Councillors reject public consultation motion
The motion put down by Cllr Fiona McLoughlin Healy had asked that such a review specifically look at how the Council informs people affected by decisions and planning, but it was defeated 14-8 by her fellow councillors.
Cllr McLoughlin Healy said people significantly and sometimes detrimentally affected by Council decisions complain that they were not informed and were unaware that those decisions were being taken.
"It is not sufficient to argue that the public must be aware of public consultation notices in local newspapers at all times to ensure that they are not affected by planning decisions," she added. "There is a responsibility on the Council to ensure that where constituents are significantly affected by a planning decision, especially financially, that reasonable attempts are taken to inform them."
Obviously most of her 21 other Council colleagues who voted — there are actually 40 councillors on the Council — are happy with the status quo. As for the other 18, no opinion?
Cllr McLoughlin Healy was selected last week to run for Fine Gael in Kildare South in the next General Election, along with the incumbent TD, Deputy Martin Heydon.
The Diary based a recent Viewpoint piece on Cllr McLoughlin Healy's motion.
