The Clare People Archive

THERE have been calls for the 60 jobs created by the construction of a controversial new road maintenance depot near Ennis to be ring-fenced for Clare people.

40 jobs will be created during construction of the facility at the old GAMA site adjacent to the N18 motorway on the outskirts of Ennis. 20 permanent jobs will later be available at the 6, 500 tonne salt barn facility, which will be run by the National Roads Authority (NRA).

Details of the jobs were outlined at a meeting between officials from the NRA and Clare County Council last week.

The NRA will take charge of maintenance of the country’s motorway network with the proposed Tulla Road depot used to service the motorway in Clare and parts of Galway and Limerick.

Clare County Council has applied for planning permission to develop the site, a move that has attracted strong criticism from some local councillors.

The matter was raised at yester day’s monthly council meeting. Former Mayor of Clare, Cllr Tommy Brennan (Ind) said the county was already adequately served by salt depots at Beechpark.

He said Clare County Council could tender to operate the facility at Tulla Road and maintain the region’s motorway network.

He said, “Clare County Council carried out this work all along. Why should we have to tender. It’s a downright disgrace.”

Cllr Brennan added, “I still think this is another quango set up by the government.” He called for all jobs created by the project “to be filled by people in this county”.

Cllr Johnny Flynn (FG) said the junction layout near the proposed road depot should be re-designed to allow for proper on/off access to the M18.

He told the meeting that the current 100-metre access road was too short for buses and trucks to reduce their speed from 120 km/h to 30 km/h when they exit the motorway.

Acknowledging concerns over “compact junctions” along a stretch of the M18, county engineer Tom Tiernan said he was not aware if the NRA planned to address these issues through the development of the road maintenance depot.

He said the transfer of responsibility for the maintenance of Clare’s motorway network to the NRA would reduce the council’s workload by 10 to 15 per cent.

However he added that there was still a significant network of secondary and regional roads in the county to cater for.

In response to a question from Cllr Pascal Fitzgerald (Lab), Mr Tiernan said that he did believe the NRA’s new functions would have any impact on existing jobs at Clare County Council.

A POPULAR new stone sculpture in Ennis will aid tourism in the town, according to the Mayor of Ennis.

Cllr Michael Guilfoyle (Ind) said last week that the Market Day, installed in the market roundabout last week, has already generated huge interest on social networking sites such as Facebook.

Speaking at the March meeting of Ennis Town Council, Cllr Guilfoyle said, “We need all the attractions we can get in this town at the moment”.

Cllr Johnny Flynn (FG) described the piece as a “fantastic piece of sculpture”.

He added, “The amount of people getting their photos taken is amazing. It’s going to become a major tourist attraction”.

Made from granite, the near 20 tonne work depicts the two farmers discussing the purchase of a cow. The sculpture was installed on the market roundabout earlier this month as a replacement for the Icarus statue, which has been re-located to the Rocky Road roundabout.

The piece was designed and built by local sculptor Barry Wrafter. Market Day was commissioned by the Ennis Sculpture Initiative who also covered the cost of transporting the sculpture’s pieces to Ennis.

The Ennis Sculpture Initiative has installed numerous sculptures along the riverside in Ennis, as well as creating street furniture in the town centre. The sculpture trail takes many forms depicting cultural, historical and sporting events as well as more

abstract pieces.

In recent years, the initiative has spent close to one million euros on sculptures in and around Ennis in recent years.

Noel Crowley, Chairman of Ennis Tidy Towns, said there has been a fantastic response to the sculpture.

He also paid tribute to the efforts of the Sculpture initiative in ensuring the project was completed. “We commissioned it and paid for the transport.

“The Council paid for the re-enforcement of the roundabout so it could be installed there”.

‘WARNING dog s**t on pavement.’ That was the advice on a large red sign held aloft by a member of Clare County Council in the council’s chamber last evening (Monday).

As he raised the sign, Cllr Brian Meaney (GP) said that the council should “throw its hat” at attempts to prevent dog faeces on the county’s footpaths, and simply warn people “in the most graphic way possible that there is poop on the streets.”

The councillor was responding to the fact that Clare County Council has issued just one on-the-spot € 150 fine in relation to dog fouling in the last five years. Cllr Meaney said that this anti-social behaviour by dog owners can lead to people contracting bacterial toxicosis.

“It is clear that an attitude that once existed, where you were allowed to throw the content of the chamber pot out the window, exists with these dog owners,” he said.

