Council pact formation still based on 'paying positions'

As the dust settles on the newly elected council and the recent 'pact' formed by its members, the process in itself was questioned as to whether forming a pact is still the most effective approach. 

In the pact formed since the local elections in June, 21 members make up the majority of the Council (Fine Gael, Fianna Fáil, Labour and five Independents), with 11 members not included (Sinn Féin, one Social Democrat and three Independents).

As Deputy Mayor, Cllr Frank Quinlan (Fine Gael) told the Waterford News & Star that the formation of the pact reflects how the pact has worked previously and how he hopes it will continue to do so during this term. 

"I think we have very like-minded people in the pact, so that's a good thing to have and the budgetary decisions that have been made on the previous Council worked out really well," he said. 

"The majority of the Council members that are on the pact now were on the previous one and we worked very well together, so I can't see there being any problems going forward," added the Deputy Mayor. 

Holding the only seat for the Social Democrats on the Council, Cllr Roche highlighted how she thinks the formation of pacts should be done differently. 

"It is a political truism that 'eight beats seven' as I was once told in relation to pact formation. It's how political business gets done both at local and indeed national level," said Cllr Roche. 

She continued, "However, I would prefer if pacts were based on policy and delivery for citizens rather than mayoralties and paying positions. 

"Personally, I wasn't surprised not to have been involved as the one time I was in a pact I refused to honour it in the aftermath of Fine Gael nationally doing away with Waterford's City status, thereby disadvantaging us in respect of other cities. They have not forgotten and neither have I," concluded Cllr Roche.