Mobuoy community inquiry to be meet with Derry & Strabane Council
Derry City and Strabane District Council has agreed to invite organisers of a community inquiry, around the Mobuoy dump site, to meet with elected members.
At November’s Environment and Regeneration Committee meeting Chair and SDLP Councillor Declan Norris said four meetings were taking place this week (November 10 to 14), around a community inquiry into the illegal dump site, with participation from the Gathering, the Committee on the Administration of Justice (CAJ) and other campaign groups.
“So there was a meeting Eglinton Strathfoyle last night (November 10) last night, there’s a meeting in Drumahoe tonight (November 12) and there’s a meeting tomorrow night (November 13).” he said.
“I went pretty sceptical to the meeting and I was very impressed by the whole approach about a community inquiry, so much so I would like to propose that they come in and give a presentation.”
People Before Profit councillor Shaun Harkin attended the Eglinton meeting, which had “a lot of challenging questions” and a “really good turnout”.
“The organisations that are conducting the inquiry [are] at the point now where they’re really just gathering evidence,” he added. “They’re encouraging people to come along to hear what they’re doing.
“If they get the opportunity to come into council that would be excellent.
“It is very frustrating that there has never been an independent, public inquiry about the Mobuoy dump, as the Assembly agreed back in 2014.
“This doesn’t replace that, but it will play a role in trying to hold those who are accountable for the Mobuoy dump accountable and it will also help to put a bit of pressure on Stormont and others who have a responsibility to carry out a proper public inquiry, to make sure it never happens again.”
Sinn Féin councillor Emma McGinley noted that council’s deputation schedule was “quite full”, and proposed that the groups instead attend a briefing.
Councillor McGinley said: “It could be done as a briefing that’s open to all members as opposed to needing to come in through a formal committee process. It might allow it to happen that wee bit quicker.”
Councillor Norris agreed to withdraw his proposal and adopt councillor McGinley’s instead.
He concluded: “ I don’t want to hold it up, I want these people in to talk to us and to get their point of view across.
“So I’m quite happy that we have a briefing for now.”
He added that they could still come in for a deputation at a future date.