*Cllr Shane Talty (FF). Photograph: John Mangan
A NORTH CLARE elected representative has criticised the agenda issued in advance of the West Clare Municipal District annual general meeting (AGM).
As per the agenda for the West Clare MD AGM, representatives were to be nominated on the Kilrush Tidy Towns Committee, two to the management committee of Active Kilrush “as well as nomination of representatives to any other Boards/Committees required”.
Speaking at the July meeting of the West Clare MD, Cllr Shane Talty (FF) who missed the AGM voiced his frustration with the agenda issued. “We had a diary clash with a Corporate Policy Group (CPG) meeting and it is more than disappointing to have not been able to attend.
“I made the decision on which meeting to attend based on the agenda circulated and based on agreements, everything seemed to be moved inline but items not on the agenda were dealt with which were positions on the rural taskforce committee, I would have had an opinion on how it would be better filled,” the Lahinch man said.
Talty was critical that two representatives from the one party, Cllr Gabriel Keating (FG) and Cllr Joe Garrihy (FG) were nominated. He said, “in those type of arrangements that something by agreement with cross party and geographical balance might have been more appropriate. Had it been on agenda I might have decided to attend a different meeting”.
His party colleague, Cllr Joe Killeen (FF) suggested the members be changed “on a year by year basis”. Talty responded, “ No invite or circular was circulated, I was not aware the positions were to be filled, I don’t think that was fair”. Killeen repeated, “a compromise is that the position be changed every year”.
An amendment was sought by Cllr Bill Slattery (FG) for Cllr Talty and all councillors to be involved when putting forward the nominees. Cllr Talty said he would be content if the matter was discussed before the September meeting.
