THE scourge of insect bites at Oak Park Forest Park was raised at a recent meeting of Carlow Municipal District.

Cllr Fergal Browne wondered whether the prevalence of midges at Oak Park in the summer was due to the stagnant water. “If it is, can it be resolved by a chemical or not?” he asked. “It does deter people from using (Oak Park) in the summer. A lot of people have gotten bitten. Maybe it’s solvable, maybe it’s not.”

Senior engineer Barry Knowles agreed there could be issues with stagnant water. As part of recent trail upgrade works at Oak Park, the council had sought to improve drainage works and the movement of water.

“Hopefully that might have a positive impact in relation to mosquitos,” said Mr Knowles. “We’ll have to wait and see on that.”