Wednesday, October 07, 2009

Funds for parish affected by gas project

TWO GOVERNMENT Ministers involved in efforts to resolve the Corrib gas conflict have secured €750,000 in funding for the north Mayo parish most affected by the project.

The funding – from the Department of Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs, Mayo County Council and Fáilte Ireland – will be used for “community improvements” in Cill Chomáin (Kilcommon) parish, including Rossport village (Ros Dumhach), according to Minister Éamon Ó Cuív and Minister for Energy Eamon Ryan.

The “improvements” relate to tourism, recreation, roadworks and village infrastructure. They include extending the existing north Mayo coastal trail from Béal an Mhuirthead to Ballycastle and linking loop walks at Ceathrú Thaidhg, Ceann Iorrais, Slí na Sláinte and Glinsce.

A linear cycle route along the coastline will also be developed, along with bilingual information boards, improved visitor facilities at six “strategic nature watch points” in the parish, and beach facilities, including car parking, at Portacloy.

Footpaths, landscaping and lighting will also be provided in villages including an tInbhear, Poll an tSómais, Ros Dumhach, An Corrán Buí and Ceathrú Thaidhg.

The Ministers say the measures were identified in the northwest Mayo community forum established by them last year and chaired by former Department of Justice secretary general Joe Brosnan.

An extension has also been approved for Rossport’s secondary school, Coláiste Chomáin.

The forum, which has been criticised by the community for lacking any statutory function, has not met since early summer as part of its efforts to initiate dialogue in relation to the Corrib gas project.

It is expected to sit again next month after a key Bord Pleanála decision on the modified onshore pipeline route for the Corrib gas project has been issued.

The appeals board is due to deliver its decision on or before October 23rd, but this may be affected by a key court hearing on commonage in Rossport later this week.

Last month Shell EP Ireland was found in contempt of a District Court order prohibiting it from entering commonage in Rossport. Sentencing is later this week.
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