Management of Sky Garden project ‘challenging’

CORK’S city manager has described the delivery and management of the Sky Garden project as “particularly challenging”.

In a letter to city councillors, Tim Lucey described as “unprecedented” Diarmuid Gavin’s request to address the council in the manner he wanted, and said it would be inappropriate because legal correspondence between both sides was continuing.

Mr Lucey has consistently declined to comment in public about the stand-off between the local authority and the garden designer over the Sky Garden, while city officials worked to secure phase two of the project — its installation in Cork city.

But Mr Lucey has set out his position in great detail in a letter to councillors which has been seen by the Irish Examiner.

Mr Lucey rejects all claims made by Mr Gavin relating to the council’s management of the project.

He wrote: “I am satisfied from discussions with my own officials managing the project, and from my knowledge of the manner in which the project has been managed, that the city council has at all times operated in a manner aimed at ensuring appropriate accountability and probity in delivering the project to date. Any suggestions otherwise is rejected outright.

“I am also satisfied that the records of documentation and communication between the council and Diarmuid Gavin Designs Ltd will show this to be the case.”

It is understood the documents, which Mr Gavin has sought under the Freedom of Information Act, could be released within days.

Mr Lucey said Mr Gavin made a request in September to address a council meeting. But he said that following discussions with the lord mayor and party whips, it was decided it would not be appropriate.

Mr Lucey did say Mr Gavin may have an opportunity at a later date to attend a committee meeting of council when the council embarks on a Part 8 planning process to install the Sky Garden in Fitzgerald Park.