Ó Cuaig’s programme for Conamara and Islands accepted by ruling Council coalition

 

Newly elected Rosmuc Independent Councillor spells out 15 point price for supporting coalition.

 

Seosamh Ó Cuaig, the newly elected independent county councillor, has published his 15-point programme  of work for Conamara and the Islands that has been accepted by the partners in the Technical Coalition in  Galway County Council.

 

The 15 points span a wide spectrum of issues from road development to the upkeep of graveyards in Conamara. Central to the roads issue is the development of a comprehensive traffic plan for B6thar Chois Fharraige and an immediate  start to the planning of a new road from West Conamara to Gaiway. The new Couneillor showed a negotiating style well beyond  what might have been expected when hammering out his deal in advance of the new Council coalition being formed.

 

Ó Cuaig Achieves Plan for Conamara & Islands

Campaigns that Seosamh Ó Cuaig has been to the forefront in are also embraced in  the programme. According to Ó Cuaig, the County Council must solve the water and sewerage scandal in An Cheathni Rua.  And the Government,s failure to carry through its commitment for the visitor centre at Teach an Phiarsaigh, Ros Muc has to be confronted by the Council.

 

But there are other points in the Independent’s plan that will be welcomed by everyone in Conamara. For example, the immediate start to the planning of a public swimming pool and leisure centre

 

While the fishermen will be pleased that he has won a commitment from the new coalition for the provision of up-todate facilities at Ros a, Mhíl Harbour. With regard to the Islands, Ó Cuaig is seeking the formation of a new Coiste na nOileán

with more representation for islanders than was on the previous body. And his pre-election promise to battle for a separate County Council for Conamara remains part of his political agenda.

 

Seosamh Ó Cuaig is confident the programme can be implemented in full. “I found the other members of the Technical Coalition to be enthusiastic about the plan. But I was very clear and up front to the other partners, that I would be reviewing its implementation on an annual basis and if there isn’t the necessary progress I will simply walk away from the Technical Coalition. But I must say, at this point I am quietly confident that everything will work out fine”, said Ó Cuaig.

 

Below Seosamh Ó Cuaig’s 15-point Programme

 

A programme of work for Conamara and the Islands drawn up by Seosamh Ó Cuaig and accepted by the partners in the Technical Coalition in Galway County Council:

 

1. A comprehensive traffic plan for Bóthar Chois Fharraige.

 

2. An immediate start to the planning of a new road from West Conamara to Galway.

 

3. An immediate start to the planning of a public swimming pool and leisure centre for Conamara.

4. The creation of a cemetery maintenance fund that will ensure the proper upkeep of  graveyards, including the cutting of grass on a regular basis.

 

5. Irrespective of the funds coming from Scéim na mBóithre Stráitéiseacha, the Ros

Muc - Cill Chiaráin – Carna - Recess Road should receive it’s fair share of EU co-financed

funding every year.

 

6. The opening of toilets at Trá Chill Mhuirbhí, Inis Mór, during the extended season.

 

7. A new Coiste na nOiIeán should be formed with more representation for islanders than

was on the previous body.

 

8. More street lighting in Carna, An Aird Mhóir, Cill Chiaráin, Camus and on Céibh an

Mháimín.

 

9. The County Council should make every effort to force the Government to fulfill its

commitments in relation to the visitor centre at Teach an Phiarsaigh, Ros Muc.

 

10. The County Council should take whatever steps are necessary to solve the water and

sewerage scandal in An Cheathrú Rua.

 

11. Initial steps should be taken towards forming a separate Council for Conamara with a

study of the regionalisation plan of Cork County Council and immediate consultation with

Údarás na Gaeltachta on the matter.

 

12. The planning and building of childrens’ playgrounds.

 

13. A determined effort to secure blue flag status for a beach in lorras Aithneach (Carna

area).

 

14. Important local public services to be provided in Carna, such as a library and an office

where motor tax etc. can be paid.

 

15. The Council will do all in it’s power to provide up-to-date facilities at Ros ad5 Mhil

Harbour.

 

 

Glór Chonamara 8-7-2004