·         Reports for July and August 2024

Notice of motion calling on Roscommon County Council to install a number of raised type b zebra  pedestrian crossings points in each Towns and Villages in County Roscommon and provide for this in the next budget .

These raised crossing points will act as a traffic calming measure and allow people to cross the road in a safe way at the same level as the footpath.

Ash dieback has been mentioned at council meetings previously and the dangers it presents to the general public, road users and property. In recent years the changing weather patterns have added to this problem with increasing numbers of storms and high winds. When these storms strike, dead and infected roadside trees coming down has become more common. When this happens, services have to react, be it clearing the roads, redirecting traffic, repairing downed powerlines etc. and more often than not while the conditions are still unfavourable. We need the support of the government to be more proactive on this issue and identify the dangers and address them when it is safer for all to do so.

I am asking Roscommon County Council to contact the Government requesting financial support to Identify, safely remove and replace where possible, dead, dangerous and infected roadside trees

This council is aware of the harmful impact that misinformation has on marginalised communities, including but not limited to those protected under the Equal Status Acts, namely on the grounds of gender, marital status, family status, age, disability, sexual orientation, race, religion and membership of the Traveller community.

In making this commitment, this council affirms its obligation as a Local Authority, as per Section 42 of the Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission Act 2014, to have regard to the need to:

a) eliminate discrimination, 

b) promote equality of opportunity and treatment of its staff and the persons to whom it provides services, and 

c) protect the human rights of its members, staff and the persons to whom it provides services. 

That the council calls on the minister for Justice Helen McEntee and Garda commissioner Drew Harris , to immediately review the policing policy for Roscommon with a view extending opening hours in the smaller Garda stations and  to increasing Garda numbers in this area permanently, or at the very least until the much publicised recent spate of burglaries is under control,

That this council calls on the minister to propose the introduction of transportation vouchers for rural residents in lieu of free public transit, which is often unavailable in rural areas. This voucher would help cover fuel, vehicle maintenance, or ride-sharing expenses, addressing the financial and accessibility challenges rural residents face. Implementing this system would ensure fairness and equal access to essential services, aligning with the government’s commitment to rural inclusion.

That Roscommon County Council extend the verge trimming programme to include all national secondary and local roads, to maximise the Health and Safety of all road users including pedestrians, cyclists and other vulnerable road users.

Section 70 (2) (a) of the Roads Act 1993 states the obligation of land owners under the act, and while Section 22 of the Wildlife Act of 1976 does state restrictions on hedge cutting, this does not however include verge trimming,

The safety of our road users takes precedent, and we must work together to make all our road safer.

That Roscommon County Council submit a formal proposal to the Minister and Department of Transport concerning the inefficiencies and deficiencies with Bus Éireann in the administration of the current school transport system. The existing system, characterized by inadequacies and flaws, has resulted in significant stress and concern for parents and students, leaving crucial matters like school bus placements and ticket allocations uncertain well beyond the commencement of the school year. It is imperative that a comprehensive overhaul of the entire system is undertaken to guarantee that allocations are finalised a minimum of four weeks prior to students returning to school.

I am calling on the Government, the Minister for Finance, Mr. Jack Chambers T.D. and Minister for Social Protection and Rural and Community Development, Ms Heather Humphreys T.D., to bring forward legislation in the Dail which will exempt Carers Allowance from means assessment if the person who is being cared for has a full detailed medical report in support of their condition.

·         Approval of attendance at Training Events and Conferences