Citizen Keane

Breaking the deal and Citizen Keane


De Facto
Liamy MacNally

The real defence that politicians have is that they are prepared to put their names on the ballot paper. However much they might be criticised, that act is the great, brave act of democracy. The human side of politicians was brought home to all those in the chamber of Westport Town Council last Wednesday at the AGM. The gamut of emotions was ever-present. When the Cathaoirleach’s chain was placed over Martin Keane and he sat at the head of the table his opening words were: “If only my mother could see me now.” The immediate reaction was to wonder what he meant. His was the cry of pure raw emotion. Martin Keane acknowledged his late mother in his first moment as Cathaoirleach. The wind of Monica and Augustine blows gently. Martin’s mother stood by him at all times, through the good days and the darker days. Immediately, his Council colleagues urged him to adjourn for a few minutes or take a ‘nicotine break’ but no, he soldiered on, allowing us to enter that space with him where he remembered his mother.

WHEN THE DEAL GOES DOWN        
Later on, during the tributes from his fellow councillors, different emotions sought centre stage. The two major parties, Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael, had a long-standing written agreement that they would share the chair’s position over the five-year term of office. This ancient agreement was renewed after the last election with Margaret Adams from Fianna Fáil and Peter Flynn from Fine Gael signing for their respective parties. Under the deal, the Cathaoirleach could ‘choose’ the Leas-Chathaoirleach. This aspect broke down in 2005 when Fine Gael (Myles Staunton and Peter Flynn only – Tereasa McGuire stuck to the deal) proposed Martin Keane for Leas-Chathaoirleach. The elephantine memories within Fianna Fáil were brought to the surface last Wednesday and they reneged on the main part of the deal. They supported Martin Keane for Cathaoirleach over Fine Gael’s Myles Staunton.
Peter Flynn was not impressed, visibly so. Rather than bottle his anger, he spoke his truth. He rounded on Margaret Adams, accusing her of paving the way for her County Council election campaign next year by sidelining Myles Staunton (who also has eyes on the County Council?). The Fianna Fáil councillors responded, all seeking a right of reply through the newly-elected Cathaoirleach. The ‘deal’ was well and truly Lisboned! 
Tereasa McGuire then generously proposed Labour’s Keith Martin for Leas-Chathaoirleach, stating that he had not been in either position during his term as a councillor. He said that he was not interested. Part of the ‘new deal’ between Fianna Fáil and Labour (Keith Martin)/Sinn Féin (Dave Keating)/Independent (Martin Keane) was that Brendan Mulroy would be Leas-Chathaoirleach. Fine Gael was not to know this.
The happy hormones returned when everyone went to Toby’s afterwards for refreshments.

200 FUNCTIONS
During the well-deserved tributes paid earlier in the evening, the Town Manager, Peter Hynes, said that the outgoing Cathaoirleach, Declan Dever, had attended over 200 functions in his role as first citizen during the year. He clocked in over 1,000 hours. Granted, there is a stipend with the position, but it probably just about kept the former Cathaoirleach in a change of shirts! Some days he only had enough time to change his clothes between functions! The Dever link with public service over several generations in Westport town was well and truly polished over the past year. He now realises that living so close to the Council chamber has its drawbacks. Every time a ‘visitor’ arrived unexpectedly at the Council offices the Cathaoirleach was called and appeared at short notice!    
His year started with a civic reception for the Chernobyl Children before he rolled on to Dick Bourke’s Music Festival. He was present at the Communities in Bloom and the wonderful Pride of Place, returning the compliment to almost 90 community groups in Westport by hosting a function and presenting certificates. It was a small gesture but a memorable act. He attended Covie Week (where he was almost stuck for words after a surprise presentation to him!). There were many other functions: Gael Force, the Arts Festival, Tidy Towns Awards in Dublin Castle (where four awards were collected), Allergan’s 30th anniversary, Aror’s 25th anniversary, awards functions (sports, business and people), Oireachtas na Samhna, Google Town of Tomorrow, Boxing Club 40th anniversary, St Patrick’s Day Parade, Westport Journal, Cathaoirleach’s Ball, National Tree Week, Gnó Mhaigheo, John O’Shea (Goal), Martina ‘Oscar’ Niland, AMT3D (three-dimensional Westport model), Sisters of Mercy, Natural Gas Supply ‘Switch-On’, Scoil Phádraig’s Green Flag, 52nd Sea Angling Competition, The Cove (youth facility), numerous art exhibitions, civic receptions, countless meetings and a wish to lie in front of a train! The new train arrived instead, as did new houses.
He formally opened ‘Station Rise’ on Altamont Street on Wednesday last – a wonderful housing scheme under the auspices of the Council and the Clúid Housing Association. Some houses are for returning Covie emigrants – an aspect of the Westport Development Plan.
There were days of grief with the passing of Evelyn Flanagan who worked in the Town Council offices. There were other sad days with the death of Katy French, who had spent time in Westport as part of a national television show. Retirement events were honoured – John Joe O’Malley, PJ Mulroy, Johnny Monaghan and Pádraig Higgins. Trips were made to Slovenia, Limavady, Vienna and Plougastel – all as first citizen.  At the same time he had to have time for his wife, Maura, and family. He had to work alongside Council staff and take heed when the Town Clerk, Ann Moore, advised him that it was time to get his hair trimmed! For a man who had just left the fuel business, he spent a high-octane year burning energy as Cathaoirleach.

CITIZEN KEANE
Martin Keane has it all ahead of him! The best advice he received last Wednesday was echoed by several councillors – do it your way. No better man! The already high profiles of his selfless work for the youth of the parish, Annual Christmas Toy Appeal and Annual Fuel Appeal will now receive even greater prominence. Younger people will be even more anxious than ever for their skateboard park! The new Cathaoirleach is already taking Irish classes and is thinking of dabbling in a little French! He has ordered a coat with a hundred pockets for his lotto envelopes!  After 17 years as an elected member and without the distinction of ever being the Cathaoirleach, Martin Keane’s time has come. It is only he who could be the winner in ‘breaking the deal’ that had been entered into by the two main parties. It is a good thing that such deal-making is over.  It benefitted no one other than politicians, in the narrowest of understandings. Hopefully it will not be repeated after the next local elections. High office in local councils is the right of all elected councillors.
Chieftain Keane will have the onerous task of keeping order for the next year. He will. He has friends in high places, especially his mother. If she looked out for him in life she will do so in death. Such love is eternal.