At the start of the meeting, the Mayor, Councillor. A. Henchy reminded Members that Standing Orders would apply to all aspects of the meeting.

Minutes of the County Council Meeting held on Monday 11^th March 2024 which had been circulated were considered. 

It was PROPOSED by Councillor H. Mahony, seconded by Councillor B. McDonagh and RESOLVED –

“That the minutes of the County Council Meeting held on Monday 11^th March 2024 be ADOPTED.”

It was proposed by Councillor J. Humphries, seconded by Councillor T. Kitt and RESOLVED:

“That in accordance with Standing Order No. 51, Questions numbered 2 to 14 be ADOPTED.”

The reports by the Strategic Policy Committee Chairpersons which had been circulated were CONSIDERED and NOTED.

The report by the Chief Executive, which had been circulated, was CONSIDERED.  It was proposed by Councillor A. Henchy, seconded by Councillor G. Maguire, and RESOLVED:

“That the recommendations contained in the report of Committee of Balbriggan/Rush-Lusk/Swords Services (B) Meeting held on Thursday 14^th March 2024, are hereby ADOPTED.”

The report by the Chief Executive, which had been circulated, was CONSIDERED.  It was proposed by Councillor A. Henchy, seconded by Councillor G. Maguire and RESOLVED:

“That the recommendations contained in the report from Corporate Policy Group Meeting held on the 2^nd April 2024, beAPPROVED.”

The report by the Chief Executive, which had been circulated, was CONSIDERED.  It was proposed by Councillor A. Lavin, seconded by Councillor D. Mulligan and RESOLVED:

“That the recommendations contained in the report of Committee of Howth Malahide Services (B) meeting held on 3^rd April 2024 are hereby ADOPTED.”

The report by the Chief Executive, which had been circulated, was CONSIDERED.  It was proposed by Councillor A. Henchy, seconded by Councillor G. Maguire and RESOLVED:

“That the recommendations contained in the report of Committee of Blanchardstown-Mulhuddart/Castleknock/Ongar Services B meeting held on Thursday 4^th April 2024, are hereby ADOPTED.”

The report by the Chief Executive, which had been circulated, was CONSIDERED.  It was proposed by Councillor H. Mahony, seconded by Councillor B. McDonagh and AGREED.

The report by the Chief Executive, which had been circulated, was CONSIDERED and following discussion, the report was NOTED.

The attached report by the Chief Executive which had been circulated was CONSIDERED.   It was proposed by Councillor C. Boland and seconded by Councillor G. Maguire and RESOLVED:

“That the grant of a permanent wayleave on land at Bremore, Balrothery, Co. Dublin, as referred to in the Notice under S183 of the Local Government Act 2001 as amended and dated 25^th March 2024, be granted to ESB Networks, in accordance with the terms specified therein.”

The attached report by the Chief Executive which had been circulated was CONSIDERED.   It was proposed by Councillor A. Henchy and seconded by Councillor G. Maguire and RESOLVED:

“That the grant of wayleave at Blanchardstown Road North, Blanchardstown, Dublin 15, as referred to in the Notice under S183 of the Local Government Act 2001 as amended and dated 25^th March 2024, be granted to Gas Networks Ireland, in accordance with the terms specified therein.”

The attached report by the Chief Executive which had been circulated was CONSIDERED.   It was proposed by Councillor M. McCamley and seconded by Councillor T. Kitt and RESOLVED:

“That the grant of wayleave on land at Coldwinters, as referred to in the Notice under S183 of the Local Government Act 2001 as amended and dated 25^th March 2024, be granted to Energia, in accordance with the terms specified therein.”

The attached report by the Chief Executive which had been circulated was CONSIDERED.   It was proposed by Councillor G. Maguire and seconded by Councillor C. Boland and RESOLVED:

“That lands at 30 Clonard Street, Balbriggan, Co. Dublin, as referred to in the Notice under S183 of the Local Government Act 2001 as amended and dated 25^th March 2024, be disposed of to Aoibhneas, in accordance with the terms specified therein.”

The report by the Chief Executive which had been circulated was CONSIDERED.   It was proposed by Councillor A. Henchy and seconded by Councillor G. Maguire and RESOLVED:

“That the Fee Simple Interest referred to in the attached report be disposed of in accordance with the terms specified therein.”

The report by the Chief Executive which had been circulated was CONSIDERED.  It was proposed by Councillor H. Mahony, seconded by Councillor S. Shovlin, and RESOLVED:

 “That the roads referred to in the attached report be, and are hereby declared to be, public roads.”

