The Mayor, Councillor. H. Mahony, at the start of the meeting reminded Members that Standing Orders would apply to all aspects of the meeting.

Minutes of the County Council Meeting held on 13^th March 2023 which had been circulated were considered. 

It was PROPOSED by Councillor K. Dennison, seconded by Councillor P. Conroy and RESOLVED –

“That the minutes of the County Council Meeting held on 13^th March 2023 be ADOPTED.”

It was agreed to vary the agenda to deal with Item 18 at this stage of the meeting and in conjunction with Item 2a.

Mr. John Quinlivan advised the members of a change in the Terms of Reference for the ‘Our Balbriggan’ Leadership Group.  The revised Terms of Reference were AGREED by the Members.

The Mayor called for nominations and it was proposed by Councillor T. Murphy and seconded by Councillor K. Power that Councillor Grainne Maguire be nominated to the Our Balbriggan Leadership Group.

It was AGREED and declared by the Mayor that Councillor Grainne Maguire be nominated.

The report by the Chief Executive, which had been circulated, was CONSIDERED. 

It is a matter for Members of the Full Council to make such nominations as are considered appropriate.

It was proposed by Councillor P. Conroy and seconded by Councillor I. Carey that Councillor Karen Power be nominated to the Board of the Irish Institute of Music and Song (IIMS) CLG.

It was proposed by Councillor G. Maguire and seconded by Councillor C. Boland that Councillor Tony Murphy be nominated to the Board of the Irish Institute of Music and Song (IIMS) CLG.

The Mayor then instructed that a roll call vote be taken, the result of which was as follows:

MURPHY:              20      TWENTY

POWER:                16      SIXTEEN

ABSTAIN:                1      ONE

MURPHY:              Councillors Mahony, Howard; Mulligan, Dean; Donnelly, Angela; Hanaphy, Breda; Graves, Ann; Treacy, Natalie; Maguire, Grainne; Murphy, Tony; O’Brien, Eoghan; Kitt, Tom; Manton, Brigid; Tormey, Aoibhinn; O’Leary, Tom; Doyle, Tania; Guerin, Jimmy; Boland; Cathal; Henchy, Adrian; Butler, Darragh; Dennehy, Brain; Dennison, Kieran.

POWER:                    Councillors Hopkins, Joan; Mulville, Paul; Burtchaell, John; Whooley, Daniel; Carey, Ian; Power, Karen; Ó’Rodaigh, Seána; Walsh, John; McCamley, Mary; Healy, David; Conroy, Pamela; Onwumereh, JK; O’Donoghue, Robert; McDonagh Brian; Leddy, Ted; Rane, Puman.

ABSTAIN:              Councillor Newman, Joe.

The Mayor then DECLARED Councillor Tony Murphy as nominated to the Board of the Irish Institute of Music and Song (IIMS) CLG.

The report by the Chief Executive, which had been circulated, was CONSIDERED.

It is a matter for Members of the Full Council to make such nominations as are considered appropriate.

It was proposed by Cllr. E. O’Brien and seconded by Cllr. A. Henchy that Councillor Tom Kitt be nominated to the Regional Health Forum.

As no further nominations were received, the Mayor then DECLARED Councillor Tom Kitt as nominated to the Regional Health Forum.

The report by the Chief Executive, which had been circulated, was CONSIDERED.

As no nominations were received, it was AGREED to bring this item forward to the May Council Meeting.

The Mayor, Councillor. H. Mahony, advised the Members that two emergency motions had been received.

The motions from Councillor J. Burtchaell and Councillors K. Power & R. O’Donoghue  were ruled in order and would be dealt with at 7:45pm.

It was proposed by Councillor M. McCamley, seconded by Councillor K. Dennison and RESOLVED:

“That in accordance with Standing Order No. 53, Questions numbered 3 to 12, be ADOPTED.”

The reports by the Chief Executive, which had been circulated, were CONSIDERED.  It was proposed by Councillor E. O’Brien, seconded by Councillor K. Power and RESOLVED:

“That the recommendations contained in the quarterly reports of Strategic Policy Committees are hereby APPROVED.”

The report by the Chief Executive, which had been circulated, was CONSIDERED.  It was proposed by Councillor H. Mahony, seconded by Councillor E. O’Brien and RESOLVED:

“That the recommendations contained in the report of Committee of Corporate Policy Group Meeting held on 4^th April 2023, are hereby ADOPTED.”

The report by the Chief Executive, which had been circulated, was CONSIDERED.  It was proposed by Councillor E. O’Brien, seconded by Councillor J. Guerin and RESOLVED:

“That the recommendations contained in the report of Committee of Howth Malahide Services (B) meeting held on 5^th April 2023, are hereby ADOPTED.”

The report by the Chief Executive, which had been circulated, was CONSIDERED.  It was proposed by Councillor M. McCamley, seconded by Councillor P. Rane, and RESOLVED:

“That the recommendations contained in the report of Committee of Blanchardstown-Mulhuddart/Castleknock/Ongar Services B meeting held on 6^th April 2023, are hereby ADOPTED.”

