The review carried out by Fermanagh and Omagh District Council into how sections of the Local Development Plan consultation document were agreed, has been completed. However, despite the significance of this and the public backlash, the findings are confidential, with a council spokesperson advising that position is likely to remain.

There was fury during the September council meeting when members raised the error having been alerted by a member of the public.

Council had agreed the draft policy wording on Unconventional Hydrocarbon Extraction (fracking) as not to be permitted: ‘Until it is proved that there would be no adverse effects on the environment or public health.’

Instead the published document stated fracking would not be permitted: ‘Until there is sufficient and robust evidence on all associated impacts on the environment and human health.’

Leaked minutes from a Steering Group meeting show members were encouraged to use this precise wording after the council’s version was criticised by Department for Economy Minerals Branch who contended it was: “Not possible to have exclusively no adverse effects, as it is possible to mitigate against them and such measures should be included within the proposal.”

Discovery

While councillors remained firm and voted to keep their original warning, the published document contained the rejected text.

On discovery, the consultation was stopped, and the Chief Executive told members an investigation would commence, with an interim update provided at a specially convened meeting two weeks later.

At that, it emerged further anomalies were found, and a formal audit investigation was triggered to establish how and why these occurred.

Many councillors felt processes were undermined and confidence was depleted.

In particular Councillor Thomas O’Reilly, Sinn Fein remarked: “Accountability in work between councillors and officers, has been very much damaged, along with public trust in how we do business. If we cannot trust decisions to be followed through, there is a major problem.”

Councillor Emmet McAleer, Independent noted: “This is one of the dangers of doing business behind closed doors. There is a lot discussed rather needlessly under the cloak of confidentiality … The independence of the audit is of paramount importance.”

Public made aware

Sinn Fein’s Councillor Sheamus Greene added: “The investigation needs to be thorough and the public made aware. A lot of people don’t trust their councillors over this which is an absolutely serious problem.”

Despite this, the report was presented to the December Policy and Resources Committee in the confidential section of the meeting, from which public and press are excluded.

Afterwards council was asked if the report will be is published, even in redacted or summary form and if the matter is now considered closed.

A spokesperson replied: “This was a confidential paper as it contained information relating to specific individuals and was are exempt from publication. It is unlikely that this position will change. There are a number of processes ongoing in relation to the issue and these will be progressed to conclusion.”