Minutes:
Councillor Des Guckian referred to the minutes of 1st March 2021 and expressed the view that those minutes were not accurate in relation to his motion on the Land Development Agency Bill and he was misrepresented. He stated that the minutes did not reflect the discussion that took place around his motion. Councillor Guckian asked that the minutes be corrected, and published with an apology to Councillor Des Guckian.
Councillor Des Guckian asked Councillor Sean McGowan to confirm if Cllr McGowan’s motion was taken after his motion and if Cllr McGowan has seconded his motion.
Councillor Sean McGowan said he recalled that his motion was taken immediately afterwards Cllr Guckian and that he seconded the motion.
Cathaoirleach, Councillor Paddy O’Rourke outlined that at the May meeting, Cllr Guckian had outlined his dissatisfaction with the presentation of the minutes and was given the opportunity to amend the draft minutes of the 1st March 2021 but did not put forward an amendment. The Cathaoirleach stated Cllr Guckian is aware of procedures available to make a change to a resolution, but it cannot be dealt with at this meeting.
Councillor Des Guckian said the minutes should be accurate and balanced and the onus is on the Meetings Administrator to ensure this or otherwise this is an attack on him and his credability.
Mr Kieran Brett, Meetings Administrator outlined that the draft minutes of the 1st March 2021 Council meeting were circulated to the members in advance of the 4th May 2021 Council meeting. These minutes were in draft form only and at the meeting were proposed and seconded with no amendments proposed by any member and thereby the minutes were adopted by resolution. Had an amendment been sought to the draft minutes at the meeting on May 4th, this would have been done and the amended minutes would have been adopted by resolution. Mr Brett said he, or any members of the executive, cannot amend any resolution that has been adopted by the elected members of the Council.
Councillor Padraig Fallon suggested at some stage at the end of August early September the Executive could refresh the Members how the minutes are recorded, and procedures involved.
Councillor Des Guckian referred to his request that meetings be recorded.
Ms Mary Quinn, Director of Services outlined that minutes are not a verbatim record of what was said at a meeting but a summary, recording decisions taken and then implemented accordingly. She stated there was no malice or otherwise intended on the part of anyone in terms of how Cllr Guckian’s motion was recorded.
She further outlined that the standing orders set out the procedure on how a motion to revoke or amend a resolution of the Council can be made, with the support of a certain number of members.
Councillor Brendan Barry said he supported Councillor Des Guckian’s view that meetings should be recorded. He said if a member is unhappy with an item in the draft minutes, the member should circulate a proposed amendment to all other members in advance of the meeting.
Cathaoirleach, Councillor Paddy O’Rourke again outlined that Cllr Guckian had not put forward an amendment at the May meeting and the minutes adopted at that meeting now form part of the record. There are procedures available to Cllr Guckian and he proposed to move on with the meeting.
Cllr Guckian did not accept the comments and again highlighted the responsibilities on the officials in terms of recording of minutes.
Mr Lar Power, Chief Executive stated he had an issue with the aspersions being cast on Council staff by Cllr Des Guckian. He stated that Ms Quinn and Mr Brett have outlined the provisions relating to the minutes and are one hundred per cent correct.
Councillor Des Guckian said this was an attack on him and he would go on his own way in regard to the matter.
On the PROPOSAL of Cllr. Enda Stenson
SECONDED by Cllr. Caillian Ellis
It was AGREED to adopt the minutes of 4th May 2021.