Controversy surrounded the selection of leas cathaoirleach at the annual general meeting of Westport Town Council which was held on Thursday last. Accusations that an agreement between Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael, which had been put in writing after the last election, were broken marred celebrations for Cllr Martin Keane who was elected to the position of leas-cathaoirleach for the first time since he was elected to the council eleven years ago.
The controversy began when Cllr Brendan Mulroy, having been elected as Cathaoirleach for the coming term, stepped into the chair and asked for nominations for the position of leas cathaoirleach.
Cllr Margaret Adams proposed her Fianna Fáil party colleague Cllr Declan Dever and this was seconded by the new Cathaoirleach, Cllr Mulroy.
Sinn Féin councillor, Dave Keating then proposed Independent Cllr Martin Keane. The big surprise was this was seconded by Fine Gael councillor, Myles Staunton and the nominations went to a vote.
The following councillors voted for Cllr Keane: Cllr Flynn, Cllr Keating, Cllr Martin, Cllr Keane and Cllr Staunton. The councillors who voted for Cllr Dever were: Cllr Mulroy, Cllr Adams, Cllr Dever and Cllr Teresa McGuire. The final vote was 5-4 in favour of Cllr Martin Keane.
Earlier in the meeting, Cllr Mulroy had been the only nomination for the Cathaoirleach position. He was proposed by Cllr Margaret Adams who said he had first been elected in 1999 and had never been in this position but had been Leas Cathaoirleach on two occasions. She added his family had long associations with the Council and she was proud to nominate him. This was seconded by Cllr Dever.
Proposing Cllr Keane, Cllr Keating said sadly he had never served as Leas Cathaoirleach. His work in the community, particularly for young people and the elderly, deserved to be recognised.
Seconding the nomination, Cllr Staunton said he had been a giver in this town and the time had come for them to give something back. He was known everywhere in the town by young and old. He said he felt at this stage it was the right thing to do.
Cllr Flynn giving his vote to Cllr Keane said it was a very difficult decision. He told Cllr Dever he would have the position in two to three years, last year after elections, and if he was still willing he could have it for the next two terms to follow.
Cllr Teresa McGuire said it was a difficult decision. Her heart said to give it to Cllr Keane but she was a person of her word and that would not change. She had made a promise and by voting for Cllr Dever she kept it. She said it was very important people were honest and true to the truth that is within themselves.
Cllr Staunton commented in seconding Cllr Keane it had nothing to do with the other nominee whom he respected enormously.
After the election of Cllr Keane, Cllr Adams congratulated him. However, she said after the last election an agreement was put in writing and signed. She was very disappointed people had gone back on their word. Cllr Peter Flynn, in congratulating both men said this was ,’not meant as a quick stunt in relation to the Fianna Fáil/Fine Gael arrangement.’
Cllr Keane said he was thrilled the cross-party arrangement, which was within the council for the last ten years, was now broken. “It was a dishonest deed which is gone forever from this chamber.”
Each of the councillors wished Cllr Mulroy and Cllr Keane luck in their coming terms of office.