Galway city councillors have refused to meet a deputation from a local anti-war group which is objecting to the continued inclusion of war planes in the annual air show in Salthill.
The Galway Alliance Against War requested in 2003 and 2004 that the council discontinue its subvention to the air show if it continued to include war planes. Despite the inclusion of such planes, the council continued to provide the subvention.
"This year the Galway alliance would like to make the same request as we believe that an otherwise entertaining spectacle is being spoiled by the totally inappropriate inclusion of war planes," it said .
The Galway air show attracts some 100,000 people to Salthill each July, and is a vital source of revenue for the area.
Cllr Niall Ó Brolcháin (Green Party) proposed that a deputation from the group be permitted to address the council. He was seconded by Cllr Billy Cameron (Labour), who said there were plenty of other aircraft that could be flown at the show apart from war planes.
However, eight councillors voted against allowing the deputation into the chamber, with five voting for.
Mayor Catherine Connolly said it was a sad day for Galway that the council would not let a deputation tell it why it did not want war planes flying over the city, particularly in light of the current situation in Iraq.
Cllr John Mulholland (FG) said he would be very keen for the air show to continue and progress. The Red Arrows, probably the most prolific pilots in the world, had been a very important part of the show over the past two years.
Cllr Brian Walsh (FG) said he would be against meeting the deputation as its main purpose would be to try to convince the council to withdraw funding for the show. The event was a great source of revenue for Salthill, and brought thousands of people to the resort.
Cllr Colette Connolly said she could not see why the councillors would not just listen to the arguments of the deputation. She said it set an extremely bad precedent.