The councillor told the March meeting of the councillors that a 22year-old woman was distraught when she discovered her hands covered in dog excrement as she made her way through Ennis in her wheelchair.

Director of Services Nora Kaye said, “The enforcement of the dog fowling provisions under litter pollution legislation can be problematic in that it is necessary to observe the act of dog fouling taking place in order to take enforcement action. It can also be difficult to establish the owner or person in charge of the dog, who is deemed the responsible person under the legislation.”

Cllr Meaney said that as enforcement of the law was not working, the only option that seemed to be open to the council was to shock people into awareness. Cllr Bill Slattery (FG) agreed that shock tactics were becoming necessary.

The North Clare councillor said that when he visited Lahinch on Sunday, people were expected to pay € 2 to park their car, yet there were no bins available to dispose of dog faeces or any other litter.

“Clare County Council might as well go up and take down the signs in Lahinch because it is not being enforced. It is a disgrace,” he said.

Not all the members of the council were happy with the Green Party councillor’s approach to highlighting the issue. Cllr Cathal Crowe (FF) claimed, “It is the most vulgar and ridiculous sign that has come into this chamber,” adding that it demeaned the council chamber.

A TOTAL of 26 people retired from Clare County Council during the first two months of the year, according to new figures.

A report presented at yesterday’s meeting of Clare County Council provided a breakdown of the retirements across departments.

There were 20 retirements in transport, water services and environment; two in housing, change management, cultural and emergency services and four in finance, information technology and human resources.

There were no retirements in planning, community, economic development and tourism. The highest number of retirements (17) took place among outdoor staff in the transport, water services and environment section. A total of nine indoor staff retired during January and February.

The figures set out the numbers of staff who retired from the council between January 1 and February 29, 2012.

In a report, deputy county manager Ger Dollard explained, “Only a very small number of retirements actually took place on the day of February 29, 2012, and so to show a more complete picture the retirements over the period January-February 2012 have been included. This is consistent with the projection of staff retirements as set out in the circular letter of February 9, 2012.”

Mr Dollard continued, “The circular letter made reference to efficiency measures already taken and achieved through meaningful consultation within the Framework of the Croke Park Agreement. Further significant change and a wide range of efficiencies must be implemented in the short term to achieve the fundamental public sector reform and structural change, which is now demanded by National Government. This will have to be achieved in the context of the above reduction in human resources and the reducing level of financial resources.”

The figures were compiled in response to a motion submitted by councillors Christy Curtin (Ind), Oliver Garry (FG) and Johnny Flynn (FG).

Cllr Johnny Flynn told the meeting that the figures showed the “stark reality of the loss of people on the ground”. He said this loss of staff was particularly evident in the En- nis area. Cllr Flynn added, “We are losing the expertise to deliver on the ground.” Cllr Curtin said, “We as a council are going to have the measure the impact of this.”

Cllr Gerry Flynn (Ind) said the motion had been submitted by three councillors with links to the Government parties. He urged councillors Johnny Flynn and Oliver Garry to highlight the impact of austerity on essential services with their Fine Gael colleagues. He said Cllr Curtin should use his influence with the Labour Party to raise the matter with them.

Noting the challenges posed by retirements and reduced funding, Mr Dollard told the meeting, “There is no quick-fix solution, no silver bullet. It’s just something that we have to work through.”

A PLANNED introduction of new speed limits on the county’s roads has been delayed for a month following yesterday’s meeting of Clare County Council.

The draft Road Traffic Byelaws 2012 were due to be adopted but have been put out for further discussion after a number of councillors expressed concerns about the consultation process.

Proposing the report for adoption, Cllr Brian Meaney (GP) welcomed the introduction of a new 50 km speed limit around Barefield.

However West Clare councillor Pat Keane (FF) called for adoption of the byelaws to be deferred for another month to allow for greater discussion of the draft report at local area level.

Some councillors told the meeting that they had not received reasons why some of their submissions for amended speed limits had not been included in the draft report.

Cllr Cathal Crowe (FF) requested clarification why only two of his 23 submissions had been included.

Councillors Oliver Garry and Gabriel Keating (FG) asked what the implications would be if the council delayed adoption of the byelaws.

Cllr Johnny Flynn (FG) told the meeting that he had proposed a 30 km/h speed limit for all roads near schools and healthcare buildings. Cllr Joe Arkins (FG) said the byelaws should be adopted by the council and a new process initiated to deal with outstanding issues. He warned that an accident could occur in the delay that it takes for the new speed limits to be implemented.

