Councillors will discuss ‘disturbing’ Prime Time Car boot sale at school
A DISCUSSION on possible wrongdoings within the Kildare and Wicklow Education and Training Board is expected to take place at the July meeting of Wicklow County Council.
Last week at the AGM of the council, Cllr Tommy Cullen said: ‘It was a very disturbing Prime Time programme about the KWETB. As a council we have a major involvement in the body and over 12,000 students across Wicklow attend KWETB schools. This is a very important issue.
‘I think we need to discuss this at our July meeting and maybe get a copy of the draft report compiled on the matter by the Department of Education.’
Cllr Christopher Fox said: ‘I watched the programme and had major concerns about the content. However, this is subject to an investigation.’
He said while he believed the matter needed to be discussed perhaps the July meeting wasn’t the correct time given the ongoing investigation. ‘We have to be careful’, he said.
Cllr Cullen pointed out nobody had been charged in relation to the matter and said members of the board had been able to discuss the matter freely and openly on the RTÉ Prime Time Investigates programme. ‘There are no legal restraints and it is imperative we discuss this. It’s not an unreasonable thing to have a discussion here given the huge involvement we have. There is no legal reason why (we can’t discuss it). We are a democratic body elected by the people.’ He was supported by Cllr Tom Fortune who said asking for a discussion was ‘a reasonable request’. Cllr Jennifer Whitmore, who is a member of the KWETB, said she ‘didn’t think there was any problem with having a discussion but obviously certain elements can’t be discussed’.
She suggested that the new CE of the body, Deirdre Keyes, should be invited to address the council so she could discuss her vision going forward adding there had been changes made regarding the board.
Cllr Joe Behan said it was ‘imperative’ the members discuss the matter saying they could be ‘mindful of the legal niceties’.
Cllr Gerry O’Neill said he was ‘conscious of people’s names being bandied about’ adding he ‘like to see some sort of conclusion to the investigation before doing that [having a discussion]’.
Cllr Pat Fitzgerald said that there was no need to mention anyone by name and said it should be discussed at the next meeting ‘in a careful manner’.
Cllr Pat Vance suggested getting some legal advice on the matter to see what can and can’t be discussed. ‘I’m hearing there could be a criminal case and I don’t want to get into a situation where there might be criminal charges pending and yet we are discussing it.’
Cllr Edward Timmins said he would put the matter on the July agenda and get parameters on the scope of discussion from the council’s law agent.
Cllr Cullen also suggested requesting a copy of the draft report from the Department.
Cllr Nicola Lawless said they should ask the department to publish the report. LEFT: Cllr Christopher Fox. THERE WILL be a car boot sale at the East Glendalough School on Saturday, July 7. The sale will run from 9 a.m. until 2 p.m. and there will be tea, coffee and toilet facilities available. Admission is €10 for cars and €15 for vans and general admission is free. Proceeds will go to the Wicklow Parish Church Restoration Fund. For details contact Peter at 087 2706616 or Lesley at 087 6091945.