Cllr. Fitzmaurice enquired about the status of funding for improvement works on the National N60 route.  Part of the road sunk during the summer and the funding for repair works is the responsibility of the TII and no specific funding was announced in the recent 2019 allocations for this section. An enquiry to the TII was responded to with confirmation that they are aware of this stretch of road and pavement improvements identified as in a 3 year programme and to check with LA as to when works will start. Cllr. Fitzmaurice sought clarification from Director of Services if funding has been allocated to carry out improvements.

On the PROPOSAL of Cllr. Dineen

SECONDED by Cllr. Fitzmaurice

It was AGREED that that signs be put up to alert road users, especially lorry drivers of the poor condition of the road.

The Director of Services, Mr. Shane Tiernan confirmed that funding was not allocated in the recent announcement. The Council are putting together a proposal for Category B funding for carry out some repairs and is awaiting a reply from TII.  He will liaise with Roads Department regarding the signage.

On the PROPOSAL of Cllr. Fitzmaurice

SECONDED by Cllr. Dineen

It was AGREED that the Director of Services write to the TII to clarify the status of funding and works for this stretch of road as a matter of urgency.

The Chief Executives Report states that the Office of Public Works has approved funding for the Carrick-on Shannon Flood Relief Scheme with Leitrim County Council as the Lead Authority. The project arose from the publication of the Flood Risk Management Plans in 2018 and the project is due to commence in 2019, subject to funding.

On the PROPOSAL of Councillor Cummins

                SECONDED by Councillor Byrne

It was AGREED thatRoscommon County Council enter into a Section 85 agreement with Leitrim County Council for the Carrick on Shannon Flood Relief Scheme.

Mr. Lydon informed the members that the Audit Committee has to prepare an Annual Work Programme for 2019 that has to be adopted.

On the PROPOSAL of Cllr. J Cummins

SECONDED by Cllr. M Creaton

It was AGREED to adopt the Draft Audit Committee Work Programme for 2019.

Cllr. Leyden queried the statement in the Work Programme that a key risk in the delivery of the plan is the resources available to the Internal Audit Function of the Council as the Audit Committee will only be in a position to review reports presented to it. In light of recent VAT default she sought assurances that any such issues would be brought to the Audit Committee in a timely manner.

Mr. Lydon replied that a thorough review was undertaken by Internal Audit and robust Policies and Procedures updated accordingly and presented and accepted by the Audit Committee in December. As regard the VAT issue, there was no agreement in place until July and further negotiations to be completed before it was brought to the Audit Committee who accepted the report.

Cllr. Cummins confirmed that the Audit Committee asked similar questions and is satisfied the necessary policies are now in place.

Mr. Martin Lydon informed the members that the Annual Charter should be reviewed annually by the Audit Committee. It is noted that the Charter was reviewed on 4^th December and there are no changes.

On the PROPOSAL of Cllr. J. Cummins

           SECONDED by Cllr. R. Doherty

It was AGREED that the Council consent to the disposal of lands pursuant to the Provisions of Section 211 of the Planning and Development Act, 2000 and Section 183 of the Local Government Act, 2001.  Particulars of the land which the County Council proposes to dispose of:-

The land:  Plots A, B& C of Folio RN17283F and Plots D, E & F of Folio RN17247F at Tintagh Td., Boyle Co Roscommon.

The persons from whom the land was acquired: Gerard Harrington under CPO No.1 1993 Curlew Mountains Road Project

The person to whom the land is to be disposed:  Gerard Harrington C/O Henry J Wynne & Co. Solicitors, Elphin St., Boyle, Co Roscommon

Consideration: Nominal

The Chairperson of the Economic Development and Enterprise Support SPC, Cllr. Nigel Dineen introduced Mark Conway from Ventura to present the Draft Roscommon County Council Global Rossie Diaspora Strategy. Funding was received in 2016 to complete the strategy and the aim of the Strategy is to strengthen the Roscommon family – contact was made with communities both at home in Roscommon and associations throughout the world with Roscommon connections for their input. He outlined how important it is to work with the Roscommon Associations to promote the county and its heritage. He thanked the staff for their input into the Draft strategy.

