FF candidate Murray calls for 'fair deal' for Offaly from energy projects
Councillor claims Offaly has been 'abandoned' by Bord na Mona
A FAIR deal for Offaly through the creation of a designated Enterprise Fund from all energy projects in the county must be a central component of the next Programme for Government, according to Fianna Fail general election candidate Cllr Claire Murray.
Cllr Murray has also told Tánaiste Micheál Martin that the new government must ringfence 5% of the annual State dividend paid to it by Bord na Móna and 40% of the Renewable Electricity Support Scheme (RESS), for locally managed funds for Co Offaly.
In a message to Offaly voters Cllr Murray said the return of two Fianna Fáil TDs in Offaly would help return a stable government. She urged north Offaly voters to cross the political divide and give her a mandate to fight for what she says is “a just and fair transition based on job creation and the revitalisation of rural towns and villages”.
Cllr Murray said: “When voters cast their ballot on Friday, the future of Co Offaly will be foremost in their minds. I am confident that Fianna Fáil can return to government, but we do not take the electorate for granted.”
The candidate added: “I know from listening to voters on the doorsteps, in shopping centres and
workplaces that that they want economic certainty at national level, but they also feel that Offaly had been left behind when it comes to the distribution of Just Transition Funds and has been abandoned by Bord na Móna.
“Coming from north Offaly I know the contribution of Bord na Móna and ESB workers to the development of the local economy. I understand their deep frustration at the lack of support at national level, despite cross-party engagement on this issue at local, national and European level. That’s why I am appealing to north Offaly voters to cross the traditional party divide and to give me their vote.”
The candidate claimed there are “countless examples” of how Offaly has been abandoned by Bord na Mona across the county.
“There are also examples of imaginative funding schemes which could redress the unfair treatment of Offaly workers and their families. The €3 million West Offaly Fund established in 2003 following the closure of Ferbane Power Station was overseen by Offaly County Council and Offaly Local Development Company.
“It resulted in the creation of 124 jobs at Ferbane Business & Technology Park and is, by any metric, the model for the establishment of community-led job creation initiatives. Yet Bord na Móna has steadfastly refused to engage with the local community to imaginative plans in Ferbane. We need a re-imagining of the Just Transition programme.”
Cllr Murray said that on January 25 this year Eamon Dooley, at the time a Fianna Fail councillor, and Cllr Neil Feighery, Fine Gael, together with Offaly County Council chief executive Anna Marie Delaney, met with Bord na Mona chief Tom Donnellan and Minister Simon Coveney to discuss detailed proposals.
Cllr Murray said she fears Bord na Móna has no interest in sharing profits, energy for trade, or the State-owned lands they operate with the communities of Offaly, for job creation.
“At that juncture, Enterprise Minister Coveney proposed that in respect of State-owned lands, a share of the annual dividend paid by Bord na Móna to the Government - €38 million in 2023 and circa €23 million in 2022 – could be ring fenced for an investment fund for the lifetime of the renewable energy on State owned lands. His successor Minister Peter Burke met local councillors on May 9th last and was of the same view as Minister Coveney.
“The reality however is that the European Union Just Transition Funds have been allocated and the people of Offaly feel abandoned. As a newly elected TD I would work within Fianna Fáil and on an all-party basis to secure funds for Offaly to be managed in Offaly to create employment in Offaly,” Cllr Murray concluded.