Dissatisfaction has been expressed by Sinn Féin elected representatives with what it terms the “restrictive nature” of yesterday’s briefing regarding plans to locate modular homes in Clonmel. The Government is to place 82 modular homes on HSE lands in Ballingarrane for use as accommodation for Ukrainian refugees.
The meeting was confined to Oireachtas members and Clonmel Elected representatives, excluding the vast majority of County Councillors. As a result, Sinn Féin could not have a representative to substitute for Deputy Martin Browne, who was chairing a meeting of the Joint Committee on Public Petitions at the time of the briefing. Deputy Browne says his request to reschedule the briefing was not facilitated and Sinn Fein were not allowed to nominate a councillor to attend in place of Deputy Browne. Tipperary town based Councillor Anne Marie Ryan had requested access to the briefing.
The Cashel based TD says as Tipperary County Council is a whole-county body the decision to exclude the majority of members was a poor decision as it did nothing to enable community engagement. Sinn Féin is to engage with the council, the Department of Integration and the Office of Public Works with a focus on improved communication and the specific details of the proposed development in Clonmel.
