Minutes 2007

Minutes of the January Ordinary Meeting of the Council held on the 12th of February in the County Hall, Council Chamber, Riverside at 11.00am

MEMBERS PRESENT:

• Baker,
• Barrett,
• Barry,
• Bree,
• Cawley,
• Colleary,
• Conmy,
• Devins,
• Fleming,
• Fox,
• Gormley,
• Healy McGowan,
• Henry,
• Higgins,
• Kilgannon,
• Leonard,
• Lundy,
• MacManus,
• McGarry,
• McGrath,
• McLoughlin,
• Mullaney,
• Queenan,
• Murray,
• Sherlock.
  

OFFICIALS IN ATTENDANCE:

• Mr H. Kearns, County Manager
• Ms D. Clarke, Director of Services
• Mr T. Kilfeather, A/Director of Services
• Mr D. Breen, A/Director of Services
• Mr S. Concannon, Director of Services
• Mr. M. Lydon, A/Head of Finance
• Ms P. R. Gallagher, Senior Executive Officer
• Mr K. Larkin, Senior Engineer
• Ms M. McAuliffe, Arts Officer
• Mr S. O’Toole, Senior Executive Engineer
• Mr C. McNamara, Staff Officer
• Ms L. Conlon, Clerical Officer
• Mr F. Mac Nabb, Meetings Administrator
  

CATHAOIRLEACH:

The Cathaoirleach, Councillor J. McGarry presided.

VOTES OF SYMPATHY AND ADJOURNMENT OF MEETING;

Proposed by Councillor T. McLoughlin and seconded by Councillor J. McGarry that a vote of sympathy be extended to the Carty family on the death of Owen and it was agreed that the Meeting be adjourned for 15 minutes as a mark of respect to the Carty family.

Proposed by Councillor S. Kilgannon
Seconded by Councillor P. Barry

AND AGREED

“That a vote of sympathy be extended to the Kilcullen family on the death of Margaret Kilcullen aunt of Councillor Joe Queenan”.

Proposed by Councillor P. Conmy
Seconded by Councillor G. Mullaney

AND AGREED

“That a vote of sympathy be extended to Mary Hanley and the Kilcullen family, Enniscrone on the tragic death of Michael Hanley”.

1. MINUTES OF SPC1 MEETING HELD ON 17TH FEBRUARY 2006;

Proposed by Councillor P. Barry
Seconded by Councillor J. Queenan

AND AGREED

“To confirm minutes of the SPC1 Meeting held on the 17th February 2006”.

2. MINUTES OF SPC 1 MEETING HELD ON 13TH JULY 2006;

Proposed by Councillor P. Barry
Seconded by Councillor S. Kilgannon

AND AGREED

“To confirm of the SPC1 Meeting held on the 13th July 2006”.

3. MINUTES OF SPC1 MEETING HELD ON 25TH SEPTEMBER 2006;

Proposed by Councillor S. Kilgannon
Seconded by Councillor P. Barry

AND AGREED

“To confirm minutes of SPC1 Meeting held on the 25th September 2006”.

4. MINUTES OF SPC4 MEETING HELD ON 2ND NOVEMBER 2006;

Proposed by Councillor J. Queenan
Seconded by Councillor J. Lundy

AND AGREED

“To confirm minutes of the SPC4 Meeting held on the 2nd November 2006”.

5. MINUTES OF SLIGO/STRANDHILL ELECTORAL AREA MEETING HELD ON 6TH NOVEMBER 2006;

Proposed by Councillor D. Healy McGowan
Seconded by Councillor D. Bree

AND AGREED

“To confirm minutes of the Sligo/Strandhill Electoral Area Meeting held on the 6th November”.

6. MINUTES OF BUDGET MEETING HELD ON 8TH JANUARY 2007;

Proposed by Councillor J. Queenan
Seconded by Councillor J. Sherlock

AND AGREED

“To confirm minutes of the Budget Meeting held on the 8th January 2007”.

7. MINUTES OF THE ADJOURNED BUDGET MEETING HELD ON 15TH JANUARY 2007;

Proposed by P. Barry
Seconded by J. Devins

AND AGREED

“To confirm minutes of the Adjourned Budget Meeting held on the 15th January 2007”

8. MINUTES OF THE ORDINARY MEETING HELD ON 22ND JANUARY 2007;

Proposed by M. Gormley
Seconded by G. Murray

AND AGREED

“To confirm minutes of the Ordinary Meeting of the Council held on the 22nd January 2007”.

