Deferred Notices of Motion – County Council Meeting 13th April, 2026
10.1 Motion passed at the February meeting of the Housing SPC:–
“That this SPC notes with concern the published figures indicating 356 notices of eviction were issued to tenants in 2025 in Wexford.”
We submit to the next meeting of WCC that the Minister be called upon to ban no fault evictions.”
10.2 Cllrs. Garry Laffan, John Fleming, Barbara Anne Murphy, Pip Breen, Lisa McDonald, Donal Kenny, Aidan Browne, Joe Sullivan 
“To ask the Minister for Health and the Minister for Justice if they will set out the current protocols in place where a patient presents at an emergency department and reports suspected drink spiking; the rationale for the absence of toxicology testing in such cases, even when specifically requested by patients or their families; the measures to ensure timely Garda statements and the preservation of evidence where a victim is incapacitated; and if they will commit to establishing a clear national pathway across hospitals and Garda stations to ensure suspected spiking incidents are treated as crimes, investigated promptly, and supported by appropriate clinical and policing protocols.”
https://www.zkballot.com/polls/69fb4f3f99fb07a8eae271de
10.3 Cllr. Catherine Walsh –
“In an
effort to mitigate the negative effect of the number of shops selling vape Wexford, this Council demands the following;
Call for a change to the 2023 Act where “retailers of tobacco products that are already registered with the HSE have 6 months to apply for a Licence” to “retailers, intending to sell tobacco products must first apply and hold a licence”
That this council would see a Wexford specific campaign by the HSE on the dangers of vaping and the need to encourage people, particularly youths, away from those products
That the next development plan will make specific references to the retail offering on specific streets where shops that sell items contrary to public health, vaping and nicotine products, be restricted to pharmacy only instead of general retail.”
https://www.zkballot.com/polls/69fb529a99fb07a8eae2723d
10.4 Cllr. AoifeRose O’Brien
“Wexford County Council calls on the HSE and CAHMS Wexford to ensure that a full and equitable range of services, including assessment and treatment for ADHD and eating disorders, is made available locally in line with their stated scope of care and that all appointments are on a 1:1 basis and not online with a practitioner.
We further call on the Minister for Health to allocate the necessary resources, staffing, and funding to address service gaps and waiting lists in the region and to provide a clear timeline for the restoration and full delivery of these services in South Wexford.
We further note that CAMHS publicly state that they provide care for a range of moderate to severe mental health conditions, including but not limited to depression, anxiety, eating disorders, ADHD, and psychosis; though in practice, children and young people in South Wexford diagnosed with ADHD and those presenting with eating disorders are currently unable to access appropriate assessment, intervention, and ongoing care through local CAMHS services.
Lastly, we recognise the significant impact that delays or absence of early intervention can have on the long–term mental health, educational outcomes, and overall wellbeing of children and their families. We acknowledge the distress and inequality experienced by families in South Wexford who must seek services outside their area or go without appropriate support.”
10.5 Cllr. Michael Sheehan
“Recognising the need for safety on our roads and to ensure greater awareness of speed zone changes, this Council writes to Kilkenny County Council seeking a review and improvements in the speed limit signs on the section of the N25 approaching the speed camera.”
10.6 Cllr. AoifeRose O’Brien
“Wexford County Council calls on the Minister for Justice to immediately enact the Non–Fatal Offences Against the Person (Amendment) (Spiking) Bill 2023.
This council recognises the seriousness and importance of providing appropriate legal safeguards. The delay in progressing this important legislation has left a gap in legal protections and enforcement powers needed to properly address and deter such harmful behaviour.
Accordingly, the Council further calls on the Minister to provide a clear explanation as to why this legislation has not yet been passed, and to outline a definitive timeline for its enactment.”
Notices of Motion
11.1 Cllr. Jim Codd
“Wexford County Council calls on the Government for an immediate reduction on carbon tax on fuel and cost of home heating oil“.
https://www.zkballot.com/polls/69fb567799fb07a8eae2726a
11.2 Cllr. Michael Sheehan & Cllr. Marty Murphy
“In supporting the delivery of renewable energy in line with national and EU policy, this Council recognises that Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS) represent a distinct form of industrial infrastructure with specific safety, siting and operational considerations.
For the avoidance of doubt, this motion relates to utility–scale or grid–scale Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS) and not to small–scale or domestic battery storage associated with individual homes, farms or businesses.
This Council notes the current absence of national planning, safety and emergency response standards governing the development of large–scale BESS, including guidance on appropriate siting, separation distances, fire safety, emergency response planning and water protection measures.
The Council further recognises that this absence of standards creates uncertainty in the ability of the planning system to fully and consistently assess developments of this nature, scale and risk profile, particularly in rural areas with constrained infrastructure, limited emergency response capacity and sensitive environmental and water receptors.
The Council acknowledges that in the absence of such standards, the assessment of large- scale BESS proposals requires careful consideration of site suitability, infrastructure capacity, environmental protection, public safety and cumulative impact, including the interaction of multiple developments within a given area.
