Fianna Fail Councillor, John Paul Feeley has called for the provision of a pedestrian crossing near the Post Office in Blacklion. Raising the issue at a recent meeting of the Cavan-Belturbet Municipal District Council, Councillor Feeley set out the concerns for pedestrian safety at the new Post Office. ‘Earlier this year, Blacklion Post Office re-located to new premises on the Belcoo Road. The very welcome return of the Post Office to the village and the provision of a small shop has hilighted the need for improved parking and in particular a pedestrian crossing on the Belcoo Road, near the post office. Dypma Stewert and her staff have made great efforts to get the Post Office back up and running in the shortest possible timeframe and it is only right that the County Council do what we can to assist her and the local community.’ In response to the Motion, Derry Scanlon, Area Engineer confirmed that the Council would prepare a plan and costing for the works involved and submit it to the National Roads Authority who have responsibility for all works on the N16 on which the Post Office is located. ‘I welcome the response from the Council. It is essential that we get the NRA to act without delay in terms of giving approval to the plans submitted to them by the Council so that this much needed work can be done without delay.’ ENDS
Category Archives: Press Releases
Minister White left in no doubt about the concerns regarding Fracking – Feeley
Fianna Fáil Councillor, John Paul Feeley as part of a delegation from Cavan and Leitrim County Councils with Alex White, TD, Minster for Communications & Natural Resources, Joe McHugh TD, Minister of State and senior officials from the Department made clear the serious concerns of the local community about the prospect of fracking. ‘As representatives of the Council we left the two Minsters and their officials in no doubt about the serious, genuine and widespread concerns about fracking. We set out clearly the many issues that give rise for these concerns’ Describing the meeting as ‘frank and useful’, Councillor Feeley confirmed that Minister White stated that there is ‘an effective moratorium’ in place pending the completion of a study into fracking by the EPA and the consideration of that and other data by the Department. ‘We advised the Minster of some concerns regarding the Terms of Reference of the EPA report and the composition of the experts involved. He did take our concerns on board. I was also somewhat reassured that the EPA Report would only form part of the considerations as to the view of the Government on fracking in the future.’ ‘The potential implication of fracking could be severe and irreversible. Simply relying on one report without carefully considering all the implications for a community would not be acceptable.’ Finally the delegation asked that the Minster and his Department engage with the Stormont Executive to avoid the situation which appears to exist at present where the Northern authorities are at a more advanced stage. ‘Simply replying on EU Directives regarding notification is not enough. It is vital that there is comprehensive consultation on an All-Ireland basis to prevent fracking or any related activity happening in Ireland at the whim of the British Government. Concluding, Councillor Feeley stated that whilst he was happy with the meeting with Minister White and his colleagues it was vital that the local community maintained a vigilance in relation to fracking and in highlighting the concerns regarding fracking. ENDS
Minister White left in no doubt about the concerns regarding Fracking – Feeley
Fianna Fáil Councillor, John Paul Feeley as part of a delegation from Cavan and Leitrim County Councils with Alex White, TD, Minster for Communications & Natural Resources, Joe McHugh TD, Minister of State and senior officials from the Department made clear the serious concerns of the local community about the prospect of fracking. ‘As representatives of the Council we left the two Minsters and their officials in no doubt about the serious, genuine and widespread concerns about fracking. We set out clearly the many issues that give rise for these concerns’ Describing the meeting as ‘frank and useful’, Councillor Feeley confirmed that Minister White stated that there is ‘an effective moratorium’ in place pending the completion of a study into fracking by the EPA and the consideration of that and other data by the Department. ‘We advised the Minster of some concerns regarding the Terms of Reference of the EPA report and the composition of the experts involved. He did take our concerns on board. I was also somewhat reassured that the EPA Report would only form part of the considerations as to the view of the Government on fracking in the future.’ ‘The potential implication of fracking could be severe and irreversible. Simply relying on one report without carefully considering all the implications for a community would not be acceptable.’ Finally the delegation asked that the Minster and his Department engage with the Stormont Executive to avoid the situation which appears to exist at present where the Northern authorities are at a more advanced stage. ‘Simply replying on EU Directives regarding notification is not enough. It is vital that there is comprehensive consultation on an All-Ireland basis to prevent fracking or any related activity happening in Ireland at the whim of the British Government. Concluding, Councillor Feeley stated that whilst he was happy with the meeting with Minister White and his colleagues it was vital that the local community maintained a vigilance in relation to fracking and in highlighting the concerns regarding fracking. ENDS
People of my generation owe Albert Reynolds a huge debt for his work for Peace – Feeley
Fianna Fáil Councillor, John Paul Feeley has added his words of sympathy to Kathleen Reynolds, and her family on the passing of our former Taoiseach, Albert Reynolds. ‘People my age and indeed many of all ages forget the change that has happened in this country as a result of the Peace Process. When Albert Reynolds became Taoiseach many were amazed to hear him speak of Peace at a time when the Troubles were rampant. But he took up the tentative efforts of Fr. Alex Reid and John Hume to being an end to the Troubles. His leadership and conviction to forge a strong relationship with then British Prime-minister, John Major was key to the preparation of the Downing Street Declaration. It is easy to make little of politics but Albert Reynolds through the Peace Process showed how it can work. People of my generation owe Albert Reynolds a huge debt for his work for Peace.’ Albert Reynolds had a long career in business and many other achievements in his political career along with his work in the Peace Process. ‘Albert Reynolds was from a generation of politicians who believed in getting things done. He operated just before the onset of the ‘twenty-four’ hour media cycle and was therefore able to work in a very different way in politics. He brought is flair for business to politics, getting to the nub of the issue quickly and through his work such as extending the telephone network and establishing County Enterprise Boards made huge efforts to modernise the economy of Rural Ireland.’ ‘ I recall very well the Saturday night of his return to Longford as Taoiseach. It was an exciting event for someone like myself, very young but interested in politics, not least because our then local TD, the late John Wilson was there having been made Tanaiste.’ ENDS