Mayor John Moran seeks talks as Limerick council staff feel 'cynically undermined'

MAYOR John Moran is seeking talks with council staff representatives as the fallout continues over his comments about Christmas in Limerick.

In a week where the mayor was quizzed about his working relationship with council director general, Dr Pat Daly, on national radio, he has been told by two workers' representatives - in a private email obtained by Limerick Live - that they feel their work is being “cynically undermined in the political realm”.

This comes after an unprecedented series of events led to a stormy meeting last week where the first citizen was taken to task by councillors over comments he made over the festive programme in Limerick, suggesting: “It’s a question of higher standards”.

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Mayor Moran was accused of throwing Dr Daly and his staff “under the bus” and watched on as councillors gave the director general and his staff a vote of confidence.

Now, in an email sent to Mayor Moran, and staff of the local authority, two workers’ representatives have responded to what they described as “a number of complaints” registered by both colleagues and the public following the mayor's initial comments on Live95.

“Firstly our mandated contractual requirements of being apolitical public servants is being cynically undermined in the political realm, one in which we do not, nor want to, operate in,” the email reads.

The staff added the level of service they provide to Limerick is “second to none in the State”.

In an email response - also obtained by the Leader - Mayor Moran requested a meeting with the two representatives. He insisted he did not believe his comments on radio were “fairly presented”.

“Also, if you will permit, I would like to discuss other observations you might want to make more generally and my own concerns and observations to see how I can help.”

Council declined to comment.

On Monday, Mayor Moran was quizzed by Philip Boucher Hayes on RTE Radio One’s Today programme over the cancellation of his proposed Christmas market.

Mayor Moran denied claims from the presenter that the council and executive were moving in different directions, and that he was “scapegoating” Dr Daly.