RIP Laura Buckley Noonan
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06 Sept 2025
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06 Sept 2025
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Free two hour parking will be available in Portlaoise every Saturday in December before Christmas.
The Christmas Parking measure was agreed at a recent meeting of Portlaoise Municipal District.
Cllr Thomasina Connell put down a motion asking: “That the Portlaoise Municipal District confirm that the Christmas parking scheme will be rolled out again for the month of December to incentivise our community to shop local.”
A written response by Ms Fiona Skehan of the Council’s Road Section was read at the meeting. It stated that: “Similar to previous years, free parking will be accommodated on the three Saturdays leading into Christmas i.e. 10th, 17th and 24th December 2022.”
However, Cllr Connell asked that Saturday, December 3 be included in the free Christmas parking. “I think it incentivises people to get back shopping in Portlaoise,” Cllr Connell explained.
She asked if two hours was the maximum time anyone was permitted to remain in a parking space on the Saturdays leading up to Christmas.
Cllr Catherine Fitzgerald said it was important that people have clarity around when they were permitted to park for free. She encouraged everyone to try and shop local where possible.
Director of Services Simon Walton told the meeting that traders had expressed concerns about all day parking. He said the two hours on the four Saturdays would enable a turnover of spaces in the town.
He said there would be “free parking for the four Saturdays leading into Christmas subject to the retention of a two hour limit.”
Cllr Caroline Dwane Stanley expressed her belief that the measure was badly needed for the businesses in Portlaoise.
Calling for “some common sense” to be used in relation to parking, Cllr Willie Aird raised the issue of one local trader who had used a car instead of their van as it was in for repairs. He said this trader was issued with a ticket.
“We are trying to keep the businesses open. We should be cooperating and encouraging,” he remarked.
Cllr Connell asked Mr Walton to announce the Christmas parking arrangements through its social media platforms, which he agreed to do.
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