CHOMHAIRLE CHONTAE NA GAILLIMHE MINUTES OF MONTHLY MEETING OF GALWAY COUNTY COUNCIL HELD AT ÁRAS AN CHONTAE, ON MONDAY 27th FEBRUARY, 2017 AT 11.00 A.M. CATHAOIRLEACH: Cllr. M. Connolly, Cathaoirleach of the County of Galway I LATHAIR FREISIN: BAILL: Cllrs. T. Broderick, D. Burke, J. Byrne, N. Byrne, I. Canning, J. Charity, B. Connelly, D. Connolly, G. Cronnelly, Comh. S. Ó Cualáín, Cllrs. J. Cuddy, S. Cunniffe, S. Donnellan, A. Donohue, M. Fahy, P. Feeney, G. Finnerty, M. Finnerty, T. Healy, M. Hoade, P. Hynes, D. Joyce, F. Kearney, P. Keaveney, D. Killilea, M. Kinane, M. Maher, E. Mannion, J. McClearn, K. McHugh, T. McHugh, M. Noone, P. Roche, N. Thomas, Comh S. Ó Tuairisg, Cllrs. S. Walsh, T. Welby OIFIGIGH: Mr. K. Kelly, Chief Executive (Interim); Mr. J.Cullen, Director of Service; Ms. C. McConnell, Messrs. M. Owens and M. Timmins, Acting Directors of Service; Mr. G. Mullarkey, Head of Finance; Ms. E. Dolan, Acting County Secretary & Meetings Administrator; Mr. S. Kilroy Acting Staff Officer; Ms. G. Healy, Staff Officer. Thosnaigh an Cruinniú leis an Paidir. RESOLUTIONS OF SYMPATHY 2947 The Cathaoirleach proposed that a Vote of Sympathy be extended to Cllr. Eileen Mannion and the Mannion Family on the recent death of Eileen’s father, Mr. Paddy Mannion. Cllrs. McClearn, Hoade, Healy, Welby, Hynes, Comh. Ó Tuairisg and Ó Cualáin paid tribute to the late Paddy Mannion, stating that he was gentleman and good businessman who always looked after his customers well. The Chief Executive, on his own behalf and on behalf of the Executive and Staff of the Council, joined in the expressions of sympathy. Cllr. Hoade proposed that a Vote of Sympathy be extended to the family of Mr. Michael Kelly of Corrandulla who passed away suddenly the previous week. The Cathaoirleach, Cllr. M. Connolly also wished to support this Vote of Sympathy. 1 Cllr. Fahy extended a Vote of Sympathy on the family of Mr. Fred O’Connor of Oranmore who passed away earlier in the month. A resolution of sympathy was also extended to the following: Eugene Mc Keigue, Coolnageera, Portumna, Co. Galway. Tricia Heneghan, Knockdoe Beg, Claregalway. Monica Flaherty, Lakeside Park, Loughrea, Co. Galway. Mary O’Connor, Main Street, Oranmore, Co. Galway. Peggy Tierney, Rusheeney, Oughterard, Co. Galway. Josephine & Patricia Ní Flaharta, Barr, Rusheen, Ros-a-Mhil, Baile na hAbhainn, Co. na Gaillimhe. Jimí Ó Ceannabhainn, Cill Chiarain, Conamara, Co. na Gaillimhe. Chrissie Nevin, Killaghmore, Kilconnell, Ballinasloe, Co. Galway. Tom King, Rosshill, Merlin Park, Galway. Gerry Mc Inerney, Carrowmoneash, Oranmore, Co. Galway. Margaret Monaghan, Liscaninane, Claregalway, Co. Galway. Betty Madden, Lackaghmore, Turloughmore, Co. Galway. Josephine Kelly, Drumgriffin, Corrandulla, Co. Galway. Liam Creaven, Belclare, Tuam, Co. Galway. Pat O’ Halloran & Family, Weir Road, Tuam, Co. Galway. Mary Reilly, 20 Trinity Court, Tuam, Co Galway. The Cathaoirleach proposed that the Meeting be adjourned for five minutes as a mark of respect to Mr. Paddy Mannion and for all the deceased. The Meeting resumed following the adjournment. CONFIRMATION OF MINUTES OF THE MONTHLY MEETING HELD ON 30TH JANUARY, 2017 2948 Cllr. Cunniffe referred to the debate which took place regarding Notice of Motion No. 21 which he had proposed at the January Monthly Meeting of the Council. He said that the Minutes record that Cllr. B. Connelly said “a Greenway is already being proposed on an alternative route in the area, which he understands has the broad agreement of the Irish Farmers Association”. Cllr. Cunniffe contested that the IFA is in broad agreement with the alternative route mentioned by Cllr. B. Connelly. Cllr. B. Connelly advised that when he in response to the Motion at the January Monthly Meeting of the Council, he spoke with regard to an alternative route of a Greenway which he said had the broad support of the IFA. The Minutes of the Monthly Meeting of the Council held on 30th January 2017, were APPROVED by the Council and signed by the Cathaoirleach, on the PROPOSAL of Cllr. McClearn and SECONDED by Cllr. Burke, subject to the following amendment on Page 21 in relation to Notice of Motion 21: Cllr. B. Connelly said that while he supported the concept of 2 Greenways, he believed that incurring expenditure on a feasibility study for a Greenway on the route indicated by Cllr. Cunniffe would be futile as a Greenway is already being proposed on an alternative route in the area, which he understands has the broad support of the Irish Farmers Association (IFA). Cllr. Fahy raised the issue of traffic congestion at Parkmore stating that jobs could be put in jeopardy if traffic gridlock at the industrial estate is not remedied. He asked that the Chief Executive liaise with the Chief Executive of the City Council and also Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII) in order to solve this major