Council members have clashed over the changing of a break time during a meeting in Derry.
Wednesday afternoon saw the full monthly meeting of Derry City and Strabane District Council take place at 2pm, three hours before a protest at Derry’s Guildhall Square over Israel shutting the offices of broadcaster Al Jazeera in Ramallah in the West Bank.
People Before Profit councillor Shaun Harkin suggested councillors should be free to attend the vigil, organised by the National Union of Journalists (NUJ).
Great turnout at the vigil in solidarity with Al Jazeera brothers and sisters in Ramallah - supporters included the Mayor, DCSD councillors, trades unionists, and a visiting delegation from Palestine
Posted by Derry & North West NUJ on Wednesday 25 September 2024
He proposed that “given the number of journalists that have been killed”, the meeting would be suspended at 5pm to allow members to attend.
Mayor and SDLP councillor Lilian Barr suggested that the members’ usual 15-minute break at 4pm could be moved up to 5pm to allow members to attend, which councillor Harkin agreed to.
However, DUP Alderman Niree McMorris said it was “appalling” that the break was not happening at 4pm, as she had caring responsibilities outside the chamber.
“We shouldn’t be stopping proceedings and proceedings shouldn’t be stopped “willy-nilly,” she said.
“I’m not saying the cause isn’t worthwhile, but if people want to leave the chamber then they can leave the chamber.
“They’re free to do that, but I think proceedings should proceed on.”
DUP Alderman Julie Middleton said that she “can’t believe” the break time was being changed, as she had a new-born baby at home, and said she would “appreciate that if we take a break at five that we’re out on time”.
Independent councillor Gary Donnelly noted that the council had changed break times in the past and members were “entitled to do that even if you disagree with the reason for doing it”.
He said: “It hasn’t been opposed before and whether it’s for Armistice or Bloody Sunday we have done it.
“Where journalists are being slaughtered, I think we have a duty to show solidarity.”
The proposal passed with 33 votes in favour and 3 votes against.
