Council in Louth ‘not in a position’ to light up public buildings for awareness events
Louth County Council is “not in a position” to light up local authority buildings to mark World Drowning Prevention Day next month, councillors heard at their monthly meeting.
Calls for public buildings in Louth to be illuminated as part of the global awareness event emerged at the June council meeting, where Cllr. Andrea McKevitt had tabled a motion.
She asked that all council buildings are lit up with blue lights to mark World Drowning Prevention Day on July 25.
She told the meeting that with 33 drownings so far this year, awareness of water safety is crucial.
“Behind every statistic is a family and a community left devastated,” said Cllr. McKevitt
Cllr. Marianne Butler supported the motion and praised Cllr. McKevitt for her own work on water safety initiatives.
“It is one of those things, it is nearly inevitable that when the weather is good someone will drown, and it is avoidable,” said Cllr. Butler.
In response to the motion, Acting Director of Services, Joanna Kelly said the council “recognises the importance of raising awareness of water safety and drowning prevention and supports initiatives that promote this important message.”
However, she confirmed that the council is currently reviewing its policy “in relaton to the illumination of buildings for commemorative purposes.”
The review will consider the increasing number of requests for buildings to be lit up against “the need for a consistent and equitable approach, and the associated resource and budgetary implications.”
Ms. Kelly said that while this review is pending the council “is not in a position to undertake additional lighting initiatives at this time.”
She confirmed that a number of council buildings would require lighting upgrades “and in some cases there are costs associated with facilitating such illumination.”
She added that the council would continue to support World Drowning Prevention Day through awareness raising initiatives including promotion on social media channels, highlighting key water safety messages.
“The council’s Water Safety Officer, along with beach lifeguards, will also assist in promoting water safety awareness in the lead up and on the day,” said Ms. Kelly.