Molloy performs U-turn on housing plan

Mr Robert Molloy, the Minister of State at the Department of the Environment, has performed a Uturn on a housing development in Carlow following Fine Gael allegations that "the pals' act" was "alive and well". In advance of a Dail debate on the matter next week, Mr Molloy suddenly announced last night that he had decided to give the go-ahead to two housing schemes at Shaw Park in Carlow. The chairman of the Progressive Democrats, Senator Jim Gibbons, whose home is adjacent to the development, had objected to the schemes last year.

Ten days earlier, Mr Molloy had effectively blocked the decision made by Carlow Urban Council and approved by the Department of the Environment in June, 1997, to build the 26 houses. He noted on the file that he was opposed to the loss of public space to new housing.

Senator Gibbons, with two others, made a submission to the Urban District Council in 1996 which stated: "Naturally our objections are different from those of the general public as we, the undersigned, have our residences adjacent to the park and have little doubt that we will suffer an invasion of our privacy in terms of being overlooked, greater noise and probably trespass."

They also commented: "At this stage, we would like to know what measures are proposed by Carlow Urban District Council to protect our interests and our property."

Mr Molloy told The Irish Times last night that he had looked at the file on the housing development after Senator Gibbons had " mentioned it to me". He put a note on the file saying that he was concerned about open space being used as a building site.

The Minister later noted that, due to this concern, "I am not disposed to make public funds available to provide housing at this location". He asked the council to see if an alternative site could be found.

In an unusual development, the Tanaiste, Ms Harney, informed the Fine Gael leader, Mr Bruton, by letter at 4.30 p.m. yesterday that Mr Molloy had decided to give the go-ahead to the proposed housing schemes.

An hour later, Mr Molloy confirmed his decision "given the exceptional circumstances of the case".

"Having regard to the fact that members of the Co-operative Society had already spent a considerable amount of time developing their proposal and that it would be some time before a suitable alternative site could be identified and developed, the Minister has now decided, in these exceptional circumstances, that the schemes may go ahead at Shaw Park," a statement said.

Fine Gael intends to proceed with its private members' motion, in the name of the Carlow-Kilkenny TD, Mr John Browne, next week until Mr Molloy explains his actions in the Dail.