Michael O Meara - Response to local election questions

In answer to your questions:
1. Yes I agree that North tipperary County council should support initiatives to help our communities flourish for a low carbon future.
Adaptation to climate change is the only way forward and in partnership with state agengies and other interested group like yourselves, key issues can be identifed and communicated to each and every household in order to educate people and give each individual a sense of responsibility in changing their lifestyle to benefit the local environment.

2.
(a) Again I feel discussions with relevant local and national government authorities and interest groups should lead to a balanced debate on wind energy and bio fuels. The needs of the local environment should be paramount. It is important to be aware the indirect impact from adaptation strategies and measures such as the impact of constructing wind farms on and off shore, the growing of new bio- mass crops may have significant impacts on our landscapes and seascapes. Hard engineering schemes to prevent inland flooding can also impact negatively on the cultural and natural heritage of the land. However, an informed debate is what is needed.
(b) As a farmer myself I cannot overstate the importance of locally grown food being made available for purchase by the local community. Many small grocers and farmers markets are leading the way in stocking locally products goods, such as jams , butter, eggs, bread etc - its pity some of our larger supermarkets dont follow suite for example I cannot under stand that we can purchase in our supermarkets eggs that have traveled a couple of hunded miles and locally produced ones are not available.

(c) ( d) (e)(f) I agree in each of these initiatives being explored to assess their viability and return on investment for local government.

3. If I retain my seat I would welcome an opportunity to meet with yourselves and discuss initiaves and listen to ideas from yourself.