Councillors 'knew nothing' about Chinese ambassador's visit to Mayo

Foreign dignitaries are being feted in Mayo by unelected officials while councillors hear about these visits second-hand from members of the public, it has been claimed.

Fine Gael councillor Peter Flynn raised the matter at the September meeting of Mayo County Council following a recent visit to Mayo by the Chinese Ambassador to Ireland, noting that councillors "didn’t know a single thing" about the visit.

“Have we been written out by the council in terms of our representation? Because the fact is, the Cathaoirleach and the 29 councillors here are the 30 representatives of this council; and if we have someone as significant as the ambassador of the country with the biggest population in the world and the most influential country in the world coming here, I find it unbelievable that elected representatives are not even told about the visit or given the opportunity to be there, yet I know the Cathaoirleach (Cllr John Caulfield) and the Chief Executive (Kevin Kelly) were there.” 

Addressing Mr Kelly, Cllr Flynn continued: “Chief Executive, you are a paid employee, and I respect that role, but ultimately, you are not a representative of Mayo County Council and the people of this county. However, every five years, we as councillors put our name on the ballot paper, and it is the people that decide are we to be back another five years to represent them or not.” 

Cllr Flynn claimed a similar situation arose at Ireland West Airport earlier this year "where the [council's] senior executive appeared in a photoshoot following an investment announcement".

“Yet the executive did not contribute significantly to the investment at all, and nobody told us councillors it was on. We were also not invited to Knock Airport to see the Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney off and we have already flagged how outrageous it was that the Cathaoirleach of Westport-Belmullet Municipal District was not even invited out to Aughagower for Mr Carney’s visit there.” 

The Westport councillor went on to declare: “All thirty councillors should have the opportunity to meet with important delegates, and to ensure our chambers of commerce, and our multi-agencies and all the different stakeholders involved in developing our area are also invited along and given an opportunity to be represented. We are the representatives of this local authority, and I ask that we be respected.” 

Mr Kelly said it was "normal" for an ambassador or dignitary to seek a meeting with the council chief executive and the Cathaoirleach.

"It is not a civic reception so is not a matter for the full members. This happens and is standard procedure in every county. I have outlined in the memo to members today that if they wish to formulate a revised procedure, I am very happy to work with them on this. I remember you wanted a revised protocol for civic receptions and have indicated I am very open to that too. You have a protocol committee, I don’t know has it ever met, but it seems to me that is the appropriate forum and then bring back any proposal here before the members.” 

Cllr Flynn replied: “It is the Cathaoirleach and the 29 councillors that need to be recognised. It is not your decision. We do not need protocol. We are the representatives of the people for better or worse and we expect respect for that.” 

Mr Kelly asked whether all councillors should be invited the next time an ambassador visited the county.

Cllr Michael Burke interjected: “I think if the visit is in your municipal district, it is appropriate for local representatives to be invited, if that is agreeable to the ambassador.” 

Cllr John Caulfield said he had been happy to meet with the Chinese Ambassador in Castlebar and then travel to Westport for a visit to the greenway.

"It was a most informative and constructive meeting," he added.

Cllr Brendan Mulroy asked whether the ambassador met any other groups or individuals in Westport, to which the Cathaoirleach replied: “No, we just showed him around.” 

Cllr Mulroy, who is Cathaoirleach of Westport-Belmullet Municipal District, said he would like to have "notified at least". 

"It is a terrible situation when there is an official group in your area and people ask you about it and you have to say you don’t know what is going on.” 

Cllr Gerry Coyle added that he had the privilege of recently meeting the Argentinian Ambassador in his role as Leas Cathaoirleach.

"I believed all councillors put their trust in me to meet her. I also invited the American Ambassador to Erris, and, on a personal level, I texted all municipal district councillors as well and it was great to see Cllr John O’Hara (Ballina MD) was there to welcome her as well.”

Cllr Damien Ryan proposed that the protocol committee be revived in order “to have a conversation about a number of matters raised”.

• Published as part of the Local Democracy Reporting Scheme.