by Alan Jacques
A RESOLUTION adopted by Limerick City and County Council relating to Basque political prisoners in Spain has been described as “a wasteful use of public money and council staff’s time”.
Last February, Sinn Féin comhairleoir Séighin Ó Ceallaigh put a motion before the local authority calling on the Spanish Government to end the dispersion of Basque political prisoners. He claimed that the proposal, which was seconded by Sinn Féin councillor Seamus Browne, was about “human rights, and not about taking sides in the political conflict”.
The motion was circulated by Sinn Féin to all TDs, Senators and MEPs for support.
However Munster Fine Gael MEP Deirdre Clune has now questioned the wisdom of intervening in the security concerns of another state and says the people of Limerick would be better served by politicians who are focused on jobs, stability and economic recovery in Limerick — and not the Basque Country.
“You would think that Sinn Féin would be more concerned representing the people of Limerick and the issues that effect them.
“I am not suggesting that we should not concern ourselves with issues outside of Ireland. However, the elected Councillors of Sinn Féin should spend their time representing the people of Limerick and the difficult issues that confront them every day, not the issues of the Basque people, over which they have no control.
“How would we like it if the Spanish decided to criticise how we run our country? The Sinn Féin councillors should not engage in political grandstanding of no practical value to the people that elected them and which costs the tax payer money”, she explained.
However, Sinn Féin’s Council leader Maurice Quinlivan said the motion was centred on the issue of human rights. He deemed Clune’s criticism as “the product of a fairly narrow-minded perspective” and a desire to get coverage in the local media.
“It is important to raise these matters in all democratic forums whether is the European Parliament, The Dáil or Limerick County. It is important to raise awareness of these matters and express international solidarity.
“This is a bizzare criticism and follows from the Fine Gael Mayor Micheal Sheahan who refused to allow certain motions on the Metropolitan council meeting insisting they be referred to the full council. Is Deirdre Clune suggesting that Limerick County Council doesn’t make enough time to deal with the issues of the county?” he asked.
Cllr Quinlivan said it was insulting to the people of Limerick to imply they don’t or shouldn’t have a concern or interest in international affairs.
“Placing a motion of this nature hardly constitutes interventionism. That’s a grandiose and laughable claim. It was an expression of solidarity and concern for fellow human beings.
“Taking her logic, I could criticise her for involving herself in the affairs of Limerick County Council in such a micro-managing way. Surely the taxpayers expect Deirdre to fighting for this constituency on EU wide level rather than issuing nonsense press releases about motions on our clár,” he concluded.
