There were no Disclosures of Conflict of Interest declared by Members.

The Cathaoirleach welcomed Roscommon native and recently appointed Director of Services, Mr. Mark Keaveney to the meeting and wished him well in his new position. The Members also welcomed Mr. Keaveney back to Roscommon County Council to take up a position with the Management Team.

Mr. Keaveney acknowledged the best wishes of Members and said he was delighted to be returning to work for Roscommon County Council, and the people of Roscommon, having recently served as a Director of Services with Westmeath County Council.

·         Minutes of Plenary Meeting on 23.10.2023

On the PROPOSAL of Cllr. Crosby

            SECONDED by Cllr. Cummins

It was AGREED to adopt the minutes of the Plenary Meeting of 23.10.2023

There were no matters arising.

·         Report for October 2023

·         Management Report for October 2023 was noted.

Cllr. Shanagher referenced the current lack of administrative support for the Heritage Officer noted in the report and asked if this would be addressed.

Responding, Director of Services Mark Keaveney said there had been a lot of recent changes in staff and resources will be in place in 2024 to address any deficit.

·         2.195 Ha (5.424 acre) at Carrownure Lower, Lecarrow, Co. Roscommon to The Irish Woodland Trust Company Ltd.

On the PROPOSAL of Councillor Kilduff

SECONDED by Councillor Fallon

It was AGREED that the Council consent to the lease of property pursuant to the provisions of Article 206 of the Planning and Development Regulations 2001, Section 211 of the Planning and Development Act, 2000 (as amended) and Section 183 of the Local Government Act, 2001 of particulars of property which it is proposed to lease at the location in County Roscommon and to the persons set out in the schedule hereunder.  Particulars of the property which the County Council proposes to lease:

The Property:  Site comprising 2.195 ha (5.42 acres) at Judy’s Harbour, Lecarrow Td., Co. Roscommon

The person(s) from whom the land was acquired: Roscommon County Council

The person(s) to whom the land is to be disposed of: The Irish Woodlands Trust

The consideration proposed in respect of the disposal: €10 per annum for a term of 99 years.

In proposing the lease agreement, Cllr. Kilduff informed the meeting that the site is adjacent to Judy’s Harbour in Lecarrow and this lease will facilitate the St. Johns Amenity Group to develop a new Biodiversity Park. Funding has been secured from LCDC to carry out a feasibility study and as a supporter of the initiative, he sponsored the matched funding.

Cllrs. Fallon Dineen, Ward and Naughten welcomed the granting of the lease which is a significant development to securing an important community amenity in the area.

Members felt the engagement of the local authority would be template for similar collaborations between Councils and local voluntary and community groups and it was also felt the woodland would be a considerable tourism resource for county, drawing visitors to the area.

Lough Funshinagh Update:

The Chief Executive informed the Members that recent precipitation levels has again raised concerns regarding to a flooding threat to local homes in the area near Lough Funshinagh this winter.

A Steering Group had been formed in collaboration with the Office of Public Works (OPW) involving senior management in both organisations. A working group with a wider number of agencies (including NPSW, OPW GSI and CC) has also been established.

Meetings have taken place with the Local Action Group to keep them informed but there are difficulties to getting a final resolution due to the complexity and sensitivities of the situation.

Acting Director of Services Greg O’Donnell updated Members on progress to date:

·         the expert working group was formed in January this year and its main focus is to identify where there are knowledge gaps including a lack of information on the hydroecology of the site.

·         Tenders were sought for consultants to carry out this work but none received resulting in the group’s work being delayed.

·         Agreement was subsequently made with a consultant to carry out a Winter Bird Survey that has just commenced noting that remaining eco ecology programmes would require at least twelve months.

·         An overarching consultant will be required to interpret the data to suggest a final solution.

·         The process, which is scientific, requires considerable analysis to find a solution, and could take as long as three years to complete.

The Director assured the Members that every precaution is being taken for the year ahead.

The Members welcomed the update and Cllrs. Fallon, Ward, Kilduff, Naughten, Crosby, Byrne and the Cathaoirleach discussed as follows:

·         Welcomed was regular communication from both working groups with local action group.

·         Flooding is still a major threat in the area, but the efforts of management in finding in a solution are to be commended.

·         Water levels are at a significantly higher level than in recent years.

