‘It’s a really difficult job to do’
Councillors of Tipperary County Council were recently given a presentation from the Association of Irish Local Government (AILG), which is an organisation that aims to support councillors in their role as local representatives and inform them of the supports and services that they can avail of as public representatives.
A range of issues that face councillors as public representatives were highlighted during this meeting. Councillors expressed their concerns about the level of abuse that they receive both in person and online, the impracticalities of councillors working this role alongside another job, and their need as councillors to be able to seek independent legal advice to assist them in their role.
“It’s a really difficult job to do,” expressed Cllr Seamie Morris, highlighting how negatively councillors can be treated in their day to day lives. “It’s not just a social media thing, it’s up close and personal,” he continued, highlighting how he has received abuse from people both in person and online. There was widespread agreement among councillors about the level of abuse that they receive online as public representatives and how this hate can be amplified through algorithms on social media.
ALGORITHIMS ‘DRIVING HATE’
“I beg our Government to do something with our social media algorithms, because they are driving hate,” stated Cllr Morris.
This experience with social media was echoed by Cllr Mark Fitzgerlad: “I dread putting up a post on social media because I know the negativity that it is going to draw. People are so angry, the algorithms have people in this constant circle of anger and venting.” He said the abuse at times discouraged him from doing his job.
COUNCILLORS ‘FUEL THE FIRE’
Whilst also agreeing with the other councillors, Cllr Michael Smith pointed out how local councillors can also contribute to this online abuse. “I think at times councillors fuel the fire,” he stated.
The negative impact of social media on public representatives was also shared by Cllr Mary Hanna Hourigan, who is President of the AILG. Cllr Hourigan shared how she ended up removing herself from social media as a result on the abuse she received as a public representative. “I’m probably the only councillor who is not on social media,” she stated, going on to outline the level of abuse she experienced both online and in person, and how it led to her leaving social media for her own mental health and for her family.
“I know I’m at a disadvantage,” she continued highlighting how this abuse affected her work as a public representative whilst also stressing that regardless of this disadvantage, she will never return to social media.
Representative of AILG, Elaine Lynch, shared that this experience of abuse was found across the board among councillors from the results of two surveys that were conducted by the organisation: “Both times the results were quite stark,” she shared, stating that highlighted how this abuse had led to some councillors considering leaving the role as a public representative.
Councillors also expressed their wish to be able to avail of independent legal advice, so that they could best fulfil their role as public representatives: “We need to have our own independent legal advice so that we understand the implications that decisions may have,” expressed Cllr Máirín McGrath. Similarly, Cllr Liam Browne pointed out that councillors need to be able to avail of this legal advice, so that they can best support people looking for help: “They can’t afford solicitors, so they come to us,” he said.
MORE THAN A PART-TIME ROLE
Councillors expressed their concerns with most of them having to work a full-time job alongside this role, whilst also being expected to fulfil their obligations as a public representative. Although councillors praised the training and support services of the AILG, some councillors pointed out how their working schedules run in conflict to some of their events.
“I’ve never been to a conference, I’ve never been to a training event,” expressed Cllr David Dunne. “I’ve been unable to attend because I work 12-hour shifts,” he added.
This was echoed by Cllr Browne, who questioned if councillors were having to take time off from their full-time jobs to attend sessions held by AILG.
“I do have great empathy for those who are working full time,” expressed Cllr Hourigan, highlighting the expanding nature of the role for local councillors.