9. SECTION 183 OF THE LOCAL GOVERNMENT ACT 2001 – 33 THE FAIRGREEN, DROMORE WEST, CO. SLIGO;

Proposed by Councillor J. Queenan
Seconded by Councillor J. Sherlock

AND AGREED

“To approve, pursuant to Section 183 of the Local Government Act 2001, the disposal of property at 33 The Fairgreen, Dromore West, Co. Sligo to Eoin Conlon and Rosaleen Bredin”.

10. PART 8: CONSTRUCTION OF A NEW WASTEWATER TREATMENT PLANT AND ASSOCIATED SITE WORKS AT RATHMADDER, GURTEEN, CO. SLIGO;

Proposed by Councillor M. Gormley
Seconded by Councillor G. Murray

AND AGREED

“To approve in accordance with Part 8 of the Local Government (Planning and Development) Regulations 2001, the proposed construction of a new wastewater treatment plant and associated siteworks at Rathmadder, Gurteen, Co. Sligo”.

11. SLIGO ARTS PLAN (2007 – 2012)

“The members noted the consultation document in relation to Sligo Strategic Arts Plan (2007 – 2012)”.

12. NATIONAL ROAD GRANT ALLOCATIONS FOR 2007;

“The members noted the National Road GrantAllocations for 2007 from the National Roads  Authority”.

A general discussion took place on this Item.

13. NON-NATIONAL ROAD GRANT ALLOCATIONS FOR 2007;

“The members noted the Non-National Road Grant Allocations for 2007 from the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government”.

A general discussion took place on this Item.

14. PRESENTION BY DR. FRANCES LUCY;

Dr Frances Lucey, School of Science, Institute of Technology gave a presentation regarding the damage caused by zebra mussels in our lakes.

15. WATER CHARGES AND WATER METERING COSTS;

Proposed by Councillor P. Conmy
Seconded by Councillor M. Fleming

AND AGREED

"That this Council call on the Minister for Environment to review the whole aspects of water charges and water metering costs".

42.WIDEN VERGES ON ROAD 102 FROM FRANKFORD TO CORBALLA;

It was agreed by the meeting that Item 42 be taken at this time.

Proposed by Councillor P. Conmy
Seconded by Councillor M. Fleming

"That I will ask that the Council strengthen and widen verges on road 102 from Frankford to Corballa".

In Reply Mr Seamus O’ Toole SEE stated the following;

It is proposed to strengthen 1.2km of CR 102 in Knockagower as part of Multi-annual road restoration scheme in 2007. As part of this project the verges of carriageway will be mechanically side-cleaned with grader thereby effectively widening carriageway for road users.

16.REQUEST EIRCOM TO PROVIDE IMPROVED CUSTOMER SERVICE TO PHONE USERS;

Proposed by Councillor M. Fleming
Seconded by Councillor M. Gormley

AND AGREED

“That Sligo County Council request Eircom to provide improved customer service to phone users when they report faults particularly in emergencies”.

17. EXTEND SEWERAGE FACILITIES TO HOUSES IN CLOONACOOL ALONG ROAD NO 448;

Proposed by Councillor M. Fleming
Seconded by Councillor M. Gormley

"To request Sligo County Council to extend sewerage facilities to houses in Cloonacool along Road No 448".

In response Mr K. Larkin SE stated the following;

As requested by Cllr Fleming the feasibility of extending the Cloonacool sewerage network beyond its originally intended limits has been examined under 3 headings.

1. Planning issues
2. Physical/design constraints
3. Financial

1. Planning Issues
   Consultations between Water Services and Planning Section have indicated that there would be serious concerns that this proposal would not be consistent with the policies outlined in the County Development plan, particularly with regard to continued ribbon development on approach roads to villages, and there could be a negative impact on potential development limits for Cloonacool village.
2. Physical/design constraints
   The new sewerage system in Cloonacool was designed as a gravity system. We try to avoid pumping if at all feasible, to minimise capital and operational costs. To service the village by gravity the pipe network along L4702 (CR 448) would require deepening the excavation at the speed limit sign. Even with this minimum cover at the speed limit sign the current excavation is 5.0 meters deep at certain locations in the village the lower levels of this excavation would require a further 1.0 meter depth of excavation in rock.
3. Financial
   DEHLG have issued a figure of €10,000 per house as the maximum cost that represents value for Money (VFM). Any costs in excess of that, in the provision of sewerage services, are to be avoided. There are 6 No. houses along L4702 within 500 meters of the sewerage network. The estimated cost of connecting these houses to the infrastructure is €190,000 i.e. €31,666 per house. As such they are massively in excess of DEHLG recommendations with regard to VFM. Having regard to all the above it is not recommended that the sewerage network be extended along L4702.

