COMHAIRLE CONTAE ÁTHA CLIATH THEAS
SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL

MEETING OF LUCAN / PALMERSTOWN / NORTH CLONDALKIN AREA COMMITTEE

Tuesday, November 23, 2021

MOTION NO. 5

MOTION: Councillor Alan Hayes

That this Committee supports an increase in the provision of services to collect Halloween bonfire materials before and immediately after Halloween.

REPORT:

The removal of stockpiled bonfire material commenced in early October and the number of sites visited increased as bonfire night approached. Public Realm staff were on duty on Sunday and Monday of the bank holiday weekend prior to Halloween and again on Saturday and Sunday 30^th/31^st October. The cooperation of the Gardaí from Lucan, Ballyfermot and Ronanstown Garda Stations assisted greatly in the safe removal of stockpiled material and their involvement is very much appreciated.

All reported locations of stockpiled material were inspected, and material was removed where it was safe to do so. Public Realm staff also removed stockpiled material as they came across it in parks and open spaces and responded to requests from AGS to remove material.

After Halloween night the number and location of all bonfires are surveyed to assist with the coordination of cleanup operations and the machinery required to carry it out. Clean-ups generally commences after several days once the survey is complete and this provides an opportunity for all fires to fully extinguish. Cleanup operations are carried out during November and normally take 3-4 weeks. This is determined by the number and extent of bonfires.