BELFAST City Council is refusing to comment on bonfire issues in the wake of controversy over its storage of thousands of pallets for loyalists.
Councillors agreed on Monday to launch an investigation into a decision to store pallets for loyalist bonfire builders in the city.
It came after The Irish News revealed that around 3,000 pallets were being held for two sites – and were due to be returned before the Eleventh Night.
The probe's terms of reference say it will "examine the circumstances under which material (pallets) were removed from two bonfire sites (Hope Street and Walkway) with undertakings given as to the return of material".
But when asked in recent days a series of bonfire questions unrelated to the council storing pallets, the local authority has refused to comment.
A spokesman would only say: "Due to the investigation into the council's approach to bonfires, agreed by the council, we cannot comment on such matters at this time."
In one query, The Irish News asked about the removal of a £2,100 ratepayer-funded fence erected around a bonfire site where a new pyre is being built.
The site beside Milltown Hill, close to Shaw's Bridge in south Belfast, was enclosed with the picket fence by Belfast council to combat fly-tipping.
But amid the building of this year's Eleventh Night pyre, with stacks of pallets piled high at the site, the picket fence has been removed.
Asked on Monday for the whereabouts of the wooden fence, Belfast City Council was unable to give a response.
Asked again yesterday, a spokesman said the council could not comment "due to the investigation into the council's approach to bonfires".