Pending the establishment of appropriate national standards, this Council calls on the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage to urgently provide a clear and comprehensive regulatory framework for BESS, including planning, safety and emergency response guidance.
Furthermore, this Council requests the Executive to examine, as a matter of urgency, the preparation of a Variation to the County Development Plan to provide clear policy guidance on the siting and assessment of large–scale Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS), having regard to the absence of national standards, and including consideration of appropriate locations, separation distances from residential areas and sensitive receptors, protection of water resources, emergency response capacity, access and infrastructure constraints, and cumulative impact.”
11.3 Cllr. AoifeRose O’Brien
“Wexford County Council notes with concern the unacceptable delays in Ireland’s justice system, where victims of sexual, domestic, and gender–based violence can wait up to four years for cases to be heard.
This council recognises the serious harm and prolonged trauma these delays cause, and the need for a timelier, victim–centred approach.
Further notes that other cases have been fast–tracked, demonstrating that expedited
processes are achievable;
Calls on the Department of Justice to prioritise cases involving sexual, domestic, and gender- based violence;
Demands the introduction of a fast–track system to ensure cases are progressed efficiently, with a target of cases being brought to hearing within 12 months of the incident or report; Emphasises the need to minimise retraumatisation through reduced delays, improved case management, and adequate support for victims;
And calls for increased resources to ensure timely access to justice and accountability for perpetrators.”
11.4 Cllr. Tom Forde
“We ask this council to call on this government to recognise and vindicate the right of all persons to adequate housing and to aim to enshrine this right in our constitution through a referendum on the right to housing.
We also ask that this council write to each of Wexford’s Oireachtas members seeking their support on this issue.”
- 6.
11.5 Cllr. Robbie Staples
“Wexford County Council is urging the Minister for Climate, Energy, and the Environment to significantly strengthen national supports for domestic solar PV. The Council highlights ESB’s recent presentation showing Ireland’s continued dependence on imported electricity, rising energy costs, and growing public concern about blackouts. While offshore wind will be essential in the long term, rooftop solar offers an immediate and scalable way for households to generate their own power. The Council is calling on the Government to increase the domestic solar PV grant to include batteries, ensure broad eligibility to include all households, to encourage installer competition and consider redirecting existing energy support funding to deliver stronger incentives. Expanding support for rooftop solar, the Council argues, would cut household bills, reduce reliance on imports, create local jobs, and strengthen Ireland’s energy resilience.”
11.6 Cllr. Vicky Barron
“Wexford County Council recognises the seriousness of, and huge implications for Women and Children who are victims of Domestic, Sexual and Gender Based Violence.
Wexford County Council commits to ensuring pathways out of DSGBV, and supports for victims, are included in the county development plan for all districts.”
11.7 Cllr. Michael Sheehan, Cllr. Mary Farrell, Cllr. Leonard Kelly
“In recognition of the cost–of–living crisis and that workers are suffering the most and rewarded the least in our economy, and while being overtaxed and not getting any assistance from the government, this Council calls for the unwinding and abolition of the Universal Social Charge in Budget 2027. Upon adoption, we circulate to all Local Authorities. ”
11.8 Cllr. AoifeRose O’Brien
“That Wexford County Council calls on the Government to urgently review and expand the provision of school transport services in County Wexford, ensuring that adequate bus spaces are available for all eligible students and that no child is left without access to a school place due to a lack of transport.
This Council notes with concern that in previous years a significant number of families in County Wexford were refused access to school bus services, with some only receiving confirmation of refusal as late as three weeks before the commencement of the school term. This has caused considerable stress for families and has, in some cases, jeopardised students‘ ability to attend school.
Accordingly, the Council further calls on the Government to provide additional and sustained funding to meet the full school transport needs of County Wexford;
Ensure timely allocation and communication of school bus places well in advance of the academic year;
Expand capacity within the school transport system to reflect population growth and increased demand;
Review eligibility criteria where necessary and this years price increase to ensure fair and equitable access for all students.
The Council requests that this matter be treated as a priority to guarantee that every child in County Wexford has reliable access to education through an adequately resourced school transport system.”
11.9 Cllr. Tom Forde
“Recognising that it has become extremely difficult for many people across our County to source an affordable and sustainable tenancy, I ask that Wexford County Council desist from issuing exit notices to people that are in emergency accommodation and who have been abiding by all other terms of the agreement between the service user and Wexford County Council.”
11.10 Cllr. Vicky Barron
“That this Council:
-Aware if it’s first duty to represent fairly and without fear or favour all the people of County Wexford
-Conscious of our democratic values long cherished and defended in this Chamber
-Resolves to ensure that all debates in this council will be conducted with respect for all elected members and for all views expressed
-Acknowledges that those standards have not always been upheld in recent times and calls on the Cathaoirleach, and all members and officials to commit to restoring the highest standards of democratic debate and freedom of expression for every member.