It was agreed by the meeting that items 18 and 20(b) would be taken at this time.

18. CO-ORDINATE ENVIRONMENTAL AND OTHER WORK PROGRAMMES IN STRANDHILL;

Proposed by Councillor T. McLoughlin
Seconded by Councillor D. Healy/McGowan

"That Sligo County Council considers the assignment of a member of staff to co-ordinate environmental and other work programmes in Strandhill".

20(B) PROPOSALS TO THE
COUNCIL TO SEPARATE THE
AREAS FROM AN
ENGINEERING AREA
PERSPECTIVE;
Proposed by Councillor S. Kilgannon
Seconded by Councillor T. McLoughlin
“The following motion was agreed by this Council at its
meeting on the 6th March 2006, due to the growth and
projected growth of population in the Sligo-Strandhill
and north Sligo areas, Sligo County Council bring
forward proposals to the Council to separate the areas
from an engineering area perspective. I now request
the Director of Services for a full report on this
matter”.
In Response County Manager, Mr H. Kearns stated that
staffing and workloads would be looked at in
conjunction with the restructuring of staff in the
Sligo/Drumcliffe and Sligo/Strandhill engineering
areas and that the matter would be placed on the
agenda for the next appropriate area meetings.

19.UPGRADE AND RE-ALIGNMENT
OF R292 BETWEEN STRANDHILL AND BALLYDREHID;
Proposed by Councillor T. McLoughlin
Seconded by Councillor D. Healy McGowan
"In view of the increasing traffic volumes, that Sligo
County Council allocate €500,000 for the upgrade and
re-alignment of R292 between Strandhill and
Ballydrehid, and that the new design proposal for the
roundabout at Ransboro be finalised".
In response Mr S. O’Toole SEE stated the following;
It is proposed subject to funding from the Department
of Environment, Heritage and Local Government to
complete the realignment of R292 at Knappaghmore in
2007. The Western Distributor Route currently being
planned and designed will facilitate traffic from south
to access R292 to west of Sligo Town when constructed.
Specific sections of R292 between Ballydrehid and
Strandhill deemed to be sub-standard may be
considered for improvement under Discretionary
Improvement Grant Scheme. It is proposed to upgrade
roundabout at Strandhill.

20.FOOTPATHS ON THE
BALLYGAWLEY ROAD FROM
CARRAROE CHURCH TO
DRUMISKABOLE;
Proposed by Councillor T. McLoughlin
Seconded by Councillor J. McGarry
"That funding be provided for continuing the footpaths
on the Ballygawley Road from Carraroe church to
Drumiskabole".
In Response Mr S. O’Toole SEE stated the following;
This proposal can be considered at local area meeting
when draft proposals for 2007 Roadworks programme
are being discussed.

20 (A)PLANNING PERMISSION ON
LAND WHICH ARE LIABLE TO
FLOODING;
This Item was deferred with the agreement of the
meeting.

21.FREE ALLOWANCE OF 50,000
GALLONS OF WATER PER ANNUM
AND REMOVE STANDING CHARGE
FOR NOT-FOR-PROFIT
ORGANISATIONS AND
COMMUNITY/VOLUNTARY GROUP;
Proposed by Councillor G. Mullaney
Seconded by Councillor M. Baker
"To call on the County Manager to provide a free
allowance of 50,000 gallons of water per annum and to
remove standing charge for not-for-profit organisations
and community/ voluntary groups".
In response Mr K. Larkin SE stated the following;
A figure of 49,5000 gal allowance to the domestic
element of joint domestic/non-domestic consumers has
now been confirmed as DEHLG policy. This figure
comes from Circular WSP5/06 dated 21st December
2006. As to the removal of charges form non profitmaking
organisations the DEHLG policy is very clear.
There are only 3 categories of consumer:
Domestic
Non-domestic
Combined domestic/non-domestic
The full cost of the service to the non-domestic sector
has to be recovered form that sector. As such there is
no scope to remove the standing-charge from not-forprofit
and community/voluntary organisations.

