In the chamber on Monday afternoon, during the traditional round of congratulations to all those who had excelled in Co Wexford over the past month, Cllr Vicky Barron offered her praised to all those who had commemorated International Women’s Day, in particular those at Wexford Women’s Refuge where Cllr Barron is the current chair.
“On the day we had a presentation on online abuse and consent, including information on how to respond when you’re told no,” recounted Cllr Barron. “The understanding of men and boys around consent is especially important in the current climate, conversations around consent are really important, those conservations need to be had in this chamber.”
Referencing a motion she had jointly submitted with Cllr Bridín Murphy in November of last, Cllr Barron said she had already asked for councillors to receive training on how to recognise domestic, sexual and gender-based violence.
“That still hasn’t progressed,” she noted. “This is important work, considering the current climate. It is not okay to touch anyone, the legal definition of assault is touching anyone without consent, sexual assault is defined as . . .”
At this point, noises of disapproval began to emanate from the top table with Cllr Sullivan asking whether Cllr Barron was “straying away from the the topic” at hand.
“I respectully ask that you give me my five minutes,” came the response.
That request was eventually granted but only after all congratulations had been issued.
Five minutes later, Cllr Barron resumed.
“We did ask for training to be delivered for councillors in relation to domestic, sexual and gender-based violence, we still haven’t had that,” she said. “I asked for it to be progressed, and we need to include all staff of WCC in this. We need to understand our limits as county councillors; many of us don’t have offices so there has to be an understanding of where we meet. These meetings happen everywhere, and, whether we like it or not, there’s a code of ethics which accompanies us.”
That was as far as Cllr Barron got as, on this occasion, she was firmly stopped in her tracks.
Cathaoirleach of Wexford County Council, Cllr Joe Sullivan. Photo: Jim Campbell
“I’m going to adjourn for ten minutes,” announced Cllr Sullivan. “I want to meet the whips from each party and have a short word.”
“This needs to be addressed and you are silencing me,” protested Cllr Barron above the ensuing din. Support came from Cllr Lisa McDonald who argued that “closing down debate like this is not fair”.
However, the cathaoirleach was not for turning and he swiftly departed the scene, accompanied by the chief executive, Cllrs Anthony Donohue (FG), Pip Breen (FF), John O’Rourke (IND), Tom Forde (SF), Pat Barden (Wexford Independent Alliance), Cllr Barron herself, and county secretary Michael Drea.
After an extended break which lasted over 20 minutes and had senior members checking the record books for similar instances, Cllr Sullivan returned and the meeting commenced.
The chair immediately called upon Cllr Barron to carry on where she had left off.
“That motion needs to be followed up on and consent needs to apply to both men and women,” she continued. “It’s important we as a council are seen to promote open and honest transparency in all we do.”
“Thanks very much, Vicky,” replied Cllr Sullivan.
Funded by the Local Democracy Reporting Scheme.