Tipperary TD Mattie McGrath has told Gript he was locked out of a meeting with Department of Integration officials on a modular homes plan for Clonmel, which he says is a “denial of democracy.”
The briefing took place on Thursday, after the Department of Integration confirmed plans to house refugees from Ukraine in a new 82 unit modular housing development.
Deputy McGrath had found out in February, through Freedom Of Information (FOI) requests, that the local site, in the vicinity of the rugby club, was being considered for the provision of 62 modular homes.
The Clonmel TD discovered that site tests had been scheduled to be carried out between 22nd February to 3rd March on the HSE-owned land, which was being considered under the Ukrainian rapid build programme.
The TD has sought answers on the matter for two months, but says he has so far been met with “silence or very limited information.”
Last week, the TD was informed by Minister for Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform, Paschal Donohoe, that initial technical analysis of the site at Hayward, Clonmel, had been carried out by the Office of Public Works with the approval of the HSE.
“Further to this, the OPW is also engaging with utility providers on accessibility to those essential services.
Consideration is being given to the suitability of the site to form part of the ModularHomes Rapid Build Programme and a decision is expected shortly,” Minister Donohoe said in a written response to McGrath last Thursday.
Last Friday, Deputy McGrath received responses back to an FOI request and parliamentary question, receiving an email from the director of services stating that 82 modular homes would be located on Heywood Road.
Thursday’s meeting was attended by local politicians and community leaders, with Tipperary County councillors as well as Dáil and Seanad members briefed on the plans.
The meeting, which was scheduled on a Dail sitting day, meant that the Tipperary politician could not attend in person because he had an afternoon debate regarding delays to autism classes. For that reason, he says he sought assurance that he could attend the meeting remotely via Zoom – which he says he was assured he could do.
However, McGrath claims he was “denied access” to the meeting by Tipperary County Council officials who he says “chose not to allow me to attend,” describing the move as “extremely sinister.”
Speaking to Gript, Deputy McGrath said that after initial technical difficulties, he gained access to the meeting. He had to listen in the car on the way to an appointment, and so attended the meeting while he was being driven to his appointment.
Due to an eyesight condition, the TD has a driver for long journeys, under the Disability Act. However, he told Gript that Council officials took issue with the fact another person – who is bound by a confidentiality agreement – was present in the car at the time, something McGrath says was unavoidable.
Deputy McGrath said he put his earphones in, meaning his driver would not be able to hear what was being said in the meeting, however Tipperary County Council officials would not allow him to remain in the meeting, despite this being previously agreed.
“As soon as I gained access to the meeting, [officials] kicked up their high horse that I couldn’t have somebody in the car with me. I went to the back of the car and got my earphones and mouthpiece, but no, that still wasn’t acceptable. The Director of Services didn’t want me there, full stop,” the Independent TD said.
“I had a row with her on the phone and argued my case, but they refused to let me attend. I had to be in Tipperary for a certain time for an appointment. I had no other choice. They just didn’t want me there, full stop. The other thing is that I have a driver because of problems with my eyesight, I am entitled to have that person there to support me.
“I have written to the Director of Services because I believe they have denied me access to the support I am entitled to. I have asked for an apology because I believe I was discriminated against under the Disability Act. She is yet to come back to me. But to me, it is clear as day that I wasn’t wanted in that meeting, full stop.”
“In any case, my driver has signed the confidentiality agreement, so it shouldn’t have been a problem. It’s shocking,” he added.
‘REFUSED ACCESS’
The TD has described the move as “extremely sinister.”
“I have been the only public representative asking questions on these matters in Tipperary, and I’ve been refused access to the briefing,” Deputy McGrath said.
He said it represented “more secrecy and avoidance of the hard questions from official Ireland.”
Deputy McGrath said that after being denied access to Thursday’s meeting, he wrote to the Director of Services at the Council asking if he could meet with an official somewhere in person that afternoon, but said he was told this was not possible.
“They didn’t want to meet with me,” he said. “That’s their attitude.”
He also says it is a problem that such meetings are being held during Dail time, because it limits the ability of TDs to attend.
“I was also told the only reason I was invited to the meeting was because I had been asking so many questions this last while,” the TD claimed. “I was also told there will be a meeting with Oireachtas members later. When?”
The TD has described the move as “extremely sinister.”
“I have been the only public representative asking questions on these matters in Tipperary, and I’ve been refused access to the briefing.”
He said it represented “more secrecy and avoidance of the hard questions from official Ireland.”
“I hope that Clonmel Elected Representatives will ask the appropriate questions and raise the concerns of the public. In particular, I wanted confirmation of when the contractor will move on site as I am led to believe it is imminent, but can now not do so. I hope the Councillors will get answers,” Deputy McGrath said.
“I didn’t have the choice to ask any questions on Thursday, so I have no answers.”
‘A REFUSAL TO GIVE INFORMATION TO THE PUBLIC’
Deputy McGrath also says he has been contacted by the local rugby club regarding the plans.
“There is a refusal to give the information to the public. What is angering people as well is that the rugby club, which is on the edge of this land, has been trying to buy this land for six years. They couldn’t get anywhere with the HSE, yet now they can give this land for a modular homes plan no problem. It’s shocking.”
“It’s a denial of democracy, and there is a clear disrespect for democracy,” the TD added.
When contacted for comment, the Department of Integration said that discussions are currently ongoing with the HSE around licence arrangements once this is completed a start date for the works will be scheduled.
“For each of the Rapid Build sites the Department has put in place structures to ensure planning for the provision of essential and support services, like healthcare and education, are conveyed to the relevant providers in each area,” a spokesperson said.
“The Department is working with other departments, State Agencies and stakeholders to ensure these additional resources are in place.”
The Department also said: “As part of the State’s humanitarian response to the Ukrainian crisis, the government has developed a rapid build housing programme to provide accommodation for families fleeing the war in Ukraine. The programme aims to provide short-term accommodation up to 2,800 Ukrainians at several sites across Ireland.
“The Office of Public Works (OPW) is leading the development of this accommodation in conjunction with the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth (DCEDIY).
“This project, the first of its kind, is an important one as it will provide a blueprint for future developments. As each phase has brought new challenges, these challenges are providing important future learnings.”
Tipperary County Council has also been contacted for comment.