David Hurley, 25 Apr
THE TÁNAISTE Micheál Martin says Minister of State Niall Collins is
prepared to make a statement in the Dail relating to the the sale of a
property in Patrickswell almost 15 years ago.
Allegations relating to the sale of the lands have been published by
The Ditch website in recent days and Mr Collins has come under pressure
to clarify matters in the Dail.
The Limerick TD broke his silence on the matter when he issued a brief
statement on Monday night.
[GN4_DAT_10050743.jpg--deputy_niall_collins_issued_a_brief_statement_th
is_monday_night.jpg]
Limerick TD insists sale of council-owned lands in Limerick village was
'transparent and open'
Further documents relating to the sale of the lands have been released
by Limerick City and County County Council this Tuesday and Socialist
TD Paul Murphy has written to the Ceann Comhairle seeking to have the
matter discussed in the Dail.
Being questioned by reporters in Dublin this Tuesday morning, the
Tánaiste said Mr Collins has not broken any law, regarding the decision
by the then Limerick County Council to put the property up for sale.
Micheál Martin said it is the local authority that has the statutory
and legal power to dispose of council-owned property and not a local
area committee.
"A local area committee has no statutory authority to dispose of a
property," he said.
"Niall Collins wasn't on the council when that land was disposed of by
a decision of that council in 2008 - he had been elected (as a TD) the
previous year - in May of 2007 but he is prepared to go before the
house to make a statement and I understand the Whip is making
arrangements in that regard," he added.