‘Stop using glyphosate in public areas’, says Smyth

Stop using glyphosate weed killer in public areas! That is the demand of the Mullingar mayor, Cllr Hazel Smyth, at a recent meeting of Municipal District of Mullingar Kinnegad.

She appealed to the council to look at alternatives and suggested that vinegar was effective.

Cllr Smyth said that there were legitimate reasons the council should stop using glyphosate, particularly in parks and recreational areas, as it poses risks to children and biodiversity. Offaly has banned it, she claimed.

The meeting was assured that the council are signed up to the All-Ireland Pollinator plan and thus, reducing use of all herbicides wherever possible. They employ a competent contractor to spray weeds in accordance with all the appropriate requirements including manufacturer safety instructions and erection of signage. Products used are approved by the Department of Agriculture and are listed on the approved Department PCS register.

Herbicides are not used in residential areas unless residents specifically "opt in" and request it.

Cllr Smyth was disappointed at this reply. She wanted a commitment that the council would shift to more organic herbicides.

Director of services, David Jones, said that the council would learn from other counties that have banned glyphosate and the issue could be progressed through the relevant Strategic Policy Committee in a countywide approach.

Weeds at Bellview

Weeds need to be removed and bedding plants put in at Bellview, Mullingar, according to Cllr Mick Dollard.

At the July meeting of Municipal District of Mullingar Kinnegad, he asked that weeds be removed from the cycle path behind houses in Beech Grove, Bellview, between the old N52 Delvin road and the pedestrian access to St Colman’s NS. He was assured that it would be done in the coming weeks.

Cllr Dollard asked that the council put in bedding plants to help with biodiversity on the embankment at the entrance to Bellview. He was told that the council plans to put in appropriate bedding plants there.

The chairperson, Cllr Hazel Smyth, welcomed this news and hoped that "we can see more bedding plants" across the municipal district.