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Fermoy town council
January Press Releases
- Douglas welcomes levy reprieve for Fermoy - But County Manager and representatives must do more 5th January 2009
The Green Party Representative for Fermoy has welcomed the decision by Cork County manager Martin Riordan to suspend, for a two Year Period, the 8% annual indexation increase on building & development levies, saying it will be of Great benefit to the town of Fermoy in particular. However, he says it is merely a starting point in creating a friendlier environment for desperately needed development input. Adam Douglas said that county councillors and Fermoy Town councillors need to work in partnership with Mr Riordan to find more innovative solutions. ‘While I question why the county manager has such powers of decision-making in the first instance, instead of being with directly elected representatives, that is an issue that will be addressed in the not too distant future. In the meantime, councillors should be supporting certain reforms of the levies. One of the key ones for me is that brown field sites, many of which lie empty in the centre of Fermoy, would have less financial burden Placed on them, in lieu of the infrastructure required Already being largely present, than Green Field Sites in more rural settings. In this way, a levy of great potential use to the town could be kept, but at such a level that makes its payment viable in the first place. The news of a possible collapse in the Barry’s Timber Yard Plans highlights once again the imperative on us all to get the wheels of the town rolling once more and quickly.’
- Douglas calls on Fermoy councillors to end Pay-off arrangements - Money Should be immediately redistributed to town’s budget 11th January 2009
The Green Party Representative for Fermoy has called on members of the Town’s Council to immediately release money that has been set aside for ‘Retirement Gratuities’ Ahead of the upcoming Local Elections. The fund, which is derived from the town’s budget, allows members who are not re-elected in the summer to claim a cash fund relative to their time in office. However, speaking today, Adam Douglas says the fund should be redirected in its entirety to easing the financial Problems the town faces, “At this time, more than any other, such a scheme is totally unjustifiable. The role of a Public representative is, and must always be, to serve their constituents and levying them for such Absurd pay-outs is certainly not tantamount to that. Councillors who will continue to hoard over €10,000 from the town’s finances to insulate themselves against Electoral failure, are voiding themselves of any moral authority. This in the very same period where Good, solid leadership is needed to restore confidence in the local economy. I am calling on councillors to act at the next opportunity available to them to do away with this unacceptable arrangement”. Meanwhile, the Green candidate said the same onus lay on the Fermoy area’s four members of the County Council, who are each entitled to a portion of a separate €100,000 fund should they not be re-elected.
- Douglas condemns DirectRoute Profiteering - Time for urgent discussion on Roads scenario 12th January 2009
The Green Party Representative for Fermoy has said recent toll increases on the M8 Motorway at Watergrasshill and Corrin interchange must be reversed. Speaking About the recent hikes, Adam Douglas said DirectRoute Ltd, through their contracted company EuroToll, are Abusing the terms of the motorway contract, “It is worse than disgusting to see these Profiteers increase tolls needlessly at the same time every year. What we never hear from the faceless people behind this project is why such increases are necessary at all Given that the expected take from the 30-Year contract was well over €1 Billion, even from the very outset. ‘At the start of my campaign, I signalled my intention to start dealing with the multitude of Problems this road contract has caused for local people. In the coming weeks I will be asking representatives of Directroute, as well as the NRA, the Co. Co., and the dept. of transport to take part in an open forum in the town, where they would have the opportunity to explain their decisions over the last number of months and Years, and where the Public would be able to ask the crucial questions that remained unanswered. The People of Fermoy Should not have to wait until 2034 for things to improve”
- Douglas urges bus fares reversal - Fermoy Getting thin end of the wedge 16th January 2009
The Green Party Representative for Fermoy has said he will be writing to Bus Eireann’s Cork Operation seeking a reversal of recent fare increases on its four express and commuter routes from Fermoy to Cork. As of early January, a day return now costs €10.50, a full €1 increase. Criticising the rise, Adam Douglas said Fermoy was already paying more than its fair Share for the service, ‘While I understand the current financial difficulties at Bus Eireann, the People of Fermoy have consistently been treated to above average fares regardless of the economic situation. With the normal fare for passengers now smashing the €10 mark, encouraging more people to use the service at the same time is unrealistic. A more effective measure would be to look again at timetabling, particularly on the 245 route, in order to get better use of the buses in service. ‘This decision can only serve to negate good progress in the past year including the very welcome new 7am service on weekdays. I hope sense will be seen in this case’
- Mayor’s traffic comments ‘too little, too late’ 18th January 2009
The Green Party Representative for Fermoy has dismissed the Mayor of Fermoy’s comments on the new proposed Fermoy traffic management Plan as soundbites. Adam Douglas said Tadhg O’Donovan’s intervention was irrelevant as it comes five months too late, ‘This Plan was put out to Public consultation, as was well advertised, in a period up to the end of August of last year, containing essentially the same substance as has now been unveiled. Yet I did not hear the Mayor use his profile to increase awareness of the changes involved or to encourage people to have their say on the matter. While I also oppose the majority of this Plan, the Mayor would better make use of his opinions where they would get things done, not as opportunistic rants. ‘The noises being made by town councillors of late are sadly all too predictable approaching election time, but cannot compensate for four and half years of Silence’.
- New Government scheme to bring broadband to Rural North Cork - -Douglas says broadband will be boost to region 22nd January 2009
Green Party representative Adam Douglas has welcomed today's launch of the National Broadband Scheme and said the improvements in broadband availability and speed will bring a much-needed boost to the region. Mr Douglas said: "Nobody can deny that Ireland has been far too slow in providing adequate broadband coverage, particularly in rural areas. I am delighted that today, thanks to the determination of my colleague, Communications Minister Eamon Ryan, details of the National Broadband Scheme have been announced." The National Broadband Scheme will bring the internet to the remaining 10 per cent of the population who currently have no service, covering roughly a third of the area of Ireland. Half of that area will be covered by the scheme by the end of the year, with Ireland having 100 per cent broadband coverage by September 2010. "Today's announcement is a boost for our economy. Businesses who have suffered through a lack of high-speed internet connections can now have ready access to the national and international markets. I believe this will not only aid employment creation but will help to improve the quality of life for residents in our community." Detailed maps, including individual county maps are available from the Department of Communications, website at www.dcenr.gov.ie. Further detail, including an online checking facility, is available at www.three.ie/NBS
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