Council passes no confidence vote in Minister

CORK County Council has taken the unprecedented step of passing a vote of no confidence in Environment Minster John Gormley over his handling of a major pollution threat in Cork harbour.

The Green Party minister was, however, backed by Fianna Fáil with one of its members comparing the no confidence vote to a “kangaroo court”.

All other parties rowed in behind the no confidence motion, passing it by 24 votes to nine.

The motion was proposed by Cobh-based Cllr John Mulvihill (Lab) who said he was “disgusted by the inaction of the minister” since toxic waste, including carcinogens, was discovered last June at a site in Haulbowline.

He said the minister had repeatedly refused, over the past three months, to meet local public representatives.

However, the Department of the Environment has signalled that Minister Gormley is prepared to meet four representatives of the different parties on the council next Friday, when he is due to visit Cobh.

Council officials are still awaiting a time and venue from the minister’s office.

Cllr Mulvihill said he was also angry the county council still hadn’t received a response to a letter sent in July to Taoiseach Brian Cowan.

“We are totally unhappy with the way Minister Gormley has treated this council, especially as he is the minister with responsibility for Local Government,” Cllr Mulvihill said.

He was seconded in his no confidence motion by Cllr Michael Hegarty (FG) who said he was “disgusted” by what he described as the minister’s “snub”.

“Minister Gormley should resign now. This is an absolute disgrace,” Cllr Martin Hallinan (SF) said.

Cllr Tomas Ryan (FG) said he was incensed by Minister Gormley’s lack of action.

“If this had happened in Dublin there’d be a body over from Europe looking into it. Because it’s the south, they (the

Government) don’t care. Our local ministers don’t care either,” Cllr Ryan said.

Cllr Noel Collins (Ind) said there were very serious health and safety concerns surrounding the Haulbowline discovery.

“The minister has taken a vow of silence on the matter, which must be deplored,” Cllr Collins suggested.

Cllr Deirdre Forde (FF) proposed that FF councillors endeavour to discuss the matter with the Taoiseach when he also visits Cork next Friday.

“The minister is simply not capable of carrying out his duties,” added Cllr Mulvihill. “He should resign forthwith.”

FF’s Cllr Kevin O’Keeffe proposed that the vote be postponed and that Minister Gormley be given a chance to talk to councillors next Friday.

He met with a noisy rebuke from a number of FG and Labour councillors.

Cllr John Gilroy (Lab) said: “It is an unprecedented move by members of the council to vote on a non-confidence motion on a minister. Minister Gormley is either guilty of complete arrogance by not meeting council members, or has he something sinister to hide. The minister has handled this is the most appalling way. It’s the biggest environmental disaster to hit Cork.”

After the no confidence motion was passed Cllr Kevin O’Keeffe reacted angrily.

“This council has turned into a kangaroo court. It has lost all credibility,” the FF councillor said.