OPW have made ‘no approach’ over Anne Street investigation

ONCE again the issue of alleged planning irregularities surrounding the acquisition of the site for government offices in Anne Street in Wexford in the early 90s was raised at the December meeting of Wexford County Council.

When the minutes of last month’s meeting came up for adoption, Cllr Jim Codd voiced his concerns.

‘I was advised to send in a number of comments by email in order to have them included in the minutes,’ he said. ‘I was told I was speaking to fast. I understand that not everything can be recorded in the minutes, but despite me sending them in they don’t appear.’

With the OPW and State Solicitor’s office apparently carrying out and investigation in relation to the acquisition of the town centre site, Cllr Codd asked if the documents relating to it had been made available to them.

Director of Services Tony Larkin said that Wexford County Council had had no approach from the OPW.

‘As soon as the OPW request documents, we will make them available,’ he said. ‘We’ve had no approach yet. We had some correspondence with the OPW on this three or four years ago, but they didn’t ask for any documents. We will co-operate fully with any investigation.’

One of the interested parties involved in the dispute, Mr Martin Power, was present in the public gallery during the meeting and afterwards he stated that he, along with Deputy Mick Barry and former Deputy Joe Higgins, had met senior officials from the OPW in Leinster House in relation to the matter recently and a further meeting was scheduled to take place there before Christmas.