Save our lifebuoys!

An electronic tagging system intended to help eliminate damage to lifebuoys alongside the canal in Mullingar may be on the way – depending on the outcome of a pilot study in Dublin.

Cllr Bill Collentine, mayor of Mullingar, made a request at the most recent meeting of the Municipal District of Mullingar Kinnegad that a safeguard system be introduced along the canal to ensure lifebuoys were not vandalised and that they are in working order at all times.

He was pleased with the official written response to his request, which stated that the canal lifebuoys are inspected and recorded once a week and missing lifebuoys are replaced when necessary.

“The Local Authority Sector is currently awaiting the results from a pilot electronic tagging scheme in place with the four Dublin local authorities working in conjunction with the Smart Dublin initiative,” the response concluded.

Powerwashing

At the same meeting, Cllr Collentine asked that the information sign at the harbour in Mullingar be power-washed. He welcomed the response, which said that the sign has been cleaned.

Bellview

The mayor also asked if there was an update available on the survey carried out on the large trees at the green area at Bellview, stating that residents there are concerned.

The response stated that the trees have been surveyed and the advice from the council’s certified arborist was received and is currently under review.

Lack of action on toilets

Green Party councillor Hazel Smyth has declared herself “very surprised” at the disclosure that Westmeath County Council has no plans to open a public toilet in Mullingar town centre.

Cllr Smyth raised the subject for discussion at the February meeting of the Municipal District of Mullingar Kinnegad, reminding the executive that she had previously made the call at a meeting before Christmas in light of the Covid crisis and the fact that there aren’t many options in existence for people who are pregnant or who need access to a toilet.

The formal written response to Cllr Smyth’s motion stated that there are no plans for the provision of a public in toilet in Mullingar.

“Can I understand why we are being told now that there are no plans for public toilets despite the support of my fellow councillors?” Cllr Smyth asked.

Directions of services Martin Murray denied that there had ever been agreement on the provision of public toilets.

“We can have it costed,” he said before stating that there had never been agreement on the matter, as far as he was aware.