Gormley accused of council snub

ENVIRONMENT Minister John Gormley has been accused of “snubbing” Clare County Council after refusing to meet a council delegation concerning the proposed boundary extension of Limerick City into South-East Clare.

Mayor of Clare, Councillor Christy Curtin wrote to Minister Gormley requesting a meeting to discuss the council’s submission to the Limerick Local Government Committee report on the boundary extension.
In a letter to Councillor Curtin, the minister’s private secretary, Eddie Kiernan, stated, “The minister is not in a position to meet you on this matter as he is fully aware of the arguments being put forward by both sides in relation to the issue.”
Councillor Curtin described the minister’s stance as a “missed opportunity” to discuss the matter with county councillors.
“This is a missed opportunity to engage directly with the democratically elected representatives of Clare people. They have considered the matter in detail and the submission from the council is a very comprehensive response.
“A one-to-one consultation on the submission would underline the merits of the case for the retention of the status quo,” he said.
Councillor Pascal Fitzgerald claimed the minister was “snubbing” the council following his decision and insisted the time had come for a final decision.
“This is yet another snub for Clare. The minister should be in a position to meet a delegation from the council to hear their views on issues that will affect thousands of people in South-East Clare.
“There is no need for a change in the Clare boundary,” he said.