A controversial recommendation from the Corporate Policy Group (CPG) in Carlow council has led to claims of “an assault on democracy” from People Before Profit councillor Adrienne Wallace. The CPG tabled a recommendation for the November county council meeting to limit the number of motions a councillor can submit from 3 to one.
Speaking against the recommendation cllr Wallace said “the pandemic is being abused by the ruling group of Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael to stifle democracy. This is a very worrying development and something that should be totally opposed. Its particularly concerning as we are also witnessing attempts to undermine the democratic process overseas in the US by Donald Trump – and now the same approach is being taken by right-wing politicians here. During the first lockdown all local councils stopped, this lead to a whole host of issues. It meant questions could not be asked about how Covid-19 was able to ravage local nursing homes and what supports where in place, it also meant that we could not publicly raise questions about bad working conditions and the spread of Covid – it potentially endangered people. This is exactly why, during this period of uncertainty, that we should be calling for more democracy and transparency, not less.”
Cllr Wallace added “Under Public Health Guidelines all council meetings are limited to 1hr 55minutes. Since the introduction of the time limit there has never been an issue with addressing statutory business and allowing time for multiple motions. I am at a loss as to why the CPG would bring forward this recommendation now. Perhaps it has something to do with the renewed pressures Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael are facing from the public. Particularly around allegations that Leo Varadkar leaked confidential files and the controversy to seal mother and baby home files. I have two very important motions at this month’s council meeting, one is on a women’s refuge for Carlow and the other is calling for the mother and baby files to be unsealed. These are pertinent and important issues – we cannot allow the establishment to silence opposition and halt progress under the guise of this pandemic.”