Agendas 2026

Agenda of March Ordinary Meeting of Sligo County Council to be held Monday, 2nd March 2026 at 10 a.m.


Seirbhísí Corparáideacha/Corporate Services Section
Comhairle Chontae Shligigh/Sligo County Council
Áras an Chontae/County Hall
Cois Abhainn/Riverside
Sligeach F91 Y763/ Sligo F91 Y763

071-9111111

24th February 2026

A Chara,

A meeting of Sligo County Council will be held in the Council Chamber, County Hall, Riverside, Sligo on Monday 2nd March, 2026 at 10.00am for the purpose of considering the business set out on the Agenda hereunder.

You are hereby invited to attend.

In accordance with Statutory Provisions, the Register of Chief Executive’s Orders will be available for inspection at the meeting.

Please be reminded that this meeting will be filmed for live or subsequent broadcast via the Council’s website. You should be aware that the Council is subject to the Freedom of Information Act 2014, the General Data Protection Regulations (EU) 2016/679 and the Data Protection Act 2018 and data collected during this webcast will be retained in accordance with the legislation.  Therefore, by entering the Council Chamber or by joining the remote Team Meeting, you are consenting to being filmed and to the possible use of those images and sound recordings in the Council’s webcasting activities. 

Recording by anyone in the Chamber other than by the Council’s official broadcasting system is strictly forbidden unless prior consent for same is obtained.

Mise, le meas,

Sinéad Branley
Meetings Administrator

 

Agenda

1. Declaration of Interests/Conflict of Interest

2. Confirmation of Minutes

2.1  To confirm Minutes of Ordinary Meeting of Sligo County Council held on 9th February 2026. (Copy attached).

2.2   To note Minutes of the Audit Committee Meeting held on 9th September 2025. (Copy attached).

3. Headed Items

3.1  To receive a presentation on the Sligo Library Development Plan 2025-2029

3.2  To adopt the Sligo Library Development Plan 2025-2029 (Report attached)

3.3  Freedom of the County

3.4  Request for Civic Reception

3.5  To approve, pursuant to Section 183 of the Local Government Act 2001, the disposal of lands located at Connaughton Road, Rathquarter, Sligo to the Health Service Executive. (Report previously circulated).

3.6  To approve the Local Community Development Committee (LCDC) Annual Report 2025. (Report attached).

3.7  To approve allocations under (1) Category 1 – High Potential Festivals, (2) Category 2 - Developing Festivals, (3) Regional Festivals & Events grant schemes (Open Call) and (4) Festivals & Events Strategy Additional Budget. (Reports attached).

3.8  To approve allocations under the Community & Voluntary Grant Scheme2026 as recommended by the Festival & Events Oversight Committee. (Report attached).

3.9  To note the Management Report for February 2026 (Report to follow).

4. Notices of Motion

Deferred:

None

New:

4.1  To consider the following motion as submitted by Councillor T. Healy:
“That Sligo County Council call on the Minister for Health, Jennifer Carroll MacNeill, to take urgent and strategic action to reform access to dental and orthodontic care.”

4.2  To consider the following motion as submitted by Councillor G. O’Boyle:
“That this Council calls on the Government to

  1. Recognise the serious harm suffered by women and children in Mother and Baby Homes, County Homes and related institutions
  2. Notes that over 1,090 babies and children died at Sean Ross Abbey, and that many burial locations remain unknown
  3. Notes that this issue is also relevant locally, including Sligo County Home / St. John’s Hospital and boarded-out child records
  4. Expresses concern at the continued sealing of State records relating to Mother and Baby Homes and the Ryan Report, denying survivors and families access to the truth
  5. Investigate and excavate burial sites where children are believed to be buried
  6. Unseal institutional records and provide survivors and families access to their own information
  7. Extend redress to all survivors, without exclusion. and agrees to write to the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality and An Taoiseach and forward this motion to all TDs and Senators and other Councils”.

