Agenda and minutes

Cathaoirleach, Councillor Justin Warnock welcomed Mr Fintan Coyle, Climate Action Co-Ordinator Officer to the meeting and invited him to give a presentation on the draft Climate Action Plan 2024-2029 for County Leitrim.  Mr Coyle gave a presentation on the draft Climate Action Plan 2024-2029, the contents of the report on submissions received during the period of consultation and the SEA and AA reports and determinations carried out.

The Cathaoirleach, Councillor Justin Warnock and the members thanked Mr Coyle and the Climate Action Team for the presentation and acknowledge the significant amount of time and effort that had been put into the preparation of the Plan.

Councillor Des Guckian made points on the following:

• This is an important and far reaching plan and will be the basis of decision making and future plans for in future years.
• The plan is aspirational and not convincing.
• Major polluters not mentioned.
• Aircraft are significant polluters with their emissions falling as rain.
• Agriculture not adequately addressed.

·        The plan made reference to 430 vacant dwellings within Carrick-on-Shannon and he queried if the figures are correct in this regard

Councillor Mary Bohan acknowledged the plan is aspirational but is a start in dealing with the issue of Climate Change.  Councillor Bohan queried how often will the plan be reviewed.

Councillor O’Rourke said Climate Change policy is going to be driven by independent and private companies.  Councillor O’Rourke said if a farmer seeks financial assistance from a bank, a Carbon Plan is requested as part of the documentation required in the loan application loan.

Councillor Brendan Barry expressed surprise that 44% of the emissions in Leitrim are attributable to farming, with that 19% of the overall emissions being attributable to cattle, yet only 14% is attributable to cars. Councillor Barry acknowledged that the plan is not going to have any legal obligations on the agriculture sector in Leitrim and that the plan before the members is only relevant to Leitrim County Council.

Councillor Felim Gurn raised an issue quality of water as an issue that needs to be address and he highlighted that between 4 and 5 hundred million euros will have to be spent to bring our water network up to date.  Cllr Felim highlighted that almost 60% of water is lost due to leakage r and he questioned how this will be solved.

Councillor Enda Stenson welcomed the plan and sought clarification if all cattle registered to Leitrim herd numbers, but being raised on land in other counties, included in the agriculture figures presented for Leitrim.  Councillor Enda Stenson expressed concern that if this is the case it is inflating the figures for Leitrim and this fact should be reflected in the contextual data in the plan. Councillor. Councillor Stenson also acknowledged the plan is aspirational and he noted that the Local Authority will be the lead in implementing the plan.

Councillor Padraig Fallon was surprised that agriculture created more emissions than traffic in the county.  Councillor Fallon said when the scoring was been carried out  ...  view the full minutes text for item MM.25.23

On the PROPOSAL of Councillor Enda McGloin

             SECONDED by Councillor Sean McGowan

That the following be appointed as PPN representatives to Leitrim LCDC

• Aedín McLoughlin, Environmental Pillar
• Sean Gilligan, Social Inclusion Pillar
• Brigid McGourty, Social Inclusion Pillar
• Ita Gray, Community & Voluntary

Cathaoirleach, Councillor Justin Warnock welcomed Brian Tracey, Western Regional Manager, Waterways Ireland and Patrick Harkin, Inspector of Navigation, Waterways Ireland to the meeting and invited them to deliver a presentation.

Brian Tracey, Western Regional Manager gave a presentation on the following:

• Shannon Erne Waterway

• North Shannon

• Shannon Tourism Masterplan

Patrick Harkin, Inspector of Navigation gave a presentation on the revision of the bye laws

for Canals and the Shannon Navigation system as follows:

• Byelaw process
• Public Consultation
• Information consultations/briefing held to date
• The need to revise the Byelaws

Shannon Navigation

• Byelaw process
• Key Bye Laws revisions
• Revised Mooring Periods
• Retain Winter Mooring
• Abolish Lock passage fee
• Fixed Payment Notice
• Annual Registration
• Insurance
• Information consultations/briefing held to date
• The need to revise the Bye laws
• Registration, Insurance & Safety

Canals

• Canal bye laws
• Canal Houseboat permit pricing proposal
• Canal zones
• Priority Areas themes

Mr Harkin said the public consultation closes on the 26th February 2024, after which the feedback and submissions received from the public consultation will be reviewed.

Cathaoirleach, Councillor Justin Warnock thanked Mr Brian Tracey and Mr Patrick Harkin for their presentation and invited comments/questions from members.

The members welcomed the following:

• The works carried out at Spencer Harbour
• The discovery points at Jamestown, Battlebrige, Corry Strand and Ballinamore
• Works at Dromod Service block 
• Additional mooring facilities in Dromod and enhancements at Rooskey
• €200 charge for Cruisers
• Shannon Discovery points
• Fixed Penalty Notice for Speeding fines and it was hoped that this will be policed. Will Waterways Ireland staff receive specific training in this regard?
• Blueway development and the positive outcomes
• Winter mooring
• Abolition of the lock passage fee
• Requirement for sewerage holding tanks on cruisers and boats.
• Speed limit for boats on the Shannon.
• Waterways Ireland are interfering with landowners riparian rights

The Members raised the following:

• The potential for further development at Spencer Harbour
• The provision of a Service Block in Drumsna is important.
• A winter mooring charge of €300 up from €63.50 is excessive; this charge could be considered for reducing. Double the original charge would be reasonable.
• Concern regarding visitors traveling from Northern Ireland having to pay charges or fees. No charge should be in place as we have a seamless border.
• Under what grounds can Waterways Ireland board a boat to carry out a search. What reason would a boat be boarded for?
• With the housing crisis, some people are living on boats. What are the exact rules currently in this regard.
• More plans needed for Lough McNean near Glenfarne.
• Waterways Ireland office should be relocated in a more prominent location in Carrick-on-Shannon, possibly near the water in Carrick-on-Shannon and should showcase the historical importance of navigation and trade on the river for towns like Carrick-on-Shannon.
• Additional mooring facilities should be provided in Carrick on Shannon to facilitate rowing
• The Service block adjacent to the new bus shelter on the N4 will be  ...  view the full minutes text for item MM.27.23

The members extended a vote of congratulations to Ms. Jacqueline Jackson Beirne on being chosen as the recipient of the James J. Dinnan Distinguished Service Award by the Committee of the New Haven St. Patrick’s Day Parade, Connecticut.