Cllr’s move to ‘punish’ businesses is rejected

The suggestion that commercial rates be increased in the city in order to punish business leaders for recommending Galway City Council be abolished, was rejected by a majority of elected members.

The thinly-veiled threat to hike rates to punish Galway Chamber was made by Galway City Councillor, Pádraig Conneely (FG) this week when the Galway Local Government Review was being discussed.

Cllr Conneely said he was “very disappointed” that Galway Chamber, in its submission to the Galway Local Government Committee, had recommended the merger of Galway’s two local authorities.

“Galway Chamber of Commerce say we should be abolished . . . well we’ll see what they say in October, when they’re coming in here begging us not to put up the rates. We’ll see what they say then . . . We haven’t increased rates for a number of years,” he said.

Later on in the meeting he said “increase the rates in October” when another Councillor expressed disappointment with the Chamber’s submission.

In its four-page submission, Galway Chamber said: “It is recommended the Councils of the city and county are merged under one administration.” It sets out in detail why it believes the merger should take place, and outlines a number of economic initiatives that the newly merged local authority should undertake to boost growth.

Several City Councillors were critical of the stance taken by the Chamber but all who spoke disassociated themselves with the threat issued by Cllr Conneely.

Cllr Catherine Connolly (Ind) said the suggestion was “derisory” – the Chamber is entitled to make its views known and its views on local government reform should not be tied-in with rates.

Cllr Mike Crowe (FF) said the City Council has served the interest of Galway businesses well through the years, including chamber members. He disagreed with the Chamber but said it was a democracy and they are entitled to their view.

Cllr Crowe added that if City Councillors weren’t capable of putting forward credible reasons as to why they should be saved, then the City Council probably should be abolished.

Cllr Terry O’Flaherty (Ind) said she won’t be ‘taking it out’ on the Chamber with a rates rise.

Cllr Declan McDonnell (Ind) said he had concerns about the make-up of the Galway Local Government Committee, who were appointed by the Coalition to make recommendations about boundaries of the two local authorities, and whether they should be merged.

He said he was concerned because two of the committee members were previously presidents of Galway Chamber of Commerce, an organisation that has now officially recommended a merger.

Acting Director of Services, Eileen Ruane, confirmed that some 44 submissions had so far been made to the review.

Galway City Council, based on feedback from staff and elected members, would formally make its submission this week, she said.

Councillors’ input into that process included: That no merger should take place; there should be limited extension of boundaries of the City Council, to include Ardaun; and there is scope for increases in shared services between the City and County Councils.