Search Results for 'Michael Holmes'

By Colm Gannon

Independent councillor Michael Holmes has called for the introduction of a maintenance scheme for Greenway landowners, similar to the Walks Scheme currently in place for the Burrishoole Loop Walks.

An independent member of Mayo County Council has this week hit out at what he called a failure by the Department of Agriculture to make provisions for hill and commonage farmers in the Budget and for its failure to honour a commitment to compensate farmers who have been affected by environmental designations.

The work that has been carried out to date on the footpath and road safety scheme in Mulranny village was this week praised by the members of the Belmullet Electoral Area Committee. Steve Verity, senior executive engineer with Mayo County Council gave the members an update on the progress of the project. The works from the church to the hotel in the village are underway and nearing completion, the second stretch from Moynish House to the tourist office has seen the land acquisition agreed and construction is expected to start once the first stretch of works is completed this month.

Independent councillor Michael Holmes has called for an “umbrella” group to take responsibility for the Greenway in the county to ensure that its “use and maintenance” is taken care of by one body. The Mulranny based councillor said at the Belmullet Electoral Area meeting this week that “it’s brought in thousands of people this summer and the business in the area will tell you that. We need to protect it and ensure that it’s maintained to the highest of standards.” Holmes’ suggestion was backed by other members of the committee and director of services for Mayo County Council Martin Keating said that progress was being made in a number of areas, and he said: “I do agree with Cllr Holmes that some structure needs to be put on the usage of it.”

An illegal encampment of caravans at one of Castlebar’s most popular tourist amenities caused outrage among nearby residents and local elected representatives this week.

A number of councillors have called for the €8.5 million Community Gain Investment Fund that has been put up by the developers of the Corrib Gas project as part of their planning permission to have a wider geographic reach. Cllr Rose Conway Walsh, speaking at the April meeting of the Belmullet electoral area committee, said: “I do want to see it extended to areas like Ballycastle, it’s very unfair that it’s not included.” The idea of seeing it extended was supported by other councillors including Cllr Michael Holmes and Cllr Michael McNamara. At present the fund is confined to the Cill Chomain area. While asking for the geographic remit of the fund to be expanded, Cllr Conway Walsh hit out at the small nature of the fund compared to the overall profits that the project developers will make, saying: “Overall we need to look at this fund being from our own natural resources, not the developers” and “it’s a lot less than the people deserve”.

All of the members of the Belmullet electoral area committee of Mayo County Council were full throated in their condemnation of people who have been starting gorse fires across the county in recent weeks.

Independent councillor Michael Holmes has questioned what will be the outcome of the special meeting of Mayo County Council that will take place this coming Monday. The meeting was called by Cathaoirleach Cllr Cyril Burke at the request of seven Fianna Fail councillors to discuss the withholding of the money from the council because of the underpayment of the household charge in the county.