Sinn Fein’s Naomi Bailie has hit back at unionist councillors who are to ask for a vote of no confidence in her.The Newry, Mourne and Down councillor recently attended an Easter parade – in what she says was in an official capacity.
“The new super councils were created to make council services better value and more efficient,” she said.
“It is deeply disappointing that at a time when we have many new powers to get to grips with that some councillors are still fixated on petty playground politics and point scoring.
“In Mid-Ulster they are are initiating a call in over flags while here there is now this attempt to manufacture a controversy over Easter parades. We have a lot of business to get on with, the people want to see the council working for them not wasting its time by humouring Henry Reilly’s blatant electioneering.
“Let me be clear on this. I was invited by Casca, the organisers of the parade, to the event as Chairperson. They invited me officially through the council, all council protocol was followed and I was happy and honoured to accept. Council officials are also preparing a response confirming that the invite followed all council procedures.
“As Chairperson I will endeavour to represent everyone in our community and consider all invitations sent to me. As a republican I will certainly not be apologising for standing with the hundreds of thousands of people across Ireland and beyond who attended commemorations to remember our patriot dead.”
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