Ryan accused of giving 'two fingers' to Cork over failure to hold meeting

Councillors were so frustrated by Eamon Ryan's response that they have now demanded meetings with the Taoiseach.

Transport Minister Eamon Ryan has been branded "a disgrace" by furious members of Cork County Council after they were told the minister's "diary is too full" to meet with councillors to discuss decisions made on road redevelopments in the area.

Specifically, councillors are demanding answers over the development of the northern relief road in Mallow, but an email from Mr Ryan's office said a meeting could not be facilitated "due to the minister's current diary schedule". 

Councillors were so frustrated by this response that they have now demanded meetings with the Taoiseach and the Tánaiste instead.

Fine Gael councillor Tony O’Shea told a meeting of the council’s Northern Division that the reply from Mr Ryan was “a disgrace, and basically giving us the two fingers.” 

“That’s the worst reply I have ever seen in my life. This man is an absolute disgrace. It beggars belief,” added Fianna Fáil councillor William O’Leary.

Fianna Fáil councillor Gearoid Murphy said Mr Ryan had repeatedly refused to explain why he used his powers some months ago to issue a Section 24 notice to TII saying that it wasn’t getting money previously earmarked to progress the town’s northern relief road project.

“This road is vital for Mallow. It ticks all the boxes on air quality, connectivity, and economic growth. We should forward the letter to Taoiseach and the Tánaiste expressing our displeasure at it and ask for them for an urgent meeting on the issue,” Fianna Fáil councillor Gearoid Murphy said.

“It’s absolutely unbelievable that his diary is full. It’s an absolute disgrace. We have a town that’s clogged up with traffic and pedestrians are in danger from it. We should just go to Dublin and knock on his door,” Fianna Fil councillor Pat Hayes said.

“It just shows what he thinks of us,” Fine Gael councillor Liam Madden added.

Northern Division chairman Fianna Fáil councillor Bernard Moynihan said: “He’s just told us to buzz off,” and agreed with other councillors that they forward Mr Ryan's reply to the country’s most senior politicians.

Economic development

Mayor of County Cork Fianna Fáil councillor Frank O’Flynn said the future economic development of the North Cork region in general depends on the Mallow bypass being built.

Labour councillor James Kennedy said the health of people living in Mallow is being impacted by poor air quality.

Earlier councillors received a briefing on this subject from Ted O’Leary, a senior official in their environment directorate.

He said monitoring had shown a major decrease in Nitrous Oxide in Macroom town centre after the opening of its bypass.

Mr O’Leary said he would provide councillors information on pollution levels in Mallow from an air monitor in the town’s Bridge Street and would look at Mr Kennedy’s request to install another one in its main street.

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He said he’d also look at putting one in Charleville town centre.

“Surely the minister must take people’s health into consideration and release money for the road,” Mr Hayes said.

“Macroom is proof positive of bypasses being a health benefit for people living in towns. We should send results of Mallow’s air quality testing to the minister,” Mr Kennedy added.

He said if the town is constantly choked with traffic vehicle engines obviously are creating more emissions which are harmful to locals.

Mr Moynihan said that councillors would forward Mr Ryan’s reply to the to senior politicians and would be prepared to travel to Dublin to explain to them the serious need for the Mallow project to be put back on track.