Chomhairle Chontae Na Gaillimhe Minutes of Special
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CHOMHAIRLE CHONTAE NA GAILLIMHE MINUTES OF SPECIAL MEETING OF GALWAY COUNTY COUNCIL HELD IN THE COUNCIL CHAMBER, GALWAY COUNTY COUNCIL ON THURSDAY, JANUARY 14TH 2016 AT 2.00PM. CATHAOIRLEACH: Cllr. P. Roche, Cathaoirleach of the County of Galway CLLR.S: Cllrs. D. Burke, J. Byrne, S. Canney, J. Charity, D. Connolly, M. Connolly, Comh. S. Ó Cualáín, Cllrs. J. Cuddy, S. Cunniffe, Cllrs. S. Donnellan, A. Donohue, M. Fahy, P. Feeney, G. Finnerty, M. Finnerty, M. Hoade, P. Hynes, D. Joyce, F. Kearney, P. Keaveney, D. Killilea, M. Kinane, M. Maher, J. McClearn, K. McHugh, T. McHugh, M. Noone, A. Rabbitte, N. Thomas, Comh S. Ó Tuairisg, Cllrs. S. Walsh, T. Welby Oifigigh: Mr. K. Kelly, Chief Executive (Interim), Messrs. P. Gavican, L. Gavin, Directors of Services, Ms. C. McConnell, Acting Director of Services Planning, Mr. M. Owens, County Secretary & Meetings Administrator, Ms. N. Heffernan, Administrative Officer, Ms. D. Caulfield, Staff Officer, Ms. N. Mullarney, Assistant Staff Officer Thosaigh an cruinniú leis an paidir. RESOLULTIONS OF SYMPATHY 2123 A resolution of sympathy was also extended to the following: Donnie Keaveney, Church Street, Glenamaddy, Co. Galway Bridgie Comer, Stonetown, Williamstown, Co. Galway Gerry Hardiman, Mace, Corrandulla, Co. Galway Nora Shaughnessy, Beaghmore, Belclare, Tuam, Co. Galway Donnie Keavney, Church Street, Glenamaddy, Co. Galway James Regan, Earlspark, Loughrea, Co. Galway Ollie Barrett, Caherona, Loughrea, Co. Galway Sheila Monahan, Kilchreest, Loughrea, Co. Galway Fintan Keane, Kilconieron, Athenry, Co. Galway Jodie Scully, Kilnadeemna, Loughrea, Co. Galway Carmel McGrath & Family, Knock, Barnaderg, Tuam, Co. Galway Mary Farrell, Kilconnell Village, Kilconnell, Ballinasloe, Co. Galway 1 Mrs. Brennan & Family, Castletaylor, Ardrahan, Co. Galway Donal & Patricia Fordham, Keamsella, Kilcolgan, Co. Galway Mrs. Peg Keane & Family, Cahermore, Gort, Co. Galway Mary & Andrew Coen & Family, 1 Crowe Street, Gort, Co. Galway Pat O’Brien, Cahereerard, Caherlistrane, Co. Galway Evelyn Cunningham, Newbridge, Ballinasloe, Co. Galway Ann O’Connor, Derrycastle House, Ballina, Co. Tipperary John Flanagan, Cahermore, Gort, Co. Galway Sheila Monaghan, Castleboy, Kilchreest, Loughrea, Co. Galway Mike Curran, Litir Caladh, Litir Móir, Co. na Gaillimhe Maureen Connolly, Cregmore, Claregalway, Co. Galway Patrick Walsh, Liscaninane, Claregalway, Co. Galway The Cathaoirleach welcomed all those in attendance to the special meeting of the Council and advised that there was one item on the agenda to consider the impact of flooding on the County. Cllr. Killilea raised the issue of comments made recently on local media by Cllr. Charity regarding the qualifications of Elected Members, stating that he was disappointed with the tone used in the particular interview. He asked Cllr. Charity to withdraw the remarks made. Cllr. Kearney stated that the views expressed by Cllr. Charity in the local media would result in only the elite and wealthy being in a position to place their name before the electorate and was a suggestion appropriate to the form of representation available in the 19th century. He was critical of Cllr. Charity’s comments in relation to political parties, while referencing Cllr. Charity’s own brief membership of a political party. He referenced his own path to playing an active role in political life and the mandate and confidence placed in him by the electorate. Cllr. Fahy stated that following Cllr. Charity’s comments in the local media he was more sad than mad. He also remarked that all Members were directly elected by the people, enjoyed an equal democratic mandate and enjoyed the trust and confidence of the people of the county. Cllr. Charity stated that he was surprised that comments made by him outside the Chamber were allowed to become the subject of discussion and comment in the Chamber. He indicated that he was entitled to express his views on the matter and as a candidate to outline his policy position, without requiring the approval of the Elected Members. He indicated that it was a democracy and the people would ultimately decide on the views expressed and declined to withdraw the comments. Cllr. Canney noted that the purpose of this meeting is to find solutions to the flooding problem and this is what should be under discussion. Cllr. Cuddy stated that it was also his understanding that the meeting was called today to discuss the impact of flooding in the County, but that Cllr. Killilea was correct in bringing up comments recently made by Cllr. Charity in the local media. The Cathaoirleach stated that he has not privileged to advance notice of the topic that was raised by Cllr. Killilea and others. 