22.MINI-PLANS FOR RIVERSTOWN,
BALLYGAWLEY AND
BALLINTOGHER;
Proposed by G. Mullaney
Seconded by Councillor M. Fleming
"To call on Sligo County Council to bring forward miniplans
for Riverstown, Ballygawley and Ballintogher to
allow for their orderly development".
In Response Mr T. Kilfeather A/DOS stated the
following;
As indicated in the Budget, the Development Planning
Unit already has a very full Work Programme for 2007,
including commitments to complete:
Tobercurry Local Area Plan
North Fringe Masterplan
Sligo Docklands Masterplan
Midterms Reports on Sligo & Environs Development Plan
and County Development Plan
Background work for statutory review of Sligo &
Environs Development Plan.
At the end of the year the position regarding further
mini-plans can be reviewed.
Cllr S. Kilgannon suggested that these should be put on
the Agenda for the next SPC meeting.
Mr T. Kilfeather A/DOS agreed to put items on agenda
for next SPC meeting on the 21st February 2007.

23. Proposed by Councillor G. Mullaney
Seconded by Councillor J. Sherlock
"To call on Sligo County Council to complete the
realignment of R284 at Doonally in the interest of
public safety".
In Response Mr S. O’Toole SEE stated the following;
In 2003 a grant of €30,000 was expended on acquiring
land and improving sightlines on the bend along
Regional route R284 at Doonally.
This grant was secured under Peace II Programme administered by ICBAN. In the event of a Peace III
Programme being formulated priority will be given to
the realignment of this sub-standard route of R284.

24. REPLACING A STONE OR
BLOCKWALL WHERE THEY
ALREADY EXIST;
Proposed by Councillor M. Barrett
Seconded by Councillor A. Higgins
"With regard to Discretionary Grant money in removing
dangerous bends for safety reasons, I will ask this
Council to consider replacing a stone or blockwall
where they already exist".
In Response Mr S. O’Toole SEE stated the following;
For reasons of economy and environmental
considerations the preferred type of boundary fence
replacement is tanillised timber post and rail fencing.
Where appropriate stone or block wall will be
considered by the Roads Department as replacement
boundary.

25.COASTAL EROSION
STRANDHILL;
Proposed by Councillor T. McLoughlin
Seconded by Councillor J. McGarry
"That details be furnished of Survey prepared by Sligo
County Council on Coastal erosion Strandhill".
In Response Mr S. O’Toole SEE stated the following;
Due to a combination of recent storms and pedestrian
traffic serious erosion and damage has been caused to
the dune system south of promenade at Strandhill.
Following a recent survey undertaken by Marine and
Coastal Protection Section of Sligo County Council a
submission has been made to the Department of the
Marine & Natural Resources for funding to undertake
works to protect the dune system at this location.
This application was made as part of the Coastal
Protection Programme submitted to the Department of
the Marine and Natural Resources on the 26th January,
2007.
Estimated cost of the proposal is €15,000.

26. Proposed by Councillor J. McGarry
Seconded by Councillor S. Kilgannon
AND AGREED
"That Sligo County Council start the process of
extinguishing the right of way at the old road beside Rathcormack Church and that engineer provide a report
and map on the re-alignment and upgrading of this
area. In addition that the residents be provided with
such map for the purpose of consultation with them".
In Response Mr S. O’Toole SEE stated the following;
In the event of a resolution being passed by members
of Sligo County Council to extinguish the public right of
way on this road at Rathcormack the legal process to
enable this can commence. This process included for
public notice and public consultation.

27.CLAR PROGRAMME; Proposed by Councillor J. McGarry
Seconded by Councillor G. Mullaney
"That Sligo County Council be provided with a report
outlining what funds were made available under the
Clar Programme to upgrade dangerous junction at
Crossboy on the main Ballintogher/Dromahair Road and
what works and costs involved were carried out to
date. Furthermore what plans has the engineering
staff to make this very dangerous junction safe".
In Response Mr S. O’Toole SEE stated the following;
A sum of €5,000 was expended on upgrading signing and
lining on approaches to the junction of Regional Routes
R290 and R287 at Crossboy in 2006.
This scheme was funded under the Discretionary
Improvement Grant Scheme A sum of €20,000 has been
allocated under the Low Cost Accident Reduction
Scheme in 2007 to upgrade adjacent junction of
Regional Route R287 and local road L7604 to Lake Isle
of Inisfree.
This improvement will include for additional signage
and improved sightlines at this junction.
Cllr J. McGarry requested a report for next meeting re;
the design for improvements at this junction.

