Disagreement on ETB board appointment

Cavan Monaghan Education and Training board (CMETB) is to look at how other ETBs around the country divide out responsibilities between their members. It follows a discussion at the most recent board meeting, during which some members asked if there was fair division between both Cavan and Monaghan.

Cllr Clifford Kelly proposed to nominate Cllr Sarah O’Reilly to the board of IPB Insurance, the body which provides insurance cover for public bodies across the country. Cllr O’Reilly is a current member of the board but her term is coming to an end.

However, Castleblayney councillor Aidan Campbell asked if Cllr O’Reilly was “interested” in the job, given she had sent her apologies to the meeting as she could not attend. “Is she interested? She hasn’t been to the last few meetings," he remarked.

Asked by Chair Cllr Carmel Brady if there were any other nominations for the role, he responded: “I was going to nominate Cllr David Maxwell.” The nomination was seconded by Cllr PJ O’Hanlon.

Chief Executive Dr Fiona McGrath said a vote of members would need to be held as there was more than one nomination for the post, before Cllr Maxwell withdrew his name from contention.

Cllr Colm Carthy noted there could be “a genuine [reason] she [Cllr O’Reilly] isn’t here”.

Social media posts showed she was attending the ploughing championships with her party, Áontu. “I do believe these things should be rotated around between Cavan and Monaghan,” said Cllr PJ O’Hanlon.

Chair Cllr Brady urged a note be taken for next year that the post should then be rotated.

Cllr Carthy went further to suggest a review of all such positions take place.

“It would be good to have a look at positions on boards and try to make sure both counties are equally represented on boards.”

Director of Organisational Support and Development Berni Power said she would liaise with other ETBs to assess their criteria for board appointments.