Longford County Council must reverse their decision to change meeting times according to teacher and councillor. The executive changed the time of the monthly meeting of Longford Municipal District Councillors from 4pm to 11am. Fine Gael councillors and a local Fine Gael Senator have highlighted the difficulty faced by local councillors working full time jobs during the day, especially those teaching.
Senator Micheal Carrigy raised the issue in the Seanad last week, while Councillor Peggy Nolan tabled it in Longford County Council. Councillors Niall Gannon and Gerry Hagan, who teach kids with special educational needs, have highlighted how their absences to attend meetings has been affecting their students. The schools are not allowed to get substitute teachers if the councillors leave to go to the council meetings. Councillor Niall Gannon says the decision adds further barriers in front of those hoping to enter politics:
