·         No Conflict of Interest declared by the elected members

·        Minutes of Special Meeting on 14.10.2021

·        Minutes of Plenary Meeting on 22.10.2021

On the PROPOSAL of Cllr. Fallon

            SECONDED by Cllr. Cummins

It was AGREED to adopt the minutes of the Special Meeting on 14.10.2021

On the PROPOSAL of Cllr. McDermott

            SECONDED by Cllr. Callaghan

It was AGREED to adopt the minutes of the Plenary Meeting on 22.10.2021

Cllr. Shanagher enquired if a meeting with the Lanesboro Ballyleague Collaboration Group will be organised.

In Reply, Director of Services Majella Hunt confirmed that the group is headed by Longford County Council but she expects a meeting to be organised in the New Year.

·        Management Report October 2021

·         Management Report for October 2021 noted.

On the PROPOSAL of Cllr. Leyden

SECONDED by Cllr. Cummins

It was AGREED to appoint Cllr. Paschal Fitzmaurice be the voting delegate at the Annual Conference and also be a permanent delegate to the Standing Policy Council of the Association of Irish Local Government (AILG) to replace Cllr. Orla Leyden who has resigned

from the position.

Resolutions from other Local Authorities:

·         18^th October, 2021 - Resolution from South Dublin County Council

That South Dublin County Council write to the Department of the Taoiseach, all other Local Authorities in the state and Retail Ireland calling on the Irish and International Supermarkets operating here to join the Boycott of all Israeli Goods

·         26^th October, 2021 - Resolution from Donegal County Council

That Donegal County Council calls on An Taoiseach to establish a dedicated Government "Task Force" to initiate, coordinate, fund and promote a north west housing, health and family welfare response to tackle the many societal ills resulting from Mica, Pyrite and Pyrrhotite.

·         26^th October, 2021 - Resolution from Kerry County Council

That Kerry County Council call on Local Authorities throughout the Country and all Government Services to fly the Palestine Flag on November 29th which is the International Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian people.

·         26^th October, 2021 - Resolution from Tipperary County Council

The Chairman and Elected Members of Tipperary County Council Rural Water Monitoring Committee, request that the Rural Water Unit of the Department engage proactively with the Rural Water Team of the Council's Water Services Section in preparing and finalising the contents of the brief for the procurement of consulting Engineering Services to assist in the process of amalgamation and rationalisation of Group Water Schemes in County Tipperary.

·         16^th November, 2021 - Resolution from Sligo County Council

That Sligo County Council in conjunction with Tusla, Dept of Children and Equality and the Gardaí establish an appropriate and safe Refuge Centre for victims and survivors (mainly women) of domestic violence in Sligo and surrounding area.

Other Correspondence:

·         15^th October, 2021 – Letter from Peter Burke T.D., Minister for Planning and Local Government.

Correspondence regarding a Targeted Quarter 4 Rates Waiver for Hospitality and Tourism Sectors.

·         26^th October, 2021 – Circular from Dept of Housing, Local Government and Heritage

Circular Fin 20/2021 regarding a targeted commercial rates waiver to support certain sectors, as agreed by Government, for the final quarter of 2021.

·         26^th October, 2021 – FAQ’s on Circular Fin 20/2021 Targeted Waiver of Rates

Frequently Asked Questions for Local Authorities on Circular Fin 20/2021 Targeted Waiver of Rates for Final Quarter 2021

“I am calling on the Government. The Minister for Finance, Mr. Paschal Donohoe and the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine Mr. Charlie McConalogue TD to provide the necessary compensation to the farmers that have lands on or adjacent to Lough Funshinagh that are badly affected by the flooding since 2015”

The motion was withdrawn by Cllr. Ward and will be resubmitted in coming months.

“That Roscommon County Council would designation a section in all county council graveyard’s in the county for cremated remains and also introduce an award system for best kept graveyards in the County.”

