No seconder for St Paul’s Lodge talks

THE ISSUE regarding the demolishment of St Paul’s Lodge in Bray was raised once again by Cllr Brendan Thornhill, but he failed to receive a seconder over a proposal for a suspension of standing orders.

A special meeting was held last week which lasted for close to two and a half hours, with the matter having already been discussed for over two hours at March’s monthly meeting.

Cllr Thornhill requested a suspension of standing orders at the start of Monday’s meeting, referring to legal advice received from Health Minister Simon Harris over St Paul’s. He added that he had emailed the Council Cathaoirleach, Cllr Edward Timmins in advance about the request and had also texted him.

Cllr Timmins replied that he never received the email. He had received a text from Cllr Thornhill which made reference to an earlier email and Cllr Timmins sent a text back informing the Bray Councillor that he never received the initial email.

Cllr Timmins asked that Cllr Thornhill explain the reason he was requesting a suspension of standing orders so it could be put on record.

Cllr Thornhill said an email had been circulated over a conflict of interest involving one Councillor who was present during the vote to pass a Part 8 on March 12.

‘ This Councillor played a prominent role over St Paul’s Lodge. He spoke and he voted,’ said Cllr Thornhill.

He further claimed that the unnamed Councillor in question worked for a HR company who provided services for staff at Wicklow County Council and should have exempted themselves from the meeting on March 12.

Cllr Thornhill didn’t receive a seconder for the suspension of standing orders and the meeting proceeded.

However, minutes later Cllr Thornhill interjected to ask would his proposal for a suspension of standing orders be accepted. The Cathaoirleach told him it couldn’t because no one had seconded the proposal.

Cllr Pat Fitzgerald called for the meeting to continue. ‘ The Cathaoirleach asked Cllr Thornhill what he wanted the suspension of standing orders for and it was then put to the meeting.

‘It didn’t have a seconder so it can’t go ahead. The Cathaoirleach dealt with it fairly in a concise and precise manner,’ said Cllr Fitzgerald.