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Sligo Leitrim & Northern Counties Greenway takes first step

Fianna Fáil Councillor, John Paul Feeley has welcomed progress by County Councils in the region on the opening of the route of the Sligo, Leitrim and Northern Counties Railway running from Enniskillen to Collooney in Sligo.

‘Last year, I proposed that Cavan County Council would look at the now closed railway lines in the County with a view to developing Greenways, walking and cycling routes on the routes of the old railways and in particular the old SLNCR line running through Blacklion. There had been some very welcome work done by members of the community in North Leitrim.’

In recent weeks, Eoin Doyle, Director of Services and Paddy Connaughton, Head of Community & Enterprise in Cavan County Council, Joe Gilhooley, Director of Services of Leitrim County Council, Dorothy Clarke, Director of Services in Sligo County Council and Eddie McGovern, Tourism Officer of Fermanagh District Council have met to discuss how the local authorities can work together to progress the project.

‘This project is unique. It would see an extensive route linking the Shannon-Erne Waterway, the Marble Arch Caves Global Geopark, the North Leitrim Glens, the Ox Mountains and Yeats Country together through the utilization of the defund railway line. It is a cross border project and whilst that gives rise to certain challenges it makes the project all the more interesting and worthy of support by the County Councils, the Government and the Stormont Executive.’

The plans by the local authorities which would see the 47 mile route opened up based on the model used in Mulranney, County Mayo would see the lines re-opened for use by cyclists and walkers. The landowners along the route would consent to necessary works such as the laying down of a proper surface, the completion of fences and gates. No compensation was paid in County Mayo to any landowners but everyone is fully indemnified against any damage or injury. The landowners would not be asked to grant any kind of right of way to the users and would simply allow persons use the lands by way of licence only.

‘The County Councils will now work with members of the local community. They will work to identify landowners, survey the routes and prepare a detailed report and feasibility study on the project to form the basis for future funding applications. An initial application for funding for this element of the project will be lodged with the Department of Transport. This is a medium term project but it is one that can be brought on stream on a phased basis. It is a very exciting project that can be a major amenity for the local community and a huge attraction for tourists into the future.’

The Cavan County Councillor pointed out that on the Western Greenway in Mayo it was not practical in some areas to use the old railway line and in that event the Greenway diverted to local by-roads.

‘The local community have played a key role todate in this project. At this stage it is vital that the local authorities now step up to the plate and take a leadership role in driving this project forward. This project open to cyclists, walkers and possibly horseriders has the potential to bring many regional attractions together and provide a major tourist attraction for the region. I hope that landowners will get behind the project and that local business will avail of the opportunities that it will give in the future.’

Feeley calls for clarity on Fianna Fáil Pro-life Position

Fianna Fáil Councillor, John Paul Feeley has called for immediate clarity from his Party Leadership on the Protection of Life in Pregnancy Bill 2013. Speaking in light of comments reported in recent days that Michael Martin, T.D., Leader of Fianna Fáil, personally supported the legislation; Councillor Feeley stated that such a view did not represent him or the vast majority of Fianna Fáil members.

‘I very much regret that Deputy Martin chose to make his personal views known on this matter given that the Parliamentary Party has not yet finalised the Party position on the proposed Abortion legislation. Given the resounding Pro-Life position taken by the delegates to our recent Party Ard Fheis, I cannot understand why there is such doubt as to our position. Fianna Fáil has always been a clearly Pro-Life Party from our support for the 1983 Amendment to the Constitution to our Ard Fheis votes. There should be no doubt; there should be no need for long-winded discussion. We should be very clearly against legislation which, for the first time provides a legal framework for the direct and intentional destruction of innocent and defenceless human life.’

Noting that other political parties did not have a pro-life position or had, for whatever reason changed their position, Councillor Feeley noted that Fianna Fáil would, if support is given to this proposed legislation have given up on this key policy position.

‘Michael Martin’s personal position certainly does not speak for me and, I believe very substantial numbers of my fellow Party members.’

Confirming that much of the legislation is acceptable in that it re-states the current medical practice of providing the best possible care to both patients and insuring that any mother would receive full and proper treatment, Councillor Feeley made clear that his only concern was that of providing Abortion as a treatment for suicide ideation.

‘This is a very sensitive and difficult matter but it serves no-one if we do not speak openly and honestly about it. Huge numbers of people, me included, are very disappointed that there has been any ambiguity as to the Fianna Fáil position. We are a Pro-Life Party; a key section of the proposed legislation is clearly not. I do not support it and I am at a loss to see how my Party can give this Bill support.’

Urgent Fodder Relief Scheme Needed

Fianna Fáil Councillor Councillor, John Paul Feeley condemned the announcement of funding by Simon Coveney, TD, Minister for Agriculture that funding of € 1 million to the Dairy Co-Ops to assist in the cost of transporting fodder from abroad as paltry and ineffective.

‘I sincerely hope that the weather changes significantly to increase grass growth because clearly farmers will have to rely more on mother nature than on this Government to deal with the fodder crisis. It was with great reluctance that Minster Coveney and this Fine Gael/Labour Government admitted the problem. We now have an announcement of a total of € 1 million to be spent through Diary Co-operatives. It is a paltry sum when faced with a national crisis.’

Noting that the limited funding would be administered through Diary Co-Ops the Cavan County Councillor noted the vast majority of farmers in the region have no relationship or contact with a dairy co-op.

‘Minster Coveney’s proposal is too little too late. It is not realistic. Many farmers deal with local agricultural supplies and millers directly. They do not have any dealings with co-operatives. This mechanism is typical of a Minister who has no real understanding of the predicament of farmers in the West of Ireland and across this region. I urge the Minister, this Government and the Fine Gael public representative in this region to take urgent action. Minister Coveney has a template in the Department used to provide targeted support for struggling farmers in 1998 when then Minister, Joe Walshe put in place a Fodder Scheme to address a similar crisis at that time.’

Concluding, Councillor Feeley stated that farmers in this region are abandoned by a Government lacking political will, understanding and competence to deal with this crisis.

Swanlinbar Water Supply Restored

West Cavan County Councillor, John Paul Feeley has welcomed confirmation that the Water Supply in Swanlinbar has been fully restored following a recent incidence of excess levels of ammonia in the water supply. There was at no time any bacterial contamination.

‘Residents in the Swanlinbar area have had their water supply disrupted considerably in recent weeks as a result of an exceedance of ammonia in the Water Supply. The supply had to be turned off fully and then restored with an order that it was not to be used for human consumption and the preparation of foods. I have had many complaints for residents and that is entirely understandable. Cavan County Councils own laboratory and that of the HSE have confirmed that the supply is now fully incompliance with all standards and the County Council have issued notice to all households confirming that the water is safe to drink.’

It is understood that the County Council are now engaging in a detailed survey to determine the source of the contamination and to ensure that the problem does not arise again.

‘There have been two incidents in recent months which led to disruption of the supply. The Council staff is making every effort to ensure that this problem does not arise in the future. There is a detailed survey to locate the problem on-going. In tandem with this work the Water Services Department of the Council are making plans to carry out necessary works to deal with future excess levels of ammonia if they arise.’

Concluding, Councillor Feeley thanked Eoin Doyle, Director of Services, Peter Gallagher, Senior Engineer, their colleagues, the laboratory staff and the local water caretaker for their efforts to deal with the problem and their willingness to answer all queries in relation to this problem. Councillor Feeley also noted that senior Council Staff would in the coming days arrange to meet with members of the local community to explain in detail their problems which arose and also set out the program of work to be completed so as to reassure the consumers.