Staff at Fermanagh and Omagh District Council have been granted up to two hours time-in-lieu for attending Pride parades in Omagh and Enniskillen, a policy that has drawn criticism from an Ulster Unionist councillor.

Chief Executive Alison McCullagh told a recent meeting of the council’s Policy and Resources Committee that the arrangement was part of the council’s Equality Action Plan, which had been unanimously adopted by the committee. She said the time-in-lieu applies to some staff for approved corporate events and is covered by existing employment contracts with trade unions.

Councillor Victor Warrington questioned whether the committee had authorised the time-off specifically. He described the offer as a dangerous precedent and an abuse of council resources, arguing that it had not been put before councillors for approval.

Fellow Ulster Unionist Mark Ovens asked for clarity on whether the two hours were included in the Equality Action Plan. Ms McCullagh reiterated that the committee had formally approved corporate participation in Pride parades, and that the time-in-lieu mechanism was already part of normal terms and conditions for affected employees.

Omagh Pride took place on Saturday. A separate parade is scheduled to take place in Enniskillen next month.