Cllr Meaney said “serious speeding situations” have emerged in villages around Clare. “I would like to see this passed as a matter of urgency.”

Cllr Joe Cooney (FG) proposed that the process be deferred for a month but that no new submissions be received in the period.

Cllr Cathal Crowe claimed that the process had been “completely flawed”, a suggestion rejected by Cllr Cooney.

Responding to comments made by councillors Meaney and Arkins, Cllr Crowe added, “I don’t think elected members should be cornered by scare tactics.”

Cllr Meaney withdrew his proposal for immediate adoption of the byelaws but sought “categorical assurances that this matter would be dealt with by April”.

Deputy county manager Ger Dollard told the meeting, “If it is the wish of the council to defer then it has to be dealt with by the April meeting.”

THE war against drugs in Clare has taken a sinister turn this week amid claims that a meth-type substance disguised in a sweet was being distributed among school children in Ennis.

Coláiste Muire principal Jean Pound told The Clare People that the school authorities had been informed that a “highly dangerous” sweet-like drug was now available in the Clare area and that innocent school children could be targeted in its distribution.

And, amid fears that students at the all-girl secondary school in Ennis could be offered the drug during lunchtime when they are allowed to leave the school premies, Ms Pound, revealed that a warning for children to remain vigilant to the dangers of drugs was issued to all students last week.

“We got a warning for people not to take it from anyone that was offering it,” she said.

“We were told there was this substance going around that was highly dangerous and that it looked like a sweet,” she added. However, when contacted by The Clare People on Monday, Chief Superintendent of the Clare Garda Division, John Kerin, has moved to ally fears that school children are being offered drugs. “Part of school talks are to try to make children aware of the dangers of meeting strangers and not taking anything from them,” the chief superintendent revealed. “Maybe it was exaggerated by someone, but we don’t believe that there’s any basis for it that things like this are being handed out,” he added.

THE Ennis 2020 project sets out to consult with members of the public to chart a path for Ennis beyond recession. The community visioning exercise is the product of a joint initiative between Ennis Town Council and the University of Limerick.

The UL Practicum is working with the Ennis hub plan committee to gather ideas from the citizens of Ennis. So far UL students of the MA in Technical Communication and E-Learning and students from the Politics and Public Administration Department assisted during the community visioning exercises that took place in Ennis last April and May.

The main objective of the project is to support the development of a participatory plan for Ennis as a hub town in line with the National Spatial Strategy.

The findings can now be viewed online or in a specially designed electronic newsletter. An e-comic has also been produced for school children.

Three UL students – Susan Rice, Sherona O’Donnell and Avril Seery – played a central role in collecting, compiling and presenting the report’s findings.

School children and teenagers are being encouraged to interact with ‘Ennis 2020 People, Place, Potential, phase one of which was launched last November.

The first report on Ennis 2020 – People, Place, Potential, presents perspectives on what local people think Ennis will look and feel like in 2020; the strengths and assets on which it can build; how the image of Ennis might be improved and how Ennis might be developed further as an inclusive town.

In a section focusing on how improved infrastructure can enhance Ennis, the report found, “The related theme of pedestrianisation was undoubtedly one of the most prominent issues to be raised with all of those mentioned it advocating pedestrianisation of some sort or other, ranging from gradual or partial pedestrianisation to an all out approach taking in al of the town centre.” Parking also emerged as a key concern for people in Ennis.

A COVERED market and the possible use of NAMA-owned properties for community spaces are among the proposals put forward in the latest phase of the Ennis 2020 initiative.

The community visioning exercise is the product of a partnership between Ennis Town Council and the University of Limerick.

The main objective of the project is to support the development of a participatory plan for Ennis as a hub town in line with the National Spatial Strategy. Researchers sought the views of people in Ennis when compiling phase one of ‘Ennis 2020 – Planning Beyond Recession’ which was launched last November.

Two public meetings took place in Ennis in recent weeks and a new report outlining the main priorities for economic development in the town has been prepared. The plan proposes a renewed focus on the night-time economy and on developing greater use of riverside locations.

It proposes developing an Ennis venture fund supported by various coordinating agencies that would “provide a one stop shop in one building in the town to support businesses”.

According to the report, businesses should be encouraged to produce low carbon outputs and to explore potentials in areas of waste, water, rain and water harvesting.

Establishing Ennis as a craft food open market to promote local businesses is among the suggestions outlined as part of a potential marketing plan. It states a feasibility study should be carried out to “pursue the idea of a covered market on a specific street or car park and including used of covered areas for more than just markets”.

