Taskforce request has been made by local authority to boost Co. Longford area

A Lanesboro-based representative has called on Longford County Council to engage with the Minister for Climate, Environment, Energy and Transport, Darragh O’Brien, to support the establishment of a taskforce including representatives from the Lanesboro/ Ballyleague Collaborative Group, ESB, and Bord na Móna.

Fianna Fáil Cllr Sean Mimnagh, who submitted a motion at the recent September monthly meeting of the local authority, insisted as future plans for the area progress, it 'is essential that the local community "is directly involved and positioned to benefit from any spinoffs or collaborative opportunities that arise".

The motion was seconded by Cllr Mimnagh's party colleague Cllr Seamus Butler who supported it and commented on the need a taskforce.

"It's not my municipal area but because Lanesboro suffered the sudden absence of a power station and Bord na Móna in that area they really do need a task force to address that and to try to attract alternative employment opportunities and industries to that area.

Cllr Mick Cahill backed it and he described it as an 'excellent motion' and he said he felt it was very important that it was led by Longford County Council.

"I certainly would be in full support, we had a forum in the past that the county council sat on involving a number of bodies."

Fine Gael Cllr Paul Ross said he believed a well established taskforce could make a positive difference in the development of the area, while Fine Gael party colleagues Cllr Peggy Nolan and Cllr Martin Skelly and Independent Cllr Mark Casey also supported the motion despite the latter criticising the fact it had not happened sooner.

Michael Nevin, Head of Enterprise with Longford County Council, thanked Cllr Mimnagh for bringing the motion.

"We all understand the unique challenges faced by Lanesboro since the cessation of peat harvesting and we are happy to write to the Minister looking for the establishment of a taskforce, which would give an opportunity to have the statutory and the voluntary bodies sitting at a round table."

The local authority will write to Minister O'Brien to ask him to consider the establishment of a task force that will allow for 'better collaboration between all interested parties'.

Cllr Mimnagh said he appreciated the response from Longford County Council and he stated 'some discussion' had happened since the motion was sent in and he looked forward to a response from the department.

"I am looking forward to working with management and having a Longford County Council-led programme."

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