While it would be easy to label some politicians as playing fast and hard with the truth some times, the 31 elected members of Mayo County Council will have to get used to getting to the point of what they want to say a lot quicker from now on.
At the December meeting of the local authority a countdown clock was introduced for the first time. The clock gives each member just three minutes to speak on an issue from when he/she take to his/her feet. While the clock was met with general approval there were some disgruntled voices from the benches with Fine Gael councillor Patsy O’Brien adamantly against it. “I don’t agree with it, it’s undemocratic as I’m concerned I’m very disappointed with it,” the south Mayo councillor told the meeting.
Independent councillor Frank Durcan also expressed his displeasure. “I don’t agree with the clock when the bench [county council executives] can speak for an hour if they want,” Cllr Durcan said.
Despite a few complaints from members, the majority of councillors stuck to the three minute limit with their contributions. In response to the criticism from some of the members, Cathaoirleach Cllr Michael Burke informed the members that it was already in the standing orders of the council that the members were supposed to have been limited to three minutes speaking time each on the different issues.
