A ‘foul’ decision? - councillors suggest

Are Monaghan County Council guilty of a false economy when it comes to controlling dog fouling?

This question was effectively posed by SF representative Colm Carthy at the Council’s April meeting when he challenged a decision by the local authority to no longer fund the provision of bags for dog waste collection that have previously been made available at fouling bins in the county.

Cllr Carthy said that, when he was first elected to the council, the topic of dog fouling was raised at almost every meeting. Over recent years, the council did Trojan work providing bins and bags and to see fouling on public streets is now a rarity.

However, he was disappointed that a decision had been made by the Council to no longer provide bags for the bins. This decision was made for a budgetary reason, but he believed, if something was working well, they should do all in their power to keep it so.

Cllr Carthy said he has received representations in Carrickmacross highlighting the lack of bags. He pleaded with the Council to reconsider this decision.

Director of Services Nial O’Connor said the Council’s Environmental Awareness Officer got €16,000 for awareness activities and he isn’t sure it is good value for money to spend almost a third of that budget on bins and bags. Mr. O’Connor said he will keep the decision under review.

Cllr Bronagh McAree (SF) said Donagh Development Association in north Monaghan had contacted her to say they are seeing an increase in dog fouling since this decision was implemented. “If something is working, we should maintain it,” she stated.