FG U-turn as Canon appointed to Cork VEC seat
The row broke out two weeks ago when Fine Gael put up a party member and former county councillor to contest a seat traditionally held by a Church of Ireland representative on the 25-person VEC board.
Tom Sheahan, a former mayor of County Cork who lost his council seat at the last local elections, defeated the Church of Ireland representative, Canon George Salter.
It led to the Church of Ireland’s Bishop Paul Colton criticising the move and Fianna Fáil members of the council accusing Fine Gael of “political cronyism.”
Following the furore Mr Sheahan, an auctioneer from Buttevant, indicated last week that he wouldn’t take up the position as it had never been his intention to cause hurt or division on the VEC.
The move was welcomed by Fianna Fáil who praised Mr Sheahan, but again rounded on Fine Gael councillors for trying to oust minority religious representation on the VEC board.
Yesterday councillors reconvened to discuss who would take up the seat since vacated by Mr Sheahan.
Cllr Aindrias Moynihan (FF) immediately nominated the defeated candidate, Canon Salter, to fill the vacancy.
Canon Salter was outgoing vice-chairman of the VEC and had served on the board for many years.
Everybody waited in an expectant silence for a Fine Gael response.
Fine Gael leader on the council, Cllr Michael Hegarty, then also submitted the name of Canon Salter.
This led to hoots of derision from the Fianna Fáil benches and some loud laughter also from the Labour side.
“Talk about double speak,” Cllr Frank O’Flynn (FF) shouted at the Fine Gael benches.
Canon Salter, who lives on Wellington Road, Cork, was duly elected unopposed to fill the position on the VEC board.