The report by the Chief Executive which had been circulated was CONSIDERED.  It was proposed by Councillor E. O’Brien, seconded by Councillor A. Lavin, and RESOLVED:

 “That the roads referred to in the attached report be, and are hereby declared to be, public roads.”

The report by the Chief Executive which had been circulated was CONSIDERED.  It was proposed by Councillor C. Boland, seconded by Councillor R. O’Donoghue, and RESOLVED:

 “That the roads referred to in the attached report be, and are hereby declared to be, public roads.”

The report by the Chief Executive which had been circulated was CONSIDERED.  It was proposed by Councillor A. Lavin, seconded by Councillor E. O’Brien, and RESOLVED:

 “That the roads referred to in the attached report be, and are hereby declared to be, public roads.”

The report by the Chief Executive which had been circulated was CONSIDERED.  A presentation was given to the Members by Carmel Brennan, Senior Architect. 

The Mayor Councillor A. Henchy advised the Members that five motions were received.

The following motion in the name of Councillor A. Henchy was proposed by Councillor A. Henchy and seconded by Councillor B. Dennehy:

“That the Chief Executive commits to identifying a location for the provision of a community, cultural and entertainment space, as outlined in Objectives 6.7 and 6.12 of the Donabate Local Area Plan and further to this, the Chief Executive, also provides a detailed update, including timelines, in relation to ongoing community projects for the Donabate Portrane area, including at the existing Community Centre & Ballisk House (Former Credit Union building) which Fingal County Council purchased in 2022.”

Following discussion, Councillor A. Henchy ACCEPTED the verbal report.

The following motion in the name of Councillor A. Henchy was proposed by Councillor A. Henchy and seconded by Councillor B. Dennehy:

“That the Chief Executive commits to carrying out an examination of the subject scheme with a view to increasing the provision of community space  together with the creche building. This  Council owned site represents an opportunity for the provision of additional community facilities and I would request that further consideration should be given to this, for example there is a real opportunity to increase the size of this building by making it two storey, multipurpose in its usage instead of a single storey Creche.”

Following discussion, Councillor A. Henchy ACCEPTED the verbal report.

The following motion in the name of Councillor P. Mulville was proposed by Councillor P. Mulville and seconded by Councillor A. Henchy:

“That this agenda Item be deferred, and that the meeting recommends the scheme be re-designed and brought back before council at a future date with the inclusion of a clearly identified site for the provision of a dedicated Arts, Cultural and Youth Centre.”

SUSPENSION OF STANDING ORDERS

Following discussion, the Mayor Councillor A. Henchy called for a 3 minute break.

The Mayor instructed that a roll call vote be taken and on a division the voting resulted as follows:

FOR:               5          FIVE

AGAINST:     24       TWENTY FOUR

ABSTAIN:        5       FIVE

FOR:                           Councillors; John Burtchaell; Joan Hopkins; Dean Mulligan; Paul Mulville; Robert O'Donoghue.

AGAINST:                 Councillors Cathal Boland ; Darragh Butler; Brian Dennehy; Angela Donnelly; Tania Doyle; Ann Graves; Jimmy Guerin; Breda Hanaphy; David Healy; Tom Kitt; Anthony Lavin; Grainne Maguire; Howard Mahony; Brigid Manton; Mary McCamley; Eoghan O'Brien; Tom O'Leary; John-Kingsley Onwumereh; Steve O'Reilly; Karen Power; Siobhan Shovlin; Aoibhinn Tormey; Natalie Treacy; John Walsh.                       

ABSTAIN:                 Councillors Adrian Henchy; James Humphreys; Brian Mc Donagh; Joe Newman; Brendan Ryan.                       

The Mayor then DECLARED the Motion LOST.

The following motion in the name of Councillor R. O’Donoghue was proposed by Councillor R. O’Donoghue and seconded by Councillor P. Mulville:

“That the Chief Executive bring forward the meeting already agreed with the Crossroads Committee from Donabate and Elected Members to hear proposals that would  ...  view the full minutes text for item F/147/24

The attached report by the Chief Executive which had been circulated was CONSIDERED.  A presentation was provided to the Members by Mary T Daly, Director of Services. 

It was proposed by Councillor. B. Dennehy, seconded by Councillor. R. O’Donoghue and RESOLVED that –

“That Fingal County Council hereby resolves, pursuant to Part XI of the Planning & Development Act 2000 (as amended) and Part VIII of the Local Government Planning & Development Regulations 2001 (as amended) for proposed development and replacement of Public Toilets at Rush South Beach, Rush, Co. Dublin, be proceeded with as set out in the foregoing report.”

The attached report by the Chief Executive which had been circulated was CONSIDERED.

