politcal news from Cork, Ireland
Conor Healy
CORK Chamber has expressed disappointment at the decision by Cork City Council and Cork County Council not to reduce commercial rates for 2012, a system which is grossly unfair on the productive job-creating aspects of the business community.
Cork Chamber Chief Executive Conor Healy said, “Cork Chamber recognises the hard decisions taken by both Councils in preparing balanced budgets, particularly in light of incessant reductions to the local government fund.
THE Sinn Féin leader on Cork City Council, Chris O’Leary has said the council’s budget must protect core services, and that there are other areas where savings can be made.
Cllr O’Leary who is also chair of the council’s finance committee said, “Indications are that this year’s budget will involve a cut of up to €12 million in expenditure.
“While the council can do nothing about cuts in the funding it receives from central government, every effort must be made to protect core services.
wheel clamp
FINE Gael Cork South Central TD Jerry Buttimer, has said the news that Cork City Council will not renew its contract with the private clamping company, Apcoa, in January should come as welcome news to residents and city shoppers.
Deputy Buttimer went on to implore people not to take advantage of the new arrangement and to continue to adhere to parking restrictions and guidelines where they exist.
“The contract with the private clampers currently in operation in Cork will not be renewed next year, leaving Cork City Council to rely on traffic wardens to police parking activity and possible infringements.
Mick Barry
SOCIALIST Party councillor Mick Barry has said that the Cork City Manager and “top brass” in City Hall should “back off” in their threats to remove the Occupy Cork camp in the South Mall.
Cllr Barry said that the Occupy Cork camp had the support of “thousands of ordinary people in Cork city and beyond who are horrified at the bank bailouts and stated his opinion that there would be massive opposition among the general public to the City Hall threats.”
SPEAKING after it emerged that Cork City Council is to spend €20,000 to rent an abstract sculpture called the “Cow in a Tree” for 15 weeks over Christmas, Cllr Chris O’Leary said there needed to be more accountability in how the council spent money.
Cllr O’Leary said, “Many people in Cork, particularly those waiting on housing repairs from the council or for road resurfacing or traffic-calming measures in their estates, will wonder why the council is spending €20,000 to hire a piece of sculpture.
Mick Barry
THE latest social housing statistics have been described as “shocking” by Socialist Party councillor Mick Barry.
The statistics show there are 9,247 applicants either on the social housing waiting lists or awaiting assessment in order to go on a list.
Of those 1,851 applicants on the social housing waiting lists categorised as being in need of social housing on either medical or compassionate grounds.
Des Cahill
PLANS to redevelop Páirc Uí Chaoimh into a 50,000 capacity stadium have run into trouble with local residents.
Following 18 months of negotiations, the GAA and Cork City Council announced a land deal earlier this week that would allow the proposed €45 million redevelopment of the city’s main stadium to go ahead.
Many residents in the Ballintemple area surrounding the stadium however are opposed to the redevelopment, it has emerged.
Ted Tynan
WORKER’S Party councillor Ted Tynan has accused Cork City Council management of “going on a charm offensive” with the media in an attempt to justify the Sky Garden project.
Cllr Tynan said he intends to write to the Comptroller and Auditor General asking him to look into what he alleged was “this misuse of public funds”.
The Mayfield councillor said that a new plan drawn up to incorporate the sky garden into a revamped Fitzgerald’s Park area was “a charade” and he questioned if the new elements of the plan “would ever see the light of day given the current cutbacks”.
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