MINUTES OF ISLAND COMMITTEE
HELD ON 12th APRIL 2016 IN DUNGLOE PUBLIC SERVICE CENTRE
______
MEMBERS PRESENT: Cllr Enda Bonner Cllr Seamus Ó Domhnaill Cllr John Sheamais Ó Fearraigh Cllr Terence Slowey Cllr Marie Therese Gallagher Cllr Mícheal Cholm Mac Giolla Easbaig Naul McCole Rosaleen McShane Bridget Nic Gairbheith Seamus Ó Cnaimhsí Mairin Ui Fhearraigh Séamus Mac Ruairí Noirin Uí Mhaoldomhnaigh William Boyle Aodh Ó Gallachóir Eamon Mac Aoidh
APOLOGIES: Cllr Ian McGarvey Maire Uí Dochartaigh Cllr Gerry McMonagle John O Brien
OFFICIALS PRESENT: Michael McGarvey – A/Director of Water & Environment Services Eamonn Brown – A/Area Manager – Housing & Corporate Services Brendan McFadden – SEE, Area Manager Roads and Transportation John Hegarty – Executive Engineer, Roads Eoin Kerrane – Executive Engineer, Water & Enviornment Cathal Mac Suibhne – Marine Engineer David Friel – Coastal Officer Frank Sweeney – Executive Planner Joseph McTaggart – A/Chief Fire Officer Michael Rowsome – SSO Motor Tax
OTHERS IN ATTENDANCE: Berti Ó hAinmhire – An Roinn Diarmuid Ó Mórdha – An Roinn IC 01/16 CONFIRMATION OF MINUTES OF MEETING HELD ON 8 th MAY 2015
On the proposal of Bridget Nic Gairbheith, seconded by Mairin Uí Fhearraigh the minutes of the meeting held on 8th May 2015 were agreed subject to the following amendment to IC 10/15 regarding Island Committee Membership; “ In response to a query from William Boyle for the nomination of representatives of Inis Oirthir and Inis Meain onto the Islands Committee, Cllr Gallagher proposed and Naul McCole seconded a recommendation that both Islands be represented on the islands Committee”.
IC 02/16 ROADS SERVICE
2.1 Roads Report
The Committee discussed the report circulated with the agenda and presented by John Hegarty Roads Engineer regarding:
Works carried out on Arranmore & Tory during 2015 Draft Storm Damaged Roads Application for funding to be submitted to the Department of Transport, Tourism & Sport in April 2016.
Seamus Rodgers welcomed completion of the 2015 Roads Programme on Arranmore and commended the Roads Service for their contribution to the success of the project.
2.2 Draft Roads Priority List
The Committee welcomed the draft priority list circulated with the agenda and presented by John Hegarty, Roads Engineer.
Members highlighted the necessity for major investment in Roads Infrastructure on Donegal Islands to avail of any economic benefits accruing from the Wild Atlantic Way marketing campaign.
Cllr. Bonner outlined the importance of Roads development on Arranmore to deal with emergency situations, necessitating the transportation of patients to the helicopter site and recommended the reintroduction of the Bóithre Áise Scheme.
