Minutes of meeting held 18^th March 2026

Present: Philip O’Connor, Dougal Cousins, Jacqueline Feeley, Renee Malone, Edgar McLoughlin, Caroline Core-Grime, Siobhan Clifford (rep. FOBB), and FCC officers Fearghal McSweeney, Hans Vissar, Therese Casey, Sorcha King, Lisa Doyle

Apologies: D. Doogue, M. Tubridy, C. Redmond, G. Molyneux, N. O’Brien, Cllr D. Healy

Minutes: Minutes adopted, as proposed by Edgar McLoughlin, seconded by Renee Malone.

Update on SAAO works by Fingal Operations: Therese reported:

• Contractor engaged to cut veg. encroaching on pathways. Work completed 1^st March. 
• Ops. continues to liaise monthly with Howth Pathways.
• On repair of pathways, gravel solution preferred, but expensive as must be repeated annually. Not sustainable! Some concreting at high-pressure points needed. Agreed when Sport Ireland inspection identifies these areas, a mtg. will agree a plan.
• Noted that walkers should be alerted to need to wear suitable footwear on paths.

Update from Fingal Biodiversity: Hans reported on works in the SAAO:

• Cattle and goat grazing to continue.
• Rhododendron controls also to continue at Howth Demesne/Ben of Howth.
• Irelands Eye visitor management, pathways, wardening (cost: €56,000) continue.
• Surveys: Wetland survey ongoing with Biodiversity funding. Moss survey to go ahead. Cooke’s Quarry survey not to proceed as owner has decided against it.
• Discussion of pathway security at Whitewater Brook. Probably necessary to block steps access, but coastguard access essential. Cliff fence will probably be decided.

Report from the Conservation & Recreation (C&R) Subcommittee: Dougal reported.

• Sub-Cttee minutes must be speedily approved and not delayed.
• NPWS notified Sub-Cttee and Chair/SAAO that it will be unable to attend meetings for some time due to staff/resources issues. It was  agreed that Chair write to M/State for Nature, Heritage and Biodiversity seeking resolution.
• Issue of educating land owners re garden-waste dumping and enforcing this discussed. NPWS to be asked for clarification.
• Benefit of LIDAR data and access to it discussed. Hans to follow up.
• Hard copies of SAAO reports discussed. Not practical, as storage not available.
• Heritage Council project to identify county biodiversity areas noted.
• Sub-Cttee urged that next Op. Plan include a focus on historical/vernacular features.
• Next Sub-Cttee mtg. to hear Mary Tubridy on dry heathland restoration in Portugal
• Repair of Balscadden Beach steps tendered out by FCC. To be completed by summer. 
• Issue of inadequacy of public toilets at Baily Green: agreed that Sub-Cttee draft a letter for SAAO chair to send to Niamh Russell (FCC) on this.
• Sub-Cttee proposes that next Op. Prgrm include action on historical/vernacular heritage

Report from the Planning & Communications (P&C) Subcommittee:  Jacqueline reported:

·         Renewal of Fuzion HR contract discussed. Scope now less but proposed price too high.

·         Events Programme of 2025 not to continue, as FCC priority now Liffey Valley, apart from Schools programme, Public Mtg. and a marquee for SAAO at Maritime festival (w/end 22^nd May), though without FCC staff participation.

·         Operational Plan completes end 2026. Workshop of SAAO members and FCC staff to be held 13^th May, Howth Courthouse, 1-4pm, to identify/prioritise actions for new Plan.

·         Enforcement, esp  ...  view the full minutes text for item 2.