Uproar: Public lighting in Laois is 'disgraceful', contractors 'need to be sacked'

Laois County Councillors have slammed contractors overseeing the repair of public lighting faults as 'disgraceful', and called for the contractors to be 'sacked'.

Fine Gael Cllr John King raised concerns over the lack of public lighting in Rathdowney.

"I have had a continuous issue of no service to lights and repair of lights in Knockheel, Rathdowney," said Cllr King.

"I have been promised that these lights would be repaired."

Fianna Fáil Cllr Paddy Bracken slammed the lack of works as 'disgraceful'.

"The issue Cllr King has raised is also on my mind," he said.

"It is disgraceful, the lighting service that we are getting is beyond belief. The company that has the contract should be sacked today," Cllr Bracken said.

Pictured: the lack of public lighting in Laois is 'disgraceful'

"It's disgraceful what they are doing. I am in Mountmellick, and there are lights out all over the town since long before Christmas.

"There is one outside my own door that is going on and off day and night, and this is the same right across the town. Nothing has been done with it, it's a pure disgrace," Cllr Bracken slammed.

"We are hearing for the last 12 months about the contractors, that they are short of staff. They should be sacked today, and that's my belief. What is going on is a disgrace."

Fellow Fianna Fáil Cllr Seamus McDonald agreed that there is 'a major problem' with the situation. 

Cllr Bracken slammed the 'disgraceful' situation, highlighting the burden it has on the local community.

"It's disgraceful, there are elderly people down on the main street near the credit union, with poles gone out since before Christmas," Cllr Bracken said.

"This isn't in-house, there is no one here to blame, it's the contractor. It's disgraceful.

"We're paying for a service and we're not getting the service. If it were any other service that the Council were providing, we would be up in arms," he said.

Pictured: Woodgrove housing estate in Portlaoise with new LED streetlights

"I am telling you, it's unbelievable, and it's going on 12 months. There is a set of lights out at Derrycloney bridge for the last number of months, I don't know whose fault that is," Cllr Bracken said.

Cllr King agreed, stating that the Council are supposed to have such works completed within seven to ten days.

"It's a serious issue, we all agree with that," Cllr McDonald said.

Senior Executive Officer with Laois County Council, Ms Georgina Ireland, has told the Council that she will bring this matter to Mr Simon Walton, Director.

The tender for the lighting contract is due to be renewed, and Cllr Bracken has called for the Council to source a different contractor in future.

Independent Cllr James Kelly responded that the tender will go to whoever wins it.

"If this were any other area of service or delivery, the tender wouldn't still be there," Cllr Bracken said.

Pictured: public lighting in Portlaoise

Cllr King suggested that the contracts through Laois County Council should be on one-year terms.

Independent Cllr Ollie Clooney has called for a strongly worded letter to be sent to the contractors.

"What I would like to see is a strong letter going to them that we are not satisfied with the service," said Cllr Clooney.

"I think a strong letter, saying that we are anything but happy with the service. That if they don't improve it, we will not be renewing their contract, simple as that," Cllr Clooney said.

Cllr Bracken said that he is 'ashamed' when locals contact him over lighting issues.

"This has been raised several times at area meetings and council meetings, and nothing has happened," said Cllr Bracken.

"It's worse it is getting. I am ashamed to see people ringing me about the lights in Mountmellick, and not a thing done with them. Unbelievable," Cllr Bracken finished.

This matter arose at a February sitting of Laois County Council's Borris-in-Ossory / Mountmellick Municipal District.