Fine Gael are predicting that Minister for Environment, Heritage and Local Government John Gormley’s interference in the newly adopted Mayo County Development Plan could lead to government instability.
Standing orders were set aside at this week’s meeting of the Castlebar electoral area committee to discuss the variations ordered by Minister Gormley to the plan, while last night members of Castlebar Town Council were to discuss the minister’s controversial directions on the Castlebar and environs development plan 2008-2014.
In a unique show of solidarity the 31 members of the council adopted the plan unanimously on May 6. It became the legal development plan on June 3 and has been published at considerable cost to the council. Now, a full 10 weeks later, the minister has issued his directive to make substantial variations to the plan.
Cllr Paddy McGuinness, Fine Gael whip on Mayo County Council, has accused the minister of acting irresponsibly and undemocratically. “By doing nothing for over 10 weeks the Minister has allowed a climate of confusion to build up in the county. Councillors, planners, applicants for planning and their agents were all entitled to believe that the minister was happy with the new plan. Planning applications have been dealt with (properly so ) under the new County Development Plan since June 3. Now, his belated intervention has caused total confusion within the planning process in the county and has caused great anxiety to many young people hoping to build new homes. We condemn him for such irresponsibly negligent behaviour.”
Castlebar electoral area committee chairman Cllr Al McDonnell has vowed that Fianna Fáil are doing everything in their power at Mayo County Council level to ensure this intervention is withdrawn.
Labour Cllr Johnny Mee, the longest serving member on Mayo County Council, said it was one of the most serious interventions in Mayo County Council in the history of the State. “No county development plan has been so heavily scrutinised or examined. It is very serious for rural areas. It will decimate some rural areas and this intervention is to be deplored,” he said. Cllr Mee said this “unwarranted interference” was to be regretted at a time when there is a downturn in the construction industry. “People living in rural Ireland have a great sense of continuity and want to see their families grow up around them.
“The onus is on the council, all parties and no parties, to stand together and fight tooth and nail. Minister Gormley has no business interfering in this.”
Cllr McGuinness added that Fine Gael and Fianna Fáil would fight all the way together. “I regret the Minister’s intervention. I predicted it. The Minister’s intervention was highly irresponsible yet he says he is doing it in the common good. Does he suggest we were not acting in the common good? It’s a fact it is completely undemocratic against the unanimous wishes of all the democratic members of Mayo County Council.
“Some advisor said we zoned enough land for 79,000 extra people. Does he think 79,000 extra people are going to rush into Mayo? Politically he has made a bad decision,” warned Cllr McGuinness.
The Minister has acted in a high-handed manner were the sentiments of Fianna Fáil’s Sean Bourke, who offered his full support to Cllrs McGuinness and McDonnell and the efforts they will make in bringing this to a head.
Cllr Henry Kenny threatened that ministers are not infallible and governments have fallen over decisions ministers have made. “I laud a proper educated plan for this county for the next five years and deplore attempts to block it.”
Deputy Mayor of Castlebar Blackie Gavin offered the members the full support of Castlebar Town Council.
