Mr David Minton, Director

Mr. David Minton, Director of Northern and Western Regional Assembly (NWRA) updated members on the role of NWRA.  A new National Planning Framework (NPF) is currently being developed to succeed the National Spatial Strategy.  It will provide a framework for Regional Development.  He outlined the challenges currently facing the region which are summarised as follows:

·         Infrastructural deficit in the region.

·    Over development in some areas / decline in others - need competitive cities and need to look at entire catchments.

·         Continued investment in Knock airport required – over €15bn exports annually from NW region

·         The job of the Assembly is to connect together all of the strategies already in place.

·         Electrical Grid Network – distinct lack of division, no connectivity with NW partners

·         Motorway Network – population follows motorway

·    Ports and Harbours – one of our biggest resources – Atlantic areas have greatest potential for job expansion. 

·         Rail infrastructure – poor interconnectivity between regions.

·    Tourism – need to increase visitors by 1 million by 2025. 2.4million visit the West annually but 50% stay in Galway and  6 million visitors in East annually.

·         Brexit – Agri food sector will be particularly affected and this impacts on Roscommon

The plan (Ire2040) is now open for public consultation and NWRA are co-ordinating a regional response with regional arguments.  Closing date at this first stage of the NPF process is 16^th March 2017.  Mr. Minton encouraged all members to make submissions. The NWRA will circulate their draft response by end this week.

The members raised the following queries:

• Ireland 2040 will be a very important national policy document and important to make submissions on behalf of Roscommon to influence the future here.
• Vital that N4 & N5 national primary roads are upgraded while the upgrade of N61 is a priority for Roscommon. Linking the N6 and N5 should also be considered.
• How can proper development of the Ports be achieved?
• Broadband is key to achieving future development -people need to be able to work from home.
• More investment in tourism projects like Lough Key and Hodson Bay.
• Potential for development around IWAK i.e. tax free zones to encourage economic development.
• When the Tuam to Gort motorway opens, can there be consideration of an extension to Donegal via Sligo.  There is huge potential to intersect the Galway/Westport and Sligo rail lines.  Countries like China and Taiwan build motorways parallel to railways.
• Solar power as a long term solution to our energy needs. Need to look at different types of green energy.
• Create a hyper loop - Athlone is very central and should be linked to everyplace.
• Important to plan for 1 million plus elderly people.
• Development of industry around Knock airport similar to Shannon could be a saviour of the west.
• How important is wind energy going forward?
• Decisions taken in next couple of years will determine further population.
• Brexit will impact our Agri Sector and how will this sector look in 2040 e.g. Aurivo transport milk products to and from Northern Ireland.  How will a border impact this?
• We need small industries such as sea and river fishing – similar to model in North Scotland.
• Are members expected to reach out to community for submissions or will Leader and PPN be better placed to do this?
• Gas Industry off west coast needs to be developed.

Mr. Minton responded to queries as follows:

• We operate in a centralised economy and decisions are made in Dublin. The National Planning Framework is an opportunity to tell our story in the North West and what we need. The role of the NWRA is to build a business case and prioritise works.
• N61 upgrade– need to build a business case for this, an economist employed by NWRA to look at these matters regionally and include in submission.
• Cheap money available in Europe, we need to identify sectors and use this money to invest.
• National policy determines wind farm and we need to understand the future of renewable energy.
• Killybegs port is a key access point along with Galway Harbour - both are critical to the North West Region and there are business plans in operation.
• Rural broadband will be delivered through National Broadband Policy by 2020.  Future jobs will be facilitated through digital and LEO’s are most effective in this area.
• Currently working with NUIM about costing a sustainable town – what it will look like in the future.
• NWRA have asked Local Authorities and Leader to help get the message out.  PPN would also be a great platform.