Casting vote sees Fianna Fáil councillor home in Údarás battle

WON ON CASTING VOTE  Cllr John Caulfield will serve on ÚdarΡs na Gaeltachta board.

Edwin McGreal

Fianna FΡil have been accused of playing politics with the appointment of one of their councillors to ÚdarΡs na Gaeltachta.
The casting vote of Mayo County Council’s Cathaoirleach Richard Finn saw Fianna FΡil’s Cllr John Caulfield put forward as the council’s selection for the board of ÚdarΡs na Gaeltachta.
Fine Gael and Sinn Féin voted against Cllr Caulfield, instead putting forward the credentials of Ian McAndrew. Though not a councillor, Mr McAndrew could be nominated if no county councillor was available or considered suitable.
Mr McAndrew, who contested local election for Fine Gael in the past, is based in the Belmullet Gaeltacht, while Mr Caulfield is based in Kilkelly and was elected in the Claremorris Municipal District, which does not contain any Gaeltacht region.
Sinn Féin’s Cllr Thérèse Ruane said he could not have the same understanding of issues relating to Gaeltacht regions.
“What happened in the council was a political appointment and the council’s representative should have been someone living in the Gaeltacht and answerable to people in the Gaeltacht,” she told The Mayo News.
“It is a really important appointment for the four Gaeltacht areas in Mayo – Tourmakeady, Achill and two in Erris. Gaeltacht areas are in danger due to population decline. We need a strong voice to stand up for the Mayo Gaeltachts and to work for the economic, social and cultural developments of the Gaeltachts.
“I believe that the person sent forward by Mayo County Council should be living in the Gaeltacht, fluent in Irish and fully aware of what the burning issues are in Gaeltacht regions,” Cllr Ruane added.

Deadlock
The vote was locked at 13 votes for Cllr Caulfield and 13 votes against his selection. Therefore Cllr Finn, who voted for Cllr Caulfield in the first instance, cast his decisive vote in favour of the Kilkelly-based councillor.
Therefore it was not a contest directly between Cllr Caulfield and Mr McAndrew. First councillors had to vote on whether they considered Cllr Caulfield suitable. If Cllr Caulfield lost that vote, a second vote would have ensued for or against Mr McAndrew.
However, it did not come to that. All ten Fianna FΡil councillors present voted for Cllr Caulfield as did independent councillors Richard Finn, Michael Kilcoyne and Michael Holmes.
The ten Fine Gael councillors voted against Cllr Caulfield as did the three Sinn Féin councillors. Independent councillor Seamus Weir abstained while three councillors were absent for the vote.
The meeting was informed that the Minister of State in the Department of Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs, Joe McHugh will appoint an individual to the board of ÚdarΡs na Gaeltachta as nominated by Mayo County Council.
Údaras is the state agency for Gaeltacht areas with responsibilities for the economic, social and cultural development of these regions.
A letter sent to councillors in advance outlined that it is necessary that members of the board of ÚdarΡs are fluent in Irish. The letter also stated that candidates ‘must have experience in matters relevant to the functions of the ÚdarΡs’ including promotion of the Irish language.
The letter also said ‘the Minister will be seeking a suitable gender balance amongst members when appointments are being made’.
Cllr Damien Ryan (Fianna FΡil) nominated Cllr Caulfield as Gaeilge. Cllr Tereasa McGuire (FG) nominated Ian McAndrew, stating he was a Gaeilgeoir. Mr McAndrew is a former member of ÚdarΡs na Gaeltachta.
Cllr Thérèse Ruane (SF) supported this and said there are four Gaeltacht regions in Mayo – Tourmakeady, Achill and two in Erris and that the council’s nomination should be from one of these regions.
A passionate debate as Gaeilge ensued. Cllr Jarlath Munnelly (FG) also spoke in favour of Mr McAndrew.
After receiving the benefit of Cllr Finn’s casting vote, Cllr Caulfield spoke as Gaeilge, stating he had always a ‘grΡ’ for the Irish language since he was in national school.