LEGAL ADVICE HALTS PLAN TO PUNISH UNRULY CITY COUNCILLORS

Date Published: 02-Apr-2013

An attempt to punish unruly city councillors by reducing or suspending their remuneration has been deemed 'unconstitutional'.

In February, a majority of councillors voted in favour of changing Standing Orders at Council meetings, allowing the Council to suspend privileges or remuneration for any councillor deemed to be out-of-order.

However, the Council's own legal advisors have said that the motion which was passed is 'outside the permitted scope of standing orders'.

They also advise that there 'is no statutory power in the local government code" which enables the Council 'to direct that services be withdrawn."

Councillor Padraig Conneely, opposed the amendment which would affect unruly Councillors and says legal advice backs up what he had previously said.

Councillor Peter Keane says that although his motion may be ruled out on legal grounds, change is still needed.