No conflicts of Interest declared by Members.

·         Minutes of Annual Meeting on 27^th June 2022

·         Minutes of Plenary Meeting on 27^th June 2022

On the PROPOSAL of Cllr. Cummins

            SECONDED by Cllr. Murphy

It was AGREED to adopt the minutes of the Annual Meeting of 27^th June 2022

On the PROPOSAL of Cllr. Fallon

            SECONDED by Cllr. Naughten

It was AGREED to adopt the minutes of the Plenary Meeting of 27^th June 2022

The Cathaoirleach informed the Members that there was an item of correction required to the minute of the special meeting on 8^th March.

The Meetings Administrator informed the members that there was an error in the minutes of the Special Meeting of 8^th March 2022 that was circulated and subsequently adopted  whereby only 14 of the 15 recommendations in the Chief Executives report were recorded in the minutes. On review of the notes and the online recording of the meeting, it is clear the following recommendation was agreed:

“51.22 (b) S3.13 General Submissions – Energia Renewables

The Submission relates to Wind Energy Developments and objects to the inclusion of MA50, MA172 and MA176. The submission outlines that MA50, MA172 and MA176 do not accord with the Chief Executives Report which was prepared following on the Draft Plan, or with the Environmental Reports that accompany the plan.

With regard to MA50 and MA172, the Director of Services outlined that this matter had been discussed at length earlier in the meeting in the response to Recommendation 1 of the OPR submission. In conjunction with that, the recommendation is that the plan be made without amendments MA176 and that the map entitled areas of wind energy be included as originally detailed in the Renewable Energy Strategy which formed part of the Draft Plan.

Chief Executive Recommendation No 15:

That the Plan be made without Material Amendment MA176 and that Map 7 entitled ‘Areas of Wind Energy’ be included as originally detailed in the Renewable Energy Strategy which formed part of the Draft Plan (Refer to Appendix 2 of CE report for the recommended revised Map 7)

On the PROPOSAL of Cllr. Cummins

SECONDED by Cllr. Crosby

It was AGREED to accept Chief Executive Recommendation No 15”

On the PROPOSAL of Cllr. Murphy

SECONDED by Cllr. Fitzmaurice  

It was AGREED to amend the minutes to include the recommendation no 15 in the minutes of the special meeting of 8^th March 2022.

Cllr. Cummins requested that a copy of the printed County Development Plan be circulated to each councillor.

·         Rathcroghan - Royal Sites of Ireland and UNESCO application

Cllr. Shanagher congratulated all involved with the inclusion of the Royal Sites of Ireland in the tentative list for UNESCO Status.

Director of Services Ms. Majella Hunt confirmed that notification was received last week that Rathcroghan is part of the Royal Ireland Ancient Sites that has been included in the new World Heritage tentative list which is the start of the process to seek UNESCO status. This is a very long and detailed process and it has to be proved that the site has outstanding universal value and this will be evaluated by a committee.

The members welcomed the announcement, great news for Rathcroghan and the people who protect the site, in particular the farmers who get no financial reward for this.

It was suggested by the Cathaoirleach that the manager of the Rathcroghan Centre, Mr. Daniel Curley be invited to the next meeting to give an update on the centre.

On the PROPOSAL of Cllr. Keogh

SECONDED by Cllr. Callaghan

It was AGREED to invite Daniel Curley to the next meeting of the Council to give a presentation on the Rathcroghan Centre and future development plans.

·         Quarter 2 2022

·         Management Report for Quarter 2 2022 noted.

On the PROPOSAL of Cllr. Fitzmaurice

SECONDED by Cllr. Dineen

It was AGREED to appoint the PPN nominee Mr. Paul Glynn representing the Community and Voluntary pillar, to the Roads, Transportation and Emergency Services Strategic Policy Committee.

There were no matters from Chief Executive for meeting.

·         Proposed North Connacht 110kV Project

Proposed North Connacht 110kV Project

Director of Services, Mr. Shane Tiernan informed the members that as a prescribed body, Roscommon County Council has a role in making a submission to an Bord Pleanala on a Strategic Infrastructure Development. It does not however have any decision making authority in these cases.

Mr. Brian Farragher, Executive Planner, gave an overview of the application and the Chief Executives Report on the development to be submitted to An Bord Pleanala.

