Cllr. Michael McGreal has rejected any suggestion that he didn’t meet with members of Enterprise Castlerea in advance of a discussion on a proposed recycling centre which took place at a meeting of Roscommon County Council on October 22nd. At the meeting members of Roscommon County Council voted in favour of the proposed site at the demesne by 14 votes to eight. ‘I did meet with them. As I pointed out, I took a decision in relation to that matter based on what I believe to be best for West Roscommon/Castlerea area. I consulted widely with individuals, organisations and businesses in Castlerea and am satisfied as a result of that consultation and the number of people that asked me about recycling, that the decision that I took was the correct one and time will tell. ‘I did meet them and did consult with them. I reject any notion that I didn’t meet with Enterprise Castlerea in advance of the matter being discussed at the County Council meeting. ‘A large number of people raised the issue of a civic amenity site in Castlerea with me in recent years, including people who complained to me about travelling to Ballaghaderreen to have their material recycled,’ said Cllr. McGreal. In a statement issued this week Enterprise Castlerea took issue with the proposed siting of a recycling centre in the Demesne Business Park, stating: ‘We are totally committed to a recycling facility for Castlerea and have campaigned for same since our inception. We feel that this facility will permanently hamper the development of high end industry in Castlerea Business Park. ‘Finola Foods has serious issues with the development of a recycling centre so close to its facility, which employs 22 people at present and which is in discussion with Enterprise Ireland with a view to a major expansion of its facility. ‘The building of a new enterprise centre by Enterprise Castlerea Ltd. is now in serious doubt because despite part funding being sanctioned by Enterprise Ireland, a substantial amount of money will still have to be raised to complete the project. How attractive will these units be beside a recycling facility? ‘We are disappointed with the county councillors who voted for this proposal at last Monday’s (22 October) County Council meeting, despite the stated wishes of Cllrs. Luke ‘Ming’ Flanagan and Tony Waldron and indeed all our local TDs. We are extremely disappointed that Cllr. Michael McGreal voted for this proposal as there are other sites available for this facility in Castlerea. ‘This facility will be huge and will draw, according to the consultant’s report, large numbers of vehicles to an area already congested with traffic from schools, swimming pool in summer etc. We would like to acknowledge the support of all the county councillors who supported our opposition to this facility going ahead in Castlerea Demesne Business Park.’ The statement was signed by the Chairperson of Enterprise Castlerea, Benny O’Connell.
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