Dunboyne Cllr Noel Leonard

Dunboyne Cllr Noel Leonard has called on Meath County Council to introduce a Parks Department within the council.

It is envisaged that this department will be along the lines of the Parks Departments currently in place in Fingal and Kildare County Councils, he says, and will work to manage Meath's public parks, playgrounds and open spaces throughout the county.

"Meath has a wide variety of open spaces, parks and playgrounds that really require full time care and upkeep by a designated unit within the council. Other councils throughout the country have separate units that keep their green spaces and parks to a fabulous condition, and I think that it is high time Meath can derive the same benefit," said Cllr Leonard.

Senator Thomas Byrne has echoed Cllr Leonard's calls, stating that "South east Meath will pay the second highest property tax in the country. Following on from what Minister Hogan and the Government have said over the last years, that the property tax will fund local sources, I believe it is crucial that the citizens of the area derive the maximum benefit from the money that they are being asked to pay."