Concern over Mayo council machinery lying idle

THE road paver for tarring roads did not move out of the council machinery yard during the recent spell of fine weather, an elected representative told a meeting of Mayo County Council.

A report on the use of the road paver for tarring around the county has been requested by Councillor Ger Deere, to be prepared for the next meeting of the local authority in May.

His understanding is that the machine purchased in recent years has been out 'very little', with staff trained up to use it.

“It didn't move out of the yard during the fine weather,” he added.

Said Councillor Deere: “It doesn't make sense to have a machine lying idle.”

And he asked management how many times was it used last year and this year to date.

Procurement was raised as another issue to be addressed in the report sought.

Councillor Harry Barrett asked why are they procuring for laying of tar when they have machinery to do it.

These were the men they call upon to go out gritting the road at all hours because the private operators won't do them.

If they employ men and buy machinery, especially pavers, he asked that it is used 'flat out' in the county.

Director of services Tom Gilligan said there is a review of the machinery yard taking place.

There are velocity patchers and they are out.

Members, he said, might think they can bypass procurement processes but they can't and won't.

They were looking at the whole area of value for money and where better value for money can be got by using private contractors, they had to ensure every euro is best spent.