Phil Hogan critical of Priory Hall builder

Environment Minister Phil Hogan has said he condemns the lack of contrition expressed by rogue builder Tom McFeely in a recent BBC interview.

He also criticised comments made by the disgraced developer about the tragic death of a resident at Priory Hall, the development built by Mr McFeely.

“What about the firetrap that could have killed hundreds, including many children as well in that particular development?” Mr Hogan said.

Speaking at the Fine Gael ard fheis, Mr Hogan asked whether the recent BBC broadcast of an interview with Mr McFeely was just a “waste of free speech”.

“The McFeelys of this world stand for everything that Fine Gael is against,” the minister said.

Mr McFeely said in the BBC interview that Priory Hall was not a fire trap and he was not responsible for the suicide of former Priory Hall resident Fiachra Daly.

Mr Daly took his own life under the strain of dealing with issues around Priory Hall which he and his family left for safety reasons.

Mr McFeely had said: “Why didn’t everybody else not commit suicide in Priory Hall, what was the difference there, you know?”

Mr Hogan said: “We stand against violence and we stand against exploitation and crookery. We stand for those that have been victimised by the McFeelys of this world. We stand for the people of Priory Hall.”

His comments came as delegates also debated water taxes, commercial rates and local government changes.

Mr Hogan said it was up to local authorities to prioritise their rates and charges. He said that rates in Waterford and Limerick had decreased by 20% and 16% respectively after city and county councils were merged.

Wexford councillor Jim Allen said that multi-nationals were “killing” town centres with free parking being offered miles away from the main streets. A cap on rates was needed to incentivise start-up businesses, he said.

Members also voted that the introduction of water taxes should be “fair” and “reward conservation”.

Councillors also called on Mr Hogan to address the housing rental crisis in Dublin. Rents had risen by 10% in two years and were now the biggest worry for young people in the capital after employment, delegates were told.

Delegates also called on the Government to improve flood defences after the recent storms. Limerick TD Patrick O’Donovan was critical of more resources going towards the “protected habitats for birds and bees” than humans.

Delegates also passed a motion calling for an Electoral Commission to be set up to oversee elections and referenda.

There were mixed opinions during a debate about a direct election of lord mayors. One Dublin councillor suggested it would be suicide to devolve elected members’ powers to such a position while other delegates said they would welcome a directly elected mayor. Members passed a motion calling for people to have their say.