2009 Press Releases
28.09.2009
At a recent workshop, organised by UCC’s Department of Government, the Lord Mayor of Cork, Councillor Dara Murphy advised local councillors to ‘play the media game’ and to be more aware of how the media works if they wish to progress in their political careers.
The Lord Mayor was speaking at the Department of Government Annual Local Government Workshop, organised by Dr Theresa Reidy and Fiona Buckley. He commended the Department for its continuing commitment to local politics.
The workshop attracted 30 councillors from Cork, Limerick, Tipperary, Kilkenny and Meath, many of whom are first-time elected members. The opening paper was presented by Dr Aodh Quinlivan who asserted that while the environment in which elected members operate has changed a lot in the past twenty years, the way that councillors perceive their own role has not moved on. Professor Neil Collins presented the challenges faced by the new public management-style reforms and warned the councillors that they were in danger of being marginalised. Dr Theresa Reidy’s paper focused on local government finance and argued that a local property tax was the best solution available for local authorities.
After lunch, Fiona Buckley claimed that local government is a cold environment for women and she called for greater gender parity within the system. Next, Mary Smithwick, the Political Editor of the Evening Echo offered practical advice to councillors about the local media. She stated that the relationship was two-way and there had to be give and take on both sides. The Lord Mayor then brought the successful proceedings to a close.
Picture: Councillor Dara Murphy, Lord Mayor of Cork
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