Fianna Fáil Councillor, John Paul Feeley has warmly welcomed the decision of Mark H Durkan, Stormont Minister for the Environment to require Tamboran Resources to seek planning permission for there proposed drilling activity outside Belcoo, County Fermanagh. ‘Minister Durkan rejected the Tamboran Resources contention that this work was permitted development and could proceed without further consents. This decision requires that such works file for full planning permission and submit a detailed Environmental Impact Assessment. This announcement is a welcome relief for the people of the region and in particular the people of the Belcoo area and all of us who live around Lough MacNean.’ ‘The local community have maintained a dignified presence at the proposed site for the past few weeks since the early morning arrival of workers to erect a razor-wire fence and associated works. During that time a peaceful and respectful vigil has been maintained by a community fearful of the environmental impact of fracking and the potential devastation of the area for future generations. ‘The potential downsides of fracking are immense, environmentally, visually, economically and most importantly from a human health prospective. As such we need to step-back and have a full and comprehensive study using the best international experts. Only when we can be absolutely certain of the potential of fracking can the country make any informed decision, until then, nothing should be done to harm our environment and all invasive exploratory work should cease.’ I have heard some simplistic arguments advances. Fracking is no small deal, it is not equivalent to a quarry, new road or power-line. It is a highly invasive and unquantifiable activity which has the potential to damage the two major watercourses in Ireland, the Shannon and Erne. At my request, two weeks ago, Cavan County Council met and agreed a motion calling for all works to cease and for a detailed study to be completed on fracking and all it’s implications. Similar motions were agreed in Leitrim and Fermanagh. The Government and the Stormont Executive must take careful note of the wishes of the people and stop fracking. -ENDS-
Category Archives: Press Releases
Government must intervene to prevent Tamboran from Drilling – Special Meeting of Cavan County Council
Fianna Fáil Councillor, John Paul Feeley expressed his surprise and disappointment at the news that Tamboran Resources Limited last week moved into a site near Belcoo, County Fermanagh to commence exploratory drilling. ‘There is huge local concern at the arrival of security men in the early hours of last Monday morning to erect razor wire and related fencing on a site overlooking Lough MacNean. The construction of razerwire has all sorts of negative implication for people in a border community and if nothing else amounts to a clear indication of what is to come from Tamboran. We had been assured that this type of activity could not happen in County Fermanagh but it now appears that Tamboran can commence their activities without any further consent or permission from the Northern Authorities.’ ‘Fracking has potentially serious environmental implications with resultant risk to human health. I strongly believe that proceeding with this type of technology in the light of the serious damage done in other parts of the world would be disastrous for our region and Country. In light of the recent developments, I have asked Cllr. Shane P. O’Reilly, Cathaoirleach of Cavan County Council to convene a Special Meeting of Cavan County Council to discuss the matter and to consider a detailed motion I have submitted on the issue. I am pleased that he as acceded to my request and confirm that the meeting will take place on Friday next 1st August 2014.’ ENDS John Paul Feeley County Councillor Stranamorth Blacklion Co. Cavan Tel. (087) 6989304 Sent from my iPad
Feeley calls for Emergency Action on Beef Crisis
John Paul Feeley was one of thirty Fianna Fáil Councillors from across Connacht and Ulster meeting earlier thisweek to discuss the beef crisis who agreed to call on Minister Simon Coveney to immediately take measures to address the falling price of cattle. The meeting was also attended by Fianna Fáil Agriculture Spokespersons Éamon Ó Cuív TD and Senator Brian Ó Domhnaill as well as representatives from local marts. The most immediate issue that needs to be tackled include the barriers to the North/South trade of cattle inhibiting Northern buyers from purchasing Southern cattle. This is a direct consequence of labeling restrictions and has resulted in a situation where beef from cattle reared in the South and finished in the North can neither be labelled as of Irish or British origins on supermarket shelves. The Dowling Report published recently clearly outlines that this issue can be resolved if there is the political will. The Councillors are calling on Minister Coveney and his Northern counterpart, Minister O’Neill to sit down urgently and resolve the issue. If the matter is not addressed by early September when most farmers bring there animals to the market, the present low prices will plummet. While recognising the importance of the factory kill, the Councillors believe that a functioning live trade is vital to ensure competition in the market. The Councillors identified a number of barriers to this trade and called on the Minister to ensure the smooth operation of the live trade market. The Councillors also called on An Bord Bia to engage actively in sourcing new markets for live animals while also developing existing markets. A new steering group has been established to work on these issues. The group will meet with mart representatives, live exporters and Northern buyers in the coming weeks. In the longer term, there is a need to ensure the proper functioning of the live trade market as our largest food export and to ensure a fair balance between retailers, processors and farmers to protect the future of the family farm in Ireland. -ENDS- Note to editor: The Dowling Report publishes in June 2014 by the Department of Agriculture on the Beef Sector in general highlighted the importance of the live trade as an integral part of the beef sector. It found that 90% of suckler cow farmers have 40 or less sucker cows and 66% have 20 or less suckler cows
Government Maternity Services plan sets dangerous precedent – Feeley
*Government Maternity Services plans set dangerous precedent – Feeley* Fianna Fáil Councillor, John Paul Feeley has stated that the leaking of a confidential HSE report on the future of Maternity Services in the West/North West sets a dangerous precedent for services nationally. ‘Senator Marc MacSharry, my Party Seanad Health Spokesperson has confirmed to me details of an internal HSE report which strongly considers the downgrading of maternity services in Sligo General, Mayo General and Portiuncla. If the Government can justify only having consultant led services in Letterkenny Regional Hospital and University College Hospital on the entire western seaboard, what future have such services in Cavan General Hospital and other centres in the region. Councillor Feeley noted that much a significant part of County Cavan and indeed most of County Leitrim, large parts of County Roscommon and South Donegal all avail of the services of the maternity unit in Sligo General Hospital. ‘At a time when we’ve seen a number of tragedies in maternity services and questions over the quality of care at certain centres in the country, I fully support the need for investment in maternity and neo natal services across the country. This must be with a view to providing accessible and high quality care to all mothers and babies, regardless of where they live. Ireland has the lowest number of obstetricians per patients in the OECD. The Government must focus on attracting the necessary number of qualified consultant obstetricians, rather than taking the easy route of just shutting down maternity units outside the major urban centres.’ The Fianna Fáil Councillor stated that the ending of maternity services in Sligo General would have a devastating effect on the region and if such a situation were to arise he believes it would also put the services in Cavan General under threat. ‘I am fully aware that the maternity services in Cavan and in Sligo are under pressure to deal with the volume of work, closing these services is not acceptable. The full HSE report must now be published and the Minister for Health Dr. Reilly must make clear that the report does not represent Government policy. He must set out a roadmap for investment and improvement, not closure.’