An Cathaoirleach, Cllr. Michael D’Arcy was not keen on the idea, but reluctantly succumbed to pressure from the Fianna Fáil members of Gorey Town Council to write a letter to Phil Hogan, T.D. and ask the Minister for Local Government to rescind his decision to abolish the Town Council next summer.
“We don’t know what the proposed changes are,” insisted Cllr. D’Arcy at the outset.
Cllr. Lorcan Allen said it would be appropriate to call for a referendum of the people on the abolition of the town councils.
Cllr. Robbie Ireton berated both Cllrs. D’Arcy and Allen – the longest serving members of the Council – for their failure to advance the Council status over the years, and he said he was “totally opposed” to Cllr. Allen’s proposal.
“You made no new advancement to bring this town council forward. You failed miserably. For many years in putting Gorey forward we were left out,” insisted Cllr. Ireton, who added: “We never got proper representation from this council.”
Cllr. D’Arcy said; “We have no conception of what’s in the changes.”
The meeting heard that the total cost of the Gorey town councillors is around €25,000 annually, while the bill for the new municipal councillors will be in the region of €40,000 each!
Cllr. Bernard Crosbie supported Cllr. Allen’s proposal to write a letter to the Minister and pile on the pressure to keep the council.
“You are wasting your time. It is not going to happen,” replied Cllr. D’Arcy.
“I think a letter should go from the Council here,” – Cllr. Crosbie.
“The councils are not in the Constitution,” – Cllr. D’Arcy.
“There is no harm in writing a letter,” – Cllr. Crosbie.
Town Manager, Eddie Taaffe, outlined the lack of functions of the Town Council in its present form.
He said the new council would have control over by-laws. “The eight elected members can make the decisions.”
“Where is the saving,” Cllr. Crosbie asked.
“There is no saving!”- stated Cllr. D’Arcy, who continued, “We can discuss the proposal when the details are announced.”
“So it as a fait accompli then,” quipped Cllr. Allen.
Cllr. Darren Keegan said that the three main political parties are in favour of the abolition of the town councils and “the Minister is not for turning.”
Eventually, Cllr. D’Arcy concluded: “We can send a letter!”
Full report in this week’s edition of THE GOREY ECHO.
