NOTICE

Please note that due to the present on going dispute between the Government and the Public Service Workers Unions have advised their members to withdraw their co-operation in working with all Politicians by not answering phonecalls or meeting with public reps to discuss constituents problems. While I sympatise with the people involved, I was not party to the mesaures which caused this stand off, neither were you the people I represent. I call on all involved to sit down and find a resolution to this problem before the whole infrastructure implodes. There is work to be done and I am willing to do it, but I am not allowed because of the present situation. Please contact Government TD's & Senators etc and urge them to immediately find a solution for all our sakes.

WESTERN COMMITTEE:

On February 15th at the Committee meeting in Clonakilty I proposed that the cost of hedge cutting in West Cork for 2010 be made available to us out of the money collected on second homes [€200- tax] "NPPR"

FULL COUNCIL 22 02 2010

Just when I had hoped that things might just get a little bit better, I was informed on Monday 22nd that this years funding from the NRA {National Roads Authority} to the whole county has yet agin been reduced from last years figure of €63m to €36m this year. All we have been allocated for works on the N71 [our only national secondary road] - which starts at the County bounds at the tunnels and winds its way eastwards overBarr na Gaoithe to the bridge at Ballydehob and the east to a point just west of the Abbey - is a paltry €20,000.00. Some may claim that the NRA are an independent body they take their orders from the government of the day. We are a costal region that depends on tourism being able to access us, and any industries we have left being able to get thier produce to the market place, and I live in the hope, and continually strive to attract new investmernt to the area, but without a decent road network it is not an attractive proposition to nay aspiring investor. The €20,000.00 which is allocated for remedial works outside Bantry was also allocated last year but did not filter down. I was told by our county engineer that all specific allocations will be put into one pot and only the most urgent works will then be undertaken. So it is possible that no money will be spent this year in the Bantry Electoral area, Minister Dempsey needs to holiday in west Cork to realise our plight.

RIVERS

Following my motion calling for the dredging of the "Ilen River from Aughaville to Skibbereen" and the "Bandon River from Dunmanway to the sea" I was informed that the council will not be in a position to start removing trees etc from any rivers until May in case they interfere with trout and salmon spawning beds. This I can accept but I underlined that the work is of the highest priority. My understanding is that there are monies available from Europe which would allow us to put in place schemes such as the old "Arterial water scheme" which would allow us to take people off the live register by offering them employment cleaning all streams/rivers etc in the county. I am led to believe that this request has been passed on. I will keep you posted. Posted 24/2/2010

FULL COUNCIL 08/ 03/ 2010

All five councillor's within the Bantry Area agreed as a show of solidarity with the Special Scenic Landscape committee, to stay out from this meeting. whilst buisness was conducted I will have to wait for the minutes to report. Posted 13/3/10.

MOTION I HAD ON FULL COUNCIL AGENDA 22nd MARCH 2010.

  “In view of the crisis in which we currently find ourselves, that this Council request   the Minister of Education to liaise with his counterparts at cabinet table to allow our   Medical Graduates work in our Hospitals & Medical Centres, and also all other skilled disciplines in respective workplaces, thus allowing them the opportunity of gaining valuable work experience which will be required of them when applying for future positions”.

MANAGERS RESPONSE

The Manager said there is an opportunity to train people in certain skills. He said that the Council has gone through a process of letting go a lot of temporary staff and he would be in favour of a Graduate Training Scheme, which ideally would be funded by FAS, who would also provide the trainees. He said that each graduate should have a training log for them to show that they are receiving valid training and that it would need to be a structured work experience.

The Manager gave a very positive response to my motion. I will be working with him to get such schemes up and running as quickly as possible.... Posted 08/06/2010