·         Concern expressed at loss of income – farm payments withdrawn

·         Welcome winter birds survey and continue to follow the process

·         The issue of objections on the basis of protected plants or animals has to be revisited if it is having such a negative impact on matters such as the flooding of Lough Funshinagh – the same objections were nowhere to be seen when the bird sanctuary was being destroyed by the increasingly high flood water levels.

“That Roscommon County Council consider the significant social and economic value of Social Enterprises for communities across County Roscommon and that Social Enterprises have dedicated support and assistance when required from a designated senior council official, and that that person preferably a Director of Service.”

‘That Roscommon County Council consider the significant social and economic value of Social Enterprises for communities across County Roscommon and that Social Enterprises have dedicated support and assistance when required from a designated senior council official, and that that person is preferably a Director of Service.’

The Meetings Administrator read the following reply:

“Roscommon County Council acknowledge the significant social and economic value of Social Enterprises for communities across the county and a number of Departments within the Local Authority are currently providing relevant supports to this sector. In the interests of continuity of supports, The Community Department has been identified as the Lead Department to coordinate assistance to the sector. Any queries can be referred to the Head of Department.”

Cllr. Naughten welcomed the response and requested that one person would be designated as the contact. He said there were considerable opportunities for communities in nurturing social enterprises, much of which work was carried out on a voluntary basis. The enterprises create employment locally and it is important to have a support person in each county from the Local Authority.

Cllrs. Ward, Fallon and Kilduff supported the motion noting that support would be a step in the right direction of helping develop the social enterprises.

Director of Services Mark Keaveney confirmed the newly appointed Administrative Officer in the Community Unit would be the designated support officer from the Council.

“I am calling on the Government and the Taoiseach Mr. Leo Varadkar TD and the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment Mr. Eamonn Ryan TD to set up a single authority with total control of the management, maintenance and navigation levels of the River Shannon.”

 ‘I am calling on the Government and the Taoiseach Mr. Leo Varadkar and the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment Mr. Eamonn Ryan T.D. to set up a single authority with total control of the management, maintenance and navigation levels of the River Shannon’.

The Meetings Administrator read the following reply:

This motion requires a resolution of the Council.

Cllr. Ward said July 2023 was arguably the wettest month in many years. As a result the harvesting of crops and the making of silage for many farmers was adversely affected due to the flooding of hundreds of acres. He claimed that as many as five or six organisations such as the ESB, Inland Fisheries, Waterways Ireland and Local Authorities have responsibility for monitoring water levels on the River Shannon but  there is no single authority with responsibility for oversight and overall management of the River.

Cllr. Naughten seconded the motion and claimed there was a lack of ownership on who or what body was responsible for managing water levels. He noted that only 200+ farmers applied for the fodder aid scheme when thousands affected. During the fodder aid assessment many farms were no longer submerged in water and therefore couldn’t be seen or assessed by overhead photography.

The motion was supported by the Members.

On the PROPOSAL of Cllr. Naughten

SECONDED by Cllr. Keogh

It was AGREED to write to the Minister of Agriculture to include all farmers excluded from the fodder said scheme, including those on the tributaries of the Shannon on the basis of a revised scheme to be implemented with the assistance of Teagasc.

On the PROPOSAL of Cllr. Fallon

SECONDED by Cllr. Naughten

It was AGREED a further letter be sent to the Minister for the Environment to include the farmers of the River Suck in the fodder aid scheme

On the PROPOSAL of Cllr. Ward

SECONDED by Cllr. Dineen

It was AGREED a letter be sent to the Government and the Taoiseach Mr. Leo Varadkar and the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment Mr. Eamonn Ryan T.D. to set up a single authority with total control of the management, maintenance and navigation levels of the River Shannon.

It was further agreed that the letter be circulated to all Local Authorities that border the River Shannon.

“That Roscommon County Council would appropriately recognise the Heroic work of Roscommon native Dr. Bridget Lyons who was a patriot hero of the Easter Week Rising and received awards for her bravery and courage also as a medical doctor attending to the injured soldiers in the GPO.  Dr. Lyons was imprisoned at the time when leaders Pearse and Connolly surrendered to the British Army. 

