Anger over government ‘bypassing’ councillors in Kilkenny on major local issues

Councillors from all across Kilkenny have slammed national government, claiming that they have been excluded from the decision-making process on two major local issues.

There were visible scenes of anger in County Hall on Monday as elected members hit out at their inability to influence decisions being wind energy development in the county and the selection process for refugee/asylum seeker accommodation.

A motion was passed by elected members ‘requesting that all proposed windfarm applications be suspended until the guidelines on wind energy are published’.

Cllr Pat Fitzpatrick, former President of the Association of Irish Local Government, stated that ‘the majority of our powers have been eroded’.

“We are asking the Minister [for the Environment] to suspend wind farm applications until a comprehensive wind energy strategy is published,” he said.

“The current absence of regulations leaves large communities vulnerable, and a lack of clear guidelines undermines public trust in the regulatory process.”

His sentiment was echoed by Cllr Tomás Breathnach, who stated that the whole section of the county development plan relating to wind energy development effectively lapsed after being passed in 2021 ‘because we had no guidelines’.

“We are currently relying on guidelines that go back to 2006,” he said.

“Local communities don’t have the guidance that they should have, there is an inability to critique applications, it’s not right that these applications have been brought forward.”

Cllr David Fitzgerald stated that ‘clearly local government has been bypassed’.

“When it comes to wind energy we’re told it’s outside our competence,” he said.

The frustration of councillors was also evident when discussing the current selection process around identifying accommodation for refugees/asylum seekers.

Elected members specifically highlighted issues around the Sports Area in Wallslough, which is currently going through a process, but has not yet been issued with certification to be an accommodation centre.

Cllr Peter ‘Chap’ Cleere described the lack of communication from the Minister of Integration Roderic O’Gorman and his Department on this building and other local buildings as ‘disgusting’.

“There’s a lot of activity happening out there and nobody knows what’s happening,” he said.

“I’ve spoken with residents and there’s a serious lack of communication there.”

Mayor of Kilkenny, Cllr Joe Malone, called for Taoiseach Simon Harris to come down to the area and see it for himself.

Cathaoirleach of Kilkenny County Council, Cllr Michael Doyle, seconded Mayor Joe Malone’s proposal to write to the new Taoiseach on the matter.

Cllr Deirdre Cullen stated that ‘everyone should be listened to and deserves proper representation’.

“We’re getting nowhere with Minister O’Gorman’s office, it’s a scandal,” she said.

Director of Services at Kilkenny County Council, Sean McKeown, confirmed that there have been two statutory instruments introduced by government for the provision of temporary exemptions for emergency accommodation for displaced persons.

There is no provision within these statutory instruments for the public to make submissions or for public consultation and these statutory instruments remove developer proposals from the scope of the county development plan.

Cllr Maria Dollard, in relation to this issue, stated that she was ‘disturbed by the rhetoric of my colleagues’.

“It’s disgraceful that we have this rhetoric going on in the chamber,” she said.

“It’s easy knowing there’s an election coming up with all the grand-standing and speaking to the gallery.”

Cllr Dollard previously expressed her own concerns around the suitability of Wallslough Sports Arena but has also condemned much of the commentary being perpetuated around the issue, given its sensitivity.

Cllr Eugene McGuinness also expressed his concerns over the suitability of the site but posed a question to elected members of government parties: “As much as we talk, we have no power to do anything. When a Minister arrives into Kilkenny, do [you] ask them?

“There’s lots of rushing into rooms and getting photographs taken, but I’m sick and tired of listening to this debate. Letters mean absolutely nothing.”