Impacts of 'crazy' war in Iran will affect road works budget in Louth

Louth County Council has said the effects of the ongoing conflict in the Middle East is already being felt, with the cost of tar set to rise. 

Director of Services David Hanratty told councillors at the March meeting of Louth County Council that there will be a "significant increase in the cost of tar" which could be in the region of 20-25%. 

The increase could affect the council's ability to address issues such as potholes across the county. 

Mr Hanratty said although the local authority will do its "best to lobby for more funding" but the increase will likely lead to a reduced roadworks programme for 2025. 

Green Party councillor Marianne Butler described the ongoing conflict as "absolutely crazy" and said the council needs to increase its effort to tackle climate change to be ready for "the challenges ahead".

"In the context of what is happening in the world since our last monthly meeting, it's absolutely crazy. I think the future-proofing and the climate-proofing we're doing in this county is huge when it comes to heat management and retrofitting housing stock.

We just need to be doing more and more of that for the climate and so that we’re ready for the challenges ahead," she said. 

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Sinn Féin councillor Kevin Meenan questioned if Louth County Council has "one eye on the ball" with regards to any possible delay in the arrival of materials or increase in costs, which he said could impact on schemes such as the Energy Retrofit Programme. 

Funded by the Local Democracy Reporting Scheme.