The report by the Chief Executive, which had been circulated, was CONSIDERED.

The following Motion from the floor was received in the name of Cllr. A. Tormey:

“That the Chief Executive amend the additional transfers to capital to the following:

Additional Transfers to Capital 

????????????????????????????????????????????????            €          Note

C6261024 Libraries - Development fund for new facilities. 500,000          1

C6462133 Community Centre - Development fund for new 1,500,000     2

C5180007 Climate Change Action Fund 250,000                                            3

C4841068 Balbriggan Economic Regeneration 2,000,000                            4

C4841074 Management of Heritage Properties and a new playground in Sutton 2,780,500                                                                                                 5

Total 7,030,500

The motion seeks to add "and a new playground in Sutton" to C4841074.”

The Mayor ruled this Motion out of order under Standing Order # 70.

Following discussion, the Mayor called for a roll call vote on the Draft Annual Financial Statement 2022 and Authorisation of Additional Expenditure  following a three-minute break.  The results of the vote were as follows:

FOR:            35      THIRTY-FIVE

AGAINST:      2      TWO

ABSTAIN:       0      ZERO

FOR:            Councillors Mahony, Howard; Hopkins, Joan; Mulville, Paul; Burtchaell, John; Mulligan, Dean; Donnelly, Angela; Hanaphy, Breda; Graves, Ann; Treacy, Natalie; Maguire, Grainne; Murphy, Tony; Whooley, Daniel; Carey, Ian; Power, Karen; O’Brien, Eoghan; Kitt, Tom; Manton, Brigid; Ó’Rodaigh, Seána; Walsh, John; McCamley, Mary; O’Leary, Tom; Doyle, Tania; Newman, Joe; Guerin, Jimmy; Boland, Cathal; Healy, David; Conroy, Pamela; Henchy, Adrian; Butler, Darragh; Onwumereh, JK; Dennehy, Brian; O’Donoghue, Robert; McDonagh, Brian; Dennison, Kieran; Rane, Punam.

AGAINST:      Councillors Tormey, Aoibhinn; Leddy, Ted.

The Mayor then declared the report AGREED.

The report by the Chief Executive, which had been circulated, was CONSIDERED and following discussion, the report was NOTED.

It was NOTED that there was no business under this heading.

The report by the Chief Executive which had been circulated was CONSIDERED.  It was proposed by Councillor D. Whooley, seconded by Councillor E. O’Brien, and RESOLVED:

 “That the roads referred to in the attached report be, and are hereby declared to be, public roads.”

The report by the Chief Executive, which had been circulated, was CONSIDERED and RESOLVED:

“That Fingal County Council hereby resolves, pursuant to Part XI of the Planning & Development Act 2000 (as amended) and Part VIII of the Local Government Planning & Development Regulations 2001 (as amended), for Proposed housing development of 121 dwellings, a crèche and associated site works at site in Mayeston, Poppintree, Dublin 11be proceeded with as set out in the foregoing report.”

The report which had been circulated was CONSIDERED. It was proposed by Councillor K. Dennison, seconded by Councillor M. McCamley, and AGREED.

The report by the Chief Executive which had been circulated was CONSIDERED. It was proposed by Councillor H. Mahony and seconded by Councillor E. O’Brien and RESOLVED that:

“In accordance with Section 221 of the Local Government Act 2001, as amended by the Local Government Reform Act 2014, the Annual Report of Fingal County Council for the year 2022 is hereby ADOPTED.” 

The report by the Chief Executive which had been circulated was CONSIDERED.

It was proposed by Councillor B. McDonagh, seconded by Councillor J. Walsh and RESOLVED:

That the award of Artists Support Scheme 2023as set out in the foregoing report is hereby APPROVED

The report by the Chief Executive, which had been circulated, was CONSIDERED.

The following motion, in the name of Councillor Aoibhinn Tormey, was received prior to the meeting:

“That the Chief Executive initiate efforts to begin to identify public rights of way within Fingal to ensure that tourism within the county continues to thrive.”

The motion was proposed by Cllr. A. Tormey, seconded by Cllr. J. Hopkins and AGREED.

Following discussion, the report of the Chief Executive was NOTED

It was NOTED that there was no business under this heading.

The notice which had been circulated was NOTED.

The notice which had been circulated was NOTED.

The notice which had been circulated was NOTED.

The notice which had been circulated was NOTED.

The notice which had been circulated was NOTED.

It was NOTED that there was no business under this heading.

The correspondence, which had been received, was NOTED.

The correspondence, which had been received, was NOTED.

The correspondence, which had been received, was NOTED.

The correspondence, which had been received, was NOTED.

The correspondence, which had been received, was NOTED.

The motion, in the name of Councillor P. Rane was proposed by Councillor P. Rane and seconded by Councillor K. Dennison.

Following discussion, the report was ACCEPTED.

The motion, in the name of Councillor K. Power was proposed by Councillor K. Power and seconded by Councillor P. Conroy.

Following discussion, the motion was AGREED.

