TEMPERS flared among County Councillors in Lifford earlier this week during a heated debate over the issue of section 140 motions.

A Section 140 motion gives elected members the power to overturn the Council's planning decision if it receives support from elected members.

Sinn Fein Councillor Pearse Doherty expressed extreme anger following the withdrawal of four Section 140 applications, which he said cost in the region of 8,000 euro of tax payer's money. Cllr Brian O'Domhnaill withdrew one because he said the sisue had been settled while Cllr Sean McEniff gave no reason for withdrawaing three relating to proposed multiple developments in Laghey.

Councillor Doherty urged members to think carefully before submitting the application.

"Some members are making applications on a number of occasions, but are they aware that every time they do so they are using tax-payers money." Cllr Doherty contin ued: "The costing for each Section 140 application has been estimated at 1900 euro in advertising it in a national newspaper."

Cllr Doherty added that Councillors should be mindful of the extra pressure the submissions place on the planning department.

Cllr Sean McEniff defended his submission of Section 140 motions by stating: "I believe in what I believe in and am doing what I am entitled to do for my constituents."

Sinn Fein has adopted policy not to submit or support Section 140 motions, Cllr. Padraig MacLochlainn explained.

"The reason we abstain from Section 140 motions is because we believe them to be crude. There have been hundreds of planning refusals over the last couple of months, and we don't think it is right to cherry pick certain cases and try and reverse the Council's decision. We believe that Section 140s are, in this Chamber, a pact between certain political parties."

Independent Cllr Ian McGarvey stated: "It is time party politics was taken out of the Council Chamber."

Defending his submission of Section 140 motions, Cllr Brian O'Domhnaill explained: "I withdrew a submission today because we had reached an agreement with the planning office. However, I would have no hesitation in putting one through if, for example, young couples had exhausted other avenues."

He added: "No Sinn Fein member will deter me from being allowed to stand up for my constituents."

THE MOTIONS

One of the section 140s sought to direct the County Manager to grant planning permission to Mr Paddy McCalfferty for the erection of a dwelling house at Oirear Dhumaí, Falcarragh while two being promoted by Cllr McEniff involved five houses each in Laghey, in the name of Diamuid Keon and Donagh Keon. The fourth was in the name of Martin Quinn for the development of a retirment village, also in Laghey. This Section 140 was also being promoted by Cllr McEniff.