“Officials dragging their heels on implementing recommendations”
Independent Councillor Paddy McQuillan has accused government officials of dragging their heels on implementing the 70-plus recommendations made by Vivian Guerin in his report “Drogheda: Creating a Bridge to a better Future”.
In 2020, Mr. Guerin, the former head of the Probation Service, carried out a scoping exercise in Drogheda at the behest of the Minister for Justice to help formulate a response to the gang feud that had terrorised the town.
He spoke to all relevant agencies and bodies directly and indirectly affected by the feud and his comprehensive report was finalised and submitted to the Dept of Justice in January, with over 70 recommendations to improve the community safety and wellbeing of the town’s citizens.
The report, which was very critical of the lack of leadership and facilities for young people locally, was released on 26th March by the then Minister for Justice, Helen McEntee, who said her department would continue to liaise with other departments with a view to implementing the plan by the end of April.
Councillor McQuillan told Drogheda Life that he is very disappointed that there has been no real move on this implementation plan.
“We are now close to the end of May” he pointed out, adding that “this report is essential to improving the safety, wellbeing and development of Drogheda. “The High-Level Oversight group, consisting of members of seven government departments, is responsible for signing off on an agreed plan of action” McQuillan said. “It is the first recommendation and there has been little movement on it. This is not good enough.”
McQuillan said he had spoken with Chief Superintendent Christy Mangan on this issue who said he has a team in place ready to go, but has not had any contact from the government. Other agencies directly involved are also waiting to engage on the recommendations.
“What is the point of commissioning a report, getting all these recommendations and we can’t act on them as the government officials appear to be dragging their heels on this? McQuillan asked.
“We need action now. The people of Drogheda do not want to see this report sitting in a government office gathering dust.”
With the summer break for the Dail getting closer, Mc Quillan believes action must be taken to form this High-level Oversight Group immediately so that local action groups can start work.
“How are we supposed to implement the other seventy plus recommendations if they can’t implement the first recommendation?
“Minister Heather Humphries has stepped into the position to overview the report and its recommendations” he said, adding that has contacted Independent Senators in the Seanad to initiate a “Commencement Matter” with Minister Humphries to push for this group to be established.
“These recommendations help address our living challenges” McQuillan said. “Their implementation will greatly enhance the lives of everyone in Drogheda. We need to see this action plan signed off on immediately.”
