From Irish Times 16th June 2008

Comhaltas rejects call for mediator in dispute over €11m music centre
PAUL CULLEN

COMHALTAS CEOLTÓIRÍ Éireann, the body that promotes traditional music, has rejected calls for a mediator to be appointed to resolve an internal dispute over an €11 million music centre in Clontarf, Dublin.

A weekend meeting of the Comhaltas ardchomhairle discussed the dispute with its Clontarf branch, which it has dissolved, but did not accede to requests for the appointment of a mediator.

The organisation now intends to open the Clasach arts centre on East Wall Road in the autumn without the co-operation of most local members.

Dublin lord mayor Paddy Bourke and other local councillors had asked CCÉ to agree to mediation. Saturday's ardchomhairle meeting also received a written request for mediation from the branch itself.

CCÉ chief executive Senator Labhrás Ó Murchú told The Irish Times last week a mediated settlement was not possible under the rules of the organisation. In May, its annual conference had confirmed the original decision by the ardchomhairle in March to dissolve the branch and this decision excluded the possibility of mediation.

Mr Ó Múrchú likened the situation to the administration of the GAA: "If some of the Dublin players were sent off in a match, the GAA would hardly pay heed to councillors asking them to review the decision. So why should we?"

Both sides have traded allegations in the dispute. Comhaltas has accused the Clontarf branch of leaving contractors on the building unpaid and of wrongfully applying for a VAT refund.

Rejecting these claims, the branch alleged head office wrested control of the building after its members had "done all the hard work", and that it withdrew support for previously agreed loans.

Mr Ó Murchú, a Fianna Fáil senator who has led Comhaltas for more than 40 years, accused his critics of personalising the issue and of abusing him personally.

Maurice Mullen, chair of the dissolved branch, said Clontarf members had been given no right of appeal. He called for a "courageous conversation" on the issues.

Mr Ó Murchú insisted the ardchomhairle's decision involved an "in-built appeal".