‘More resources for Greystones gardaí’

GREYSTONES Municipal District members joined together to seek additional Garda resources for their local Garda station on Monday.

The members tabled a motion to call on the Minister for Justice and Equality to ensure that adequate resources are made available.

It was outlined that overtime is being paid to officers, simply to ensure that regular shifts are staffed and that on occasion, a patrol car is shared with Bray.

It was also highlighted that no officer who has completed training in Templemore has been stationed in Co Wicklow from the last three qualified groups.

The Greystones members also tabled a joint motion demanding progress to be made on designing the Delgany to Blacklion road and to request that the council puts it forward for funding for the Infrastructure Grants for Housing. THE withdrawal of the transcript service which was formerly in place at Wicklow County Council meetings was discussed at Monday’s meeting.

Cllr Tommy Cullen criticised the withdrawal of the service and said that it offered protection for staff and councillors and was helpful for the preparation of the minutes of each meeting.

‘It was essential for the members and the officials and it was disappointing to see it withdrawn with such short notice,’ he said.

Cllr Michael O’Connor agreed and requested copies of any correspondence between the company which provides the service and Wicklow County Council.

‘ There is something going on here,’ he said. ‘And there could be a simple explanation but we don’t have it.’

Lorraine Gallagher of Corporate Services told members that the council received an email from the company informing them that the service was to be withdrawn.

She said that it was suggested that the matter would be discussed by the protocol committee before coming before the full council.

Ms Gallagher also outlined that stenography service was first introduced to make the meetings accessible for those who could not travel into the chamber, but that there is no legal obligation to have them recorded in this manner.