Gormley dismisses Cork vote of no confidence

Green Party Minister John Gormley has dismissed Cork County Council’s unprecedented vote of no confidence in him as “political opportunism”.

The council took the step yesterday of passing a vote of no confidence in the Minister for Environment, Heritage and Local Government over his handling of the Haulbowline toxic site scandal.

Angry councillors accused the Minister of snubbing local representatives, since the extent of the toxic problem emerged last June.

There is an estimated 500,000 tonnes of toxic waste buried at the former Irish Steel site, including carcinogenic materials such as Chromium 6. Ironically, the vote of no confidence came as the minister prepared to meet with councillors this Friday to discuss the issue.

A spokesperson for Minister Gormley said: “The minister has met with Dáil and Seanad members and community groups in the harbour to discuss this issue.

“It is very disappointing to hear Cork County Council has taken a vote of no confidence when they are due to meet the minister on Friday. This seems to be political opportunism rather than concern for people in the area.”

Cobh-based Labour councillor John Mulvihill called for the vote at County Hall yesterday amid cross-party concerns over the minister’s handling of the situation.

Cllr Mulvihill said: “We have been totally snubbed by the minister for months. This is a very serious issue in the harbour area. He is not doing the job he has been put in to do. I don’t want to play politics with this but the minister hasn’t even had the decency to meet those who are elected to represent the people affected by this toxic site.”

Labour’s Cllr John Gilroy added: “This is the biggest environmental disaster in the history of Cork and the minister has given the impression he has something to hide.”

County manager Martin Riordan urged councillors to delay the vote until after the meeting with the minister this week, asking: “Is it wise to pass a vote of no confidence before you hear what the minister has to say on the issue?”

However, the vote of no confidence was passed by 24 votes to nine, with county mayor Cllr Noel Harrington abstaining.

Fianna Fáil’s Cllr Kevin O’Keeffe criticised the decision: “This council has lost all its credibility. We have become a kangaroo court.”

Article courtesy of The Evening Echo newspaper