This article is from page 6 of the 2006-01-10 edition of The Clare People. OCR mistakes are to be expected so download the original SWF or the rendered page 6 JPG
NEW bylaws governing behaviour on Clare’s beaches have been ratified by Clare County Council.
At Monday’s monthly meeting of Clare County Council, members elected to adopt the laws which apply to 12 beaches. Under the new laws, patrons will not be allowed to walk dogs on beaches between 11am and 6pm during June, July and August. The laws also impose speed restrictions on jet skis that are being used 300 metres from the shoreline. The new byelaws will serve as an amalgamation of existing guidelines regarding public behaviour on beaches. Enforcement of the laws will be carried out by council officials and in some cases An Garda Síochána.
The bylaws no longer apply to Ballyalla after members decided not to include it as a beach area. Concerns had been expressed by councillors at yesterday’s meeting of the Ennis Area Electoral Committee about the classification of Ballyalla as a beach, following a presentation made by Dara McGuigan, Senior Staff Officer with Environment Section of Clare County Council. Final consideration of the bylaws had been deferred until after the Environment SPC recommended that all electoral area committees be given the chance to examine the representations made by parties.
Councillor Christy Curtin said he supported the bylaws, provided they would be reviewed after a year.
Cllr Joe Carey said there was nothing new in the bylaws and added that “our views aren’t being taken on board and we are becoming too entangled in legislation.”