28.CLOSURE OF SEXUAL ASSAULT
TREATMENT UNITS IN
LETTERKENNY;
Proposed by Councillor V. Cawley
Seconded by Councillor D. Bree
AND AGREED
"That following the closure of the Sexual Assault
Treatment Units in Letterkenny this Council calls on
the HSE through the Department of Health to provide
the necessary funding and resources to Sligo General
Hospital to provide a primary forensic medical service for rape victims".

29.URGENT REPAIRS ON ROAD NO
329A OFF THE N15 TO HELP
PREVENT FLOODING;
Proposed by Councillor S. Kilgannon
Seconded by Councillor P. Barry
"To ask Sligo County Council to carry out urgent repairs
on Road No 329A off the N15 to help prevent flooding".
In Response Mr S O’Toole SEE stated the following;
CR329A will be examined by the Area Engineer and
drainage repairs undertaken as soon as possible.

30.DANGEROUS TREES ON NORTH
SLIGO ROADS;
Proposed by Councillor I. Fox
Seconded by Councillor S. Kilgannon
"That Sligo County Council review the condition of
(dangerous) trees on North Sligo Roads in the interest
of public safety".
In Response Mr S O’Toole SEE stated the following;
To date (22/1/07) a total of 50 No. verbal requests
to landowners in North Sligo has been made requesting
hedgecutting including cutting of dangerous trees along
public road network.
Subsequent to this a total of 32 No. formal notices have
been served on landowners.
In the event of non-compliance Sligo County Council
will pursue non-compliant landowners through courts if
necessary under Section 70 of the Roads Act.
Under this section landowners and occupiers of land
are obliged to take all reasonable care to ensure that
the trees, hedges and other vegetation growing on
their land are not or could not become a danger to
people using or working on a public road.

31. CALL ON BUS EIREANN TO
PROVIDE A REGULAR BUS SERVICE
WITH THE GREATER CALRY AREA;
Proposed by Councillor I. Fox
Seconded by Councillor J. McGarry
AND AGREED
"That Sligo County Council call on Bus Eireann to
provide a regular bus service within the greater Calry
area".

32.MINI-ROUNDABOUT ON ROAD
OUTSIDE ST. PATRICKS NATIONAL
SCHOOL CALRY IN THE INTEREST
OF ROAD SAFETY;
Proposed by Councillor I. Fox
Seconded by Councillor S. Kilgannon
"To ask the Director of Services to make funding
available for the provision of a mini roundabout on road outside St. Patrick’s National School Calry in the
interest of road safety".
In Response Mr S. O’Toole SEE stated the following;
It is not deemed appropriate to provide a mini
roundabout at this location.
The current practice of parking and set-down in school
car park is deemed to be the safest option for parents
and school children arriving at and departing from
school.

33.AN BORD GAIS; Proposed by Councillor S. Kilgannon
Seconded by Councillor M. Fleming
"The Council hereby requests the County Manager to
immediately commence discussions with An Bord Gais
and other relevant parties, with the objectives of
ensuring that Corrib gas is transmitted to Sligo. In
addition he should set-up a group of interested parties
to assist with these discussions".
The County Manager advised that this was a very
important issue and that it would be an important part
of our competitiveness to have natural gas. A study is
being undertaken at present to investigate the
possibility of providing a power station in the
Northwest, and the outcome of the study is awaited.
Once the findings have been released it will be
discussed at an SPC meeting.