4.3  To consider the following motion as submitted by Councillor G. O’Boyle:
“That Sligo County Council notes that a motion supporting the Year of Care campaign was formally adopted earlier last year, recognising maternal wellbeing as a key community health issue and committing the Council to supporting its aims through the Healthy Ireland framework.

This Council expresses concern that no funding has been allocated or reserved in 2025 to progress actions arising from that motion.
Accordingly, this Council calls on the Executive to:

  • Identify and allocate appropriate funding, including from Healthy Ireland or Community Wellbeing budgets, to support at least one Year of Care–aligned initiative in County Sligo; and
  • Ensure that actions arising from the adopted motion are implemented within the current or early 2026 programme, in line with the Council’s stated policy position”.

4.4  To consider the following motion as submitted by Councillor D. Mulvey:
“I call on Sligo County Council to write to the Minister for Department of Social Protection Dara Calleary seeking to allow participants of the recently established ‘My Future Fund’ – the Automatic Enrolment Retirement Savings System that would allow them to lodge additionally to that fund”.

4.5  To consider the following motion as submitted by Councillor M. Clarke:
“To call on Sligo County Council (a) to provide a report to confirm that all notices of motion to write to the government ministers and Taoiseach were actually complied with and if not to give an explanation. (B) to write to the Ceann Comhairle Verona Murphy TD and Michael Lowry TD, to inform them that Sligo County Council are concerned that the government are not providing answers to notices of motion and to take the appropriate action”.

4.6  To consider the following motion as submitted by Councillor M. Clarke:
“That Sligo council supports calls for counselling notes of rape victims to be excluded in the defence of this horrific crime, as they retraumatise victims and are of no consequence in evidenced to the defendant”.

4.7  To consider the following motion as submitted by Councillor B. Gallagher:
“To call on Sligo County Council to urgently contact the Minister for Health, the HSE, and relevant national bodies requesting urgent intervention and a clear timeline for action to address GP shortages in County Sligo”.

4.8  To consider the following motion as submitted by Councillor D. Gilroy:
“That Sligo County Council write to Marine Area Regulatory Authority (MARA) and The Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage to reject any attempt by large international applicants from receiving licences to harvest large swathes of Wrack from the west coast of Ireland.

This council does not agree to handing over the rights to a large corporation which would leave communities and local authorities with no input into how their coastline and environment was being treated. Seaweed forests are crucial for protecting communities and homes from coastal erosion providing the bedrock of food chains, being a nursery for fish populations, while being a rich part of the biodiversity and heritage along the west coast of Ireland”.

4.9  To consider the following motion as submitted by Councillor D. Mulvey:
“I call on Sligo County Council to write to An Post, the company who deal with Eircode's asking for an explanation as there are location and address issue with Eircode due to the coordinates of the Eircode for some houses needing to be adjusted. This is causing some delivery companies to get lost finding trying to find the exact locations”.

4.10  To consider the following motion as submitted by Councillor A. Higgins:
“Sligo Abbey is now the most visited heritage attraction in the county, with visitor numbers trebling over the past decade to reach 46,000 in 2025.

Keeping this all-weather, town-centre site active throughout the year aligns closely with the objectives of the Sligo Destination and Experience Development Plan and with national policy aimed at achieving a more balanced regional spread of tourism.

This motion requests that that Sligo Council writes to the (Office of Public Works) OPW to ask them to progress year-round opening at Sligo Abbey by extending the contracts of existing staff by 2.5 months, which is a practical, low-cost way of delivering a premier, authentic, all year round tourist attraction”.

4.11  To consider the following motion as submitted by Councillor A. Higgins:
“As the ongoing Student accommodation crisis is the single biggest barrier to completing education, this motion calls on this Council to write to Minister for Housing James Browne to request that amendments are made to The Residential Tenancies Board Amendment Bill to include rent caps that are aligned to the academic year for purpose-built student accommodation and the regulation of private student accommodation to protect student renters rights”.