This development is for the proposed North Connacht 110kv Project submitted by Eirgrid plc. It consists of

·         Installation of approximately 59 kilometres of 110 kV underground cable (UGC) connecting Moy 110 kV Substation in the townland of Gorteen in County Mayo, and Tonroe 110 kV Substation in the townland of Ballyoughter in County Roscommon.

·         Upgrade and extension to the existing Moy 110 kV substation to provide for additional electrical equipment and apparatus, similar to that existing. This will require the extension of the substation compound by approximately 0.16ha.

·         Upgrade and extension to the existing Tonroe 110 kV substation to provide for additional electrical equipment and apparatus, similar to the existing. This will require the extension of the substation compound by approximately 0.77ha.

The public consultation period is 13^th June to 2^nd August.

The underground cable involves trench excavation, installation of ducts and backfilling  and construction due to commence Q4 2023 and become operational in 2026. The construction of the Tonroe substation will take 18 to 24 months.

The Planning and Environmental Considerations Report includes assessing population and human health, air quality and climate, noise and vibration, biodiversity, lands, soils and hydrogeology, surface water, including flood risk, archaeology and cultural heritage, roads and traffic, material assets and the landscape.

A natura Inpact Statement has been submitted with the application, including an appropriate assessment screening report. Sites identified as having to potential to be affected include the following designated sites within County Roscommon - Tullaghan Rock Bog SAC, Callow Bog SAC, Lough Gara SAC. The overall conclusion is that the proposed development will not adversely affect the integrity of any of these sites.

The Chief Executive, in his submission, has concluded that having regard to the assessment of the project, it is considered that the proposed development and associated works are acceptable in principle and in accord with relevant national, regional and local planning policy. He is recommending that the principle of the proposed development be endorsed by Roscommon County Council in its consultation response to An Bord Pleanála, subject to the matters outlined in his report.

The Cathaoirleach informed the Plenary Council that this project had been presented and discussed at Boyle MD on three occasions

Cllr. Callaghan confirmed that reasonable compensation is available and it is accepted that undergrounding is the way forward.

The Chief Executive responded that the Council will remind the promotor Eirgrid that they have undertaken that the existing electricity poles from Flagford to Tonroe will be replaced, as this is a reasonable request.

·         Proposed Seven Hills Wind Farm Development

·         Proposed Seven Hills Wind Farm

Senior Planner Mary Grier outlined the process for a strategic infrastructure development, as it is sent directly to An Bord Pleanala for a decision. Roscommon County Council, as a prescribed body is a consultee in the process.

This application relates to the construction of 20 No. wind turbines, a metrological mast, onsite substation and underground cabling, 110kv grid connection to proposed ESB substation in Monksland, 2 new accesses off the R363 and upgrading of the existing access and 2 temporary construction compounds and associated works. The location of the project is Dysart/Brideswell.

The strategic justification for the project includes a legal commitment from Ireland to limit greenhouse gas emissions, the Energy White Paper requirement to increase Irelands’s energy security, the need to diversify Irelands energy sources and increase renewable energy output, wind energy is cost effective power production and increased energy.

The Members, by resolution, may add to the Chief Executives recommendation but the Council is not the decision maker. The Chief Executive is recommending in principle that the proposed development be endorsed subject to An Bord Pleanala undertaking an EIA, and an AA and the inclusion of certain conditions, in the event of granting planning permission:  Grid Connection cabling in the road verge, not the carriageway, detailed cable route specifications to be agreed with RCC; appointment of a designated liaison engineer, a dust monitoring plan and an environmental monitoring plan to be agreed with RCC and payment of development contributions and annual maintenance contribution for roads.

The members discussed the proposal as follows:

·         The members accepted the proposals in the County Development Plan but are not happy with the setback distances for turbines – this was rejected by the OPR.

·         This proposal has raised significant issues and divided the community in Dysart

·         Free electricity should be afforded to households within 3km radius of the turbine.

·         It is unacceptable that wind turbines can receive planning when such a large part of the community is against them.

·         There is no mention of children with autism and the effects of turbines

·         There is clear evidence that the world is burning up and like it or not, emissions have to be reduced and renewable energy accepted

·         How will complaints be dealt with regard to turbines i.e. shadow flicker and noise? Mechanisms must be put in place and compensation for the community.

·         Setback distances are a problem and the effect on water bodies such as turloughs have not been addressed

·         Over 80% of this area are served by the South Roscommon water supply scheme and the effect on Killeglan springs has to be addressed.

