Category Archives: Environment

Environment

Motion calling for the consideration of Nuclear Power Generation in Ireland.

Over the years I have spoken about Nuclear Power in many contexts including Global Warming, Energy Security, Sustainability and Government Policy. Cllr. Alan Tobin also spoke on these issues and we share many views on the subject. In October I reached out to Cllr. Alan Tobin to co-sponsor a motion.

The Electricity Regulation Act, 1999 reads:

(6) An order under this section shall not provide for the use of nuclear fission for the generation of electricity.

This legislation has effectively stopped Ireland talking about Nuclear Energy. The purpose of the motion is for our country to have an honest debate about Nuclear energy and its possible role in our transition to low carbon electricity generation.

The motion does not propose or suggest renewables are not the future, they are but there is a difficult transition period ahead of us. Crucially, we don’t have the time. We believe a mix of nuclear and renewables is a viable solution for Ireland.

At the December 2022 meeting of Meath County Council our motion on the Electricity Regulation Act & Nuclear Power Generation was debated and passed by the members. The motion:

10.2 Submitted by Councillor Trevor Golden and Councillor Alan Tobin (Deferred fromOctober and November Meetings)

“Meath County Council calls on the Government to amend the Electricity Regulation Act and associated legislation to allow for the consideration and possible implementation of nuclear power generation in Ireland.”

The motion was sent to Government and to all local authorities for their consideration. We continue to work with elected members and groups so Ireland can have an honest debate on Nuclear Power Generation.

Here is a link to my notes that I worked from for the debate – Cllr Trevor Golden – Motion – Nuclear Power – Electricity Generation Act.pdf

Link to Meath Chronicle Article – Should nuclear power be generated in Ireland? – that is the question posed by two councillors at a Meath County Council meeting.

Link to 12-2022 Minutes December Meath County Council.

Road Sweeper – Trim Municipal District 2021

The following dates have been arranged for sweeps of the villages in Trim Municipal District:

SummerhillMonday 22nd March 2021
LongwoodTuesday 23rd March 2021
ClonardTuesday 23rd March 2021
RathmolyonTuesday 23rd March 2021
BallivorWednesday 24th March 2021
KildalkeyWednesday 24th March 2021
EnfieldThursday 25th March 2021
Enfield/Ring RoadFriday 26th March 2021

IMPORTANT NOTICE – MEATH RECYCLING CENTRES

The initiative to waive the €5 fee for black bin waste on a trial period at the Kells Navan and Trim Recycling Centres has resulted in overstimulating visitor numbers to the extent that it has now become impossible to observe Covid 19 social distancing restrictions at the centres.  Over 2,000 customers visited the centres over the weekend of the initiative, depositing 2,300 bags of refuse for safe disposal, some of which may otherwise have been illegally dumped.

The high level of activity presented difficulties in terms of traffic and essential travel restrictions also.  Regretfully this high level of activity cannot be sustained in the current era of Covid 19 restrictions. 

The Recycling Centres are deemed to be an essential service, in particular serving the needs of the population who do not have access to a kerbside collection service, and it is vital that they remain open during this period.

For this reason, it has been decided to reinstate the charges for household waste from 8.30am Wednesday 22nd April.  This will lead to a reduction in the visitor numbers to the sites and will ensure that the sites are allowed to remain open whilst observing social distancing restrictions and that the use of the centres does not present a health threat to visitors or staff.

The public are advised to use the sites only if essentially required and to store materials where possible at this time.

The gate fee of €2 continues to be waived.

We continue to seek vigilance from the public in terms of illegal dumping which has increased in recent weeks.

All waste collectors must have a waste collection permit.  Never use a waste collector who does not have a permit listed at www.nwcpo.ie

Report suspicious activity to environment@meathcoco.ie

For further information on recycling centres in Meath visit www.meath.ie

Civic Amenity Sites – Navan ,Kells and Trim

“Waste collection and disposal is designated as a critical and essential service  and following consideration and recommendations  of the Regional Waste Management Offices and the Local Authority Business Continuity Group the Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment  have agreed for Civic Amenity sites to remain open to facilitate acceptance of essential waste and in particular for households who are not in receipt of a kerbside / door to door collection service.

The Civic Amenity Sites at Navan, Kells and Trim will therefore remain open Monday to Saturday (8.30am to 4.45pm) however the public are advised to use the sites only if essentially required and alternatively to store materials where possible at this time. It is anticipated that if the Covid 19 restrictions are fully observed activity at these sites will be significantly reduced and social distancing will be more easily achieved.

