Huge turnout at open meeting to discuss North Offaly's future

There was a huge turnout at the Open Meeting with held in Byrne’s Lounge on Monday evening last with Minister for Rural and Community Affairs, Heather Humphreys as guest speaker.

The event, organised by Cllr Noel Cribbin, was also attended by party colleagues Cllr Liam Quinn and Deputy Charlie Flanagan.

Opening proceedings Cllr Cribbin welcomed all and in particular both Minister Humphreys and Deputy Charlie Flanagan and it was great to see such a great crowd and so many new faces.

He said the open meeting was to firstly invite local and all of those 'new families' that have moved into Edenderry and made their homes there and to hopefully get involved in time in the fantastic sports clubs and organisations within the town.
Cllr Cribbin stressed clubs would welcome them with open arms and would love their input into the various activities in the area.

He also hoped that they would go on the voting registrar and use their votes in both upcoming local and general elections as again that they have a say in who represents them in both Offaly County Council and in the Dail.

Cllr Cribbin went on to outline his 24 years of involvement in local politics, his commitment to the many clubs and organisations in Edenderry that he’s involved with and has helped to improve their facilities with funding from OCC, Leader and Sports Capital Grants.

The clubs involved include Edenderry Tidy Towns, playground, swimming pool, festival committee, GAA, pitch & Putt and the canoe club.

He also outlined the many improvements in facilities in Edenderry in recent years under the FG led governments including two new schools, a massive extension to St Mary’s Secondary School, well advanced plans for a new Oaklands Collage, phase 1 and 2 of a new Inner Relief Road, a new library and performance area on the old derelict Tesco site and a new Primary Care facility.

“In recent years we have done really well and with the support of my FG colleagues we will continue to invest and improve facilities in the area,” stressed Cllr Cribbin.

On local issues he warmly welcomed the two recent reports by both Eirgrid and Seimens on the massive potential in North Offaly for energy production.

“I have been campaigning for years  for the north Offaly area to be recognised and designated as a Green Energy Hub. Thankfully that looks to be happening and I will be keeping this positive news going within the FG party and will not rest until I see new companies and jobs coming into the area on the back of all the windfarms, solar farms and power plants.”

Cllr Liam Quinn spoke on the many positive developments that have taken place across all towns and villages in north Offaly.
In his area of Rhode, Croghan, Daingean and hinterland millions have been invested in greenways, community halls, new pathways and the upgrade at Croghan Hill.

Charlie Flanagan TD thanked both councillors for their hard work and commitment to the ares and acknowledged the input both had in the millions being invested in the area.

Guest speaker, Minister Heather Humphreys again thanked the councillors for their efforts and went on to say that her Departmenthas given over €30 million in Offaly since 2220.

She said she was delighted as Minister to see so many good projects being funded in Offaly and that Edenderry and north Offaly was doing particularly well.

Minister Humphreys spoke on new announcements that she made in relation to PRSI contributions that workers have made and there would be a bigger weekly pay  for those workers laid off from their jobs as a result of this.

A lively question and answer session took place with questions coming from the floor on local issues, on roads, lack of jobs, IDA, and developing the area with more facilities that could attract more tourism into the area.

All agreed the open meeting was a great success and the night wrapped up up with tea and goodies supplied by Byrnes who were also thanked for the use of their lounge.