2020 bid ‘sucking resources’ from Galway City

Galway’s ‘Capital of Culture’ bid is sucking scarce resources away from the day-to-day running of the city, a former mayor has claimed.

Mike Crowe, a supporter of the Galway 2020 bid, said Galway City Council is pumping money into securing the coveted designation – but neglecting essential services.

The Fianna Fáil councillor said ‘simple’ jobs such as grass cutting and housing maintenance are being put on the long-finger, as the local authority focuses solely on becoming Capital of Culture.

“You can pay too much for gold,” fumed Councillor Crowe.

“My big problem is resources are going into the bid and other areas are suffering. Never in my 12 years on Galway City Council have I had so many people ringing me trying to get grass cut and to get simple things done but they can’t,” he said.

Cllr Crowe said residents in Galway’s suburbs are suffering because all the resources are directed towards the 2020 bid.

“I’m a supporter of Galway 2020, and I hope we win it because it will be a good thing for the city. But we need to inject some realism into the debate. Minor works and what I’d calling simple jobs are not being done.

“All the focus is on the heart of the city, and that’s grand, but the vast majority of people live out in the suburbs and these areas are being neglected. All the resources are being put into this bid, and there’s no money for the basics. The other angle is that the Council is trying to contract out these works but the unions up at City Hall won’t let them.”

Limerick and the three sisters, Kilkenny, Waterford and Wexford, are also vying for the title, which would result in a significant financial boost to the arts and culture sectors in the winning region.

“It’s all very well putting up bunting and blue flags and wearing wristbands. That’s great down in the Latin Quarter, but what about the suburbs where people live? There are some areas in the city where they haven’t even had their grass cut for the first time yet.

“I’ve said this to the Chief Executive. It’s all well and good putting your best foot forward for the bid but win, lose or draw, things better go back to normal after the winner is announced.

“Have you seen the state of the roundabouts coming into the city? You’d lose a child in the one at Menlo Park and the one at GMIT is a disgrace. If the judges are driving to Galway, and they see them roundabouts, you might as well give up because they’ll just turn around again,” added Cllr Crowe.