Laois Senator Calls on Government to back ‘visionary’ Cúl na Móna Biodiversity Greenway
Laois Sinn Féin Senator Maria McCormack has called on the Government to back a “visionary” greenway project in Laois
Speaking in the Seanad this week, Senator McCormack said the proposed Cúl na Móna Greenway, which would link Cashel and Ross bogs along disused Bord na Móna railway lines, “would promote biodiversity, restore habitats, and reconnect communities with nature.”
The greenway, which has received substantial support from Laois County Council, is aimed at transforming post-industrial boglands into a public amenity rooted in ecological restoration.
“This project is about more than just a scenic walking trail. It’s about rewilding, restoring vital habitats, and creating a thriving biodiversity corridor — while supporting native species, strengthening water quality, and acting as a carbon sink,” Senator McCormack said.
“It’s a win for climate, for nature, and for the people of Laois.
“A motion was passed by Laois County Councillors in October 2024 — but we now need the Government to drive this forward and engage Bord na Móna to prevent further delays.
“Nearly half of our freshwater systems are in decline. This is no longer just an environmental issue — it is a health, economic, and cultural issue too,” she said.
“We need to enshrine the right to a clean, healthy, and safe environment in our Constitution. I ask the Minister of State to back the new greenway in Laois, support biodiversity, and help build a better future for all.”
Laois TD calls for ‘improved infrastructure’ for housing in Laois
Laois Independent Republican TD Brian Stanley has said that provision of housing in Laois “requires improved infrastructure.”
Deputy Stanley said there are “huge constraints” with regards to water, wastewater and electricity infrastructure in the county that is affecting 13 individual towns and villages.
“It has taken a long time to get the Government to accept that there is a housing crisis,” Deputy Stanley said.
“The Government needs to set out a clear investment plan for County Laois to address this.
“I have raised with the Minister of State previously the fact that low-interest loans need to be made available to small builders.
“We need to activate small builders and developers to build small housing schemes in these towns and villages that would meet much of the demand that is there.
“Not everybody wants to live in a city. Many of these people work locally and it would save them having to commute.”
Deputy Stanley took aim at the Government’s assertion that not enough land is zoned for housing and pointed out other significant areas of concern.
“The Department has informed me there is 46,300 hectares available. That is over 100,000 acres,” he said.
“In County Laois, 1,145 ha is zoned for mixed use. Assuming 700 HA of that could be used for housing at 20 units per hectare, that would provide 14,000 houses in County Laois alone.
“In relation to electricity, the ESB has flagged that demands of data centres will continue to curtail the amount of energy in reserve for housing developments.
“Over one fifth of the supply is taken up by data centres. I am not completely against them, but we have to have a bit of balance.
“We cannot expand the number of houses to be delivered in many localities because of our shaky grid and capacity, with overdependence on a few sources of generation.
“The Royal Institute of the Architects of Ireland has flagged this, as have the ESB, Uisce Éireann and local councillors.
Further funding for First Home Scheme ‘will support first time buyers in County Laois’
Laois Fine Gael TD Willie Aird has said the extension of the First Home Scheme “will help more people in County Laois buy their own home.”
An extra €30m in funding has been set aside for the scheme, bringing the overall funding to €740m. It is expected that the additional funding will allow for approximately 1,200 further approvals to the scheme nationwide.
The scheme, which is designed to bridge the gap between people’s spending power and the price of a new home, has helped over 3,000 First Time Buyers to purchase homes since its introduction in 2022.
“The First Home Scheme has been hugely successful in responding to affordable housing needs in Laois and every county across the country to date,” Deputy Aird said.
“It has made a positive impact on the accessibility of home ownership and to housing delivery and today’s further €30m in Exchequer funding further bolsters the Government’s commitment to the scheme into the future.
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