A MOTION calling on the elected members of Donegal County Council to register their dissatisfaction concerning an ongoing industrial dispute over wages was ruled out of order at this week's Council meeting.

Sinn Fein Councillor Pearse Doherty was blocked from raising the issue of disgruntled council workers by Cllr Enda Bonner, Cathaoirleach.

The dispute involves up to 80 workers who work under annualised hours, effectively removing over time entitlements.

A joint statement issued by the Council and the trade union, SIPTU, to this newspaper earlier this month said recent media reports that some part time road workers had not been paid bench marking increases were unhelpful as negotiations were ongoing.

ONGOING

Speaking at Monday's meeting Mr McLoone said that as discussions and negotiations were ongoing he felt 'constrained' as to what he could say and he asked the members to respect his position.

However, Cllr Doherty challenged the ruling saying that it was a serious issue and stating that a second union, the Independent Workers' Union, had taken eight cases to the Labour Right's Commissioner.

"We are allowed to express our views on any matter and I would ask the Manager to review this situation," Cllr Doherty said.

Fianna Fail Councillor Patrick McGowan claimed that Cllr Doherty was engaging in 'typical Sinn Fein b.....t' at which point Cllr Pádraig MacLochlainn (Sinn Fein) asked him to withdraw the remark.

With Cllr Bonner ruling the matter out of order and Cllr MacLochlainn using similar choice 'parliamentary language' to describe Fianna Fail the meeting drew to a close.