This article is from page 19 of the 2011-11-22 edition of The Clare People. OCR mistakes are to be expected so download the original SWF or the rendered page 19 JPG
A PROPOSAL that people can be buried on their own farm lands is to be submitted to the Minister for the Environment, after it was tabled by Independent councillor James Breen.
Cllr Breen has suggested that the Minister change the legislation in relation to burials whereby a farmer or his family, if they desire, could be buried on their own lands.
He told a meeting of Clare Council Council yesterday that this option should be available for those who wish to use it.
He said there is “nothing more sacred” than a man’s land, where “he was born and bred”. He urged his council colleagues to pass the motion and send it to the Minister.
Independent councillor Gerry Flynn supported the motion but add- ed, “It should be broadened. I think it’s very narrow. It should be broadened to include property owners with some land.”
Green Party councillor Brian Meaney said it would have to be regulated, but agreed that the motion should be submitted to the Minister.
Fine Gael councillor Joe Arkins said that while he sympathised with “the spirit of the motion”, he felt it would face problems. He said that while he was mindful of the attachment people have to their family lands, there could be planning considerations to bear in mind.
“You could have a situation even if this did come to legislation where there could be a two-month wait in advance and that might cause a difficulty,” he said.
“I think it could be fraught with difficulties. I think it is going to cause an awful lot of administrative problems. It’s going to cause headaches to beat the band and issues with pollution as well. I would urge caution,” he said.
He said that issues could emerge if a road was being constructed, or if a body was being exhumed.
He said he had “reservations” and “difficulties” with it.
Fianna Fáil councillor Michael Kelly noted as a farmer that “we are not allowed to bury animals on lands. We should think long and hard about this before passing it here at council level”.
It was suggested that the issue be put to a vote before the Minister is contacted.
However, Cllr Breen said that while he had no problem with a vote, councillors may vote with their own personal views in mind rather than those of their constituents.
It was then agreed that the motion would be submitted to the Minister.