problem. Cllrs. Cuddy, Noone, Hoade, Feeney, J. Byrne, Kinane, Charity and Cronnelly also expressed their concern regarding the critical traffic delays being experienced by businesses and employees entering and exiting the industrial estate. Cllr. Kinane referred to Irish Rural Link which is a national network of organisations and individuals campaigning for sustainable rural development in Ireland and Europe. She suggested that a representative of Irish Rural Link be invited to make a presentation to the Members. Cllr. Walsh supported Cllr. Kinane in this regard. The Cathaoirleach referred to the Galway Transport Strategy which was presented to the Members at the December 2016 Monthly Meeting of the Council and he said that a proactive Transport Strategy needs to be developed for the whole of County Galway, in conjunction with both Galway County Council and Galway City Council. The Chief Executive replied to the Members stating that, both Galway County and Galway City Councils are working on finding a solution to the traffic congestion at Parkmore, with Galway City Council as the Lead Authority under a Section 85 Agreement. He said that both Authorities are working closely with businesses in the area; with the National Transport Authority; the Minister for Transport; the IDA and TII in order to put in place an effective solution. He noted that the Galway City Ring Road would provide a solution for the whole of Parkmore into the future. The Chief Executive underlined that a number of measures are being proactively considered which have varying timescales attached and assured the Members that every avenue is being pursued in order to solve this major problem. Comh. Ó Tuairisg raised the issue of the N59 Bunakill to Oughterard Road and he asked for an update regarding plans for the much needed resurfacing works to be carried out on this stretch of road. Cllrs. Healy, Walsh and Thomas expressed their disappointment at the lack of progress on carrying out essential repairs to the N59 Road. Mr. Timmins said it is the Council’s intention to overlay the section from Bunakill to Claremont, Oughterard during 2017, in three tranches. He said the Council must go through Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII) on this national route, in order to get the works 3 approved, therefore necessitating the completion of a Design Plan for the works it is the intention of the Council to get all of the overlay works to the N59 underway in 2017. In reply to Cllr. Canning, Ms. McConnell said that the Council secured €392,000 in CLÁR Measure 1 and 2 funding to be invested in Roads and one playground in 2017. CONSIDERATION OF REPORTS & RECOMMENDATIONS 2949 The Report of the Corporate Policy Group Meeting held on 9th September 2016, was APPROVED by the Council on the PROPOSAL of Cllr. T. McHugh, SECONDED by Cllr. Donnellan. The Report of the Corporate Policy Group Meeting held on 11th November 2016, was APPROVED by the Council on the PROPOSAL of Cllr. McClearn, SECONDED by Cllr. T. McHugh. SUSPENSION OF STANDING ORDERS 2950 On the PROPOSAL of Cllr. Killilea, SECONDED by Cllr. Roche, it was AGREED that the Standing Orders be suspended in order that Notice of Motion No. 23 on the Agenda be taken next. Cllr. Cunniffe referred to his Notice of Motion No. 23 which PROPOSED that “Galway County Council approves the carrying out of a Feasibility Study on the establishment of a Greenway as a complimentary use of the disused railway alignment between Athenry, Ballyglunin, Tuam, Kilconly and Milltown. The funding for this Feasibility Study should be sought from the Department of Transport, Department of Environment or other source outside of the Council. The parameters of the Feasibility Study will be drawn up and approved with the expertise of Galway County Council. The establishment of this Greenway would in no way compromise the future provision of a railway service should it ever come to pass, on the contrary, a Greenway would protect the alignment for any further use. A Greenway would be a wonderful local public amenity and also provide a substantial economic injection to the whole area and bring employment to rural areas where all other efforts to create jobs have failed”. Cllr. Killilea SECONDED this proposal. He said that the funding for the Feasibility Study would need to be sought through the Council, and it was not intended that the Council would fund the Study. Cllr. Feeney expressed the view that the route proposed by Cllr. Cunniffe was not wide enough to accommodate both the railway line and a Greenway and he said was not in favour of the proposal. 4 Cllr. McClearn considered the proposal was contrary to national legislation and therefore, funding would not be provided by the Department of Transport, Tourism & Sport (DTTAS) to carry out the Study. Cllr. Kearney and Comh. Ó Cualáin and B. Connelly expressed their opposition to the proposal.