IT’S not all pizza parties and foreign jollies for the gang at Merchants Quay. No sir! Sometimes, when they aren’t arguing over why our first citizen doesn’t need permission to jet off to Austin, Texas, they even get a bit of work done.
Back in July, at councillors’ first meeting with Mayor John Moran — a man considered “the most self-confident Limerick luminary since Richard Harris” — things were far from pleasant or jovial. In contrast, the full September meeting of the local authority proved far more Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone than A Man Called Horse.
Sure, there were moments when Council members got all Bull McCabe. They can be a bit precious about their beloved chamber and have a tendency to come over all “it’s my field”.
But what they seem to forget, is that there’s a new king in Camelot, and our new ruler made it very clear after the car-wreck that was the draft mayoral plan meeting, they can all go frolic up in the tower for all he cares.
Councillors, like small dogs or children, need to be made feel very special, it’s a tough old station, really. Still, they clearly arrived out to County Hall in Dooradoyle last week wearing their big boy pants.
There was toothy grins aplenty and tension in the room, but nothing a bite to eat couldn’t fix.
Politicians, as you know, love their grub and are well partial to a creamy scone. Not a patch, however, on the lads out in Rathkeale, who turn their monthly meeting into an all-day bonanza just to run relay races around the biscuit tray.
Making it more impressive is the fact councillors were so grown-up about going without their Domino’s pizza by opting not to reduce the Local Property Tax (LPT) by the 15 per cent ‘local adjustment factor’.
Labour Party councillor Conor Sheehan did his best Maximus Decimus Meridius impression as he was struck with an awful hankering for a juicy slice – clearly a man who can get a bit ‘hangry’ when he misses a meal.
“I pay a small amount of property tax every year. If my property tax was cut by 15 per cent, I think it would probably give me back the amount of money to get a pizza. I probably wouldn’t even get a pizza out of it because I think pizza has become so expensive,” Cllr Sheehan babbled wildly.
‘In typical John Moran fashion, he had his homework done.’
The longer the meeting went on, the more antsy they became. And when they’re not fed or mollycoddled, things can very quickly get all Mutiny on the Bounty. One thing they especially don’t like to see is another councillor treated preferentially.
Bonafide councillors were Lycra-ready for road as the subject of foreign travel was raised. This, it seemed to them at least, was their moment to shine and take the Mayor down a few pegs. But in typical John Moran fashion, he had his homework done.
“I think to be clear and transparent to everyone, if there are other invitations, they should be on the table today,” Cllr John Sheahan told the Council executive.
He was informed that an invitation to Austin, Texas, was discussed at a corporate policy group meeting, which they are “still working through”, and Mayor Moran explained that he was looking to see if these trips could be deferred.
But councillors, who were well peeved that they need approval to ride bicycles on an upcoming cycling study trip to Denmark, felt that all foreign travel should be brought to them for approval and then deferred if necessary.
To add salt in their wounds, they were told that the Mayor does not need their approval for foreign travel.
The poor councillors were exhausted and absolutely famished by the time the conversation turned to the legal advice sought from the Council in July in relation to nominations to boards of DAC companies.
Director General of Limerick City and County Council, Dr Pat Daly, explained to Council members that there were some technical issues raised that they want to deal with before they return with word from their legal counsel.
“If it is so complex, how does the Mayor think he is so right? There’s something wrong here,” Cllr Galvin cried.
