Latest news with #EmmaCoffey
Irish Independent
13 hours ago
- Business
- Irish Independent
Solar powered CCTV in Louth to target illegal dumping
Concerns about the rise of illegal dumping were highlighted at the monthly meeting of Louth County Council. Councillors were told the Department of the Environment, Climate and Communications had announced funding through the WERLA's to support Local Authorities in 2025 Anti-Dumping Initiative (ADI). Chief Executive David Conway outlined in his monthly management report: 'The 2025 ADI aims to reduce incidents of illegal dumping by identifying and delivering projects aimed at tackling illegal dumping 'black spots' throughout the county and adhere to key measures of prevention, abatement, education and awareness and enforcement. The Department continues to strongly encourage innovative projects, which recognise waste as a resource that can be repurposed for use in a Circular Economy.' A total of six project applications were submitted for approval under the ADI 2025 totalling €112,583.60. The Department approved funding of €100,783.60 for the completion of five projects including: Mattress and Sofa Amnesty Event – V&W Dundalk; Mattress and Sofa Amnesty Event – V&W Drogheda; Mattress and Soda Amnesty Collection Point – Ardee; Moneymore Lanes clean-up and a Solar Powered CCTV system at Williamsons Place, Dundalk. Cllr. Emma Coffey asked for an update on the Solar Powered CCTV system, asking for a timeline on when this might be delivered. She added that it was hoped this could be an initiative that could be used again, as it was likely to be more sustainable in terms of maintenance and upkeep. Director of Services, David Hanratty, explained that it has to be approved by the CCTV steering group, adding that there were increased privacy directives. This would not be a permanent fixture, and could operate on a temporary basis for a month or two. But, he pointed out that it was a piece of equipment that could be moved to other locations. The meeting heard the sofa and mattress amnesty events would be held in a similar way to previous years, in three civic amenity locations, Dundalk, Drogheda and Ardee.
Irish Independent
3 days ago
- Business
- Irish Independent
Louth late night cafes: Dundalk and Ardee want Drogheda pilot programme
Speaking at the June meeting of Louth County Council, Cllr. Emma Coffey said the Late Night cafe pilot programme 'seems to have been well received in Drogheda.' She highlighted that a similar scheme would work very well in Dundalk. "I've received a number of queries from Dundalk businesses who would be very interested in taking part, and also from the public who think this would be a great idea, so I'm wondering is it possible if we could do a similar pilot for Culture Night in Dundalk.' She added that a number of businesses would be very keen to join the initiative, saying that some were already opening late in the summer months. "There is a big coffee culture now in Louth, and across Ireland. On summer nights you can see people sitting at Market Square in Dundalk with their coffees, a lot are walking their dogs or bringing their children in." "I do think that given the success it has been in Drogheda it is something we could capitalise on in Dundalk. A lot of people don't necessarily want to go to pubs, but do want to sit outside on these warmer evenings and drink their coffee.' The pilot scheme in Drogheda followed a survey conducted by Louth County Council which indicated that people were keen to have more options for late night entertainment. Over 73% of the 1,238 people who responded to the Drogheda by Night 2025 public consultation highlighted that they would like to see more late-opening cafés. Hundreds of respondents said they would welcome more non-alcoholic or alcohol-light options at night. The pilot scheme was developed to offer a more diverse night-time offering, and saw a number of cafes in Drogheda open late in the evening, something which proved popular with the public. ADVERTISEMENT Learn more Speaking at the Louth County Council meeting, Cllr. Dolores Minogue, who is Cathaoirleach of Ardee Municipal District called for the pilot programme to be extended to the mid-Louth town for Culture Night. "I think all three Municipal Districts in Louth should all be given the same time and effort. We are all trying to build tourism, and we are all trying to support the economy in all our towns. We can't just sit in this chamber and always talk about Dundalk and Drogheda and not Ardee.' She said extending the Culture Night initiative to Ardee would bring real benefits to the town. A spokesperson for Louth County Council said it was a pilot programme linking in with the Night Time Economy Advisor in Drogheda, but added that one of the elements of the LECP (Louth Economic Community Plan) is that it would have links with other Louth towns to assist and advise traders in Ardee or BIDS in Dundalk. The aim of the LECP was to bring benefits to all parts of the county. Funded by the Local Democracy Scheme
Irish Independent
3 days ago
- Business
- Irish Independent
Louth's coffee lovers sipping success of late night cafe initiative
Speaking at the June meeting of Louth County Council, Cllr. Emma Coffey said the Late Night cafe pilot programme 'seems to have been well received in Drogheda.' She highlighted that a similar scheme would work very well in Dundalk. "I've received a number of queries from Dundalk businesses who would be very interested in taking part, and also from the public who think this would be a great idea, so I'm wondering is it possible if we could do a similar pilot for Culture Night in Dundalk.' She added that a number of businesses would be very keen to join the initiative, saying that some were already opening late in the summer months. "There is a big coffee culture now in Louth, and across Ireland. On summer nights you can see people sitting at Market Square in Dundalk with their coffees, a lot are walking their dogs or bringing their children in." "I do think that given the success it has been in Drogheda it is something we could capitalise on in Dundalk. A lot of people don't necessarily want to go to pubs, but do want to sit outside on these warmer evenings and drink their coffee.' The pilot scheme in Drogheda followed a survey conducted by Louth County Council which indicated that people were keen to have more options for late night entertainment. Over 73% of the 1,238 people who responded to the Drogheda by Night 2025 public consultation highlighted that they would like to see more late-opening cafés. Hundreds of respondents said they would welcome more non-alcoholic or alcohol-light options at night. The pilot scheme was developed to offer a more diverse night-time offering, and saw a number of cafes in Drogheda open late in the evening, something which proved popular with the public. ADVERTISEMENT Learn more Speaking at the Louth County Council meeting, Cllr. Dolores Minogue, who is Cathaoirleach of Ardee Municipal District called for the pilot programme to be extended to the mid-Louth town for Culture Night. "I think all three Municipal Districts in Louth should all be given the same time and effort. We are all trying to build tourism, and we are all trying to support the economy in all our towns. We can't just sit in this chamber and always talk about Dundalk and Drogheda and not Ardee.' She said extending the Culture Night initiative to Ardee would bring real benefits to the town. A spokesperson for Louth County Council said it was a pilot programme linking in with the Night Time Economy Advisor in Drogheda, but added that one of the elements of the LECP (Louth Economic Community Plan) is that it would have links with other Louth towns to assist and advise traders in Ardee or BIDS in Dundalk. The aim of the LECP was to bring benefits to all parts of the county. Funded by the Local Democracy Scheme
