Talks on freedom of city for Geldof put off to autumn

Dublin city councillors have delayed a move to consider Sir Bob Geldof for the freedom of the city after a row yesterday between the newly-elected Lord Mayor and her deputy.

Councillors attending last night's monthly meeting were told discussions would take place between now and September to consider bestowing their highest honour on the singer and anti-poverty campaigner.

The idea came from new Green Party deputy mayor Bronwen Maher, who sent out a press release yesterday calling for Geldof to be honoured for his work in raising global consciousness about injustice in Africa.

Under council rules, only the Lord Mayor can propose a person for freedom of the city. However, when contacted about the matter, Fine Gael's Catherine Byrne, who was elected mayor last week, said the idea had been "sprung" on her.

She said Ms Maher should have contacted her before going public, and that she had tried to contact her deputy about the matter but was unable to do so.

The two women later talked, after which Ms Byrne contacted the leaders of the main parties on the council. A compromise agreement was reached under which the issue will be discussed fully in the autumn.

"It's a huge thing to give the freedom of the city to someone, so it has to be properly thought out. We have to make sure he'll accept it," said Ms Byrne.

When the meeting opened last night, the mayor said she would discuss the matter with the group leaders with a view to bringing the matter forward through the council's protocol committee. Councillors unanimously assented to this approach.

Veteran Labour councillor Eric Byrne had earlier criticised Ms Maher's move. "The protocol is that you don't tell a journalist about something like this until you have unanimous agreement," he told The Irish Times.

However, Ms Maher defended her actions, saying the proposal was "an excellent idea". Asked if she should have approached the Lord Mayor first, she said this wasn't necessary. She denied breaking protocol and accusations of one-upmanship.

This is nothe first time that a proposal to honour Geldof has caused a flap among Dublin councillors. In 1985, shortly after the LiveAid concerts, a civic reception was held in his honour. However, some councillors took offence at Geldof's claim that "political corruption and backhanders" were brutalising the capital and turning it into "a shambolical mess".

In Britain yesterday, the Sun newspaper suggested Geldof should receive the Nobel Peace Prize. "In 1979, Mother Teresa won the Nobel Peace Prize for her 'struggle to overcome poverty and distress in the world'. What more obvious winner could there be of the next award in 2006?" 10 Downing Street had no immediate comment to make about the suggestion of a Nobel prize for Geldof.