Chain reaction for Castlebar councillors

Chain reaction for Castlebar councillors

Ciara Galvin 

IT was a case of differences of taste at yesterday’s (Monday) meeting of the Castlebar Municipal District as the topic of a symbol of office for the new chairman of the district was discussed. Chairman Cllr Al McDonnell told the meeting he felt it was a shame that the chair of the district did not have any symbol of the status such as a mayoral chain. Cllr McDonnell suggested to his fellow councillors that a similar chain to that of the defunct Castlebar Town Council should be purchased for the role. Cllr McDonnell said he has been invited to many functions since taking over the role last month and organisers of events have specified that if Cllr McDonnell did not have any noticeable status of his role he need not attend. While there was a general consensus regarding the role having some type of symbol, opinions differed as to what this symbol should be. Fianna FΡil’s Cllr Lisa Chambers proposed that if a chain was going to be purchased that it would be bought in the Castlebar area. Sinn Féin’s Thérèse Ruane said she did not like the idea of the chain as chains of office were reminders of Ireland’s ‘colonial past’. Cllr Ruane suggested that the meeting should consider a different symbol to a chain, with Cllr Frank Durcan quipping that they could get Cllr McDonnell a ‘cloak’. A vote for what type of symbol took place with all councillors bar Cllr Ruane in favour of the chain. The matter of dress code was also discussed as Cllr Frank Durcan said there should be an appropriate dress code that councillors should adhere to. The topic of whether or not a tie should be compulsory for meetings left female councillors Lisa Chambers and Thérèse Ruane jokingly asking the meeting if the rule would also apply to them. The discussion was brought to a frank conclusion with Cllr Chambers stating, ‘As long as nobody comes in dressed like they were dragged through a bush backwards’.