A spokesman for Minister of State for Local Government has called on Dublin City Council's Chief Executive Owen Keegan to clarify comments he made which suggested a major energy firm was set up on foot of a forged signature.
Mr Keegan has been silent since Dublin Live reported on the "extraordinary" comments he made during a conference celebrating 50 years of Irish membership to the EU on Tuesday last week. The remarks suggest the executive of the council had decided against the proposal to form the agency before a "very enthusiastic" former council staff member "forged the city manager's signature".
The events allegedly took place in the mid-90s. Mr Keegan recounted the "funny story about the CODEMA" In the Oak Room of the Mansion House last week.
Read more: Council boss laughs at official forging signature of previous city manager
He said: "I was on the management team [of DCC] back in the mid-90s. A proposal came up from a very enthusiastic staff member."
Mr Keegan said that the management team decided that this was not the time for the proposal, but claimed: "The official concerned forged the city manager's signature on the application and it was successful.
"We ended up without that official but with an energy management agency. I was somewhat conflicted because that was a great decision."
A spokesman for Minister of State for Local Government Kieran O'Donnell told Dublin Live Mr Keegan "should explain" his comments to DCC's elected members.
He said: “The Chief Executive of a local authority is accountable to his or her elected Council, so it is to Dublin City Council that Mr Keegan should explain the comments he made in relation to the establishment of CODEMA.”
Mr Keegan has not responded to requests to comment made by Dublin Live and DCC declined to comment. A spokesman for DCC said: "Dublin City Council has no comment to make."
CODEMA, or Dublin's Energy Agency as it is also known, provides energy services to Dublin's four local authorities with the aim of aiding Dublin achieve the transition to a low-carbon city by 2030 and 2050. The not-for-profit company was set up by DCC in 1997.
A spokeswoman for CODEMA told Dublin Live last week they are "seeking clarification" around the comments but added on Wednesday that they "have no further comment at this time". There is no suggestion CODEMA had any involvement in the act of the alleged forged signature.
Social Democrats TD Gary Gannon had said Minister O'Donnell should make a "response" to Mr Keegan's comments. He said: "It is a fairly extraordinary admission by the city’s chief executive - more so even because of the blaise manner in which he presented it.
"It certainly warrants a response from the minister with responsibility for local government. These practices can’t just be accepted as part of a culture and if there’s evidence of fraud- someone needs to be held accountable for that.”
Dublin City Council said they have no comment to make in relation to Deputy Gannon's comments. Independent Councillor Mannix Flynn had called for a full investigation into the comments and for Mr Keegan to explain himself.
He said: "The Minister is correct. There are certainly questions that Mr Keegan has to answer.
"I am going to ask that he attend the protocol committee meeting to clarify his remarks. If I am not satisfied with his answer. I will ask that the audit committee of Dublin City Council conduct a full investigation of this alleged forged document.
"This is a very serious issue involving a very reputable company, CODEMA. What Mr Keegan said creates a real doubt around this company and it is not a laughing matter."
Mr Keegan is due to retire in September this year but Cllr Flynn suggested he should "consider going out that door before hand" because he has "caused a lot of damage and a hell of a lot of concern".
DCC also declined to comment on Cllr Flynn's remarks.
READ NEXT:
- Micheal Martin defends Joe Biden over claims the US President 'hates the UK'
- Dangerous infection outbreak at Rotunda Maternity Hospital
- Audio emerges from moment flight has landing malfunction at Dublin Airport
- The six remaining public holidays in Ireland and if you're entitled to a day off
- Met Eireann's numerous warnings as Ireland braces for gale force winds
Sign up to the Dublin Live Newsletter to get all the latest Dublin news straight to your inbox
