The Phoenix Strikes
March 10th, 2007You know you’ve arrived in Irish politics when you make it into The Phoenix. Not only did I get a mention this week, they even 1) ran a photo 2) were very complimentary, and 3) got a key fact wrong.
The article relates to a proposal for alteration to the Letterkenny & Environs Development Plan that will be going out for public consultation soon. These plans have been widely discussed in the local press, but the most obvious part of the plans is a proposal for a new bridge across the Swilly from the Neil T Blaney Road to Leck.
As all the local press reports have mentioned, the developer involved in these proposals is Laurence Blake, my father. This, of course, raises questions of conduct and conflicts of Interest. Well, the conflict couldn’t be clearer in fairness!
I’ve behaved completely above board in all my dealings since being elected to the Council in 2004. This matter has been no different.
Whenever the Council has been briefed on this matter, or has discussed it, or seen any presentations, I have always disclosed my (obvious) conflict of interests and left the Council chamber. I’ve even removed myself from discussions of lands that are in a similar area which may benefit from the plans, but aren’t connected in any other way with the project. When the land was first acquired, I wrote to the Town Clerk, Planning Department and County Manager to disclose that the purchase had taken place, and that I would at all times act to exceed the standards and ethics legislation.
In fairness to them, The Phoenix acknowledges this behaviour. They even call me the “wonder kid” of Donegal politics, and talk about my commitment to ensure that everything with this project stays fully above board. I had a good chat with the reporter from the Phoenix during the week, and they have done a fairly good job in the report.
There’s just one point I’d like to clarify at this stage. The article states that Laurence Blake will be looking to rezone 130 acres of land to “Town Centre”. This is incorrect. Indeed, it would be a ridiculous proposal for any developer to put forward in Letterkenny.
The proposal that will go for public consultation will seek to change 8 acres of land to Town Centre, to facilitate development of the bridge. The Bridge cannot be built on the land at present, given it’s current zoning. The 130 acres referred to in the Phoenix, and the local press, is land that is already zoned for housing and which could have Planning Applications approved even without the bridge.
The construction of the Bridge would service this land, and all lands in the Oldtown, Lismonaghan, Leck and Scribley areas, and reduce congestion on the Oldtown Bridge and at the Cullion Road.
The Council Planning and Roads Departments are fully backing the proposals, and have asked that they go out for Public Consultation before the Councillors vote on them. When the plans are finalised, I will ensure they are available online. This should be within the next month.
If you’re interested, the article in on page 12 of this week’s Phoenix (March 9, 2007 edition). They’ve only got one detail wrong, but its very important. I thank them, and indeed the local press who have covered these plans so far, for acknowledging that I have not behaved improperly in any way.
Related Entries
4 Responses to “The Phoenix Strikes”
Comments are not moderated before posting. Every effort will be made to keep these clean, but I ask your co-operation. Please do not post any offensive or defamatory content below. I am not responsible for the content of comments below.
March 28th, 2007 at 8:01 pm
so does this mean they will apologise in the next issue? :-)
..i’m not really goldhawk, i’ll wait and see next issue.
March 29th, 2007 at 10:07 am
Goldhawk,
I don’t think so! I’ve said throughout my post that I’m happy with the article in the Phoenix. They’ve made no allegations against me (or my father) and have acknowledged that I’ve been completely above board on all of this.
I’ve clarified the only point that needed clarification, and am happy with that. I’ve sought no apology, and do not see the need for one.
No harm to the Phoenix, but it’s the opinions of the people of Letterkenny and Donegal that will matter on this issue. The community will get their opportunity to make submissions when the plans are published for Public Consultation, at some stage in the near future.
Damien
November 20th, 2007 at 5:37 pm
[...] was the conclusion of an issue I first mentioned here back in March. Donegal County Council’s Planning Department had proposed a variation to the Letterkenny [...]
May 2nd, 2008 at 1:28 am
can i get help when im a single parent? living on my own with an 8mt old a 2 yr old and a 12 year old and my windows r being broke, put in every week r so? i have bn 2 the guards, the council and i dont want to wait till a window is broke and comes in on top of 1 of my children? who do i go to for some help?