This article is from page 5 of the 2006-05-16 edition of The Clare People. OCR mistakes are to be expected so download the original SWF or the rendered page 5 JPG
THE sin-bin awaits Clare County Councillors whose mobiles ring during meetings.
Mayor of Clare, Pat Keating (FF), says he’ll order councillors to leave the Council Chamber for 10 minutes each time their phones interrupt meetings.
They’ll also have to fork out a fine of €2 for each offence, with the money going to charity.
“The use of mobile phones at council meetings shows a lack of respect for what is going on in the Chamber,” said Mayor Keane.
“Meetings have been disrupted by mobile phone usage and it is the same councillors using the mobile again and again. Initially, the sin-bin initiative will be implemented and we will see how it goes. If councillors disrupt meetings, I will request them to leave the council chamber for 10 minutes.
“I understand that councillors must have their phones switched on to take calls from people, but all I am asking is that councillors have their phone on silent or vibrate.”
Cllr Colm Wiley (FF), an outspoken critic of mobile usage in the Chamber, lashed out at those who put the importance of their calls before the importance of the meetings.
“It is a disgrace that councillors cannot behave themselves. And you have members of the public watching from the public gallery. What must they think?” he asked.
Cllr Wiley said that there was a procession of the same councillors walking out of meeting taking calls on their mobile phones.
“With all the sounds going off, it is like the philharmonic orchestra playing. I’m tempted to ask Cllr Kelly beside me, ‘may I have the next dance?’, with all the music going on.”
But Cllr Wiley said that there was no need for the Mayor to be put in place a sin-bin.
“All that is required is for a sign to be placed on the door of the meeting, ‘please switch off mobile phones’,” he said.
Cllr Wiley said that the usage of mobile phones “is very insulting” to the business of the council.
“It delays meetings. Councillors come back in from taking their call and want to go over ground that has already been covered.”