Dr Jerry Cowley, Labour General Election candidate for Co Mayo has welcomed the announcement that an additional €15 million in contingency funding has been allocated for local authorities to cover exceptional costs associated with the current extreme weather.
“Local authorities have been working day and night during the snow and freezing weather to keep roads open, to make footpaths as safe as possible, and to provide emergency services to local communities.
“There have been reports that some local authorities have had to scale back on road clearance and gritting because of concerns over payment of overtime. I trust that this extra tranche of money will free councils up to take whatever steps are necessary to make sure their areas are as safe as conditions will permit.
“In addition, I welcome the announcement that the Dept of Environment are to contact local authorities to clarify to them that there are no legal impediments to the practice of distributing grit or salt, free of charge to members of local communities, so they can treat local roads themselves.”
