At a recent meeting of the Limerick County Council, chaired by Mrs. John Ryan (Killeoure), Mr W.W. O’Dwyer moved a notice of motion pertaining to the Finance Committee. The motion sought to rescind the portion of the standing orders that defined the number of members constituting the Finance Committee and to consider amending the standing orders in this regard.

Mr O’Dwyer emphasized the necessity for this change, as several Finance Committee meetings had been unable to proceed due to a lack of a quorum. The chairman expressed readiness to proceed with the motion if it was legally permissible. The question arose whether two-thirds of the members present were required to entertain the resolution. The secretary clarified that after six months, it likely would not be necessary to have two-thirds present. The chairman clarified that the Finance Committee currently consisted of nine members, and the resolution sought to change this number. However, the legal aspect of the proposed change was discussed, and doubts were raised about whether they could make the change even with two-thirds present.

Mr Coleman argued that the standing orders had been violated before and could be again. The secretary listed the current members of the Finance Committee, and Mr Hayes proposed that the committee should consist of eleven members, including the chairman and vice-chairman as ex-officio members, and nine other members. The discussion centered on whether they had the power to change the standing orders in the absence of two-thirds of the Council members. The secretary and Mr Lechy supported the view that two-thirds of the members present could decide the matter, not necessarily two-thirds of the entire Council.

In light of the legal advice, the chairman accepted Mr O’Dwyer’s resolution, which passed unanimously. The Council decided to further consider the composition of the Finance Committee at the next meeting.

Limerick Echo – Tuesday 22 August 1905