THE NOMINATION of former Fine Gael TD and minister Peter Barry to receive the freedom of his native Cork city is being opposed by at least one councillor.
Fine Gael Lord Mayor of Cork Dara Murphy nominated Mr Barry for the honour but former Green Party councillor, Chris O’Leary, who is now an Independent, opposes the move.
Mr O’Leary said the award was now becoming a “farce” and was turning in to a “political handout”.
He added: “In the current climate with the very high numbers of people unemployed, such timing and awarding is inappropriate.”
It is thought that despite the possible opposition of a few councillors, the vote would go heavily in favour of the freedom of the city being conferred on Mr Barry.
Labour Party councillor John Kelleher said the majority of his party councillors would support the nomination.
However, he said there had been concern in recent years about the freedom of the city being awarded too frequently and to individuals who were not always widely supported.
Mr Barry was educated in Cork and then became the major shareholder in the family company, Barry’s Tea. His daughter Deirdre Clune, succeeded him in the 1997 general election for Fine Gael. She failed to be re-elected in 2002 but was successful in retaking the seat in the 2007 election.
Mr Barry was a Dáil TD for Cork constituencies between 1969 and 1997. He served as tánaiste in 1987 and deputy leader of Fine Gael between 1979 and 1987 and from 1989 to 1993.
He was also a minister for foreign affairs, the environment, transport and power and education.
Ms Clune became the third generation of her family to hold the mayoralty in Cork, following in the footsteps of her father, who was lord mayor of Cork in 1970-71 and her late grandfather, Anthony, who was lord mayor in 1960-61.