Why did Alan Kelly MEP call for the resignation of Mayor of Limerick Kevin Kiely?

I find it outrageous that Labour MEP Alan Kelly would call for the resignation of an elected holder of public office on the grounds that he doesn't agree with what he says. Freedom of speech is enshrined in our constitution, and I believe that Mayor Kiely was simply exercising this right in his comments reported in the Irish Examiner this week.

There is nothing wrong with Mr Kiely criticising so-called "welfare tourism" where it does exist. My criticism of him would be that he didn't indicate that social welfare fraud by Irish people is equally as harmful as abuse by those from overseas.

According to the Limerick Leader, Mr Kelly said that Mr Kiely's comments smack of "right wing comments." Surely as a member of Fine Gael, a right-wing party, it is only right and proper that Mayor Kiely should be coming out with right wing comments? I recall that Leo Varadkar mooted the idea of adopting a Spanish-style pay immigrants to go home style policy in the last 18 months or so. It must be said that the Spanish system and any proposals Varadkar mentioned would be limited to non-EU nationals.

Despite what Mr Kelly was reported to have said in the Leader, Limerick has not always been welcome to outsiders. To say so is just a warm and fuzzy meaningless electorate-pleasing soundbite.

I believe Alan Kelly should retract his call for the Mayor's resignation. I too disagree with Mayor Kiely's sentiments, and am actually alarmed at his grasp of how the social welfare system in this country operates. However, he has simply voiced his opinion, thereby encouraging much-needed debate on the issue of welfare entitlements.