A MOTION calling on Stormont to work toward a host of key priorities has received cross-party support.

The Motion, which was proposed by Sinn Féin Councillor Sheamus Greene, called on the reformed Executive to prioritise a selection of projects in Fermanagh, Omagh and across the rural district.

Fermanagh projects include the return of Emergency General Surgery services at the South West Acute Hospital, upgrading the A32 and A4 roads, and providing funding to help complete the Ulster Canal project.

In Omagh, priorities included the A5 road, the completion of the Strule Shared Education Campus, and funding for a new mental health unit.

The Motion also listed rural projects, including a road resurfacing scheme, the prioritisation of rural GP Services, equal investment from Invest NI, and farm funding.

A successful amendment was also included to call for funding to advance the new build of Enniskillen Royal Grammar School.

Seeking cross-party support, Councillor Greene said: “I am bringing this Motion tonight as I believe it’s the one chance that we have to influence the negotiations for government in ... Stormont.

“I believe that every one of these projects has been supported previously in one way or another, and I don’t believe that there is one project in here that hasn’t been debated in the Council.

“I am looking for all-party support so we can align all the projects together in one document to send it up to the parties in Stormont.”

Seconding the motion, Sinn Féin Councillor Anthony Feely welcomed the restoration of Stormont, and urged politicians to do “as much as they can”.

SDLP Councillor Adam Gannon described the Motion as “a succinct list of flagship projects”.

“I wholeheartedly agree with sentiment and direction of this,” said Councillor Gannon.

“Of course, the evidence will be with what comes forward, and the proof will be shown over the next three years.

“Regardless, I am confident that all councillors in this Chamber will continue to be strong advocates for the issues in this area.”

Independent Councillor Josephine Deehan said the Motion “reflects the debate of the Council over many years”.

She continued: “I particularly welcome the prioritisation of rural GP services. We know that primary care services are really challenged at the moment.

“They are in need of huge investment, especially in rural areas of Fermanagh and Omagh, and this will be an important priority for Minister [for Health Robin] Swann as he takes up his office.”

Supporting the motion, DUP Councillor Keith Elliot said that he “hoped to see some delivery coming back down the road again”.

Meanwhile, UUP Councillor Diana Armstrong said that she wished to see the advancement of the new Enniskillen Royal Grammar School (ERGS) project included in the Motion.

“I would add a request for the advancement of the ERGS project – that being the new build for an amalgamated school between Enniskillen Collegiate Grammar School and Portora Royal School.

‘Request’

“Those schools amalgamated in 2016 and have been operating from a split site from that time. It’s a request that is added to Fermanagh projects as something that needs to be advanced.”

Seconding the amendment, UUP Councillor John McClaughry said: “It has now been eight years since the amalgamation. We have had a full generation of students who have known nothing but travelling across Enniskillen for classes, PE for sports.

“The amount of time students spend in cars, mini buses, or walking is unreal.

“It’s ridiculous that at this stage, we are still here. The school itself on Potora hill is 250 years old, and is definitely showing its age.”

Councillor Greene said that while he supported the development of the new ERGS site, the Motion was instead aimed at “regional projects”.

“When we put the proposal together, we didn’t really go down into those types of individuals things,” he said.

“For instance, my local school has been looking for a shared campus over 10 years, but we didn’t put that in.

“There are three projects from Omagh and three from Fermanagh. That was deliberately done. It’s [the Motion] not intended for that type of issue – it’s for the more regional projects that we want to get.”

Councillor Armstrong said that she wished to uphold the amendment. “I wasn’t looking at it in terms of a geographical split; I thought it was a current topic,” she said.

Council Chair, Sinn Féin Councillor Thomas O’Reilly, informed the Chamber that the amendment was to be included in the Motion.