Latest Laois News: Local Laois Minister supports Portlaoise move to carbon neutral status

Portlaoise moves to become a Carbon Neutral Town – Fleming

Sean Fleming T.D., Minister of State in the Department of Finance supports the move for Portlaoise to work towards becoming a carbon neutral town.

“I have spoken directly with Minister Darragh O’Brien T.D. seeking his support for this major plan for Portlaoise.  Funding is available to support these type of projects and I have impressed on the Minister the need to provide funding.

Portlaoise is a very spread-out town and we all know there is a very long distance from Kilminchy on the Dublin Road to Bellingham on the Mountrath Road.  It is also a very long distance from Fairgreen on the Mountmellick Road to the Midway at Junction 17 at the motorway.

It would be far more efficient if we had a good high frequency town bus service, covering all parts of the town, which would reduce the need for many people to use their cars to travel around the town.  We obviously need more walking routes, cycle lanes and safer facilities for pedestrians on the busy roads.

There are many large State Agencies in Portlaoise who must play a key role in working with Laois County Council to help make Portlaoise a carbon neutral town.

Bord Gáis provide natural gas to the town and will be a key player in this area.  Other public bodies such as the hospital, prisons, department of agriculture, and schools must all play their part.

Laois County Council has carried out a Carbon Footprint Study of Portlaoise and I look forward to the finalisation of this report and their plans to lead the initiative to make Portlaoise a carbon neutral town.”