Major construction company to represent sector on Kildare County Council policy body
A property development company which has been associated with significant residential development in County Kildare is to be represented on a Kildare County Council committee.
The decision was passed by a majority of councillors (18-15, with four abstaining) at a KCC meeting.
Members were divided on the proposal because the company, which is quoted on the stock exchange, has been responsible for building many houses and apartments.
The proposal for the representation came from the Construction Industry Federation, which represents the interests of the building sector.
It means that they will sit on a KCC special policy committee.
Every local authority has a number of SPC which provide advice on a broad range of services provided by local councils.
SPCs include elected councillors, representatives of business, farming interests, environmental/conservation groups, trade unions and community and voluntary members.
However, while they formulate policy proposals and evaluate and report on policy implementation for consideration, these committees do not make final decisions - these rest with the elected councillors.
Neither do SPC deal with routine operational matters in relation to the delivery of council services.
KCC mayor Fintan Brett said that it is sometimes difficult to get positions on SPCs filed and he pointed out that the county development plan, which oversees development in County Kildare “has been completed”.
He stressed that SPCs don’t make decisions. Instead recommendations go to a protocol committee before coming before the councillors for any decisions to be made.
Cllr Suzanne Doyle pointed out that Glenveagh is “very public” and had invested considerably in its brand.
She did not think that anyone of that calibre “is going to risk it.”
Cllr Doyele said the company has considerable experience and knowledge and “there is a need for this.”
Cllr Evie Sammon suggested that the CIF could have nominated people from different companies and Cllr Fiona McLoughlin Healy also noted that both nominees were from the same organisation.
Cllr Ide Cussen also expressed reservations about two nominees “from one big body.”
Cllr Brendan Weld said that the CIF is a nominating body and so are organisations like the Peter McVerry Trust and the Irish Farmers Association and he also said that representation from outside bodies on the committees “has been poor enough.”
Cllr Padraig McEvoy said Glenveagh had a number of large active sites in the county and it is part of a consortium taking Wicklow County council to court.
He also said the company's contribution to the county development plan was quite aggressive.
Cllr Ivan Keatley said it is a “huge advantage” to have someone from the construction industry on the committee and everyone is aware of the slow rate of house and apartment delivery.
Cllr Seamie Moore said there may be a perception that people with “pecuniary interests” are on SPCs - but while they have a part in policy making, they have no decision making role.
Cllr Noel Heavey favoured the proposal. “Bring them in, there are enough safeguards there.”