Cllr. Ó Domhnaill proposed and Seamus Mac Ruairí seconded a recommendation that the Council submit details of all Island Roads, road lengths and costings to An Roinn for their assistance in the development of a strategic Island Roads Investment Programme. Following a lengthy discussion in relation to the unacceptable condition of Island Roads, Members agreed the following draft Roads Priority Programme in anticipation of a funding allocation:
Arranmore Island
1. Ballard Road 2. Rannagh Pier Road 3. Lighthouse Road to reservoir (County Section) 4. Lighthouse Road – end of County Road to Lighthouse (Non County Road) 5. Ferry Pier Road 6. Screig Road 7. Leabgarrow Road from school to co-op junction 8. Illion Road form end of bitmac to top junction 9. Glen Brae Road – last section to Glen Brae Bridge 10. Ring Road (Non County) 11. Leabrannagh (Non County) 12. Upper Fallagowan – (RTE Mast Road) (Non County)
Other Island Roads
1. Owey County Road 2. Inishboffin County Road 3. Inishfree 4. Gola Island 5. Rutland Island 6. Iniscaorach 7. Inishmeane
2.3 Takeover of Non County Island Roads
In response to queries from the Committee regarding the takeover of non county Island roads, the Roads Manager advised Members that: A new policy on takeover of non county is nearing completion. 10km of road to be taken over during a 5 year period throughout the County. Roads suggested for takeover will be assessed for compatibility with the new takeover policy prior to referral to Council for approval. IC 03/16 WATER & ENVIRONMENT SERVICE
3.1 Gola Island – Water Pipe
Mairin Uí Fhearraigh expressed frustration that health and safety implications arising from a surfacing water pipe near Gola Island remains an outstanding issue since reported at the May 2015 meeting. The Committee also discussed the negative impact on the promotion of Gola as a holiday destination and Cllr. Ó Fearraigh highlighted the inability of fire prevention measures to be executed due to the absence of a water supply on Gola.
The Water Services Engineer updated Members on the current status of this issue and informed the Committee that divers were currently working on addressing the matters as a top priority with an amount of €20k expended on repairing the pipe.
3.2 Tory Island – Water Supply
Bridget Nic Gairbheith informed Members of the continued existence, in excess of 15 years, of a “boil notice” on Tory, and requested renewed impetus from the Council to expedite a solution to ongoing difficulties in relation to the provision of an adequate treated water supply.
The A/Director of Water & Environment updated the Committee in relation to the status of the new pumping station for Tory Island water supply and the unexpected delays, arising from planning issues.
3.3 Inishboffin – Waste Removal
Cllr Mac Giolla Easbaig requested the Council to liaise with Islanders to remove waste from Inishboffin.
Mairin Ui Fhearraigh informed the Committee that the litter warden visited the Island in excess of 3 yrs ago and that waste removal remains outstanding.
3.4 Tory Island – Dump
Bridget Nic Gairbheith informed Members of the establishment of an environmental group on the Island and requested Council Litter Control Officers to liaise with the group in relation to their proposals for addressing the removal of dumped material from Tory. The A/Director of Water & Environment undertook to arrange a meeting with the Tory Environmental Group. IC 04/16 FIRE SERVICE
4.1 Arranmore: Fire Service
In response to a query from Seamus Rodgers regarding the payment of a retaining fee to the Fire Team, the A/Chief Fire Officer advised that the Arranmore Fire Service was established on a voluntary basis and that there are no proposals to alter their status.
4.2 Tory
Bridget Nic Gairbheith requested the provision of adequate fire fighting equipment in light of the helipad development.
4.3 Inishmeane
Cllr Mac Giolla Easbaig requested the provision of fire extinguishers for residents on Inishmeane. The A/Chief Fire Officer advised the Committee that all fire extinguishers were replaced during 2014 and that he will ascertain if there are any outstanding issues in this regard.
IC 05/16 MARINE SERVICE
5.1 Rannagh Pier
In response to a query from Cllr Bonner regarding provision of Capital Funding for this project, Berti Ó hAinmhire, Principal Officer, An Roinn informed Members of Departmental budgetary limitations particularly in the short term.
5.2 Tory Pier
Bridget Nic Gairbheith highlighted the necessity for pier rails in advance of the tourist season.
5.3 Pier Lights
In response to a query from William Boyle regarding a non working pier light on Owey Pier, the Marine Engineer undertook to liaise with a contractor in this regard.
Cllr Mac Giolla Easbaig requested that the pier light on Inishinney be repaired. 5.4 Abandoned Boats on Arranmore
In response to concerns expressed by the Committee in relation to abandoned derelict boats on Arranmore & Burtonport, the Marine Engineer advised Members that difficulties arise in removal of same due to: Owners living abroad. Accessing private property on which derelict boats are located.
