M’bellew residents ‘can’t be treated like second class citizens’
A PROPOSAL to stop the outsourcing of grass cutting in Ballinasloe town was said to be “leaving out” towns in the Ballinasloe Municipal District such as Mountbellew and Ballygar.
Councillor Alan Harney suggested at last week's meeting of Ballinasloe MDC that the contract to outsource grass cutting in the 11 estates in Ballinasloe town be ceased and the work be taken on by Galway County Council staff.
Moylough Cllr Michael Connolly said the motion did not take into account other towns and areas in the district.
“You’re leaving out Ballygar and Mountbellew and other places. You’re talking about having direct labour from the Ballinasloe MD do the work, when we’re struggling to look after grass cutting and other jobs as it is,” offered Cllr Connolly.
The Fianna Fáil councillor also said that the Forest View estate in Mountbellew, managed and operated by Galway County Council, needed to be included in the local authority’s future plans when it came to grass cutting.
“Grass cutting not being up to standard came up at our last meeting. In Forest View in Mountbellew, we’ve always had different lads out getting the grass cut. A contractor came and did it this year and I think it’s important that the estate is incorporated into the council’s plans going forward,” said Cllr Connolly.
“There are areas in Ballinasloe and Ballygar under the council’s control that get done. Mountbellew has to get the same treatment. They can’t be treated like second class citizens.”
Cllr Harney’s motion was not carried at the meeting and Cllr Dermot Connolly was also critical of the proposal.
“You can’t tear up the contract mid-term. This is a pure political stunt,” said Sinn Féin Cllr Dermot Connolly.
“My three (Sinn Féin) colleagues in the Dáil queried the Minister for Housing last week in relation to the funding for Galway County Council, which has more or less been downgraded since 2009.
“Instead of political stunts, we would be better off engaging with those who can for deliver for this Municipal District. We don’t have the staff here because of actions and inactions.
“Some people have been elected here for a quite considerable time who have put forward the case for more funding and staffing. Instead of attempts to make headlines and for social media, they’ve gone about their business nice and quietly.”
Cllr Harney responded saying that the underfunding of the County Council was something he has highlighted with party colleagues.
“There was an insinuation made. I did not say anybody else was not doing work,” said Fine Gael Cllr Harney.
“I fully understand the funding issues in the council. I’ve sat in this chamber for two years since I was elected and haven’t been shy in raising the issue with my colleagues in Fine Gael and outside.
“I’m not here to score political points. The motion was about what we are spending on the contracting for grass cutting. It wasn’t about funding. It was my view that these works could be done by direct labour, through the existing resources we have in the Municipal District.”