The Dun Laoghaire Greens have questioned the appointment of a former County Manager as a consultant to Dún Laoghaire Rathdown County Council on the development of the new town at Cherrywood in South Dublin.

Derek Brady left his position as Dún Laoghaire Rathdown County Manager in 2005 and began work a few months later for Alburn Developments who were seeking permission for a 23-storey apartment tower in Leopardstown. Permission for the development was refused by An Bord Pleanála.

Dún Laoghaire Green Party TD Ciarán Cuffe said: "Mr. Brady served as a hard-working and effective County Manager. However it is crucial that there is clear blue water between those working for the local authority and the private sector.
"Local Authority Managers were requested by Government in 2006 to introduce a voluntary code of practice for employees leaving to work in the private sector. I have written today to Minister John Gormley requesting him to examine this issue again to see whether legislation or regulation is now required."

Owen Keegan, the current County Manager of Dun Laoghaire / Rathdown Council has advised the Council that he has asked Mr Brady, to assist the Council with a Joint Venture company that is developing Cherrywood.

Mr. Brady was still listed today as the Chief Development Officer on Alburn's website, a company controlled by Noel Smith, formally a major share-holder of Dunloe Ewart (See Note 1). Dunloe-Ewart is the Joint Venture partner with the Council on the development of Cherrywood.

Tom Kivlehan, Green Party Councillor for the Ballybrack ward which includes Cherrywood said: "As a resident of Cherrywood and a Councillor for that area, I want to see development that meets the needs of current and future residents of the area. Although Mr. Brady helped set up the Joint Venture company when he was County Manager, he has been working for several years in the private sector, and I do not believe that it would be appropriate for him to assist the Council as this stage.
 

Gene Feighery, Green Party Councillor on Dún Laoghaire Rathdown County Council said: "The people of Dún Laoghaire are concerned about any perception of conflict of interest. That is why I feel this appointment should not go ahead."