Veteran councillor walks out of Meath County Council Meeting in row over land rezoning motion
A long-serving Meath councillor walked out of a meeting of Meath County Council on Monday in protest over the removal of a notice of motion concerning the rezoning of lands under the new county development plan.
Independent councillor Brian Fitzgerald, who represents the Ratoath Municipal District, left the November meeting after describing the decision to remove the motion from the agenda as “totally unacceptable” and a “total lack of respect” for elected members.
At the outset of the meeting, Cllr Fitzgerald told colleagues he was “annoyed” by how the matter had been handled.
“The removal of the notice of motion was totally unacceptable to me and to all the other councillors,” he said.
“Over the years, I have served under up to ten county managers and chief executives and never, ever were we questioned on a reserved function.”
The councillor, who has served on the council for 40 years, said he was “absolutely disgusted” by the decision and announced that he was leaving the meeting.
“I have more respect for my councillors,” he added, before exiting the chamber.
Before leaving, Cllr Fitzgerald handed a requisition signed by five councillors to the Cathaoirleach, calling for a special meeting on the issue.
After his departure, Chief Executive Kieran Kehoe addressed members, saying he was “extremely disappointed” that Cllr Fitzgerald had taken offence.
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“We received a notice of motion from the independent group,” Mr Kehoe said.
“As a courtesy, I met with Cllr Fitzgerald to go through what was the intention behind the motion. I explained that we would be carrying out a variation, but you cannot use a notice of motion to carry out the functions of the Planning and Development Act. That is very clear and straightforward.”
He added that councillors could instead request that he prepare a report to be presented within four weeks, but said he did not believe that was "necessary” because work was already underway.
“I felt there was no need to do that because we are in the process of preparing a report,” he said.
“There is a special meeting in the first week of December, and we have taken on board the request from Cllr Fitzgerald and the other councillors to widen the consideration of lands that were rezoned under previous development plans.”
Mr Kehoe said he was “very disappointed” that the matter had led to confrontation, adding: “In all my career I have fully listened and responded to the wishes of the members.”
Independent councillor Nick Killian also voiced frustration over the removal of the motion.
“I’m very annoyed,” he said. “I know that you are entitled to your view, but as councillors we are entitled to ours, and that was put forward in a letter given to you today.”
He added that while some land had remained undeveloped for many years despite being zoned, the issue still needed open discussion.
Fianna Fáil councillor Sean Drew also backed the call for a special meeting, saying the motion should have remained on the agenda to allow members to receive legal and planning advice directly.