Project fears are allayed

FINGAL County Council has allayed fears that a project promised for Swords could tumble down the priority list as a result of its chief executive announcing he is to leave his role. 

Earlier this month Paul Reid announced he would be quitting the council to become the new Director General of the Health Service Executive.

In March the council said it was seeking to appoint a project management services team to oversee the delivery of projects within the multi-million euro Swords Cultural Quarter (SCQ) development.

However, following Mr Reid’s announcement, Cllr Joe Newman (Ind), who represents the Swords Local Electoral Area (LEA), issued a warning to local residents that change of leadership at the head of the council “brought many risks”.

While wishing Mr Reid well in his new role, Cllr Newman said: “The new CEO may well have a different view and priorities for the town of Swords.

“Swords Castle and the Cultural Quarter may not be on the top of the new CEO’s list of things to do.

“I can assure the people of Swords that I will be fighting to keep the focus of the new CEO directly on the projects that have been promised and those that are being started.” 

Cllr Newman said he will fully support the officials who have worked diligently on the planning preparation over recent years to progress these amenities to completion.

A spokesperson for Fingal County Council said: “The Swords Cultural Quarter Project is provided for in the Fingal County Council Capital Programme as agreed by the members of the council. Preparatory work has already been undertaken. 

“The council has previously announced plans to advance to the next stages of the project and arrangements are in place to do so.”

The Swords Cultural Quarter will contain a major new central public and civic space set against the backdrop of the historic Swords Castle.