Kilkenny TD John Paul Phelan
In a joint statement issued in the wake of Minister Paudie Coffey’s announcement that a new Boundary Commission will undertake a review of the North City/South Kilkenny boundary, both TDs pinned their colours to a black and amber mast.
The joint statement claimed that Minister Coffey’s announcement was “was made in the context of plans to develop the North Quays and it is believed to be an effort by some to garner support ahead of the next general election”.
The statement, without attributing the following comment to either TD, adds: “Previous attempts were made to grab land from Kilkenny in 1980, 1992 2002 and 2005. Now 10 years on, a fresh attempt is being made to gain control of the Port of Waterford and a large chunk of valuable land and a population which is very much Kilkenny.”
According to Deputy John Paul Phelan, who is a resident of Ferrybank: “The people of South Kilkenny stood firm in 1980 and in 1992. They expressed their disquiet in 2002 and 2005. Ten years on, the status quo remains. I, along with Minister Phelan will be standing shoulder to shoulder with my constituents and my neighbours in Ferrybank, County Kilkenny, on this matter.”
Deputy Phelan, who said the announcement came “out of the blue,” added: “For the region to benefit from the emerging prosperity it requires cohesive action by Councillors and all elected representatives. It does not require another costly report gathering dust.”
He believes that both local authorities have officials with the “skills necessary to develop a straightforward cohesive plan that will allow Waterford City and its hinterland map to prosper…
“Rather than writing a report on redrawing lines on (a) map, why not write a plan and implement it to transform the area?”
John Paul Phelan continued: “As somebody who lives in the area, I obviously have a personal interest and would like to see that the area develop more.”
From a voting perspective, Deputy Phelan also has an understandable political interest given that the 2011 Census noted that there were 5,324 residents alone in the Ferrybank/Belview area.
“As the local TD, I would be happy to help and make it work, and it would be useful if the Minster sought coalition support for any such (joint local authority) strategy.”
Deputy Phelan also claims that the still largely vacant Ferrybank Shopping Centre would have been “operational prior to the downturn if there hadn’t been constant objections by neighbouring local authorities”.
Interestingly, the Fine Gael TD made no reference in the statement to the lengthy legal battle that ensued between Dunnes Stores (who were the intended anchor tenant of the Ferrybank Centre) and Holtglen Ltd, the company which built the centre. Holtglen’s loans were transferred into NAMA after its insolvency.
In a 2012 letter to NAMA Chief Executive Brendan McDonagh, Dunnes Stores boss Margaret Heffernan described the Ferrybank Centre as “an unmitigated disaster”.
The most recent meeting of the Piltown Electoral District – which convenes at the Ferrybank Centre – was told that the future use of the shopping centre remains unresolved due to it remaining a Commercial Court matter six years after construction was completed.
Regarding cross-boundary political co-operation, or the lack thereof, something also noted to this newspaper by Sinn Féin Councillor Melissa O’Neill, John Paul Phelan continued: “After years of attempts, there was recently a meeting between the Piltown and Waterford City/ Tramore Councillors on issues of co-operation. All six Kilkenny Councillors showed up – only one Waterford Councillor turned up.
“The substantive issue is where we step in. Do we move the boundary and if we do, what will happen in 10 to 15 years’ time? Will there be another boundary move?”
For her part, Minister Ann Phelan claimed to view this as ‘just a review’ was “misguided in the extreme”.
“This is and always has been a highly emotive and contentious issue for the people of South Kilkenny and unfortunately, it is very apparent that it is an issue that is not fully understood by the powers that be; if it were; then this would not be even considered. ”
“Working with John Paul Phelan, TD, we will be supporting the residents of South Kilkenny and standing by them, our local representatives, and our local authorities to ensure that things remain as they are. There is no legislative basis for this decision, and it does not form any commitment in the Fine Gael/Labour Programme for Government.”
Citing Kilkenny’s “great working relationship with the Port of Waterford,” Minister Phelan added: “The partnership approach between Kilkenny County Council and the Port, is a very important one and should be further capitalised on. Approximately €25 million has been invested in the Port by its customers in the last year alone.”
Incidentally, the TDs’ joint statement was issued too late for either paid-for Tuesday morning newspaper in Waterford to run last week (7:15pm on Monday, June 22nd) but in time aplenty for the Kilkenny People to run a front page report on last Wednesday.
