Drogheda PortCopublic consultation

LOUTH County Council (LCC) has been called on to make a submission to the forthcoming public consultation process on the Drogheda Port Company.

Louth County Council is now a shareholder in the company and in a notice of motion at the December meeting of Drogheda Municipal District, Councillor Kenneth Flood (pictured) called on the the council to make a joint submission to the forthcoming public consultation process.

In response, the council said the Chief Executive was meeting with the CEO and Chairman of the Port Company in the near future.

Speaking at the meeting, Cllr Flood said that with LCC now a shareholder they will have an opportunity to resolve many of the issues that have arisen.

‘I propose we meet next year to come up with some of the issues that need to be resolved,’ he said.

Supporting the motion, Councillor Kevin Callan said: ‘ Even the lighting down there is an absolute disgrace. The fact that we have a shareholding in it now gives us more influence.’

Councillor Pio Smith also supported the motion but said his understanding of the situation was that the way the transfer went through, Drogheda Port Company remains a separate entity which means that no matter how much money they make they can retain it for the running of the company.

Councillor Oliver Tully added: ‘We need to know the terms of reference between Louth County Council (LCC) and the Port Company and what imput LCC has if any or is it strictly a reserve function for the manager rather than the members.’

Cllr Flood added: ‘ This consultation process is an opportunity we haven’t had previously and I think we should take it.’