Westport councillor at centre of row over parking charges is not for turning
THE Mayo elected representative at the centre of a festering political row over the introduction of on-street parking charges in Westport has made it clear he is not for turning.
Fianna Fáil Councillor Brendan Mulroy said his campaign of opposition to the new bylaws will be escalated despite the announcement by Mayo County Council that it is withholding the payment of the General Municipal Allocation (GMA) to various voluniary groups in Ballina as a result of an anticipated shortfall of €400,000 in the council's budget from proposed parking charges in Westport.
A similar withholding of funding is expected to be also announced in the three other municipal districts.
Councilor Mulroy told The Connaught Telegraph: “I have been running an on-line poll to ascertain the views of the people of Westport to the proposed charges and there remains very strong opposition to them.
“The officials of the council have been aware of my views for a long time and I am not going to back down from them as a result of a controversy that is raging in Ballina over the payment of GMA funding. I would not be fair to myself or the people who elected me if I did so.”
It is understood Councillor Mulroy is confident of successfully opposing the introduction of Westport Town parking and traffic bylaws when they are expected to be formally put before the seven elected members of the West Mayo Municipal District in July.
The final date for submissions to be made to the proposals is May 25.
Councillor Mulroy needs the backing of three other elected members to defeat the plan and the indications are he will secure that support.
Speaking to Midwest Radio today on the matter, KIllala Fine Gael Councillor Jarlath Munnelly was very critical of the council's stance in respect of withholding the GMA funding to community groups in Ballina and said they will not stand for it.
In a statement issued to the radio station, Peter Hynes, chief executive, Mayo County Council, said he is prepared to meet elected members on the matter.