VEC exclusion - Fine Gael get it wrong

THERE are 25 members of the Cork Vocational Education Committee but the rawest gombeenism has been used by Fine Gael to advance their party interests and bring an admirable tradition of inclusion to an end.

On Monday Cork county councillors voted to exclude the Church of Ireland nominee from the committee to facilitate the election of Tom Sheahan, a FG failure at the last local elections.

There is a long-standing tradition that two religious nominees are given a place on the committee but Monday’s self-serving and out-of-touch vote by the Fine Gael-dominated council put that aside.

Already Bishop Paul Colton has called for a review of how legislation, designed to protect minority interests in the country VEC structures, was followed in this instance. If it is shown the rules, or their spirit, were not observed, then the vote must be revisited.

Though the country aches for change Fine Gael’s actions repeatedly beg the question – are they up to the job? This vote only strengthens that doubt.