The current National Plan, Project Ireland 2040, promotes an urban hierarchy to the detriment of mostly rural counties like Leitrim. Therefore, I seek the support of the members in asking Leitrim County Council to call upon the Government to change it and to devise a National Plan which promotes more balanced development and investment across all parts of Ireland.
I ask that a copy of this motion be circulated to all the other 30 Councils.
Minutes:
"The current National Plan, Project Ireland 2040, promotes an urban hierarchy to the detriment of mostly rural counties like Leitrim. Therefore, I seek the support of the members in asking Leitrim County Council to call upon the Government to change it and to devise a National Plan which promotes more balanced development and investment across all parts of Ireland.
I ask that a copy of this motion be circulated to all the other 30 Councils."
Report by Deputy Chief Executive/Director of Services, Economic Development, Planning and Infrastructural Services
"Project Ireland 2040 does not promote an urban hierarchy in isolation from the need to continue to investment in the future of the other areas of the Country. Project Ireland 2040 sets out to achieve a balance between the careful management of the sustainable growth of compact cities, towns and villages that will add value and create more attractive places in which people can live and work along with enhanced regional accessibility but also along with strengthened rural economies and communities. Leitrim to date has secured significant investment arising from these high level objectives of Project Ireland 2040 with key examples being the urban regeneration programme facilitating almost €9m investment in the future of Carrick on Shannon with the municipal district towns of Manorhamilton and Ballinamore securing almost €4m. Similarly the Regional Enterprise Development Fund is supporting the expansion of both the Hive in Carrick on Shannon and the Food Hub in Drumshanbo."
Councillor Des Guckian gave the background to his motion and called on the support of the Leitrim County Council members to call on the Government to change Project Ireland 2040 and devise a National Plan which promotes more balanced development and investment across all parts of Ireland.
Councillor Justin Warnock and Councillor Padraig Fallon supported the motion. Councillor Paddy O’Rourke commended Cllr Des Guckian for brining the motion forward.
Councillor Enda McGloin paid tribute to the successful decentralisation in Carrick-on-Shannon.
Councillor Paddy O’Rourke noted the difference the Decentralisation of the payments section of the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine which was moved to Cavan and the positive impact this has made in the parish of Carrigallen creating very valuable employment and if this did not happen people would be living on the East Coast of Ireland.
All Members supported the motion.
Councillor Des Guckian welcomed the Members debate on this issue.
Mr Joseph Gilhooly, Deputy Chief Executive and Director of Services, Economic Development, Planning and Infrastructural Services advised that funds for projects are currently depending on Project 2040 e.g. Food Hub and the Hive.
Proposed by Councillor Des Guckian seconded by Councillor Justin Warnock AND UNANIMOUSLY RESOLVED:
“The current National Plan, Project Ireland 2040, promotes an urban hierarchy to the detriment of mostly rural counties like Leitrim. Leitrim County Council call upon the Government to change it and to devise a National Plan which promotes more balanced development and investment across all parts of Ireland. I ask that a copy of this motion be circulated to all the other 30 Councils."