Councillor claims internet policy will affect privacy of constituents

That’s according to Sinn Fein Councillor John Feely who intends to bypass the strict guidelines by conducting some of his Council business through his personal e-mail address.

The Erne North representative has spoken of his concern that “Council officials can access a councillor’s e-mails without their permission”.

But councillors have “no rights of privacy in their use of the internet” according to the policy, which was revealed in this newspaper last month, and have been warned that failure to follow the new internet rules will lead to disciplinary action.

Councillor Feely believes this will impact on those who raise issues with elected representatives, such as himself.

He told The Impartial Reporter: “A number of my constituents have contacted me raising concerns about their own privacy. They are worried about council officials having access to information that they have intended only for myself or party colleagues to have.” Councillor Feely is now asking constituents to e-mail his personal e-mail address - as opposed to his Council address - to avoid confidential messages being monitored by officials.

“I believe the public must be made aware that Fermanagh and Omagh District Council only have the right to view e-mails sent to my new council provided e-mail. Anybody contacting me through my own e-mail can still do so without any worries about their privacy being infringed. I have already raised this issue in the Council and asked that my own e-mail address be used in my contact details as opposed to my new council e-mail,” he said.

Councillors have been told not to transmit obscene, offensive, damaging or threatening material, or content that is defamatory, infringing copyright or unsolicited advertising. Elected members must not access illegal, inappropriate or pornographic sites and the distribution of such material is “expressly forbidden”.

“On the most part I have no problem with Fermanagh and Omagh’s ICT policy regarding internet usage,” said Councillor Feely. “I fully understand that we, as councillors, must not abuse our position in regards of it.

“The one major problem I have is that it may trample the absolute right to privacy that I believe every constituent must have when contacting his or her elected representative,” he said, adding that he is also concerned about the impact the rules will have on whistle-blowers within the Council.

A spokeswoman for Fermanagh and Omagh District Council was quick to clarify the situation, saying: “ICT policies and procedures was an agenda item considered at the policy and resources committee meeting of the Shadow Council on June 18.

“Appendix one of Paper F contains the e-mail usage policy including that ‘there will not be proactive monitoring of elected members e-mail accounts. However, access to e-mails may be required by ICT technicians where there is a fault with the equipment or software’. The policy was adopted by the Members of the Shadow Council at the policy and resources meeting and the decision ratified at the Shadow Council meeting on July 2,” she said.