Leitrim reps discuss green diesel, childcare, planning permission and Storm Éowyn with Tánaiste

A group of Fine Gael Leitrim councillors met with Tánaiste Simon Harris last week and discussed several pressing issues with the Minister for Finance. 

Speaking with the Leitrim Observer, Cllr Enda McGloin said it was a lively discussion with the councillors putting across their views on the issues that matter most to people on the ground in Leitrim. 

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He said they discussed the aftermath of Storm Éowyn and that councillors are actively seeking to update and enforce stricter guidelines regarding the setback distance between forestry plantations and power lines.  

He told us: "Mr Harris said he would speak to the Minister for Agriculture on that. We also spoke about childcare, particularly the difference between childcare issues that are faced in more rural areas about urban areas such as Dublin."

The issue of the spiralling cost of green diesel was also raised, Cllr McGloin said: "We said there there wasn't sufficient supports, for agricultural contractors particularly, and asked the government to reflect on what could be done to assist that sector."

He continued: "We also spoke about the cost of living issues and housing in Leitrim; unique to Leitrim is the fact that we have a process now to earmark further land zoning but that may not have the desired effect of bringing about more house building. I think we have to see what developers are prepared; who have money, resources and serviced land but are not in the right place. We have to see what can be done because we are constrained by the planning regulator. We have to develop on an envelope and that constrains the opportunity for further housing building in Leitrim, particularly Carrick-on-Shannon."

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He said the issue of poor water infrastructure, particularly in South Leitrim, was also discussed with Cllr McGloin stating: "I said that we need to fast track funding to allow further development due to the inadequate water supply; that could inhibit the growth of housing south Leitrim."

He added: "We also discussed how roads funding is going to be curtailed on the basis of the price of oil and our road funding may be cut back and LIS and CIS project are very important and we don't have sufficient funding for those."

He concluded: "We raised the issue of dereliction in the county. Mr Harris announced this week that Revenue will pick up the levies on derelict houses so we have to look at ways and means for local authorities to put more of these properties on the Derelict Sites Register to ensure they are either sold or developed and house people who are urging seeking accommodation. I think average rents in Leitrim are now €1,100."