“That Roscommon County Council would designation a section in all county council graveyard’s in the county for cremated remains and also introduce an award system for best kept graveyards in the County”

The Meetings Administrator read the following reply:

The Cemetery Bye-Laws 2020, were adopted by the Council on 22^nd March 2021 after a detailed process of public consultation followed by consideration and recommendation by the Strategic Policy Committee. Cremations formed part of the consideration. The new bye-laws, contain a full section which makes provision for cremated remains and the spreading of ashes.  Cremated remains may be interred in coffins, caskets or biodegradable containers or other approved containers in a conventional plot. There is also provision for plots designated specifically for cremated remains by the Council.

The annual Tidy Cemeteries Competition, operated by the Environment Section, was suspended in 2020 and 2021 due to Covid-19.  It is expected that it will resume in due course, most likely in 2022, as part of the Environment Section’s Annual Awards programme.

Cllr. Crosby, speaking on his motion stated that cremation has become a more popular way of burial in the past number of years and the national figure is 35%. Some people living abroad request that they are returned to be buried in Ireland and cremation would suit best in these circumstances. Gravespaces are also expensive. Through the Graveyards scheme a wall could be provided where an urn could be places and a plaque erected and the graveyards committees look after this. He also paid tribute to Cyril McDermott who was very involved in the gaveyard committees and recently deceased. At the very least he suggested that an extra €25k be provided to the graveyard committees in the budget.

The Director of Services Mr. Shane Tiernan outlined the recent lengthy process to introduce Cemetery Bye Laws that were adopted by the Council in March 2021 and there are a number of provisions included to facilitate cremations. Installation of a wall in each cemetery would involve capital works and there is no national funding for capital works. Any works are carried out on a risk basis. Last year there was an increase in funding for cemeteries.

Chair if the SPC, Cllr Cummins confirmed that this had been discussed at length before the adoption of the Bye Laws and any funding required in the short term should concentrate on the extensions to cemeteries. He suggested that the matter revert to the SPC and Cllr. Crosby agreed.

“That Roscommon Co. Council calls on the Minister of Health to fulfil a commitment to make IVF treatment available to couples on the public health service by 2021 and in the   interim give a commitment to reimburse couples that have joined a programme since 2021.”

“That Roscommon Co. Council calls on the Minister of Health to fulfil a commitment to make IVF treatment available to couples on the public health service by 2021 and in the   interim give a commitment to reimburse couples that have joined a programme since 2021.”

The Meetings Administrator read the following reply:

This Motion requires a resolution of the Council

Cllr. Callaghan outlined the huge cost of up to €6,000 for couples to go through this process and with no support from the Government, although this was included as an action item in the Programe for Shared Government. At an individual level there is a great physical and emotional toll on couples. One in six couples have difficulty in having children and IVF is only available to couples that can afford it. In Scotland, couples are funded for three cycles of IVF.

The members welcomed the motion and supported it.

On the PROPOSAL of Cllr. Callaghan

SECONDED by Cllr. Leyden

It was AGREED that Roscommon County Council write to the Minister of Health to fulfil a commitment to make IVF treatment available to couples on the public health service by 2021 and in the   interim give a commitment to reimburse couples that have joined a programme since 2021. It was further agreed that this motion should be circulated to all Local Authorities.

There was no Chief Executives Business for discussion.

§  Approval of Payments for Elected Members that attended Training and Conference Events;

§  Approval of Attendance for Elected members at upcoming Training and Conference Events.

On the PROPOSAL of Cllr. Shanagher

            SECONDED by Cllr. Naughten

It was AGREED to adopt the list of payments for training and conferences as circulated.

On the PROPOSAL of Cllr. Keogh

            SECONDED by Cllr. Fallon

It was AGREED to approve the following conference for attendance:

The Members congratulated all of the towns and villages who achieved excellent results in the 2021 Tidy Towns competition.

Cllr. Shanagher asked the members to support the International Day for People with Disabilities on 3^rd December and wear purple. RosFM and the Council have collaborated to promote this day and with 14% of the Roscommon population categorised as having at least one disability,this awareness campaign is a worthy initiative.

Director of Services Majella Hunt said that arrangements are being made to light Roscommon Castle purple to support the awareness day.