Port issue raised by local TD

SINN Féin spokesperson on Transport, Tourism and Sport Imelda Munster has said the formal share transfer of Drogheda Port to Louth County Council gives an opportunity to address the many issues residents in Drogheda have around the port.

Deputy Munster said she has spoken to Dr Joseph Hiney, Chair Designate of Drogheda Port Company, on a number of these issues.

‘Myself and the Drogheda Team of Sinn Féin Councillors are contacted on a regular basis regarding issues with the port,’ she said.

‘I put those concerns, the concerns raised by the public, to Dr Hiney and asked him for a commitment on resolving them. The response was everything could and would be considered under the public consultation process. I would urge any and all residents of Drogheda and South Louth to have their say during that process. We all know how detrimental to Drogheda it is to have two separate parking regimes in the town centre.’

She said there are also concerns about how unkempt the North Strand/North Quay area has become.

‘With the transfer to Louth County Council we have an opportunity we did not have previously to resolve those issues.

‘But we also need local oversight and cooperation to ensure local concerns are addressed and I asked that a formal protocol be put in place to ensure cooperation between the local councillors and the port.’

She said this needs to be achieved either through a place on their board or a new forum.

‘If that cooperation was realised then we could see some of the council motions regarding the port and Boyne estuary over the years finally resolved.