Abused councillors unable to defend themselves?

By Dan Walsh

New Ross district Fianna Fáil Cllr Michael Sheehan has highlighted areas of reform in local government and the need for social media reform when speaking at Seanad Public Consultation Committee’s second public hearing for its consultation on the Future of Local Democracy last Thursday.

Cllr Sheehan was critical in his role as a public representative with his own office since 2009 when he told the hearing that; “I have disputed the fact that councillors must pay rates even though Oireachtas members who have offices, don’t and the support available to councillors does not meet the costs of the office.

“This issue was supposed to be resolved and is in the Programme for Government, but I am now in a situation with the Council that they are looking for their rate payment and we are agreeing to disagree– and are awaiting clarity from the government. I think it unfair as the office is literally full time while it is dealt with as a part time job. We need the support of the Oireachtas Members,” stated Cllr Sheehan.

He continued: “Like many of the previous councillors, I urged the protection of councillors while in the Chamber to discuss issues of sensitivity and commercial interest without being liable or in the recent cases in Co. Wexford being slandered and undermined without any recourse to defend ourselves.

Cllr Sheehan’s alleged that recently, members of Wexford County Council were viciously attacked on the floor of the Oireachtas and could not defend themselves or challenge the speaker.

In conclusion, Cllr Sheehan commented that “there is now an overwhelming need to reform the whole social media industry. He referred to “faceless anonymous accounts and profiles that are literally making stuff up and peddling them as truths”, and goes on to say that “insults, lies, abuse and accusations are now commonplace for councillors and increasingly candidates are now subject to absolute torrent of abuse. He concludes that “the law must be clear and the enforcement clearer on fake accounts, fake news, abuse and targets hated campaign are caught fast and punished faster.”

COMMENT; It is unusual for WexfordLocal.com to comment on our news stories, but a few words are needed here in the interest of fair comment and a more level playing field without malice or vindictiveness, and this is where the discussion ends.

This article is based on a press release issued on Monday.

Discussion in the Oireachtas and in council meetings take place with privilege which applies to contributors and journalists alike.

Finally, WexfordLocal.com is an internationally recognised news website source with full affiliation to the National Union of Journalists and can in no way be associated with allegations of ‘fake news’ and is fully transparent and accountable. DAN WALSH, EDITOR.