Independent Mayo TD Jerry Cowley has had his invitation to speak at the annual Humbert-Michael Davitt Summer School withdrawn after failure to agree on the format of a discussion on the Shell pipeline controversy.
The director of the summer school John Cooney has accused Dr Cowley of "undemocratic conduct" by organising a recent picket and sit-in at the constituency office of the Fine Gael leader Enda Kenny and a picket of the Statoil premises run by Fine Gael councillor Gerry Coyle in Belmullet.
The TD was due to speak on "The role of Independents in today's politics" at tomorrow night's session of the summer school in Ballina but Mr Cooney has now informed him that he is not prepared to allow him present "a one-sided view" of the pipeline controversy.
Mr Cooney said last night that he had tried to organise a round- table discussion of the controversy involving representatives of the Minister for the Marine, Shell and the campaigners against the pipeline. However, he said, the campaigners had objected to his chairing the discussion and had refused to take part.
On this basis, he said, he would not allow Dr Cowley present only his view of the situation. He told Dr Cowley in the letter withdrawing his invitation that he plans to bring the attention of the Dáil Ceann Comhairle, Dr Rory O'Hanlon to the contents of his letter.
Responding to the letter yesterday, Dr Cowley claimed it was ludicrous for Mr Cooney to suggest he was "no longer an Independent" because of his support for the "Rossport Five".
"Having a view on something does not mean that I am no longer an Independent. Being independent does not mean being neutral or uncommitted."