Anger as County Manager is accused of `FiliBuster'

A local authority meeting ended in uproar yesterday when a debate on a letter missing from the Whitestown illegal dump file could not go ahead when the meeting ran out of time. The situation prompted two members to accuse County Manager, Eddie

Cllr. de Burca: Concern over missing file

Sheehy of `filibustering' after he wanted to fill in the members on a completely different issue.

Green Party Councillor, Deirdre de Burca said that she had been in touch with the new County Council Chairman, Vincent Blake over the week-end to seek the suspension of standing orders so that the missing letter issue could be discussed. Deputy Liz McManus, who raised the matter in the Dail last week, asked for the suspension at the beginning of the meeting yesterday.

During the meeting as the suspension was about to take place, Chairman Vincent Blake said that the Co. Manager wanted to address the Council on a matter involving Kilpedder. The Manager said that he had spoken to a consortium of developers who

County Manager Eddie Sheehy: "Filibustering"

are prepared to finance the interchange at the dangerous Kilpedder junction interest free until January 2004.

This matter was debated a few weeks ago when it was pointed out that the National Roads Authority cannot afford to provide that safety measure at Kilpedder but that discussions were taking place with a number of developers who might be prepared to finance it in the interim.

He also pointed out that the developers were prepared to finance the southern access at Kilpedder and off-set the cost against any future levies that may be imposed upon them for various developments. He added that the deal is being done

Cllr. Liz McManus: "Appalled"

without any strings attached and it would not affect any future planning applications that may be made by these developers.

During his address, Mr. Sheehy was constantly interupted by both Deputy McManus and Cllr de Burca who accused him of filibustering and trying to drag out the meeting deliberately so that the debate on the missing letter could not be discussed.

Deputy McManus said that the Manager was abusing his position and added that she was appalled at the way in which the matter was speeded through. Councillor de Burca also felt that Deputy McManus was being unfair to her seeing as she had contacted the Chairman over the week-end.

Eventually time ran out and the missing letter was not discussed. Both Deputy McManus and Cllr de Burca approached the Manager about the issue after the meeting.