This article is from page 22 of the 2005-10-25 edition of The Clare People. OCR mistakes are to be expected so download the original SWF or the rendered page 22 JPG
A MAJOR new development project for the Burren region may be set to take off if unions can persuade the Minster for Enterprise, Trade and Employment, Michael Martin to re- vise his new mandate for Shannon Development.
SIPTU and the NUJ are currently engaging with Department officials in a bid to overhaul the new man- date Minister Martin has handed Shannon Development.
Interestingly, one of the central planks of Shannon Development’s future plans as envisaged by SIPTU is a major development for the Bur- ren.
In a document lodged with the
Government prior to Minister Mar- tin making his decision, SIPTU state, “we will undertake a major new development project around the Burren.
“This major national asset is grossly underdeveloped and conse- quently underutilised for tourism.
“Before any consideration of in- vestment, marketing and develop- ment, we will bring together all of the development partners, particu- larly local groups, to develop and work to an agreed plan.
“We will concept, scope and de- liver a new future for the Burren, which sees it being easily accessible and remaining free from over devel- ej eetoele
“As local residents of the area
ourselves, we are particularly sensi- tive to underpinning normal project management considerations with care for the environment and local inclusiveness.”
The proposal by SIPTU follows the Minister for Labour Affairs and Clare TD,
Tony Killeen’s statement that Shannon Development should be the lead agency in drawing up a strategy to set out a proper access policy for the Burren.
Minister Killeen said that the policy should now be set in train to avoid scenarios such as tourists leaving the Burren with a negative experience never to return or tour- ists trampling farmers’ land and pulling up rare flowers.
No agency has grappled with the thorny issue of providing visitor fa- cilities for the Burren since the end- ing of the long-running Mullagh- more controversy in 2001.
On the prospects of the success of any new tourism product in the Burren, the Manager of the Burren Centre in Kilfenora, Paddy Maher said that the centre ‘is running fast to stay stand still this season.’
“It is getting harder to run the Lp LUKSTENToISR
‘We are happy with the numbers, which should be around the target of 33,000 to 35,000.
But the yields are down because the tourists are spending less and we have to work twice as hard for every Sale.”