Limerick, Ireland – The chambers of the Limerick Corporation were filled with heated debates and passionate discussions on Thursday night as councillors grappled with two resolutions received from the Cork Borough Council. The focus of the discussions revolved around the contentious issue of the exclusion of Ulster, a topic that has stirred emotions and political divides across the nation.

The resolutions, received by Town Clerk Mr Wm. M. Nolan, J.P. on different dates, presented opposing views on the matter. The first resolution staunchly protested any proposal for the exclusion of Ulster, while the second condemned Ulster’s veto power over Irish legislation. However, a procedural mistake led to the confusion, as resolution number one was not initially read in conjunction with the second, sparking a series of perplexing debates among the councillors.

The confusion reached a point where tempers flared, and what some described as “wigs on the green” temporarily dominated the discourse. A handful of councillors appeared to interpret the first resolution as a vote of no confidence in the Irish Party, leading to a split in voting. Meanwhile, a minority faction advocated for the adjournment of the resolutions for a period of three months.

Councillor Dalton, in an attempt to clarify the situation, described the mix-up as a mistake, attributing the confusion to the failure to consider both resolutions together. Despite his efforts, the ensuing debates remained both amusing and puzzling, reflecting the complexity of the issue at hand.

The rejection of the first resolution followed intense and pointed exchanges among councillors, each defending their stance on the matter. Eventually, Alderman McNiece proposed a resolution reaffirming confidence in the Parliamentary Party, which gained approval with only a few dissenting voices.

The incident highlights the deep divisions and divergent opinions within the Limerick Corporation regarding the issue of Ulster’s exclusion. The debate not only underscored the complexities of the topic but also brought to the forefront the challenges faced by local authorities in navigating the broader political landscape.

Ulster’s exclusion has been a long-standing point of contention, with varying perspectives on how to address the issue. The resolutions from the Cork Borough Council injected new life into the debate, forcing councillors to confront the nuances and intricacies of the matter head-on.

The outcome of the meeting reflects the ongoing struggle within Irish politics to find a consensus on the Ulster question. As the nation grapples with divergent views, the Limerick Corporation’s discussions serve as a microcosm of the broader challenges faced by the Irish political landscape in navigating the intricacies of national unity and regional autonomy.

While the adopted resolution expressing confidence in the Parliamentary Party may bring a momentary sense of unity, it is clear that the issue of Ulster’s exclusion will continue to be a source of contention and debate in the days and months ahead. The lively proceedings at the Limerick Corporation meeting underscore the complexity of the political climate and the ongoing efforts to find a common ground on this deeply divisive issue.

Evening Herald (Dublin) – Saturday 04 April 1914