Check my earlier comment, number 15. Toireasa is the Mayor of Kerry, it falls to the council to decide what title the chairperson should use.

More info available here as part of the local government act.

Is this true that she is not Mayor.
I’m sure she was introduced on the Late Late as Mayor of kerry and she certainly didnt object to the title.
I remember the interview, not sure what she was talking about. But i do remember kneeling down at the front of the TV, trying to see what colour knickers she was wearing, if any :-).
Garry

“No Councillor in Fianna Fail requires “authorisation” to say anthing”. Untrue and profoundly naïve. Of course the favorite FF tactic is their obsession in reinforcing their Mafia like code of Omearta with regard to FF white collar corruption.

Elaborate?? well in my view the irish sea is not yet wide enough, as I say another 1500 miles or so would be a help– with luck the whole sorry mess will leak and disappear all together- apologists for murders as Mayors??- one step up from the north I suppose where they go the whole hog and appoint the actual murderers.

On second thoughts make that 2500 miles

That point was also made in the (I think) Irish Independent editorial, but is inaccurate.

As part of the Local Government act, 2001, any local authority can chose whether to call their Chairperson “Caithoirleach”, “Mayor” or “Meara”. The info is set out at in the act itself, here.

At the last monthly meeting of Donegal County Council, they voted to change to Mayor as well. The change was made in Letterkenny in 2003 (I think).

This may not be because they are ‘not authorised’. It’s more likely, given Bertie’s recent pronouncements, that they don’t actually know where Fianna Fáil stand on this one.

Sean Said:
At least she is mayor of Kerry and you are what ?

Not that it matters, but my credentials are all over this site. It doesn’t matter what position I hold; you should either be addressing my points or adding something new to the debate. Ironically, that ties in with the points I raised in the first paragraph about the newspapers that have attacked Toireasa Ferris for her attire, rather than her point. Here, you’re trying to attack me personally, rather than my points.

Saint Said:
Great piece. Damien. I am not much of a Fianna Fail supporter but id probably give you my vote. Alas i am no where near Letterkenny.

I totally argee with your post. This and Molloy show a shocking attitude in Sinn Fein.

Many thanks for your comments, it’s just a pity you’re not in this part of the world!

Kiernan Said:
An interesting exchange on this site. I have not seen the interview in question as Pat Kenny is about as dreary to watch as he is to listen to.
One point strikes me though, when it is claimed that FF councillors and TDs do not have to seek authorisation before making public pronouncements (the free thinking devils). Whilst that may indeed be the case, have you ever seen or heard one (who may be seeking preferment at some stage) step out of line with the party message no matter the context? A casual listen to the Vincent Browne show on RTE radio will serve up endless FF and other ‘mainstream’ politicians brown nosing government policy or their party leader’s stance, attempting to explain away catastrophies and scandals and defend the indefensible in often the most drivelling and jargonistic ways.
I only ask out of interest.

There are, of course, many people in Fianna Fail who will follow the Government line. The point I’m making is that the decision falls to each member as to whether they support the party policy. In a party as large as Fianna Fail, you’re always going to get people who support the official policy, but I highly doubt that everyone supports all the policies all of the time.

Comments are now on again, and unmoderated. Please do not post any offensive or defamatory content. I can accept no liability for anything posted here.

I totally argee with your post. This and Molloy show a shocking attitude in Sinn Fein.