Sites and premises for Laois Civil Defence were raised by three Laois county councillors at the latest full council meeting.
Councillors Caroline Dwane Stanley, Catherine Fitzgerald and Pauline Madigan raised motions regarding premises for the organisation.
Currently, Laois Civil Defence operates from bases in Mountmellick, Stradbally and a small office in Portlaoise.
All three cllrs asked for an update for accommodation for the Laois Civil Defence.
The Council was told that the lease has been renewed in the Mountmellick premises for another 10 years, dismissing claims of uncertainty over the Civil Defence Service becoming ‘homeless’.
All three councillors referenced ‘uncertainty’ over the premises for the base in Mountmellick, but Director of Services Kieran Kehoe said that ‘false information’ had been given to the cllrs.
“It was never at risk,” stated Mr Kehoe. “The lease expired like all leases do and when I contacted the landlord there was no problem. There has been no correspondence between myself and the Laois Civil Defence regarding this.”
Cllr Caroline Dwane Stanley backed the concern of Laois Civil Defence regarding possibly losing their premises, saying that it was ‘genuine’ and ‘serious’ and praised the work that they do.
In regards to moving the main focus of Laois Civil Defence from Mountmellick to Portlaoise, Mountmellick cllr Paddy Bracken objected, saying: “It’s not all about Portlaoise and Portlaoise alone.”
He also stated that the Bay Road setup’s proximity to the Slieve Bloom mountains was ideal for the rescue service.
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