‘Finality’ needed in Easkey row
THE Chief Executive of Sligo County Council Ciaran Hayes says he will continue to engage with both Easkey Community Council and members of the community in Easkey to try to resolve the row that has been ongoing for some time now.
At last Monday’s meeting, Hayes said that he would continue his work with the community, and that he wished not to make any comment that could compromise the work that has been done so far.
People Before Profit Councillor Gino O’Boyle asked Ciara Hayes to investigate the whistleblower’s report relating to Easkey Community Council.
Cllr. Gino O’Boyle told the meeting: “This has been ongoing for a while. There has been no progress the last couple of months. Some of the residents have been trying to get on that committee, they paid €30 and there was over 70 members who paid that €30. Zero people got on that committee.
“I put in a parliamentary question, and the response said that it’s a matter for Sligo County Council. I’m asking for this motion to be put forward and for the council to investigate what’s going on.”
Independent Cllr. Declan Bree added: “This issue has dragged on for far too long. The question must be asked, why the residents of Easkey must lobby every monthly meeting of this council in order to highlight the fact that the so called Easkey Community Council does not represent the people of Easkey. The community council appears to be operating a closed shop operation. I don’t recollect ever coming across such a situation. It’s time for a new, genuine community council representing all the people of Easkey. I know the Chief Executive has intervened to an extent. The fact that significant public money has been channelled through this so called community council over the years, begs the question as to how funding for communities is functioning.”
Hayes responded: “It’s difficult to know what to say. I reported previously and I gave a commitment that I would re-engage with the community in Easkey and Easkey Community Council. That engagement is ongoing. I also said at the time and I will repeat, this difficulty is owned by the community in Easkey, it is not owned by the council. In reference to your request , I offered myself as broker to try and bring the sides together. That work is continuing. I don’t want to make any comment here that would compromise that work. I will come back to the council when I have something to report.
“In relation to the specific motion, I have some difficulty with that. Some of the statements made in that complaint, the whistleblower’s report, I would have very serious concerns over. If I was the subject of those statements, I would be referring it to my legal advisor. I will continue my efforts in trying to bring the two sides together.”
Independent Cllr. Michael Clarke called for transparency and democracy within Easkey Community Council.
He said: “The people of Easkey want transparency, accountability and democracy. ECC have acted as a protected private limited company. It’s up to us to ensure that when we distribute public funding, that it is to the benefit of the people of Easkey or any other community.
“It’s a closed shop for the last 20 years. That is the core issue. We’re not sure what investigating powers the Chief Executive has. I will be putting forward a motion to the council in the future that funding will be no longer made available to the community council unless democracy and transparency is there, and it’s open to any member of the community in Easkey to be a member. That is happening in every other community.”
Sinn Féin Councillor Chris MacManus said it is time a decision is made so that everyone can move on.
MacManus said: “This has been going on for too long. It has to reach a sense of finality. As Cllr. Clarke rightly said, what we have here is a limited company, a business in effect, masquerading as a representation of the community. It’s a closed shop, and this was shown recently when nearly 70 members of the community tried to get involved in the community council and a new rule was brought in by this company trying to limit the number of members to 25.
“I know that has since been rescinded. But when have you ever heard of a community representative group trying to limit how many people can get involved? Unheard of. We need finality, the community out there are crying out for it. We’re coming to that place where we maybe have to say it’s time to move on and make a decision in regards to how we view Easkey Community Council as an entity.”
Independent Cllr. Joe Queenan wished to point out that it’s not all bad in relation to ECC. “I agree with some of the comments. There’s still a lot of good work being done in Easkey over the last 30 years. Let’s not forget that.”
Hayes added that a public forum such as a council meeting is not the suitable space for such a discussion. “A public forum like this is probably not the correct forum. The divisions are deep.
“I’m conscious that in every dispute there is always right and wrong on both sides. It does need that space to see if we can resolve the issues. I don’t have a timescale. I’m asking for that space to see how we can bring that forward.”