'Transparency' call on Mayo greenway decision making
TRANSPORT Infrastructure Ireland (TII) and the Mayo Roads Design Office (RDO) have been asked to explain in person why the proposed Belclare-Murrisk greenway will be sent to An Comisiún Pleanála instead of coming before local councillors for planning approval.
The decision to take the matter out of their hands was communicated to elected representatives last Friday afternoon by email.
When they met at their monthly municipal district meeting on Monday, Councillor Brendan Mulroy called for transparency, asking that representatives would attend the June district meeting to explain how that decision was reached. People on both sides of the debate needed clarity, he said.
Councillors admitted to being 'surprised' on receiving the email which explained how a decision on the route of the controversial greenway will be made by An Coimisiún Pleanála and not by local councillors through the Part 8 planning process.
This removes councillors from any input into the final decision.
Cathaoirleach Councillor Peter Flynn said regardless of what side of the debate you were on, communication has been 'very poor'. He described the email as 'a bolt from the blue' and he did not expect it.
It will be the first item on the agenda when they meet next month, he promised. And he suggested people be accommodated to dial in online so as many people as possible get to hear a full overview from the project team and why it is going to the board.
Councillor Flynn also took the local media to task for printing letters and articles where individuals weren't named, yet council employees were.
If someone believed in something strongly enough they should put their name to it, he stated. It was unfair to be calling out people who are simply doing their job. And he asked that anonymous letters and articles would stop.
Members were told last Friday's update had been circulated following a request at their April meeting. It came into the municipal district from the RDO on Friday and was sent out to members.
They had not been requested to attend in person but that request would now be made.
* Funded under the Local Democracy Reporting Scheme