4.12  To consider the following motion as submitted by Councillor A. Higgins:
“That Coillte provide an update to Sligo County Council on their current planting strategy for Sligo in 2026, to include a review of the planting activities in 2025.
This report should provide the following information:

  • Number of trees cut and planted in Sligo in 2025, by volume, acreage, location and type (including native Irish trees).
  • Confirmation of how many trees were cut down/planted in 2025 in Hazelwood and what % of the overall forest does this represent.
  • Update on Biodiversity works at Hazelwood.
  • Identify any new areas/locations proposed for planting in 2026”.

4.13  To consider the following motion as submitted by Councillor M. Clarke:
“Given That the Chair of Board Bia has lost the confidence of the members of this scheme, as he has brought the organisation into disrepute, with double standards bringing in Brazilian Beef to undermine the price paid to Irish farmers for producing the highest standard food in the world, and given that his company is not complying with Board Bias standards and importing product that is not traceable. This council stands with rural communities and consumers that deserve healthy food security, this council calls on the government to remove the Chair”.

4.14 To consider the following motion as submitted by Councillor T. Healy:
“To call on Sligo County Council to write to the government to support the removal of the Chairman of Bord BIA, we can’t afford to have double standards”.

4.15  To consider the following motion as submitted by Councillor D. Bree:
“Aware that in every opinion poll taken in recent years the overwhelming majority of Irish people value Irish neutrality and favour it being enshrined in our Constitution; Conscious that in this period of increased global political instability with record expenditure on armaments and military spending worldwide, Ireland’s neutrality is more than important than ever; this Council calls on the Government to copper-fasten Irish neutrality by holding a referendum to enshrine it into the Constitution.”

4.16  To consider the following motion as submitted by Councillor D. Bree:
“That the meeting be provided with a report listing each property including full address (excluding local authority housing) in the ownership of the Council; the status of each property; the rent collected per annum on each property; and the rent per square meter.”

4.17  To consider the following motion as submitted by Councillor T. Walsh:
“To ask Sligo County Council if there is a strategy for increasing activity in Queen Maeve Square? Has there been a public/stakeholder consultation to develop a short-term/long-term plan? Eg temp roof covering, purchase/lease of a marquee, monthly market, invitation to meet promoters, summer music series, youth fora’s, day activities, celebrate Sligo Day”.

4.18  To consider the following motion as submitted by Councillor T. Walsh:
“Following on from the response issued to NOM on the 8th September 2025 in relation to the provision of an aire style/camping facility in Sligo town: can this Local Authority now provide an update into what explorative work has taken place since and outline what plans are being made for such a facility”.

4.19  To consider the following motion as submitted by Councillor J. Queenan:
“Ask Sligo County Council to write to the CEO of Aurivo co-op to express concern regarding the proposed merger between Dale Farm and Aurivo”.

4.20  To consider the following motion as submitted by Councillor J. Queenan:
“Ask the Director for Planning to outline the proposed changes to Airbnb regulations and the effect they will have for tourism in County Sligo”.

4.21  To consider the following motion as submitted by Councillor E. McSharry:
“That Sligo County Council notes the recent national media commentary and public statements by the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage calling for increased urgency by local authorities in the rezoning of land for housing and referencing the possible use of ministerial powers where councils are perceived to be delaying. In light of commentary suggesting that some local authorities are “dragging their heels”, this Council requests a report to this meeting outlining the specific steps taken to date by Sligo County Council in relation to land rezoning and housing delivery”.

4.22  To consider the following motion as submitted by Councillor E. McSharry:
“That this Council expresses serious concern at the repeated cancellations of elective orthopaedic surgeries at Sligo University Hospital over the past year due to ongoing infrastructure failures such as leaks and bed capacity issues. That the council write all local TDs and Ministers to raise this matter urgently with the Minister for Health, and that the Council also write to the Minister, demanding immediate investment in orthopaedic theatre infrastructure, protection of elective orthopaedic beds, clear timelines for a new fit-for-purpose facility, to ensure uninterrupted services for patients in the North West”.

