Kieran’s response at www.corkpolitics.ie

Gerry,
I’ll keep investigating it. To be honest, the Council needs to be more aggressive in their attack on litter in Cork City. I raised that with the environment director as well.  I was given the response of a lack of staff resources and money. However, from what I see I have to say the environment directorate functions well.

But publicity and not telling the people what goes on across all Council departments is one of the Council’s biggest issues. They need a rep liasing with papers and going on radio.  I have also raised this but the big wheel of local government dismissed it at the time. However, they have, I have to admit, significantly improved the situation but people like ourselves with an interest in the city should and will always demand more of them.

The minutes of the different commitees appear more or less what you see on the minutes of the general meetings.

As regards your thoughts on companies and City Council, there is a disconnected feel between companies and Council. The economic progress of the City has not been in depth been discussed since I got in. I have raised material to rattle the cage but need more knowledge myself. I have been liasing with the Cork Business Association to see where joined up thinking between the Council and businesses should be more promoted. The Chair of the City Council always puts out a positive spin – that the city is great and that there are no economic problems for the city traders etc. I have also seen concerned traders and vintners almost dismissed by certain councillors outside Council meetings. A type of political snobbery, not by all councillors though.
 
I see on Monday night E.80,000 is being proposed as investment into improving the gateway points into the city. I’ll go chasing the aesthetics of the Kinsale Road Roundabout. Kieran Mc