Ollan Herr speaks out on Co-Option Coverage

Former Dundalk Town Councillor Ollan Herr has finally spoken about his resignation from Dundalk Town Council. Herr said “I can’t understand why there has been concern or negative comment in relation to my resignation and the selection of Mark Dearey to fill the vacancy. I want to dispel any rumours that there is a rift between myself and Mark. I want to confirm that I’m very happy indeed that he has been chosen to take my place - we have so many shared environmental and “quality of life” values.

Over the years Mark and I have worked together for organic food, for clean air, for a radioactive and a toxic free environment and for measures to protect the health of youngsters, be it from drug abuse or from the unethical marketing of high sugar drinks. I have worked with Mark Dearey on the Dundalk Drug Action Group; Mark has been a support to me in proposing a public consultation on measures to limit high sugar drinks to young people. To have a family member involved in drug abuse or to watch “Operation Transformation” on the TV is to begin to appreciate what is involved in trying to change ones lifestyle and eating habits. We are both agreed as to the important role of the Local Government in this regard.

He and I have been active over decades against the building of new nuclear facilities in Britain. Mark and I have had the privilege of chairing meetings of the Irish branch of the “Nuclear Free Local Authorities”. If Chernobyl didn’t teach us of the dangers of Nuclear Accidents then Fukushima certainly has. We both believe that the solution to rising energy costs is not to go nuclear but the promotion of greater energy efficiency, low energy use and a move towards a renewable energy economy.

We have both campaigned against the Duleek incinerator; it now emits avoidable poisonous Dioxin and greenhouse gas emissions in contravention of international agreements such as the Stockholm Convention and the Kyoto Convention. We continue to believe that recycling creates many more jobs than by the burning or the burying of waste.

As well as most of my former councillor colleagues, I know that Mark will also be active in pushing the general policy for safe traffic separated cycling routes throughout the town for local schoolchildren. Although I will no longer be a councillor I will continue to campaign on this issue. Mark Dearey has made no secret of his support in the past for the creation of a cycling culture among the youth of Dundalk.”

Ollan added that it was “an honour and a privilege to serve as a member of Dundalk Town Council; all of my former Councillor colleagues gave serious consideration of my various Notice of Motions. From all Parties they invariably considered the merits of my proposals rather than reacting to my political party. I want to thank them all most sincerely.

The consideration of my resignation began with the introduction of septic tank charges/inspections, I have been receiving growing numbers of business inquiries; I simply could no longer divide my time between the council and my family business as a consultant for reed bed sewage treatment systems. As with my belief in so many other issues I’m also selling a waste water pollution avoidance technology. Preventing a pollution problem is always easier than treating the problem.

Ollan clarified that when he tendered his resignation he had no certainty that Mark Dearey would be selected to fill the vacancy by the Local Green Party. “The Green Party has democratic procedures that need to be followed in order to select a replacement in event of a vacancy, it was up to the members to nominate who they wanted to fill the vacancy; Mark has been the only nominee, which meant there was no requirement for a convention”.

When asked if the seat should remain vacant, Herr stated “How would that best serve democracy? The people of Dundalk originally voted for Mark and those voters would be then be without their councillor to represent them.

Dundalk Town Councillors have a long tradition of putting party politics aside in order to serve Dundalk and its people to the best of their abilities. I am proud to have been part of the decision making process for major projects such as the Market Square refurbishment and the Smarter Travel Schools Project”.

On asked on whether he intended to run in the Local Elections in 2014, Ollan responded “maybe”.