Laois council meeting told delays in works 'beyond a joke'
The council’s delay in providing an entrance to a house at Sleaty has ‘gone beyond a joke’, a meeting was told.
Independent Cllr Aisling Moran asked “that this Council give an update on the works to be completed at Sleaty, Graiguecullen regarding the new entrance and right of way.”
In a written response to the motion, Senior Engineer, Roads Section, Paul McLoughlin said:
“Land transfer documentation has been lodged with land registry to finalise transfer of property between the landowners involved. The works associated with this transfer will be progressed as soon as possible, subject to contractor availability.”
Cllr Moran said the issue has been going on for 23 years.
“Three years ago in September 2020 it was agreed, a deal had been struck. It was to be done by December 2020,” said Cllr Moran. She said a contractor was lined up for the work two years ago.
“What is the bloody delay, I can’t understand it,” she said. She said the people living at the property had worked with the council.
“I am getting sick of it. It is the council who are at fault in this and those people have a right to sue the council,” Cllr Moran said.
She demanded an answer from the roads engineer by the following day.
Independent Cllr Ben Brennan said he had been told six months earlier that a named contractor had been hired for the job. He said the information came from another engineer who had since gone to the water section.
“This piece of paper is rubbish. This is wrong. Someone is codding someone here. We need answers. It is absolutely not fair,” said Cllr Brennan.
Cllr Moran said she was unable to contact the original engineer on the phone.
Fianna Fail Cllr Padraig Fleming said he too was fully aware of the ongoing issues with the development.
Cllr Brennan said “it is gone beyond a joke” now.