Five new members were elected on to Sligo County Council following the local elections of 2009. The outgoing and retiring members deserve great credit for their contribution over the course of their service, and I look forward to working alongside the newly elected members in the years ahead.

Sligo County Council delivered a number of important projects in 2009, and the development of our roads network continued with the opening of Phase 1 of the Western Distributor Road and a series of road improvement schemes, including Mullaghroe in Gurteen. The commitment of our roads and water services staff was very much in evidence over the Christmas and New Year period when they worked day and night to treat our roads and maintain water supplies throughout the County in very difficult weather conditions.

There was also significant progress in terms of our water and waste water infrastructure with the opening of the Sligo Main Drainage Treatment Plant at Finisklin, which has been designed and constructed to the highest international standards. It has a capacity to treat waste water for a combined domestic and commercial population equivalent of 50,000 with a capacity for future expansion to 80,000. The facility will also ensure the protection of a quality environment in Sligo Bay. Over the last five years Sligo County Council has invested €110 million on our Waste Water Capital Programme and a contract has been signed for the construction of a major new water treatment plant at Kilsellagh.

The last year has also seen the opening of the redeveloped Model Arts Centre, an excellent facility which will enhance Sligo’s reputation as a leading centre for contemporary culture in Ireland.

This is a very challenging time for local authorities, as we face the challenge of planning and delivering services in a very difficult economic climate. We will continue to work with the resources available to us to plan and deliver an important range of services to the people of Sligo.