Laois County Council should invest in their own tractor and hedgecutter, rather than relying on contractors.
That was the view put forward by Cllr Ollie Clooney at the recent meeting of the Borris-in-Ossory/Mountmellick Municipal District in Laois County Council.
Cllr Clooney argued that the hedge-cutting currently isn’t done in enough time and that the Council would give themselves far greater flexibility by having their own machinery.
“A lot of ditches are only being cut in July and August – that is way too late. It should be started in May and June.
“I’d like the possibility of owning our own tractor and hedgecutter in this are to be explored.
“A tractor is a good investment. It holds its value well and has a good resale value. I get numerous calls about ditches being cut and I don’t have the answers.
“I’m always asked and I don’t have the answers. I feel very strongly about it.
“There is the initial cost of buying it but we have it when we want it, we can start whenever we want. I’d urge the council to strongly consider it.”
Though Cllr Clooney’s suggestion to buy a tractor and hedgecutter wasn’t actually a specific motion, it did get widespread support from his fellow elected members.
“I’d like to know the cost per day for a contractor,” said Cllr John King. “We should make provision to have our own.”
Cllrs Conor Bergin, Seamus McDonald and James Kelly all supported the suggestion while Cllr Paddy Bracken added “we certainly should have a costing done on it”.
“The cost of the machinery against the cost of getting in a contractor. We should be able to come back with a costing.
“There is huge demand and we have the staff for it.”