The Marine Engineer advised Members that in certain situations, given the history and culture associated with boats that a restorative preservation project may be a practical solution to this problem.
5.5 Magheraroarty Pier
Cllr Ó Domhnaill:
1. Expressed frustration at the reluctance of An Roinn to counter fund 75% of the cost of the design study in the sum of €100k. The Council have provided €25k to fund the study to provide a solution to end the annual necessity for expensive dredging works. 2. Requested An Roinn to consult with local pier users who are dependent on the pier for their livelihoods and Islanders travelling to and from Inishboffin & Tory.
Berti Ó hAinmhire, An Roinn informed the meeting of ongoing budgetary restrictions and the necessity of An Roinn to adhere to ministerial and government policy.
5.6 Rutland Pier
Rosaleen McShane informed Members of her concerns in relation to the value for money of the recent grant announcement of €75k to repair the stone pier & the Marine Engineer updated Members on the proposed scope of works.
5.7 Inishfree Store Shed
Naul McCole requested details in relation to proposals for repair of this facility on the Island.
5.8 Algae Cleaning
Naul McCole commended work on cleaning algae form piers and harbours and requested the continuation of this scheme on Donegal Islands. 5.9 Inishmeane Sea Wall
Cllr Mac Giolla Easbaig recommended that the Marine Service schedule this project for completion.
IC 06/16 FISHING INDUSTRY
In response to a recommendation from Cllr Mac Giolla Easbaig that a letter issue requesting a meeting between Salmon Fishermen and the incoming Minister with responsibility for the fishing Industry, Cllr Bonner informed Members that this matter had been addressed at Council Level and that there had been no positive development.
IC 07/16 TORY HELIPAD
In response to queries from Bridget Nic Gairbheith regarding lock of progress with completion of the Helipad, the Marine Engineer updated the Committee on the status of this project.
IC 08/16 ISLAND PROGRAMME
Seamus Bonner commented on the lack of progress on projects and the repetition of similar outstanding issues on the agenda of the Islands Committee for a number of years.
Mairin Uí Fhearraigh queried if any progress had occurred regarding Minister McHugh’s proposal to formulate a plan to influence infrastructural investment on offshore Islands.
Berti Ó hAinmhire stated that the lack of funding availability inhibited progress and also stated that An Roinn are in regular contact with Island co-operatives regarding their priorities.
IC 09/16 COMHARCHUMANN OILEAN THORAI
The Committee expressed appreciation to Bridget Nic Gairbheith on her completion of work with the Comharchumann and wished her every success in her new employment. IC 10/16 MEETING SCHEDULE
The Committee unanimously agreed with proposals from Cllr Gallagher to schedule the following Island Committee meetings:
10th May 12th July 11th October
Cllr Gallagher also requested that service reports are circulated with the agenda.
IC 11/16 PLANNING
Cllr Bonner highlighted the incompatibility of National planning policy with Island Development and the difficulties encountered by planning applicants on Arranmore. Cllr Ó Domhnaill aired concerns on the costs borne by Island applicants arising from obligations to have impact studies completed in conjunction with their planning applications. Cllr Ó Domhnaill requested the Planning Service to liaise with National Parks & Wildlife Service to outline the difficulties experienced by Islanders seeking to carry out developments.
IC 12/16 ANY OTHER BUSINESS
12.1 Arranmore Utd
Seamus Rodgers congratulated the team and management of Arranmore Utd on their capture of the Donegal Saturday League Title.
12.2 Housing & Corporate Management Dungloe
Seamus Rodgers: Paid tribute to Paul McGill, former Area Manager Housing Glenties. Welcomed Eamonn Brown to the Islands Committee.
THIS CONCLUDED THE BUSINESS OF THE MEETING