-on that sickens the electorate. I think it is deplorable that we have this kind of in-fighting so soon. What’s worse is that it is one party fighting with itself. This is the kind of behaviour that puts people off politicians and politics.

Cllr Martin says he was also upset at the comments of some of the County Councillors present and of their discrimination against Westport Town’s representative on the Electoral Area Committee. Cllr Keith Martin says “Cllr Peter Flynn is as equally deserving of serving as Cathaoirleach of the electoral area committee and to discriminate against him because he is only a member of Westport Town Council is disgraceful.

Cllr Johnny O’Malley says he and his fellow county councillors have “deemed it unacceptable that a Town Councillor serve as Cathaoirleach.” This is a disgraceful attitude and a snub not only to Westport Town’s Cathaoirleach but to the people of Westport.

Cllr Johnny O’Malley should remember that the people of Westport town are a large part of his constituency and that the votes of this town can make or break him next time around. Peter Flynn as Westport Town Council’s representative should be taken seriously.

The position of Cathaoirleach should be based on the individual merits of the candidates not on party politics or what council they serve on. Westport Town Council’s Cathaoirleach is an equal member of the Electoral Area and should be treated as such.

Cllr Martin added “It is regrettable that party politics has marred the beginnings of the Committee. I am concerned that if there is not harmony and consensus on the Electoral Area Committee that Westport as a town could suffer.

I would appeal to those involved to shake hands and make up. It is vital that there should be relations between our town and county councillors and our TD. Westport would be a poorer place, in every sense of the word, without the hard work of representatives like Michael Ring and Peter Flynn.

I understand and appreciate Cllr Flynn’s concern that Westport town only has one county councillor to represent Westport but I am sure Margaret Adams is more than capable of fighting our corner over the next five years. Let’s cut the politics out and get down to work. The people of Westport expect and deserve no less.”