"The time for talking is over" - Drogheda Cllrs clash during no confidence motion in Government

Drogheda councillors clashed during a fiery debate on the future of the Government. 

It came after Mayor of Drogheda, Labour Cllr Michelle Hall tabled an emergency no-confidence motion in the Government at the April meeting of the Drogheda Borough District.

Mayor Hall accused the Government of doing Drogheda a "disservice that will have long term repercussions in the future". 

"Since the last Borough District meeting was held, the D hotel contract was renewed, the omission of Drogheda Schools from the Deis+ programme and operation encompass will commence in Drogheda schools in September. 

The lack of planning for future events led to this week’s countrywide protests. It [the motion] calls on the Government to listen to the elected representatives of Drogheda when they say, in earnest that these actions have a detrimental effect on our community," she said.

However, it was subject to two counter-motions from Fianna Fáil councillor James Byrne and Fine Gael councillor Ejiro O'Hare Stratton. 

Cllr Byrne labelled the motion "contradictory" and called on the Government to "listen to the elected representatives of Drogheda without further delay".

Cllr Byrne's counter motion was selected to be debated during the meeting winning with four votes to three. 

He said he would be "seriously disappointed" if the renewal of the D Hotel contract as an IPAS centre continued beyond its 12 month extension and said it would be "unacceptable". 

Cllr Byrne also said he didn't believe measure introduced by the Government to cut excise duty on fuel had "gone far enough", 

"We’re all hurt. The two reductions in excise duty go far, but in my opinion haven’t gone far enough. But you have to weigh up in terms of cost of implementing those measures. It’s easy to say they haven’t done enough and they should do more. But the money has to be found for it but they still could do more," he said.

In response Mayor Hall said "when some of the language is 'seriously unacceptable' and 'very disappointed' that’s just not good enough". 

She said she would engage with the relevant ministers and called on the Government to "step down or step up".

"I would obviously engage with the Government if they engage with us. We’ve requested meeting with the Minister for Transport and Minister for Justice to talk about the D Hotel and none of those request were followed through. 

So that’s where I felt that as mayor of Drogheda we had to make a statement," she said. 

Read Next: Funding for Louth Fire and Rescue will 'deliver real and lasting benefits'

Independent councillor Paddy McQuillan launched a scathing attack on the Government in which he accused it of "ignoring Drogheda" and "squandering money". 

He said "the time for talking is over" and said "we need to mobilise again". 

Ultimately Cllr Byrne's motion was rejected, but Mayor Hall labelled the debate a "constructive discussion". 

Funded by the Local Democracy Reporting Scheme.