Deputies defend right to make housing representations

CLARE’S four deputies have defended their right to make an estimated 400 written representations to the local authority housing section, following claims that these letters are effectively worthless.
Green Party Councillor, Brian Meaney incurred the wrath of local Oireachtas members when he proposed  at the Clare County Council meeting on Monday that they should cease the practice of acting as “social workers” on local authority issues instead of acting as legislators.
“I don’t believe deputies have any more influence on this matter than a Shetland dog but they are putting it around that they have,” he said.
Minister of State at the Department of Agriculture, Tony Killeen, said it was up to Clare people whether they wanted a councillor or a deputy to make a representation on their behalf to the local housing department.
In his own case, Deputy Killeen pointed out that constituents had the option of requesting his constituency secretary, Councillor Pat Daly to contact the department if they wished or himself.
He noted that local authorities often made representations to deputies to support their request for an increase in their housing budget.
“I wouldn’t like to see a society which decides who a person can or can’t make official representations to for assistance with a personal issue,” he said.
Deputy Timmy Dooley said that any person was entitled to request a deputy to make a representation, regardless of the subject or agency. “The role of an elected representative is to make appropriate representations to put forward an individual case on behalf of a constituent,” he said.
Deputy Pat Breen stressed that he represented the entire electorate and had to divide his duties between his work as a legislator and responding to the genuine needs of his constituents.
“It is part of our job; we have to keep in touch with the electorate. That is why we have clinics and I have also worked with councillors in relation to local authority issues,” he said.
Deputy Joe Carey claimed that Councillor Meaney was “out of touch” and ill-informed in relation to representations to the housing department, which were part of the democratic process.
He stressed that housing issues were of huge concern to constituents and added his job was to put forward a strong case for individuals who needed assistance.
In a council motion tabled at the meeting, Councillor Meaney requested a list of the local deputies who had made written representations and what influence, if any, a TD could exert on a decision relating to a housing allocation.
“It must be clearly stated what role a TD has in this and what weight is given to a representation made by them. I have been contacted by people who have said that they were successful in applications because they contacted their TD,” he said.
He was supported by Councillor Patricia McCarthy, who said it was wrong of deputies to tell the public that they have powers in his matter if they haven’t.
Housing director of services, Bernadette Kinsella stated that applications for housing were assessed in accordance with the council’s scheme of letting priorities having regard to housing need and the particular circumstances of the applicant.