A roundup of today's other regional news in brief
Councillors urge grants for residents in radon gas hot spots
Councillors representing people living in one of the hot spots for radon gas in Ireland have urged Minister for the Environment John Gormley to provide grants for remedial measures for homes and offices where high levels of the cancer-causing gas are detected, writes Elaine Keogh.
Louth county councillors were yesterday told there is currently no funding available despite radon being classified as a group 1 carcinogenic and rated as a health hazard. The Cooley Peninsula had the highest readings.
Senior scientist Stephanie Long, from the Radiological Protection Institute of Ireland, told the councillors that the reference (acceptable) level for homes is 200Bq per metre cubed. Of the 645 homes tested in Louth, 12 per cent are above the reference level and the highest is 751Bq which “is the equivalent to two and a half chest X-rays a day,” she said.
€2m fund boost for Donegal cliffs
A fund of almost €2 million has been approved for the development of the Slieve League cliffs, which overlook the Atlantic in south-west Donegal.
The €1,998,500 grant will be used to fund necessary road access improvement, walking routes, transport at the site and work on the car park.
Slieve League, at 601m, falls away at one side into what are said to be among the highest sea cliffs in Europe exceeding the dramatic exposures experienced at the more famous Cliffs of Moher in Co Clare.
Tánaiste Mary Coughlan said the development would be a major boost for tourism in her native Donegal.
Concern over illegal dumping
Kerry County Council has been urged to survey all householders to establish where they are disposing of their litter, amid growing concern about illegal dumping. Much of the dumping was taking place in scenic areas, a meeting of the council heard yesterday, writes Anne Lucey.
Former mayor Bobby O'Connell (FG) said; "Every householder should be made to account for where they are disposing of their rubbish"
He added "it's the people who are not using any service that are littering the countryside."
In a survey of one group of residents, 5 per cent admitted not having any means of disposing of their rubbish.