Mr. Conway outlined his role in facilitating the process and the scope of the

·         Collaborative journey with Leitrim Longford and Sligo but 4 distinct strategies.

·         64,000 is the population currently living in Roscommon, 10,800 born in the county and living elsewhere, 81,200 born in Roscommon living in UK and 945,000 people in the world with roots in Roscommon.

·         The Diaspora is to be seen as an asset and a responsibility. There is no one single diaspora, it is made up of varied communities, individuals etc. Emotion lies at the heart of the strategy

·         Most emigrants going to EU followed by UK and USA/Australia and peak ages for people leaving is early twenties so we are sending away our best educated and connected people and Construction is at the heart of emigrants.

·         The GAA is central to where people connect when abroad – 95% of connection back home is through social media and the place people chose to go is where they already know someone.

·         Important is quality of life as to why people come back

·         Categorisation of diaspora – the established diaspora who left in 50’s to 90’s; the millennials who left in 2000’s; those who live in Dublin region and the affinity diaspora e.g. Brazilians who lived here and now gone home.

·         The themes to the strategy – developing the Roscommon Brand i.e. a ‘Roscommon Pin’ and ‘Roscommon Passport’ is being developed; developing business opportunities – can work there but live in Roscommon; culture heritage and sport – when diaspora visit they come for festivals and fairs etc.  and those want to know ‘Who am I?’ and finally the GAA – visit every 5 years to New York and London – this trip can be tapped into.

·         Digital Connectivity – live streaming and central county website to include all things Roscommon.

·         Encourage everyone to be proud to be from Roscommon, promote and share all things Roscommon, invest in your home town or parish, keep in contact.

The Members welcomed the Strategy:

·         Roscommon Day is a great idea. The town teams could get involved in a ‘Who do you think you are?’ and introduce a high profile person to start.

·         The Town Twinning is an important initiative to keep alive – we expect people to travel to Roscommon but it is equally important to travel there

·         Very important to include all of the county and its attractions

·         Welcome the initiatives in the Strategy including the Roscommon Pin – it gives a unique identity

·         There is a long term benefit in linking with the diaspora abroad but we must also welcome people hers

·         Homecoming Weekend in October bank-holiday weekend is a good idea. It’s very important to highlight our festivals and Fairs as people want to visit when something is on. Roscommon County Council keep links with New York, Manchester and Birmingham Associations.

·         For those who left Ireland in 2010 and want to return, we need to look at pension entitlements etc.

·         Very interesting opportunity to tap into the East Coast Diaspora

On the PROPOSAL of Cllr. Dineen

SECONDED by Cllr. Shanagher

It was AGREED to adopt the Draft Global Rossie Family Diaspora Strategy

On the PROPOSAL of Cllr. J Murphy

           SECONDED by Cllr. L Callaghan

It was AGREED that the Council consent to the lease of lands pursuant to the Provisions of Section 211 of the Planning and Development Act, 2000 and Section 183 of the Local Government Act, 2001.  Particulars of the land which the County Council proposes to lease:-

The land:  Site comprising 0.038ha. (0.093 acres) including right of way at Lisroyne., Strokestown, Co. Roscommon

The person to whom the land is to be leased:  Cignal Infrastructure Ltd. Suite 309, Q House 76 Furze Road,  Sandyford Industrial Estate, Dublin 18

Consideration: €4,000 plus VAT @23% per annum

Term of Lease: 30 Years

On the PROPOSAL of Cllr J Cummins

SECONDED by Cllr. J Naughten

It was AGREED the Adopt the Draft Annual Service Delivery Plan 2019

On the PROPOSAL of Councillor Cummins

            SECONDED by Councillor Doherty

It was AGREED to adopt the Minutes of the Plenary Meeting held on 17.12.2018

·         Letter dated 17^th December, 2018 from Donegal County Council proposing that Donegal County Council support the demands from the public for an Irish Language Act in the Six Counties and if the motion is carried, that this information is circulated to all the political parties in the Six Counties and to all the City and County Councils throughout the country.

