Council says libel laws should be reviewed
NAAS, 26 May 2000: by Trish Whelan. Naas UDC is to request the minister for justice to review the libel laws so as to provide the media ‘and elected representatives’ with adequate means to perform their role as a ‘watch dog’ for democracy. This follows a successful motion by Naas UDC Cllr Charlie Byrne (right) who also wants it sent to all local authorities in the country for their support.
Cllr Byrne said that, following revelations at the Flood Tribunal into payments to politicians, ‘it has been embarrassing to be a public official or candidate in public life’. He believed many of the scandals in the country would not have come to light but for the media who he said are being ‘hampered by oppressive laws’. “If the media were not frightened of being caught up in the libel laws, they would have saved the taxpayer a lot of money,” he told the meeting. He hoped anybody with an interest in ‘getting rid of corruption’ would support the motion.
A journalist herself, Cllr Mary Glennon (right) said journalists had been aware of what had been going on in planning matters for some time. She said she had no agenda or allegiances and if she did, would declare them. “If I had and was hiding them, the press would have a right to know.”
Cllr Pat McCarthy asked if Cllr Byrne would include the words ‘elected representatives’ in his motion as councillors should be able to say what they think and ask any questions that are in the public interest. “Every councillor here is thinking of his house if he opens his mouth and says the wrong thing.”
Cllr Timmy Conway also agreed with the motion but believed members had ‘a certain amount of privilege’ around the Council table. Cllr Pat O’Reilly asked who would police the journalists and who are they accountable to as people have rights under the Constitution. But he said he would support a review of the libel laws.
Cllr Evelyn Bracken said she had never experienced problems with the media, or any criticism, during her 21 years as a member of Naas UDC, and she said she supported the motion.
Chairman Cllr Seamie Moore (right) said it is a very critical time for elected representatives. “I have always been very careful about the words used here, but there are times people say things in the heat of the moment.” He agreed there is room for revision of the libel laws. He also criticised the accuracy of some reporting.
Cllr McCarthy then proposed an amendment to the motion, to include the words ‘and elected representatives’. The amendment met with unanimous approval and the motion is to be sent to all local authorities for support.
Following the above, the UDC also supported a motion from Cllr Byrne asking the Government that all political lobbyists be registered ‘in every county in Ireland’. Cllr Charlie Byrne said it was important to be able to identify anybody acting as a political lobbyist. He was supported by Cllr Anthony Egan who said every planning application should carry a note if the applicant had made a donation to any political party.
Cllr Glennon said people who are lobbying for rezoning ‘should come before the Council to make their case - or else be excluded from the official process’. “I’m going to be pushing over the next five years to get this all out in the open so that everybody’s interests are declared and there is nothing hidden when we draw up the next Development Plan”.
Cllr Pat McCarthy (left) said he had felt very sorry for Cllr Charlie Byrne in the runup to the adoption of the Town Development Plan when he had asked to be excluded from all contributions to the plan because ‘pressure from lobbyists had got to him’. “Landowners go to any lengths and have overstepped the mark on many occasions,” he said. “Nothing should be done behind closed doors - whether it is recorded or not. I am absolutely satisfied that lobbying was very intense and it is a matter for public record that certain people overstepped the mark at that time.”
Cllr Evelyn Bracken said anything she had done had been ‘for the good of Naas because we got land for affordable housing, for social housing and for schools.’ “That’s why I voted for the plan.”
Chairman Cllr Seamie Moore said he would ‘run with the motion’ while Cllr Pat O’Reilly wanted to know how such a register would be compiled.
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MAYNOOTH: Deputy Emmet Stagg has welcomed confirmation from the minister for public enterprise that risks identified on the Maynooth suburban railway line havev now been fully resolved by Iarnrod Eireann. He said that with the ongoing work on doubling the line and the removal of potentially fatal risks, 'we are now moving towards the position where we might at last be able to provide a decent service to the travelling public on the line'.
Included in the exhibition were his last two paintings, one of a stag and the other of a heron - the last completed in the week that he died. On the opening night, a bouquet of white lilies was presented to Billy’s wife Angela by the original artists who had exhibited with him in the annual Tuckmill exhibitions in the mid-eighties. Pictured on right are Billy’s daughters Paddy and Katie with Derek Dean of The Freshmen, the band with whom he played sax, piano and clarinet.
KILDARE & NEWBRIDGE, 24 May 2000: by 
The matter came up during a discussion on parking in which Cllr Anthony Egan (right) said Naas will ‘virtually come to a stop’ if no alternative car parking is available when construction starts on the proposed two multi-storey car parks in car parks on Corban’s Lane and the Sallins Road, which are being sold by Naas UDC to private enterprise. He warned that the lack of car parking spaces will have major consequences for commercial life in the town. He said the Council should acquire land now to alleviate future parking problems when the car parks are closed during construction work.
Cllr Timmy Conway (right) said that the Council should be using land available to it for similar schemes in order to keep business in the town. He pointed out that some people are already travelling to Newbridge to shop. “Once we lose them it’s very hard to get them back,” he noted, adding that the Council could look at using the green area on the Fair Green as a temporary car park, which he said would not permanently damage the ground.
Sean Cunnane welcomed the group to Athy and spoke of the great interest in Shackleton that still exists in the area. He presented Mrs Shackleton with a bouquet of flowers. The group were told that students from Castledermot National School had compiled a project on their hero Ernest Shackleton which had won the All-Ireland Community Games final this weekend. The group expressed particular interest in the sledge harness on display which on one occasion saved Shackleton's life when he fell into a crevasse.
Career Guidance Counsellor PJ Foster (pictured on right with teacher Catherine Callan) said it was an important occasion not only for the students and their parents, but also for the staff. He said the school ‘has made a tremendous contribution over the years to build up the community in Naas and surrounding towns.
Congratulating the students, special guest finance minister Charlie McCreevy TD told students that the length of time spent in school is closely related to future career prospects and those who stay in school long enough to gain qualifications are better equipped to meet the challenges of modern living and the needs of the labour market.
VEC chairperson Cllr Sean O Fearghail spoke of ‘outstanding and ambitions plans’ for the school. He said the students ‘were great ambassadors for the school’. He paid tribute to District Inspector Seamus Kelly for his support to schools in the county. Pictured right are Martin Casey (Most Improved Student), Shane Casey (6th Year Student of the Year) and Brian Leonard (Best contribution to the School).
Sixth year student Carol Pender reflected on her life as a student in the school. “Although formal education is very important, other aspects like social education and personal development are also important,” she told the present-day students. She recalled the great atmosphere in the school at Christmas and of Rag Days for the Care of the Aged, and past teachers.
KILDARE GENERAL, 22 May 2000: by 