As you are aware, in order to eliminate cash handling the Council waived the €2 entry charge to the three sites for the period of the current health protection measures being in place. We have also decided to waive the €5 fee for a bag of day to day residual domestic waste (with recyclables removed) on a temporary basis to reduce illegal dumping which is become ever more prevalent across the county and presents a serious health risk to our staff.

The operations at the three sites will be monitored on an ongoing basis and changes put in place where necessary.

Notwithstanding our decision to waive the fees as above, it is a matter for the Gardai to decide if the trip is essential or not.”

– Meath County Council Environment Department

Porch Fields Funding

Porch Fields Walkway – Funding Secured

Today I received notification that my application under the Outdoor Recreation Scheme has been successful. The Department of Rural and Community Development has approved my proposal and have awarded €40,000, Meath County Council will contribute and additions €8,000 bringing the total under this application to €48,000.

Thanks to The OPW, Meath County Council and Department of Rural & Community Development.

Dear Cllr Golden,


I refer to the Expression of Interest submitted by you for the Porch Fields looped walking trail under the Outdoor recreation Scheme 2018 and the subsequent application submitted to the Department for their consideration.

We have now received notification from the Department that this project has been approved for funding in the amount of €40,000. Meath County Council will also be making a contribution of 20% to the project in the amount of €8,000, bringing the total project funding amount to €48,000.

I continue to work for additional capital funding to improve this wonderful resource. I expect these works to start in the coming months.

Recycling Centres Incentives

Meath County Council Ordinary Meeting
5th November 2018, Council Chamber

9 Notice of Motion
9.1 Submitted by Councillor Trevor Golden

To help promote recycling at our recycling centres and reduce illegal dumping, we ask Meath County Council to consider introducing measures such as loyalty programmes, household credits or regular free recycling days for households in Meath.

Supporting Information subject to the motion being proposed, seconded and considered.The operation of the Council’s three Civic Amenity Sites at Navan, Kells and Trim is the subject of a three year contract with Oxigen, which expires at the end of 2018. The contract provides various incentives that promote greater usage of the three sites, andalso requires the operators to engage in extensive education and awareness initiatives to promote recycling and other sound environmental practices.In order to facilitate the public to the greatest extent possible, a number of trials have been conducted in relation to the opening hours at the centres. However, the current opening hours of 8.30am to 4.45pm Monday – Saturday have been found to meet the needs of the majority of visitors to the site. In recent years, the Environment Department, in collaboration with the operators, hasheld a number of successful events in the three sites, which found great favour with the public, including a free mattress ‘drop off day’ in July of this year, resulting in approximately 500 mattresses being brought to the Kells Recycling centre. This initiative was funded under the Anti Dumping Initiative and it is believed that some of these would otherwise have been dumped. A trial food waste project was held over a number of months in Navan where participants gained free access to the site. It is pointed out that persons wishing to drop off waste electrical, electronic equipment (WEEE) are exempt from the €3 entry fee. A free toy drop off was held in 2017 in the three sites where large volumes of recyclable materials were delivered to the sites. A farm hazardous waste collection day was held in Kells recycling centre last year. A number of new initiatives are now being considered, some of which will tie in with the award of a new contract for the operation of the sites for the next four years – these include:

  • The introduction of a compulsory loyalty scheme which will reward regular users of the sites and encourage additional users.
  • Subject to approval as part of the estimates process, a possible review of the entry fee to the three sites.
  • A free couch recycling day at Kells Recycling Centre on Saturday 17th November with further household bulky waste events to follow in 2019, as part of the Anti Dumping Campaign – (such events to be strongly advertised and promoted and aimed to dissuade the public from giving such goods to Man in the Van Type Operators.)
  • A further ‘toy drop off’ day to be held in each of the three sites in December.
  • Farm tyre waste collection day similar to a very successful event held recently in Cootehill, Co Cavan.
  • New signage at each site highlighting what is included in your gate fee, and which waste streams involve extra costs, with up to date leaflets and leaflet holder attached to signs.

Link to Minutes on Meath County Council

Standardising and incorporating other waste groups in Recycling Centre charges

5th February 2018, Council Chamber

9.5 Submitted by Councillor Trevor Golden

“To further encourage recycling by standardising charges and accepted materials we call on the Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment to facilitate the recycling of other household waste goods that are not covered by the Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment Directive.”

The motion was carried.