A Laois County Councillor has requested that water re-fill stations be installed across the town of Portlaoise.
Fianna Fail Councillor Catherine Fitzgerald made the call at Tuesday’s Portlaoise Municipal District meeting.
Suzanne Dempsey, of the Community Section, informed the meeting that three stations have been installed in Portlaoise so far and one in Abbeyleix.
The locations in Portlaoise are Market Square, Pairc an Phobail (beside the playground) and Portlaoise Leisure Centre.
While in Abbeyleix, a unit has been installed beside the library.
Ms Dempsey confirmed that the unit at Pairc an Phobail is not yet in operation but the others are.
Cllr Fitzgerald said: “The one in Pairc an Phobail is the one I get asked about the most.
“I just see children walking around with massive big bottles and if they had more filling stations, they could bring smaller bottles.”
Supporting Cllr Fitzgerald, Cllr John Joe Fennelly spoke about the success of the ones that are in operation.
He said: “There was a report there recently that said thousands of bottles had been refilled at the Leisure Centre already.
“That can only be a good thing and should be promoted further.”
Fine Gael’s Barry Walsh said that he would like to see a water station extended to every playground in the county.
In a second motion, Cllr Fitzgerald asked that a yellow box be installed at Rock View.
Council officials confirmed that they would carry out this work and refresh road markings in the area.
Finally, both Cllr Fitzgerald and Independent Councillor Caroline Dwane-Stanley had motions in relation to Bartolomew Mosse Roundabout.
They both looked for road signage and road marking improvements plus safety works.
Cllr Fitzgerald said: “It is chaos at school time. People are so frustrated and works are badly needed.”
Cllr Dwane-Stanley added: “This is the Scoil Bhride/Knockmay roundabout and urgent action is required.”
Council staff said they would make arrangements to review the situation.
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