·         No issue with wind energy but turbines should be erected at sea

·         Agree with the points raised regarding noise, shadow flicker and those with sensitivities. An Bord Pleanala should check files of previous  planning applications

·         An Bord Pleanals should address all concerns including the environment comments on wildlife

·         The height of the turbines are of concern.

·         Will there be a cable constructed  ...  view the full minutes text for item 119.22

“That Roscommon Co Council call on the HSE and the Minister of Health to examine the possibility of opening a kidney dialysis unit at Roscommon University Hospital. Such a service would be a major benefit to many patients in Roscommon who have to travel out of the county on a daily basis for dialysis”

“That Roscommon Co Council call on the HSE and the Minister of Health to examine the possibility of opening a kidney dialysis unit at Roscommon University Hospital. Such a service would be a major benefit to many patients in Roscommon who have to travel out of the county on a daily basis for dialysis”

Cllr. Callaghan outlined the reason for this motion insofar as the number of patients from Roscommon who have to travel to Galway, Castlebar and other medical centres for kidney dialysis treatment – an eight to ten hour day. Many of the patients are elderly and have to travel up to three times a week amounting to 150 visits per year and it would be a great benefit to them to have this service locally.

The members welcomed the motion and noted that when the A&E in Roscommon hospital was closed, there was an assurance that other services would be added to the hospital. Roscommon is centrally located and would be an ideal location for the service.

On the PROPOSAL of Cllr. Callaghan

SECONDED by Cllr. Byrne

It was AGREED to call on the HSE and the Minister of Health to examine the possibility of opening a kidney dialysis unit at Roscommon University Hospital. Such a service would be a major benefit to many patients in Roscommon who have to travel out of the county on a daily basis for dialysis

Resolutions from other Local Authorities:

20^th June, 2022 – Resolution, Cork City Council

That Cork City Council supports the City and County Managers Association in their clear view that the additional specialist staffing resources identified by them need to be in place in 2022 to ensure that local authorities realise our ambition to deliver transformative change and measurable climate action across our cities and counties.

20^th June, 2022 – Resolution, Cork City Council

That Cork City Council write to the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage, Darragh O'Brien TD, Minister of State with responsibility for Local Government and Planning, Peter Burke TD, and to all other local authorities in Ireland to reaffirm the motion of no confidence in the board of An Bord Pleanála passed by this Council on 13 July 2020.

23^rd June, 2022 – Resolution, Kerry County Council

That Kerry County Council write to the Minister for Health, Mr. Stephen Donnelly, the Oireachtas Health Committee and the HSE, CEO Mr. Paul Reid, as well as our Regional Health Board and local hospitals, requesting that the provision of Long Covid Clinics is retained and expanded.

24^th June, 2022 – Resolution, Donegal County Council

That Donegal County Council write to the Department and ask that they consider changing Culture Night in September to Culture Weekend for future years.

On the PROPOSAL of Cllr. Shanagher

SECONDED by Cllr. Ward

It was AGREED to write to the Department ask that they consider changing Culture Night in September to Culture Weekend for future years.

24^th June, 2022 – Resolution, Donegal County Council

That Donegal County Council write to Minister Heather Humphreys, Department of Social Protection, Rural and Community Development to request that recently arrived Ukrainian Nationals would qualify for the TÚS scheme.

On the PROPOSAL of Cllr Shanagher

SECONDED by Cllr. Dineen

It was AGREED to write to Minister Heather Humphreys, Department of Social Protection, Rural and Community Development to request that recently arrived Ukrainian Nationals would qualify for the TÚS scheme.

27^th June, 2022 – Resolution, Cork County Council

That Cork County Council write to the Minister to seek a subsidy for the Irish fishing fleet to offset cost increases in fuel, and to reduce excise duties on diesel.

30^th June, 2022 – Notice of Motion, Limerick City & County Council

That Limerick City & County Council write to the Minister for Health Stephen Donnelly, the Oireachtas Health Committee and the HSE CEO Paul Reid, requesting that the provision of Long Covid Clinics is retained and expanded.

1^st July, 2022 – Notice of Motion, Limerick City & County Council

That, Limerick City and County Council call on the Government and the Minister for Housing to declare a housing emergency and to use emergency powers to introduce a moratorium on evictions similar to Covid emergency measures until the Minister for Housing raises the income thresholds for social housing supports for a three-month period with an option to review thereafter.

Other Correspondence:

20th July, 2022 – Local Adjustment  ...  view the full minutes text for item 121.22

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

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

There were no expense claims for approval.