What's the chance?

[Galway Water Crisis]

Some ideas we've had about cleaning up the Corrib:

1. A dedicated working group to oversee a clean-up of the Corrib. This would include doing an inventory of all the problems that at present are causing pollution. Examples include slurry run-off, unchecked waste disposal, old and ineffective septic tanks, industries, etc.

2. A serious tightening up of planning regulations to ensure no more unchecked building goes ahead in the region.


3. A certification system for septic tanks. We would ideally like to see a situation where a house cannot be sold unless the septic tank has a clean bill of health in the form of a certificate stating that the tank is running properly.

4. Regular farm inspections to ensure that slurry is stored and spread in the correct manner. A scheme should be put in place whereby farmers can easily access information and help in keeping farming standards high.One suggestion would be to have on-farm demonstrations.

5. A repeal of the local government laws that at present prevent the employment of extra staff. This is crucial to carrying out proper controls of what enters the lake waters and the ancilliary rivers and streams.Wardens are needed on a permanent basis.

6. A safe margin to be put in place along all rivers, streams and lakes which will be fenced to prevent livestock access except in controlled surroundings. This could be facilitated by making it mandatory and rolling out the grant scheme available for fencing of lands. Again, on-farm demonstrations could be used to educate farmers and landowners about the benefits of doing this.

7. The setting up of a scheme like the "Blue Flag" scheme for lakeshores and riverbanks. This would serve two purposes. (a) It would allow for a rating of these shores and banks and (b) it would encourage civic pride as the public could be actively encouraged to take part in keeping high ratings.

8. Enactment of local government law that ensures that council officials engage with the public in an open manner.

[David Cochrane]

Why is this posted under 'Green Party'?

[Galway Water Crisis]

Wasn't sure where to post it. Decided to go for Green Party as it is in the remit of Minister Gormley who happens to be a member of said party. Any suggestions welcome if you think it should be moved to another thread

[krayZpaving]

Moved to Environment

[Free Speach]

Maybe now the election is over the councillors in Galway will stop bickering and point scoring off each other.
Maybe they will have no more meetings where the minutes from the previous meeting are the only thing that is aggreed upon.
Maybe they can now come up with a concencus as to how to deal with the problem rather than issue yet another unmeetable deadline every couple of weeks.
Maybe they could enforse current laws rather than just worry about what new ones they could pass and then fail to enforse.

[Galway Water Crisis]

Maybe now the election is over the councillors in Galway will stop bickering and point scoring off each other.
Maybe they will have no more meetings where the minutes from the previous meeting are the only thing that is aggreed upon.
Maybe they can now come up with a concencus as to how to deal with the problem rather than issue yet another unmeetable deadline every couple of weeks.
Maybe they could enforse current laws rather than just worry about what new ones they could pass and then fail to enforse.

Your wish list is even more fantastical than mine!