West Mayo councillors express fresh anger over greenway funding failings

Reputational damage has been caused to Mayo County Council by RTÉ Investigates programme, 'Council Chamber Secrets', meeting told

An elected member of Mayo County Council has stated reputational damage has been caused to the authority as a result of the RTÉ Investigates programme, 'Council Chamber Secrets'.

Speaking at today's meeting of the West Mayo Municipal District, Councillor Peter Flynn expressed amazement that nobody has accepted responsibility for the failings exposed - or issued an apology.

He stated: “I want to know why this happened and how, and why we were not told for nearly 12 months after that the horse had literally bolted.”

Councillor Flynn was referring to the fact the council had to refund €1.1 million to the Department of Rural and Community Development after an audit revealed works in the Clew Bay cycle route/greenway, for which funding was claimed, was never carried out under the department's Outdoor Recreation Infrastructure Scheme.

He also questioned how funding was put into developing projects such as Moorehall and the swimming pool in Castlebar despite them not appearing in Mayo County Council's tourism strategy - and, meanwhile, key projects in the strategy were 'sidelined'.

Councillor Flynn also highlighed the fact elected members were out speaking to landowners about progressing the cycle/walking route to Louisburgh unaware that the funding had been decommitted.

"We should have been told. To me, that reveals a lack of trust, a lack of relationship," he added.

Councillor Brendan Mulroy, cathaoirleach of the district, revealed he had considered resigning over the weekend but the way to get answers and transparency was to work from the inside out.

Legislation, he said, was before the Oireachtas where officials and elected members could be brought before the PAC to ensure accountability and that needs to be signed off on today.

“I feel let down that we were not told the truth,” said Councillor Mulroy.

Director of services Catherine McConnell said it was acknowledged that there was a systems failure with regards funding streams.

The council’s ambition had been greater than the ability to deliver projects.

“Our systems let us down,” she said.

Lessons have been learned and the focus is now on delivery.