Galway County Council will use compulsory purchase orders for burial grounds if necessary. Available space is reducing in several areas with councillors voicing their concerns during an online county council meeting on Monday.
Cllr Jim Cuddy highlighted problems in Claregalway and Eileen Ruane, director of services for Galway County Council, said:
"If something is not coming forward with the expressions of interest, we will - if we have to - use the CPO process where we can find land that is suitable. The land itself must be suitable and must meet all the criteria that we have identified already."
Throughout a lengthy discussion councillors stressed the need to find solutions with Kevin Kelly, Galway County Council chief executive, also addressing members.
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"There is an understanding about the importance of it, obviously it is an emotive subject as has been outlined," Mr Kelly stated. "We have been constrained. Some progress has been made and a lot of effort has been made. I thank the team for that."
Mr Kelly also confirmed that 'further discussion' will take place about the issue. "I'd be happy to have further discussion with the CPG in relation to the future financing of cemetery extensions and cemetery operations," he added.
"Maybe we have taken a one size fits all in terms of our approach to the pricing of graves etc. Maybe if we need to have a higher expenditure, maybe we need to have a pricing mechanism that follows that in particular locations. I think we would be open to that."
Shortages of plots in Connemara
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The problem also exists in Connemara with a shortage of available plots in existing burial grounds, especially in Indreabhán.
Cllr Padraig Mac An Iomaire is hoping that a resolution can be found, urging council officials to act quickly. "At the moment we have Knock, Inverin which is absolutely full, Leitir Mealláin has a problem, Leitir Móir has a problem," he stated.
'I don't know anywhere in county Galway, particurlarly in the Connemara area, where you will walk in to find a site that is, appropriate and suitable'
"We have to remember these people, they worked for the people of the area. They were on the local committee for the football, they were on the local committee for the church, they all did their bit in time gone by, they all paid their taxes.
"They pass away, they want to buried in their own local area and then they are buried 10 or 12 miles oustide of their local area. We should be showing these people respect, they put in the hours, went to meetings and left things in front of us when we were coming behind them like football pitches and community halls. They were involved in building those, we have to show them a bit of respect, that they can be buried in their own locality."
Cllr Mac An Iomaire believes that Galway County Council needs to spend money in order to increase the plots available.
A 'big problem'
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Cllr Tomas O Curraoin also wants Galway County Council to act urgently. "Out west and all over the county you have cemeteries that are full," Cllr O Curraoin remarked. "I'm aware of Claregalway and Annaghdown, but we have graveyards in the west - Inverin, Leitir Móir and places. Now Knockinverin is full. That is a big problem."
Cllr Daithí O Cualain confirmed that meetings have taken place in an effort to identify new grounds. "We have looked at a number, but unfortunately we've been told each and every one isn't suitable," Cllr O Cualain commented.
"The only issue with that is," he continued, "I don't know anywhere in county Galway, particurlarly in the Connemara area, where you will walk in to find a site that is, appropriate and suitable, straight off the cuff. All of them are going to require work."