4.23  To consider the following motion as submitted by Councillor A. Gibbons:
“This local authority would bring forward a full report on how it is going to tackle illegal dumping at all the clothing pods / banks within the county”.

4.24  To consider the following motion as submitted by Councillor D. Gilroy:
“That Sligo County Council consider what measures if any can be put in place within the county development plan to facilitate the genuine family caregiving housing needs of relatives or carers outside the nuclear family, and can the authority facilitate the building of a dwelling adjacent to or near a relative who is suffering from Cognitive or mental health needs.

Accepting that members would advocate for flexibility where documented medical or mental health circumstances exist and would encourage consideration of functional care beyond immediate nuclear family definitions”.

4.25  To consider the following motion as submitted by Councillor D. Gilroy:
“That Sligo County Council inform the members as to what the policy is regarding publication of Submissions made during periods of Public Consultation.

Why are some submissions published on the website and others are not published.

As members we need to be able to see what submissions are coming in and are not kept in the dark. The public are also entitled to know what submissions are made by others which may be at variance with how they think the project should proceed or otherwise.

The public then believe that their submission was neither read nor considered and they decide not to take part in future consultations.

After some consultations Members are given a summary of the submissions without receiving the full text of the submission. Decisions should be made based on the submission and not based on a summary”.

4.26  To consider the following motion as submitted by Councillor A. Gibbons:
“That this local authority write to the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine to request that when a dog licence is being registered, the animal’s microchip number must also be inputted and verified as part of the process.”

4.27  To consider the following motion as submitted by Councillor D. Bree:
“That the meeting be provided with a progress report in respect of: (1) the planned new outdoor water-based activities facility to be constructed in Rosses Point, including details relating to the operation of the facility and when construction work is expected to commence on the facility, (2) the provision of a boardwalk to allow 24 hour safe access to the second beach at Rosses Point. (3) the improvement of facilities at the Deadman’s Point swimming pool including the construction of a shelter for swimmers.”

4.28  To consider the following motion as submitted by Councillor G. O’Boyle:
“That Sligo County Council formally opposes large scale mechanical harvesting of seaweed forests along the west coast due to the potential risks to marine biodiversity, coastal ecosystems and local livelihoods, and calls on the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications to suspend any such licensing pending a full independent environmental impact assessment and the application of the precautionary principle”.

4.29  To consider the following motion as submitted by Councillor A. Gibbons:
“That this local authority notes that skin cancer is the most common cancer in Ireland, with over 11,000 diagnoses and approximately 270 deaths annually, and that prevention through public awareness and behavioural change is a key public health priority.
Further notes the HSE SunSmart campaign and a growing number of local authorities nationally, that are introducing SunSmart measures in public spaces.

Requests that Sligo County Council develop a pilot SunSmart initiative across the County, to include a selected number of high-use outdoor amenities such as parks, playgrounds, walking trails and beaches, incorporating: SunSmart awareness signage aligned with HSE guidance, Automated UV Index readers Free sunscreen dispensers

The pilot programme should be monitored and evaluated, with a report brought back to Council on usage, costs and outcomes, with a view to expanding the initiative to additional locations across the county where appropriate.

Council is also requested to explore funding and partnership opportunities with the HSE, Healthy Ireland and other relevant stakeholders to support delivery of this initiative.”

