INDEPENDENT councillor Emmett O’Brien has described last week’s intervention on the future of Askeaton Leisure Centre by fellow Adare-Rathkeale representative Stephen Keary as “unfortunate” and said it was a classic case of “loose lips sinking ships”.
Fine Gael councillor Keary had claimed that the future of the Askeaton centre was uncertain because of a proposed cut to their budget as a direct result of the reduction in the Local Property Tax.
According to Cllr Keary, the Askeaton Leisure Centre’s annual budget was to be reduced by €26,000.
Cllr O’Brien said that within minutes of Cllr Keary’s “inaccurate report” he had received numerous calls from anxious staff members and members of the leisure centre.
“Within, perhaps, a half hour I had received clear assurances from the executive of Limerick City and County Council that Askeaton Pool was not closing down,” he said.
Cllr O’Brien went on to say that he is “particularly concerned” that some Fine Gael members cannot accept that the democratic will of the Council was invoked when Fianna Fail, Sinn Fein and three independents voted to reduce Local Property Tax by three per cent.
“I considered this to be a sensible reduction and was happy to put €2.70 back in the pockets of ordinary Limerick, something that has been scoffed at by some,” he said.
Cllr O’Brien, who is a member of Askeaton Swim Club, maintains that as result of this “prudent” reduction in the Local Property Tax, there is only “in reality” a quarter of one per cent reduction in the overall Council budget.
“How, in that context, the future of Askeaton Leisure Centre could be questioned is frankly beyond me. This is a popular centre which provides a positive and therapeutic outlet for people of all ages in terms of improving their mental and physical health,” he concluded.
