Pictured L-R: Deirdre O’Carroll (Dunboyne Playspace Forum), Cllr. Gerry O’Connor, Cllr. Maria Murphy, Cathaoirleach of Ratoath MD Cllr. Gillian Toole, MCC Director of Services Dara McGowan, Cathaoirleach Cllr. Nick Killian, Diana Ross (Dunboyne Playspace Forum), Community Development Manager at Meta Aoife Flynn, Meath County Council Deputy Chief Executive Barry Lynch, Fiona Fallon (MCC Senior Executive Officer) and Cllr. Damien O’ Reilly.

'2023 needs to see delivery of key infrastructure projects'

Cllr Gillian Toole, Cathaoirleach Ratoath MDC

Ann Casey

Published: Wed 4 Jan 2023, 10:30 AM

I wish good health and happiness to all residents of the District in 2023.

I hopes to see improved infrastructure, balanced with increased development- fast tracking of the Irish Water Windmill Hill Reservoir and main water trunk to serve Ratoath, Ashbourne and Kilbride residents, prioritised by the Council Executive, Central Government and State bodies.

Other priorities include improved compliance with the EU Water Framework Directive to ensure water of "very good quality" for residents of the district . coming from the River Boyne to Staleen water treatment plant, the opening of the Ratoath Outer Relief Road to reduce traffic congestion in Ratoath town centre and in the vicinity of Ratoath College/ Sports Campus at Jamestown.

I want to see balance in providing renewable energy sources and the availability of land for food production, housing, amenities and green belts/ carbon sinks and the publication of guidelines on solar farms.

I want support for communities and volunteers through maintaining/ increasing grants to Tidy Towns, Residents' Associations, Meath Local Sports Partnership and Arts/ performance groups as well as timely access to public healthcare for all residents- improved efficiencies and reduced waiting times, investment in and retention of Emergency Department services at Our Lady's Hospital Navan.

Increased Garda numbers are a priority for all of the Ashbourne District to ensure residents' safety and protection.

We need public consultation for the delivery of improved community amenities in Clonee, Kilmessan, Dunshaughlin and Ratoath as well as improved, affordable public transport &and the long awaited tripartite meeting with NTA, Bus Éireann and Irish Rail.

We need consultation with younger residents to involve them in the delivery of services to meet their needs.

We also need more frequent " Local issues; let's talk" community meetings to consult with and inform residents of Council business- county issues and municipal district issues.