Councillor denies conflict-of-interest claim

CLARE County Councillor, Michael Begley has rejected claims there is a “conflict of interest” between his job as a planning consultant and his membership of the local planning authority.
The independent councillor has declared his involvement in his Clonlara-based planning consultancy and planning services in the latest council register of interests.
Councillor Begley has insisted he doesn’t believe there is any “conflict of interest” between the two roles as he makes a clear distinction between both of them.
“When I lodge a planning application for a client as an agent, I make no further contact with the council other than my work as an agent by responding to requests for further information and or revised plans,” he said.
He stressed that at no time would he ever seek or make a public representation on any planning file he was working on as an agent.
Now in his seventh year as a planning consultant, Councillor Begley explained he is just trying to make a living, which is a “poor one” in recent years following the dramatic reduction in planning applications as a result of the construction slump.
Commenting on suggestions of a “perceived advantage” because of his role in the council, Councillor Begley argued people should judge him on his record and stressed like any agent, he has planning applications granted and refused.
His declaration has prompted mixed views amongst his council colleagues.
Councillor Brian Meaney said he believed there is a “conflict of interest” between the two roles.
“I would not operate as a planning consultant and be a councillor. I believe it is inappropriate for a councillor to work as a planning consultant and be a member of the planning authority where you have full access to planners.
“I have good regard for Councillor Begley. He is a good councillor in terms of his contribution in the council chamber. However, I am opposed to any councillor having this dual role because of the perception it creates, regardless of the individual,” he said.
Councillor Patricia McCarthy said that on a personal level, she would not be a member of a planning authority and work as a planning consultant and felt a local authority member had to be “one or the other”.
However, Councillor McCarthy also pointed out it is up to each individual councillor if they are happy to combine these two roles.
Councillor Gerry Flynn also stated he would not be a county councillor if he worked as a planning consultant. “How can you be involved in the creation of development plans and involved in planning consultancy? It doesn’t make sense. I believe that ethical issues could arise,” he said.
However, Councillor PJ Ryan said he understood planning consultancy services is a company and because Councillor Begley was elected to the council, he didn’t think it was fair to expect him to close it down.
Councillor Ryan said he is sure Councillor Begley was a very good councillor and didn’t think he would get involved in anything that would be considered untoward or unlawful.
“Provided Councillor Begley is happy, he is not doing anything wrong, I see no problem. I believe he set up this business after he lost his seat at a previous election. If every councillor had to close down their business when they got elected, I don’t think that would be fair,” he added.
Councillor Joe Cooney described Councillor Begley as a very good councillor and doesn’t believe his work as a planning agent interferes with his role as a councillor.