34.REPORT ON 4 RESIDENCES
ALONG THE
RATHBRAUHAN/SHANNON
EIGHTER ROAD;
Proposed by Councillor J. McGarry
Seconded by Councillor J. Queenan
"That Sligo County Council provide a report on the
possibility of 4 residences along the
Rathbraughan/Shannon Eighter road connecting into
the public sewer in conjunction with Sligo County
Council new Rathbraughan scheme".
In Response Mr K. Larkin stated the following;
Sligo Borough Council got planning permission to
construct 25 no. houses in this locality.
A percolation area servicing one of the 4 houses
mentioned in this Motion was deemed to be influencing
the positioning of some of the houses. A solution to
this would have been if the house (and the other 3)
were connected to Council mains and the suspected
percolation area rendered redundant. A request to
accommodate this was received by Sligo County
Council.
Sligo Borough Council had agreed with Sligo County
Council, as part of the housing development project, to
lay the necessary main to facilitate these connections.
However on inspection by the Borough staff no
percolation area was found and as such there was no
apparent or immediate need for the connections.
However Sligo County Council has no objection to the
houses being connected if the appropriate
infrastructure is in place, and subject to the normal
connection applications and charges.

35.EXTRA FUNDING FOR CALRY
DEVELOPMENTASSOCIATION TO
INSTALL TWO NEW ALUMINIUM
SEATS AT THE LAY-BY OVER
LOOKING COLGA LAKE, CALRY,
CO. SLIGO;
Proposed by Councillor S. Kilgannon
Seconded by Councillor P. Barry
"To ask the Director of Services for extra funding for
Calry Development Association to install two new
aluminium seats at the lay-by overlooking Colga Lake,
Calry, Co. Sligo".
In response Mr D. Breen A/DOS stated the following;
Mr Declan Breen A/Director of Services indicated that
Calry Development Association has carried out a lot of
good work at this location and agreed that the Council
should support this work by the provision of the
necessary funding for the seating. It was agreed that
the necessary funding be provided to the association.

36.DEFERRED
This Item was deferred with the agreement of the
meeting.

37.PROTRUDING AND FALLING
DOWN WALL FROM GILMORE’S
CORNER BACK TO MITCHELLCURLEY
PARK;
Proposed by Councillor D. Healy/McGowan
Seconded by Councillor A. Higgins
"To ask the County Manager what provisions are Sligo
County Council intending to put in place in the interest
of health and safety with regards to the protruding and
falling down wall from Gilmore’s corner back to
Mitchell-Curley Park".
In Response Mr S. O’Toole SEE stated the following;
The maintenance of boundary fences and walls is the
responsibility of adjacent landowner. It is not the
responsibility of Sligo County Council. SCC Roads Dept.
will arrange for inspection of wall and notify landowner
of responsibility.

38.EXTEND CAR PARK AT SLIGO
GENERAL HOSPITAL;
Proposed by Councillor P. Barry
Seconded by Councillor M. Gormley
AND AGREED
"That this Council calls on the Health Service
Executive to extend the car park at Sligo General
Hospital as a matter of urgency".

39.LEGAL STATUS FOR THE MANY
ILEGAL IRISH EMIGRANTS NOW
RESIDENT IN THE U.S.A;
Proposed by Councillor M. Fleming
Seconded by Councillor M. Gormley
AND AGREED
"To request the Minister for Foreign Affairs to use his
good office to negotiate with the U.S Authorities to
attain legal status for the many illegal Irish emigrants
now resident in the U.S.A".

40.INCREASE THE NUMBER OF
GARDA ATTACHED TO
TUBBERCURRY GARDA STATION;
Proposed by Councillor M. Fleming
Seconded by Councillor M. Gormley
AND AGREED
"To call on the Minister for Justice and the Chief
Superintendent of An Garda Siochana to increase the
number of garda attached to Tubbercurry Garda
Station".

41.MOTOR TAXATION OFFICE; Proposed by Councillor M. Fleming
Seconded by Councillor P. Barry
"To request that the Motor Taxation Office at Cleveragh
Road, Sligo be made accessible for disabled people".
In Response Mr M. Lydon A/Head of Finance stated;
The Motor Tax office will be moving to a new location
in late March 2007. The new premises will be the
Quinn Buildings on the Cleveragh Industrial Estate. As
the move is imminent, it would not be a good use of
public money to update existing facilities at Cleveragh
Road. The new building has the following facilities
which will make it more accessible than the previous
building for disabled people:
• Lift to the motor tax office
• The counter will have a bay for wheelchair
access
• A loop system will be in place for the hard of
hearing
• Disabled toilets will be available

43.DEFERRED This Item was deferred with the agreement of the meeting.

44.DEFERRED This Item was deferred with the agreement of the meeting.

