THE amalgamation of Limerick City and County Council is not due to take place until after next May’s local elections, but already the bickering has begun over where meetings of the amalgamated local authorities should be held.
Arriving late for a joint Cultural and Sporting Policy Committee meeting at Lissanalta House in Dooradoyle last Wednesday, city councillor Cormac Hurley (FG) apologised to members before asking why the meeting was being held in the headquarters of the county council.
“It usually takes me ten minutes to get to City Hall from my home in Caherdavin. Today it took me 35 minutes to get out here. Why are we having joint meetings when the councils haven’t amalgamated yet?” he asked.
He was told by city chairman of the committee, FG councillor Michael Hourigan that a “unanimous decision” was taken at a recent meeting to hold joint SPCs in the county council offices.
“I must have missed that meeting,” remarked Cllr Hurley, to which he was informed by council members of his presence at the meeting.
At the end of the SPC when informed that the next joint Cultural and Sporting Policy Committee meeting would take place in county offices on April 14 next at 3pm, Cllr Hurley was not pleased. “Every second time makes more sense,” he suggested.
City councillor Denis McCarthy (FG) seconded his party colleague’s proposal to rotate meetings between City and County Hall.
Mayor Kathleen Leddin also said she would prefer the next meeting to take place at City Hall. However, Cllr Hourigan told members that City Council chambers were not suitable for joint meeting as there is not adequate seating.
County councillor Leo Walsh (FG) then proposed that the next meeting take place in County Hall. This was seconded by county councillor Michael Sheahan (FG).
Mayor Leddin said that in the interest of unity she would withdraw her proposal.
“It’s my proposal,” said Cllr Hurley, “and I won’t withdraw it”.
On a majority of seven votes to three, it was decided that the next joint SPC meeting will be held in County Hall.