2 TO CONSIDER THE IMPACT OF FLOODING ON COUNTY GALWAY 2124 The Cathaoirleach invited Mr. Gavin to give a presentation on the Impact of Flooding on the County. Mr. Gavin began by acknowledging the great community spirit and the enormous physical work undertaken by the various communities across the County in dealing with the flooding crisis. Mr. Gavin outlined that during the 2009 Flooding 400mm of rain fell, whereas in 2015 600mm had fallen and that the extremely heavy rain which fell over an extremely long period of time had led to the flooding crisis in the County. Mr. Gavin began his presentation, (copies of which are to be circulated to all members). The report covered the following topics: Severe Weather Event Management of Event Key Priorities Affected Areas Flood Info & Data Collection Humanitarian Aid Management of the Event Funding Conclusions and Recommendation He advised that, 50,000 small sandbags were used in Galway during the flooding crisis, mainly in South Galway, and up to 5,000 1 tone sandbags were used. Mr. Gavin confirmed that the channel dug, in an emergency situation, in South Galway saved about 10 houses from flooding, but he also commented that solving the South Galway issue is a very complex one. He said that discussions were ongoing with the Office of Public Works and other government agencies to get establish the best way to alleviate future potential flooding. Mr. Gavin outlined systems which proved very successful during the flooding crisis; The Text Alert System in certain communities; Media were helpful in finding out about certain householders stranded by the floods; The Interactive Map outlining flooded roads/closed roads etc set up by the County Council and available through the Council’s web site; In conclusion Mr. Gavin stressed that the burden of responsibility was on us all and advised that a responsible and proactive approach was needed to provide solutions. The Cathaoirleach thanked Mr. Gavin for his presentation and stressed the need to focus on solutions. Cllr. Killilea referred to the enormous volume of work done by communities during the crisis and specifically thanked the staff in the Municipal District of Tuam for the level of assistance afforded to communities in the Municipal District. 3 Cllr. Killilea PROPOSED “that Galway County Council in the next four weeks hold a series of information meetings in our major towns and listen to the local knowledge that resident have in relation to relieving flooding issues in their areas”. This proposal was SECONDED by Cllr. Rabbitte. Cllr. Killilea referred to the Motorway construction and suggested that this would be an ideal opportunity to take water from the flood plains into the Motorway drainage system. Cllr. Maher also expressed his thanks to local communities for their great work undertaken during the flooding crisis. He referred to the Dunkellin Scheme and insisted that it proceed with delay in order to address the severe flooding in South Galway. He also stated that streams across the county must be dredged by the OPW. Cllr. Byrne agreed that the Dunkellin Scheme needed to proceed. Cllr. Byrne advised the meeting that a number of householder’s septic tanks were not working due to the flooding issues and that this would lead to environmental problems if not dealt with. Cllr. Kearney expressed his gratitude to Council staff for their work on the ground during the flooding crisis. He agreed that the piping laid in Coolarne had worked well but that it needed to be extended further. He questioned the approach to the Salmon Weir/Corrib River gates and requested the Council’s representatives on the Lough Corrib Navigation Trustees to pursue the matter. He referenced the raising of the N84 and the impact of flooding in Montiagh, Baile Chláir (Claregalway) and the need to address same with a permanent solution. Cllr. Burke referred to his attendance at the CFRAMS Consultation Group in Ballinasloe and expressed his surprise that rural hinterlands were not dealt with in this study only the main towns. Cllr. G. Finnerty said that a relocation scheme needed to be put in place for some families affected by the flooding. He referred to the flooding specifically in the Gort area and said that he believed that the building of a channel to the sea was the only long-term solution to prevent flooding. He advised that the roads affected by flooding now needed repairing. He also refered to the water pumping costs which are not covered for flooded householders nor was there any compensation for householders who were unable to work during the flooding. The farming community had the added costs of transport for moving animals, transporting hay bales and the land loss costs. Cllr. Welby thanked all the Council staff on flood relief duty. He raised the issue of the three Galway City canals and queried the opening of the canal gates to relieve water pressure. He also requested the government to look again at the issue of household insurance for flood affected properties. In conclusion he praised the people of South Galway for their work on the ground during the flooding. Cllr. Thomas complemented Galway County Council staff on their swift action during the flooding crisis.