·         Letter dated 18^th December, 2018 from Monaghan County Council calling on the Minister for Health to request the Health Service Executive to include the Medical Report, required by a person over 70 applying for a driving licence for a car, to be included in the Medical Card services. Currently if you are under 70 the fee for a 10 year licence is €55. It is free for over 70’s, but a Medical Report is required. This can cost €40 - €60 for a visit to your G.P. If the person over 70 has an illness that limits their licence to 1 year, that means a visit to the G.P. each year for 10 years, costing nearly 10 times the fee to an under 70’s person.

·         Letter dated 31^st December, 2018 from Minister for Health, Mr. Simon Harris T.D. concerning the Central Sterile Services Department in Roscommon University Hospital.

·         Acknowledgement Email dated 3^rd January, 2019 from Minister for Health Mr. Simon Harris T.D. concerning Home Help Hours and Home Care Packages.

·         Acknowledgement Email dated 2^nd January, 2019 from Deputy Eugene Murphy’s office concerning Home Help Hours and Home Care Packages.

·         Letter dated 2^nd January, 2019 from Limerick City and County Council calling on the Taoiseach, Leo Varadkar and Micheál Martin, to consider the position of Minister Shane Ross following his proposals to increase fines and penalty points for speeding and the non-carrying of a drivers licence.

·         Acknowledgement Email dated 4^th January, 2019 from TII in relation to the N60 between Ballymoe and Harristown.

·         Acknowledgement Email dated 8^th January, 2019 from Minister Ross in relation to the N60 between Ballymoe and Harristown.

·         Letter dated 15^th January, 2019 from Sligo County Council regarding a resolution to recognise the Irish Nurses and Midwives Organisation (INMO), which represents 40,000 nursing professionals, have overwhelmingly balloted to strike in light of rejecting pay proposals brought forward by the Government in Budget 2019; and that that Government has failed to address matters such as pay quality and the over reliance of hiring of agency nurses; Sligo County Council affirms its support of nurses and midwives and that we support them in their demand for a better health service which treats them as essential skilled workers with dignity and value.

·         Letter dated 22^nd January, 2019 from Leitrim County Council asking support from elected members to call on the Minister for Health, Simon Harris T.D. and the Minister for Education and Skills, Joe McHugh, T.D. to work together in providing Speech Therapy in our Primary and Post Primary Schools for children with special needs.

·         Email dated 23rd January, 2019 from Minister Shane Ross, Minister for Transport Tourism and Sport advising Roscommon County Council that our correspondence was forwarded to TII for response.

The Cathaoirleach, Cllr. Ivan Connaughton welcomed the Members and thanked them for their attendance at this Special Plenary Meeting of Roscommon County Council. The meeting is convened to afford prospective Presidential Candidates the opportunity to make a presentation, as under Section 16 of the Presidential Elections Act 1993, Councils may by Resolution, resolve to nominate one candidate.

The Cathaoirleach informed the meeting that it is proposed to have another Special Plenary Meeting on Monday, 10^th September, 2018 at 9.00 am to ratify the decision on a nomination for the Presidential Election by Roscommon County Council.

On the PROPOSAL of Councillor Dominic Connolly

             SECONDED by Councillor Michael Creaton

It was AGREED that at this Special Plenary Meeting, it is determined that the use of any means of recording or relaying the proceedings at a later stage by the media to take photographs and videos is allowed in the Chamber. 

Cathaoirleach Ivan Connaughton welcomed eight prospective candidates seeking the nomination of Roscommon County Council. Mr. Peter Casey sent his apologies to the meeting.

In the following order the candidates made their presentations to the Members of Roscommon County Council and were afforded the opportunity to speak for ten minutes each.

·         Ms. Marie Goretti Moylan

·         Mr. Patrick Feeney

·         Senator Joan Freeman

·         Ms. Gemma O’Doherty

·         Mr. John Groarke

·         Mr. Kevin Sharkey

·         Mr. Sean Gallagher

·         Ms. Sarah Louise Mulligan

The Members of Roscommon County Council were afforded the opportunity to ask questions of the candidates after each presentation.

The Cathaoirleach thanked all of the candidates for meeting with Roscommon County Council and for their excellent presentations and he wished them the best of luck in seeking a nomination.

Cllr. Connaughton then advised that the Meetings Administrator would accept nominations from the Members until Thursday, 6^th September, 2018 at 11.00 am for consideration at a Special Meeting to take place on Monday 10^th September at 9.00am.