Report Paul Murphy
Independent Cllr carol Lennon asked at a meeting of Meath County Council if the council had done any research into the impact of coastal erosion on the Meath coastline by the fishing fleet “that is operating in large numbers in our waters from the Boyne to Gormanston. In a reply from officials she was told that trawler fishing off the Meath coast did not come under the remit of the council. However, the council had engaged the specialist consultants to undertake a coastal flooding and erosion management assessment which had not raised any concerns relating to trawler fishing.
Separately, Sinn Fein Cllr Peter Caffrey asked for a report detailing the funding allocated in 2025 for the upgrade of fire stations in Meath along with a list of the fire stations scheduled to receive funding for upgrade works in 2026. Officials replied that the National Directorate for fire and emergency management were the operational unit in the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage with responsibility for management of funding to Meath County Council Fire and Rescue Service. That service was actively engaging with NDFEM for capital project support and it was anticipated that the expenditure for 2026-2030 would be announced soon. It has been previously indicated that support for an upgrade of Oldcastle fire station has been promised.
Sinn Fein Cllr Maria White has been given details of the number of bus shelters in each Municipal District from 2021 to 2026. The details are – Ashbourne MD, number of shelters 5; Kells MD 5, Laytown-Bettystown 5; Navan MD 20; Ratoath MD 4; Trim MD 4.
Independent Cllr Yvonne Everard asked the council to outline the actions proposed to address legacy flooding issues , noting that no recent planning applications or Section 50 applications had been submitted by the Opw in respect of culverts or river diversions.
Officials replied that the council had historically carried out works to prevent flooding whether that be from constructing relatively simple drainage works to divert runoff from roads or away from properties to the complex flood schemes that it had constructed at Ashbourne and Bettystown. It was now actively engaged in many flood projects at Mornington, Bettystown and Stamullen to address flooding issues. Data on flooding is being collected from all municipal districts and this information will be assessed as to whether works are needed in specific areas. Areas where there is greatest impact on houses will be prioritised.
