SF opposes Dempsey invitation
Sinn Féin members of Monaghan County Council have opposed the invitation to Environment and Local Government Minister Noel Dempsey to officially open a new recycling facility for the county. The six-strong Sinn Féin group said it was totally inappropriate to invite the minister after his decision to take power on waste management away from elected councillors.
At Monaghan County Council on Monday Sinn Féin TD and County Councillor Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin said that the minister should not be invited as his Waste Management (Amendment) Bill 2001 will remove from local authorities the power to make waste management plans. This power is to be placed in the hands of city and county managers so that harmful waste incinerators can be imposed on local communities.
Sinn Féin Councillor Jackie Crowe said that the Minister's actions were totally undemocratic and it would be flying in the face of democracy to have the Minister there to open the facility at Scotch Corner.
When the matter came to a vote the Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael members combined to approve the invitation to the Minister, with the six Sinn Féin members voting against.
County Councillor Cathaoirleach Brian McKenna said that he would reserve his position as to whether he would attend the opening by the minister.
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