Brigid who was a close colleague of Countess Markievicz she was the only female to ever be commissioned an officer in the newly formed Irish Army. Later she became a leading figure in the fight against tuberculosis amongst the poor in Ireland and pioneered the BCG vaccination scheme in the 1950s which practically rid Ireland of Tuberculosis.”

“That Roscommon County Council would appropriately recognise the Heroic work of Roscommon native Dr. Bridget Lyons who was a patriot hero of the Easter Week Rising and received awards for her bravery and courage also as a medical doctor attending to the injured soldiers in the GPO.  Dr. Lyons was imprisoned at the time when leaders Pearse and Connolly surrendered to the British Army. 

Brigid who was a close colleague of Countess Markievicz she was the only female to ever be commissioned an officer in the newly formed Irish Army. Later she became a leading figure in the fight against tuberculosis amongst the poor in Ireland and pioneered the BCG vaccination scheme in the 1950s which practically rid Ireland of Tuberculosis.”

The Meetings Administrator read the following reply:

This Motion requires a resolution of the Council.

Moving the motion, Cllr. Crosby said Dr. Lyons was born in North Yard, Scramoge near where the Councillor was born. She was the daughter of Patrick Lyons, a noted Fenian who had volunteered for service during the Easter Rising while her Uncle, Joe McGuinness won a famous bye-election for Sinn Fein in 1917 in Longford. She passed away in 1991 on the 75^th anniversary of the Easter Rising.

He proposed that she be honoured by Roscommon County Council, her childhood house is still standing and her family are amenable to the idea of recognising her. He suggested that the Heritage Office in the county should be approached to see what can be done in this matter.

Cllr. Joe Murphy seconded the motion and confirmed that as Chair of the Heritage Forum, he will bring the matter to the next meeting.

Members described Dr. Lyons as a trailblazer for her work in helping to eradicate Tubucerosis in Ireland. It was felt that many women who contributed to the revolutionary struggle had been ignored, including members of Cumann na mBan.

Cllr. Mulligan claimed that recognition should be given to Bridget Towey from Ballaghaderreen, whom he described as a close confidante’ of Michael Collins in London, prior to the signing of the Anglo-Irish Treaty in 1921.

The Cathaoirleach stated that it is only right that people of the stature of Dr. Lyons be honoured but that it is important that the Council have a Policy in place to accommodate such requests. 

Responding to members, Director of Services Mark Keaveney said that in respect of the request to honour Dr. Lyons he will consult with the Heritage Officer. In parallel to those discussions, a policy will have to be considered by the relevant Strategic Policy Committee to bring clarity and consistency in terms of how best such people are commemorated.

Cllr. Crosby said he was happy to see the matter proceed in this fashion, noting that the family who owns the property where Dr. Lyons was born were happy for her memory to be recognised at the site.

Replies to Resolutions from Roscommon County Council:

·         7^th November, 2023 - Reply from Minister for Mr. Kieran O’Donnell., Minister of State for Local Government and Planning in response to Notice of Motion regarding Section 254 Licenses and Planning Development Act 2000.

·         Approval of attendance at training and conference events

·         Approval of payment for Elected members for attendance at conferences and events

On the PROPOSAL of Cllr. Shanagher

            SECONDED by Cllr. Fallon

It was AGREED to approve the attendance of elected members at training and conferences events as circulated.

On the PROPOSAL of Cllr. Shanagher

            SECONDED by Cllr. Byrne

It was AGREED to approve the list of payments for attendance at training and conferences as circulated.

Votes of Congratulations were afforded to:

·         Sarah Keane, Elphin – winner of All Ireland Scór Sinsir Amhránaíocht Aonair, 2023

·         Castlerea St. Kevins GAA Club –Connacht Intermediate Club Champions 2023

Cllr. Waldron asked that the public support an event in Ballintubber at 2pm on 10^th December – a Rambling House type gathering that is supported by the ALONE charity. The founder of ALONE, Mr. Willie Birmingham’s wife Mary was a native of Ballintubber, hence the connection.

Cllr. Shanagher thanked the Corporate Services staff for the organisation of the Civic reception in the Arts centre last Thursday 23^rd November. She complimented the contribution of the music from the strings section of the Roscommon Youth Orchestra, who are funded by Music Generation.

The comments were unanimously supported by the Members.

Cllr. Byrne asked the Management team to consider donation to Christmas Lights funds in towns and villages, if funding was available.