'No story' around Castlebar swimming pool development

THERE is 'no story' around the Castlebar swimming pool development, which featured on the recent RTÉ Investigates programme, local councillors have been told.

All necessary certification is held by Mayo County Council, director of services John Condon told a municipal district meeting yesterday, where he went through a timeline of steps taken in its development.

It was, he said, one of the greatest projects ever delivered in the district and if the programme broadcast had told the whole story, it would be clear that there was no story.

The issue was raised by Councillor Donna Sheridan who expressed her 'utter disappointment' that elected members found out about the pool featuring on RTÉ on the morning of the broadcast from the media, not the council.

She asked what was known about it at district level and was there anything else known that they should be made aware of.

Councillor Cyril Burke felt the programme was a bit of a damp squib and was 'all over the shop in a lot of ways'.

They had spent the last number of months dragging the local authority through the mud and they were going to do the same now with the pool. Whatever happened between the contractor and his contractor, they had contracts between one another, he said.

Councillor Blackie Gavin agreed, saying it was time they moved on. Why would they knock a world-class facility, he asked.

Cathaoirleach Councillor Martin McLoughlin said if there are issues and unanswered questions they would get the answers.

In responding, Mr. Condon said in the programme, if they told the whole story, 'which they did not', it would be clear there was no story.

There is a system of building controls and with regards the roof of the pool, there is no safety issue. No one who participated in the programme ever suggested there was.

It was important, he said, that people get the information that was not included in the broadcast.

On what was addressed in the programme, the structural steel for the roof, he said structural engineering consultants acting for the council received certification in 2018.

This certification was not accepted.

The council check everything to make sure it meets their requirements. Certs have to be signed by the person issuing them, who is properly qualified and has professional indemnity.

What came in was not accepted.

Subsequently, in November '18, independent certification was produced by an expert retained to examine it and issue the certification. This certification was received in November 2018.

“This was important,” said Mr. Condon. “If we did not, we could not as a council accept a product that was not fit for purpose.

“The certificate proved it was and it was important we received that.”

The programme makers were aware of that, he said.

From the programme, there is an issue between the contractor and the subcontractor. He could not comment on the specifics of that. They have their own contract between them and there are processes in place to deal with that.

On the other aspect - the garda investigation - the council has cooperated and will continue to give whatever assistance is required.

Mr. Condon further commented: “If the programme broadcast all the details I have told you now it would have been clear that there is no story. We have all the certification we are supposed to have.”

Councillor McLoughlin said he hoped this would go some way to alleviate the concerns of elected members and the general public.