The Mayor advised the Members that there were four emergency motions on the floor as follows:

1.     Councillor John Burtchaell

“That this Committee condemns the manner in which a protest at Swords library on Thursday April 6th last was policed whereby a group of known far right agitators — who recently destroyed books in Cork city library and harassed staff there; who have publicly accused a Government Minister and TDs of being “groomers” and conflated the LBGTQ community with paedophilia;  who have led aggressive and intimidatory demonstrations  outside accommodation hosting asylum seekers and their children — were escorted into the library by Gardai and would potentially disrupt, harass and intimidate library workers and users including children; and that this Council expresses concern for and solidarity with the workers in Swords library and all of the libraries across Fingal in the face of such intimidation and we call on the Chief Executive to convene a meeting between the relevant Council officials, library workers and their union representatives and relevant Garda authorities to discuss and determine how library protests of a similar nature will be policed in the future.”  

The motion in the name of Cllr. J. Burtchaell was proposed by Cllr. J. Burtchaell and seconded by Cllr. J. Newman.

2.    Councillors Karen Power & Robert O’Donoghue

“That the Council offer an explanation into the handling of the recent protests at Swords Library and in doing so reaffirms its commitment to providing safe spaces for our LGBTQ family and friends in our county libraries.”

The motion in the name of Cllr. K. Power was proposed by Cllr. K. Power & seconded by Cllr. R. O’Donoghue.

3.    Councillors Karen Power & Robert O’Donoghue

“That the Executive commits to providing safety measures and supports for staff in Libraries across Fingal when notified of potential protests.”

The motion in the name of Cllr. K. Power was proposed by Cllr. K. Power & seconded by Cllr. D. Mulligan.

4.    Councillors Karen Power & Robert O’Donoghue

“That the books removed from Swords Library are replaced as a matter of urgency and that the individuals who removed these books with the sole intent of destroying them are not permitted to withdraw books from any library in Fingal.”

The motion in the name of Cllr. K. Power was proposed by Cllr. K. Power & seconded by Cllr. P. Conroy.

As the same report was to be given to all four motions, it was AGREED to take the motions together.

SUSPENSION OF STANDING ORDERS

It was AGREED to extend the meeting until this item was concluded.

The Mayor then advised the members that an amended motion, in the name of Councillor D. Butler, proposed by Cllr. D. Butler and seconded by Cllr. K. Power, was on the floor:

“That this Committee condemns the manner in which aprotest at Swords library on Thursday April 6th last was policed whereby a group of known far right agitators — who recently destroyed books in Cork city library and harassed staff there; who have publicly accused a Government Minister and TDs of being “groomers” and conflated the LBGTQ community with paedophilia;  who have led aggressive and intimidatory demonstrations  outside accommodation hosting asylum seekers and their children — were escorted into the library by Gardai and would potentially disrupt, harass and intimidate library workers and users including children; and that this Council expresses concern for and solidarity with the workers in Swords library and all of the libraries across Fingal in the face of such intimidation and we call on the Chief Executive to convene a meeting between the relevant Council officials, library workers and their union representatives and relevant Garda authorities to discuss and determine how library protests of a similar nature will be policed in the future.”  

Mr. John Quinlivan, Director of Services, Economic, Enterprise, Tourism & Cultural Development, gave a verbal report to the members.

The Mayor called for a roll call vote on the amendment to the motion, the results of which were as follows:

FOR:            28      TWENTY-EIGHT

AGAINST:      0      ZERO

ABSTAIN:       6      SIX

FOR:            Councillors Mahony, Howard; Donnelly, Angela; Hanaphy, Breda; Graves, Ann; Treacy, Natalie; Maguire, Grainne; Murphy, Tony; Whooley, Daniel; Carey, Ian; Power, Karen; O’Brien, Eoghan; Kitt, Tom; Manton, Brigid; Walsh, John; McCamley, Mary; Tormey, Aoibhinn; O’Leary, Tom; Doyle, Tania; Boland, Cathal; Healy, David; Conroy, Pamela; Henchy, Adrian; Butler, Darragh; Onwumereh, JK; Dennehy, Brian; O’Donoghue, Robert; Leddy, Ted; Rane, Punam.

ABSTAIN:     Councillors Hopkins, Joan; Mulville, Paul; Burtchaell, John; Mulligan, Dean; Newman, Joe; McDonagh, Brian.

The Mayor then DECLARED the amendment to the motion was AGREED.

“That this Committee condemns the protest at Swords library on Thursday April 6th; and that this Council expresses concern for and solidarity with the workers in Swords library and all of the libraries across Fingal in the face of such intimidation and we call on the Chief Executive to convene a meeting between the relevant Council officials, library workers and their union representatives and relevant Garda authorities to discuss and determine how library protests of a similar nature will be policed in the future.”  

Councillor Karen Power advised the members that, as the amended motion had been AGREED, she would WITHDRAW her three motions.

Following discussion, the amended motion was AGREED.

The motion in the name of Councillor M. McCamley was WITHDRAWN by Cllr. McCamley.

The report on the motion in the name of Councillor Tom O’Leary was ACCEPTED.

The report on the motion in the name of Councillor Ann Graves was ACCEPTED.