45.BLOCKING OF COUNTY ROAD
NO. 390 (L33081);
Proposed by Councillor D. Bree
Seconded by Councillor V. Cawley
"That a copy of the advice and report which was sought
form the Councils solicitor in April 2004, relating to the
blocking of County Road No 390 (L33081) at
Cregg/Ballincar, be provided to the Council".
Mr S. Concannon DOS said that discussions took place
with the local people and that the legal route was not
followed. There was nothing sinister in this. When
asked how many people were blocked he answered
nobody. He stated that he was not involved in this but
that his understanding was that in discussions the locals
wanted access and they had access.

46.TWO BRIDGES OVER THE
0WENMORE RIVER ON THE DUAL
CARRIAGE-WAY LINKING SLIGO
WITH COLLOONEY;
Proposed by Councillor D. Bree
Seconded by Councillor M. Gormley
"That the Council be provided with a report (including
the costs), of the recent works carried out on the two
bridges over the Owenmore river on the dual carriageway
linking Sligo with Collooney".
In Response Mr S. O’Toole SEE stated the following;
A sum of €350,000 was provided in the Roadworks
Scheme 2006 towards repair and remedial works to
pavement over Owenmore River Bridges on N4 dual
carriageway.
Due to inclement weather conditions these works
extended into January/February 2007 and hopefully
will be completed before the end of this month.
It is too early at this stage to establish the cause of
pavement failure.
The NRA Structures Department have been the Client
during Procurement/Contract process. A report can be
sought from the NRA on completion of the Contract.

47.NEW SOCIAL HOUSING SCHEME
IN STRANDHILL;
Proposed by Councillor D. Bree
Seconded by Councillor J. McGarry
"To ask when it is expected that construction will
commence on the proposed new social housing scheme
in Strandhill".
In Response Ms D. Clarke DOS stated the following;
Respond Housing Association has forwarded design
options for the access road. A best fit design has been established. Contact has been made with two
landowners requesting that they consider a land
dedication to Sligo County Council for the purposes of
the access road construction. The HSA has informed
the Housing Dept. that the adjacent land owner (one
whose land the dangerous structure is sited), has
recruited the services of consultants to specify the type
of remedial works necessary to render the retaining
wall safe. Sligo County Council has requested a
meeting with an H&S officer in the Sligo area in order
to establish a date by which the adjacent landowner is
to have works complete. The request was made on
23rd January 2007. No response has been received to
date on the matter. Due to the complexities involved,
it is not possible to estimate an exact start date for the
scheme construction although it is hoped that
construction will commence at the latter stages of this
year.

48.EXPLORE ALL POSSIBLE SITES
IN TUBBERCURRY FOR THE
PROVISION OF BADLY NEEDED
EXTRA CAR PARKING SPACES;
Proposed by Councillor J. Lundy
Seconded by Councillor M. Fleming
"To ask this Council to explore all possible sites in
Tubbercurry for the provision of badly needed extra car
parking spaces".
In Response Mr S. O’Toole SEE stated the following;
The One-Stop-Shop centre in Tubbercurry are exploring
the availability of sites in Tubbercurry for this purpose.

50.CARPARK AT THE REAR OF
COENS FILLING STATION;
Proposed by Councillor M. Gormley
Seconded by Councillor M. Fleming
"Due to the lack of parking facilities in Tubbercurry
that Sligo County Council construct a carpark at the
rear of Coen's Filling Station".
In Response Mr S. O’Toole SEE stated the following;
The One-Stop-Shop in Tubbercurry are exploring the
availability of sites in Tubbercurry for this purpose.
There is no provision in the Roadworks Programme 2007
for the purchase and development of a site in
Tubbercurry for this purpose.

49.SURFACE DRESS ROAD NO. 508
FROM BANADA BRIDGE TO
TOURLESTRANE VILLAGE;
Proposed by Councillor J. Lundy
Seconded by Councillor S. Kilgannon
"To ask if funding can be provided in the Current year
to surface dress road No. 508 from Banada Bridge to
Tourlestrane village".
In Response Mr S. O’Toole SEE stated the following;
This road can be considered for improvement under the
maintenance element of Road Restoration Programme
when the Draft Roadworks Programme is being
considered at local area meetings.