5. Votes of Sympathy

6. Votes of Congratulations

7. Approval of Training/Conferences/Summary of Proceedings of Conferences Attended

8. Correspondence

  1. Acknowledgement letter dated 30th January 2026 from the Office of the Taoiseach, Micheál Martin TD, in relation to cross border cooperation on farm machinery theft.
  2. Acknowledgement letter dated 5th February 2026 from the Office of the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade, Ms Helen McEntee TD, regarding CETA and the ICS.
  3. Letter dated 6th February 2026 from the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage, in relation to an increase to elected member’s annual remuneration on 1st February 2026.
  4. Letter dated 9th February 2026 from Francis O’Donnell, ESB ecars Manager regarding recent price changes on the ESB ecars public electric vehicle (EV) charging network.
  5. Letter dated 10th February 2026 from Clare County Council in relation to the recent appeal from the Irish Beekeepers’ Association.
  6. Letter dated 10th February 2026 from Wexford County Council regarding a resolution to fast-track and publish the legislation outlawing the use of anonymous social media accounts, profiles and user/chat groups on all social media platforms.
  7. Email dated 10th February 2026 from Wicklow County Council regarding a motion in relation to CETA and the ICS.
  8. Acknowledgement email dated 12th February 2026 from the office of the Minister for Health, Jennifer Carroll MacNeill TD, in relation to concerns around CAMHS waiting lists.
  9. Acknowledgement email dated 12th February 2026 from the office of the Minister for Health, Jennifer Carroll MacNeill TD, in relation to the CAMHS Unit at Merlin Park Hospital being at/exceeding capacity.
  10. Acknowledgement email dated 12th February 2026 from the office of the Minister for Health, Jennifer Carroll MacNeill TD, regarding special paid leave for healthcare workers suffering from Long Covid.
  11. Acknowledgement email dated 12th February 2026 from the office of the Minister for Health, Jennifer Carroll MacNeill TD, regarding endometriosis services.
  12. Acknowledgement email dated 13th February 2026 from the office of the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration regarding the reform of the Criminal Justice Act – theft of work tools.
  13. Letter of thanks dated 3rd February 2026 from Michael D Higgins.
  14. Letter dated 12th February 2026 from Galway County Council regarding a motion in relation to the increase in road traffic fatalities and incidents in 2025 and the immediate implementation of the Indecon Report 2024.
  15. Acknowledgement email dated 16th February 2026 from the office of the Minister for State for the Department of Health with responsibility for Mental Health, Mary Butler TD, regarding CAMHS.
  16. Acknowledgement email dated 16th February 2026 from the office of the Minister for State for the Department of Health with responsibility for Mental Health, Mary Butler TD, regarding the CAMHS Unit at Merlin Park Hospital.
  17. Letter dated 17th February 2026 from Wexford County Council regarding a motion to task Irish Public Bodies (IPB) with the provision of insurance cover for residential and commercial properties that are unable to obtain insurance from commercial insurers.
  18. Acknowledgement letter dated 13th February 2026, from the office of Minister for Social Protection, Dara Calleary TD, regarding the Free Travel Scheme.
  19. Acknowledgement email dated 17th February 2026 from Uisce Éireann regarding Wastewater Infrastructure in Co Sligo.
  20. Acknowledgement email dated 18th February 2026 from the office of the Minster for Education, Ms Hildegarde Naughton TD, in relation to Co Sligo schools and the NDP plan for education.
  21. Acknowledgement email dated 18th February 2026 from the office of Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration Jim O’Callaghan TD, regarding anti-social behaviour and community CCTV schemes.
  22. Letter from Iarnród Éireann dated 18th February 2026 regarding suspension of works on the Greenway project.
  23. Letter from Iarnród Éireann dated 18th February 2026 regarding parking at Sligo and Collooney Train Stations.
  24. Acknowledgement email dated 19th February 2026 from the office of Minister for Education Ms Hildegarde Naughton regarding job security for Special Needs Assistants.
  25. Email response dated 19th February 2026 from the office of the Minister for Health, Ms Carolan Neill regarding Long COVID Special Scheme payment for public health workers.
  26. Acknowledgement letter dated 18th February 2026 from the office of the Taoiseach, Micheál Martin TD, regarding the N59 and N17.
  27. Letter dated 20th February 2026 from the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage regarding National Planning Framework (NPF) Implementation – Housing Growth Requirements.
  28. Letter dated 18th February 2026, from Westmeath County Council regarding a request for a review of income thresholds for social housing and HAP.

9. Matters Arising

10. Any other business


Meeting Date 02/03/2026