In the area of Tourism Product Development, Ballyalla Lake should be promoted as a wildlife sanctuary; disused sections of the West Clare railway could be used as walking or cycling routes while the Post Office field should be developed as “natural tourist amenity”. More art galleries street festivals and an outdoor drive in cinema and the use of the historic Abbey for concerts would be of benefit to the town.

The report examines a number of key areas including tourism, the en- vironment, amenities, heritage, culture and accessibility.

In order to make Ennis more accessible, the report states, pedestrianisation should be promoted and developed along with a bus-parking plan. Research should also be conducted into age-friendly parking.

The report also proposes developing a common space for community activity “e.g. a Community Innovation Centre – shared office space, shared meeting spaces, space to informally network, share, co-operate and pro mote community development.”

Sites owned by the National Assets Management Agency (NAMA) could be used for this purpose, according to the report.

HE MAY be just 37 years old but Clare’s newly elected member to Fianna Fáil’s national executive considers himself among the older members of a new-look Committee of Twenty.

Ennis man Garrett Greene was one of the 20 that were elected to the Ard Chomhairle at the Ard Fheis this weekend, which represents a huge change in the age demographic of the party.

Eight of those elected were in the 20 to 30 age group, with many more in their 30s.

This new blood has given Mr Greene great hope for a party that was decimated last year at the General Election.

In the run up to the hotly contested election, the former local election candidate travelled the length and breadth of the country campaigning.

“It was a great opportunity to listen. While it is important for a candidate to bring his message, it is also important to listen,” he said.

“At party meetings nationwide, I was struck by the pain and hurt felt by grassroots members at how neighbours, friends and communities that had lost trust in Fianna Fáil. We must regain that trust by once again becoming a party of values and vision, underpinned by sound and practical policy,” he said.

Mr Greene, who was elected to the Committee of Twenty on the first count, said he felt that the weekend’s Ard Fheis addressed a lot of those issues.

It was a weekend when the mem- bership reclaimed the party, be said.

He said he hopes the new members will help to build a party that is policy-driven and that will be better connected to the members.

The Committee of Twenty work on a voluntary basis with no expenses for the good of the membership, he said.

Asked if he now has plans for elected office, he said he would first have to wait to see what the Minister for Environment and Local Government, Phil Hogan, will decide about the shape of local authorities.

While he would like to contest an election again, this son of a former councillor said it would also depend on his personal circumstances at the time.

Having graduated with an honours law degree last year, Mr Greene is now taking time out to consider undertaking a PhD or studying to become a barrister at Kings Inn.

He also has a BA Public Administration from the University of Limerick.

The Ennis man currently works with a private management consultancy firm, having previously worked in the area of public administration with the Competition Authority and the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment.

A member of Fianna Fáil since he was 15, he was a founding member of UL Ógra Con Colbert Cumann in 1993 and is currently vice chairperson of Clare CDC.

FIANNA Fáil’s Timmy Dooley TD was elected to the position of vice president of the party at this weekend’s Ard Fheis.

The man from Tulla was all but assured the position when former minister Éamonn Ó Cuiv TD pulled out of the race following his resignation from the deputy leadership of Fianna Fáil and his withdrawl from the front bench.

Deputy Dooley is currently Fianna Fáil’s frontbench spokesperson on Transport, Tourism and Sport, and he also serves as a member of the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Environment, Transport, Culture and the Gaeltacht.

This is his second term as a TD for Clare and he previously served as a senator.

“The position of vice president will be a very challenging role but one which I am relishing. I will embrace the role and help in rebuilding the party and rejuvenating it across the country,” he said.

“Every member of the party will now have a say in the future of Fianna Fáil and it is vitally important that we reinstate the party back to being a strong and vibrant force in Irish politics. I would also like to congratulate Gareth on being elected to the Committee of 20.

“The positive atmosphere and the energy we saw this weekend is testament to the fact that Fianna Fáil has a strong and vital role to play in the future of Irish politics. I want to thank all of those from Dublin who attended the ard f heis and made their voices heard about the future of the party,” he added.

Fianna Fáil leader Micheál Martin TD said, “The positive atmosphere and the energy we saw this weekend is testament to the fact that Fianna Fáil has a strong and vital role to play in the future of Irish politics. I want to thank all of those from across County Clare who travelled up to the ard f heis and made their voices heard about the future of the party.”