51.EXTEND FOOTPATH IN
GURTEEN TO THE
MOYDOO/GREYFIELD ROAD
JUNCTION;
Proposed by Councillor M. Gormley
Seconded by Councillor M. Fleming
"That money is provided in the current year to extend
the footpath in Gurteen to the Moydoo/Greyfield Road
Junction".
In Response Mr S. O’Toole SEE stated the following;
This proposal can be considered when the Draft
Roadworks Scheme is being considered at the
Tubbercurry Local Area Meeting.

VOTES OF SYMPATHY:
Proposed by Councillor P. Conmy
Seconded by Councillor G. Mullaney
AND AGREED
“That a vote of sympathy be expressed to Mary Hanley
on the death of her husband Michael Hanly”.
Proposed by Councillor M. Gormley
Seconded by Councillor D. Bree
AND AGREED
“That a vote of sympathy be expressed to Denise
Brennan on the death of her mother, Mary Freeman”.
“That a vote of sympathy be expressed to Margaret
Gavin on the death of her husband,, Tommy”.
“That a vote of sympathy be expressed to Anita
Gormley on the death of her father, Leonard Goodwin.
Proposed by Councillor T. McLoughlin
Seconded by Councillor J. McGarry
AND AGREED
“That a vote of sympathy be expressed to Anne Carty
on the death of her husband, Owen”.
Proposed by Councillor S. Kilgannon
Seconded by Councillor P. Barry
AND AGREED
“That a vote of sympathy be expressed to Paddy
Kilcullen on the death of his wife Margaret”.
Proposed by Councillor J. Sherlock
Seconded by Councillor A. Colleary
AND AGREED
“That a vote of sympathy be expressed to Annie May
Flynn and family on the death of her brother, Owen
Carty”.
“That a vote of sympathy be expressed to Maye
Gallagher and family on the death of her husband,
Pat”.
Proposed by Councillor G. Mullaney
Seconded by Councillor M. Fleming
AND AGREED
“That a vote of sympathy be expressed to Betty Walsh
on the death of her mother, Winnie Higgins”.
“That a vote of sympathy be expressed to Des
McDonagh on the death of his sister, Eileen”.

CONFERENCES
Proposed by Councillor T. McLoughlin
Seconded by Councillor P. Conmy
AND AGREED
“That Councillor M. Fleming, Paul Conmy and G.
Mullaney be nominated to attend the Mid Western
Regional Authority Conference in Limerick on the 15th –
16th of February 2007”.
Proposed by Councillor P. Barry
Seconded by Councillor D. Healy McGowan
AND AGREED
“That Councillor S. Kilgannon, P. Barry and A. Higgins
be nominated to attend the Mid Western Regional
Authority Conference in Limerick on the 15th – 16th of
February 2007”.
Proposed by Councillor D. Healy McGowan
Seconded by Councillor T. McLoughlin
AND AGREED
“That Councillor P. Barry, S. Kilgannon, A. Higgins and
A. Colleary be nominated to attend the Role of Local
Authorities in Building Peace and Reconciliation in
Dundalk on the 23rd February 2007”
Proposed by Councillor P. Barry
Seconded by Councillor D. Healy McGowan
AND AGREED
“That Councillor A. Higgins and I. Fox be nominated to
attend the International Tourism Conference in
Wicklow on the 21 – 22 February 2007”
Proposed by Councillor S. Kilgannon
Seconded by Councillor J. Queenan
AND AGREED
“That Councillor P. Barry be nominated to attend St.
Patrick’s Festival in Luton on the 17th March 2007”.

CORRESPONDANCE: • All Correspondence was noted.
• Local Authority Members Gratuity Amendment
Regulations 2006 and additional ex-gratia
payment.
• Letter dated 8th February from Minister for the
Environment, Heritage and Local Government,
Mr. Dick Roche regarding regional road Regional
Road R294.
• Letter dated 8th February from Minister for the
Environment, Heritage and Local Government,
Mr. Dick Roche regarding water meters
• Letter dated 8th February from Minister for the
Environment, Heritage and Local Government,
Mr Dick Roche regarding provision of hot water
in private houses
• Letter dated 8th February from Minister for the
Environment, Heritage and Local Government,
Mr Dick Roche regarding Local Government
fund.

ANY OTHER BUSINESS:
ADDITIONAL ITEMS CIRCULATED
AT MEETING:
List of forthcoming Conference


The Meeting ended at 5.50pm

Meeting Date 12/02/2007