Labour represntatives have called for a renewed commitment from both Louth and Meath County Councils to implement the recommendations of the Drogheda Boundary Review group, who reported in February 2017.

Labour Party public representatives in the Louth and East Meath constituency have slammed what they see as the “abject lack of urgency" from Meath and Louth County Councils in devising a cross-boundary plan to manage the development of the southern part of Drogheda in County Meath. 

Deputy Ged Nash and Councillors Elaine McGinty, Pio Smith, Michelle Hall and Fiachra Mac Raghnaill have all called for a renewed commitment from both local authorities to implement the recommendations of the Drogheda Boundary Review group, who reported in February 2017.

In a statement issued jointly this afternoon they said: “Almost four years since the fudged boundary report was published, we are still waiting for the actual process on the development of a joint framework for the sustainable development and proper management of the southern environs to formally commence.

“Delay and obfuscation has been the name on the game with local communities, who are crying out for basic infrastructure and facilities, suffering as a consequence.

“Since the joint approach to managing the area was first recommended in February 2017, the south Drogheda area has seen a frenzy of developer-led planning, designed to get in ahead of any new arrangements that may emerge from the joint process.

“There was ample time, since early 2017 to co-ordinate the joint approach and formalise it before both the Louth and Meath County Development Plans were drafted.

“Instead, both Councils are now close to adopting their respective plans with no reference to an agreed south Drogheda framework – because it does not yet exist. Time has been lost and wasted in the process.

“We understand that officials of the local authorities are to meet to discuss the process. The people of the area need to see delivery and a democratically produced and overseen plan for the area, a plan with statutory effect and democratic oversight four years after the last government’s adoption of the Drogheda Boundary Review recommendations.”