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Truely sectarian display of triumphialism at tonight's Dublin's Lord Mayor "Do" in the Mansion House

category dublin | miscellaneous | news report author Tuesday June 28, 2005 03:08author by Mansion House Observer

Following on on from the extremely close election of Fine Gaeller Catherine Murphy as the new Lord Mayor of Dublin for 2005-2006 (26-25 in favour); there was none of the usual concilitary gestures and measures as usually happens; at the new Lord Mayor's reception in the Mansion House afterwards. Instead a truely sectarian triumphialist spectacle followed!

The Protocol (Certainly since 1993 at least!) Is that that the outgoing Lord Mayor of Dublin (In this case Michael Counighan of Labour as the outgoing Lord Mayor) welcomes in the new Lord Mayor of Dublin (In this case Catherine Byrne of Fine Gael) as the new Lord Mayor of Dublin; and invites them to speak; as she duly did. However all of the opposition candidates are supposed to speak as well; as a matter of courtesy; which they have always done up to tonight; but not tonight! All we had was Counighan followed by Byrne; and then Browhen Maher of the Greens (Part of the "Civic Alliance" Clan/Mafia on Dublin City Council!); and that was it! No speakers from Fianna Fáil; Sinn Féin; the Community or Independent Councillors! A truely sectarian display of triumphialism if ever I have seen; that would make the Orange Order/LVF/the 'Reverend ' Ian Paisley truely proud!

Comments (9 of 9)

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author by Dermot Laceypublication date Tue Jun 28, 2005 16:32author address author phone

To be honest I was there last night. Last year because Royston didn't turn up I acted as the MC so I know the normal protocol. I do not believe any offence was intended that it was just down to the exhuberance of the occasion. There are some aspects of Council protocol however that it might be useful to review and update members on. as chairperson of the Protocol Committee I take note of the criticism and will act on it.

author by Real Word Worldpublication date Tue Jun 28, 2005 16:46author address author phone

How is that 'sectarian'?

author by FÖRBYpublication date Tue Jun 28, 2005 16:56author address author phone

Out of interest cllr how many chairmanships do you currently hold?

author by Dermot Laceypublication date Tue Jun 28, 2005 17:49author address author phone

At Local Authority level - two.

The Dublin Regional Authority and the Protocol Committee of the City Council. These were the only ones that I sought.

author by the shadowpublication date Tue Jun 28, 2005 18:01author address author phone

I tend to agree with Dermot on this one.
Catherine Byrne would not have a sectarian bone in her body. .In her time on the Council she has not been one of the preening peacocks on the Council.
I think it was a foul up rather than a snub.
That said it was a pity that the other Candidate for Mayor ,the Independent, Vincent Jackson did not get to speak.
Vincent has been a great presence on the Council, working diligently for both his Ward and also for the citizens of Dublin. He has been a rock of sense on the Council and would have beeen a great choice for Mayor.

There are 52 Councillors on the council.
Byrne was elected 26(Lab 15, FG 10. I Green)
with 25 for Jackson

Who was missing?
Was it the sole PD councillor? If so then that Party has a strange attitude to Democracy

author by FÖRBYpublication date Tue Jun 28, 2005 18:09author address author phone

"These were the only ones that I sought."

I like a man who gets what he wants. I suppose we can look forward to seeing truly democratic councils across Dublin with your Regional position.
Should I hold my breath?

author by Conor McWade - Progressive Democratspublication date Thu Jul 07, 2005 16:15author email info at wendyhederman dot ieauthor address author phone

I can assure the contributor that Wendy Hederman of the Progressive Democrats not only attended but cast the deciding 26th vote.

Wendy has a two year Agreement called the Pembroke Deal with the Alliance of Fine Gael, Labour and the Green Party. The Alliance has kept their part of the deal. The PDs and Wendy do not renege on agreements.

You seem eager to criticise, perhaps you will be as eager to acknowledge one of the hardest working and capable members of Dublin City Council.

N.B. for details see www.wendyhederman.ie - Pembroke Deal

author by Real Mansion House Observer - nonepublication date Sat Jul 01, 2006 23:43author address author phone

Your comment is drivell, after the election of a new mayor, the out going mayor greets the new on the steps of the Mansion House, and introduces the new Lord Mayor to the staff of the house. After guests have arrived, the outgoing Lord Mayor speaks and welcomes the incomming Lord Mayor.. The new Mayor is then invited to talk and also present the outgoing Lord Mayor and Partner with "Lord Mayor Broaches or Pins". At no stage during these procedings or afterwards are other parties invited to speak...............all the speaking you refer to has already been carried out during the Council meeting in City Hall Chambers earlier in the evening. Your information is wrong and you are missinforming people.

author by Mansion Hsepublication date Mon Jul 03, 2006 19:05author address author phone


Can't you at least try try to get the peoples names correct. The out-going Lord Mayor's name is Michael Conaghan and the new Lord Mayors name is Catherine Byrne.



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