It was proposed by Councillor C. Boland, seconded by Councillor D. Healy, and RESOLVED that –

“In accordance with Section 55 of the Local Elections Regulations 1995, it is hereby resolved that polling information cards will be issued to electors for the local elections to take place on 7^th June 2024.”

The report by the Chief Executive which had been circulated was CONSIDERED.  A presentation was given to the Members by Nikki Halleran, Senior Executive Officer, Corporate Services.

The Mayor Councillor A. Henchy advised the Members that motions were received.

The following motion in the name of Councillor J. Hopkins was proposed by Councillor J. Hopkins and seconded by Councillor P. Mulville:

“To ask the Chief Executive to postpone the vote on the twinning of Howth with Cap D’Ail until such time as proper, full, open, publicly advertised consultation has taken place with the all the local population and residents regarding this twinning proposal.”

SUSPENSION OF STANDING ORDERS

It was AGREED to extend the meeting to conclude item 22 and the Chief Executives Report.

Following discussions, Councillor J. Hopkins submitted an amended motion.

“That the vote be postponed on the twinning of Howth with Cap D’Ail until such time as proper, full, open, publicly advertised consultation has taken place with all the local population and residents regarding this twinning proposal.”

The amended motion was proposed by Councillor J. Hopkins and seconded by Councillor P. Mulville:

Following discussion, the Mayor instructed that a roll call vote be taken on the amended motion and on a division the voting resulted as follows:

FOR:               8          EIGHT

AGAINST:     24       TWENTY FOUR

ABSTAIN:        0       ZERO

FOR:              Councillors Angela Donnelly; Tania Doyle; Ann Graves; Breda Hanaphy; Joan Hopkins; Dean Mulligan; Paul Mulville; Natalie Treacy.                                       

AGAINST:     Councillors Cathal Boland; Darragh Butler; Brian Dennehy; Jimmy Guerin; David Healy; Adrian Henchy; James Humphreys; Tom Kitt; Anthony Lavin; Grainne Maguire; Howard Mahony; Brigid Manton; Brian Mc Donagh; Joe Newman; Eoghan O'Brien; Robert O'Donoghue; Tom O'Leary; John-Kingsley Onwumereh; Steve O'Reilly; Karen Power; Brendan Ryan; Siobhan Shovlin; Aoibhinn Tormey; John Walsh.                       

The Mayor then DECLARED the Motion LOST.

The report was proposed by Councillor J. Guerin, seconded by Councillor J. Newman and RESOLVED that-

“That the Twinning of Howth with Cap d'Ail, France is hereby ADOPTED.”

The report by the Chief Executive, which had been circulated, was CONSIDERED. 

The Mayor Councillor A. Henchy advised the Members that a motion has been received.

The following motion in the name of Councillor J. Humphreys was proposed by Councillor J. Humphreys and seconded by Councillor B. McDonagh:

“That this Council reverses the decision made on September 11th, 2023, to implement a No Mow May policy on open spaces in the County, and instead, adopts a strategy based on the recommendations of the National Biodiversity Data Centre, including comprehensive mapping of grass areas and promotes the buy-in of resident associations, community organisations, and residents to support the original intention of No Mow May.”

Following discussion, the Mayor instructed that a roll call vote be taken and on a division the voting resulted as follows:

FOR:               17       SEVENTEEN

AGAINST:     14       FOURTEEN

ABSTAIN:        0        ZERO

FOR:                           Councillors Angela Donnelly; Ann Graves; Breda Hanaphy; Adrian Henchy; James Humphreys; Anthony Lavin; Brian Mc Donagh; Dean Mulligan; Joe Newman; Robert O'Donoghue; Tom O'Leary; Steve O'Reilly; Brendan Ryan; Siobhan Shovlin; Aoibhinn Tormey; Natalie Treacy; John Walsh.           

AGAINST:                 Councillors Cathal Boland; Darragh Butler; Brian Dennehy; Jimmy Guerin; David Healy; Joan Hopkins; Tom Kitt; Grainne Maguire; Howard Mahony; Brigid Manton; Paul Mulville; Eoghan O'Brien; John-Kingsley Onwumereh; Karen Power.                     

The Mayor then DECLARED the Motion PASSED.

Following discussion, the Chief Executive’s report was NOTED.

The motion, in the name of Councillor D. Healy was proposed by Councillor D. Healy and seconded by Councillor A. Henchy.

The report was ACCEPTED.

The motion, in the name of Councillor J. Hopkins was proposed by Councillor J. Hopkins and seconded by Councillor A. Henchy.

The report was ACCEPTED.