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[Press Release: May 23rd, 2005] Community Groups should be first to get use of Publicly owned BoathousesThe publicly owned boathouse on the southern end of the seafront is threatened with increasing privatisation despite a number of community groups expressing an interest in leasing two boathouses from Bray Town Council that have become available. While generally welcoming the new café the Green Party is adamant that no further privatisation should be facilitated and considers it vital that community groups are looked after before commercial interests in public buildings.According to Green Party councillor Ciaran O’Brien, having examined the six applications the Green Party felt that one group The Queen of Peace Adventure Club should be issued a lease immediately. He points out that this long-established Youth Club has no premises in Bray to store canoes and other equipment. "This Club has been in operation for 38 years and is a club that has given teenagers a healthy option to the ever-increasing yob culture in Irish society" says O' Brien. Green Party councillor, Deirdre de Burca, proposed a motion on behalf of the Green Party councillors, that the Queen of Peace Youth Club be granted the lease for 25 years at a rent of 50 euro per unit per year and that no commercial activity be allowed on the premises. Councillor Pat Vance of the Fianna Fail party suggested that the issue be referred back for negotiation between the voluntary group and the business interest to see if a compromise solution could be found. The Labour Party chairperson, Cllr Ann Ferris ruled that Cllr Vance's motion was an amendment of the Green Party motion and took a vote on it, despite the protests of the Green councillors. The motion was carried with the support of the Labour Party, Fianna Fail and Fine Gael councillors Councillor Caroline Burrell says, "This proposal was not even allowed to go before the members as it was blocked by Labour, FF and FG councillors. It was made clear from the very heated debate that some members would like to see a café bar run in an extensive part of the building. While the Green Party believes that the existing coffee shop is a welcome amenity on the seafront, we do not believe it should be extended at the expense of the fishing, rowing and angling clubs in the town. Councillor Deirdre de Burca points to previous lease agreements and privatisation of public property that has occurred on Bray Town Council property. "These agreements have been less than favourable to the community" she says. "Clear examples of such agreements are the Town Hall and the now infamous Florentine Centre. The Green Party will not be party to such agreements and we intend putting community interests first".
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