Brennan seeks relocation of council staff

ENNIS should be first in line when it comes to the allocation of council staff resources, a local councillor has claimed.
At this week’s meeting of Ennis East Electoral Area councillors, Councillor Tommy Brennan urged, “Our biggest problem in Ennis is we have no men to do what we have to get done. Ennis is the capital town of the county with one third of its population.
“Instead of council staff working outside the town, the staff should be here in Ennis. The staff should be relocated so that they can deal with Ennis first.”
He was speaking as councillors discussed ongoing flooding issues on the Kilrush Road, which were raised by both Councillor Johnny Flynn and Councillor Pat Daly.
According to Councillor Flynn, the ongoing footpath and road flooding on the Kilrush Road just before the entrance to the town side of Collins Park is “creating a safety risk to pedestrians, residents and road users”.
Councillor Daly urged the local authority to investigate the area of the Kilrush Road between the old military barracks and the entrance to the Gallows Hill estate, where regular flooding occurs after heavy showers of rain.
Eamon O’Dea, senior executive engineer, told the councillors, “The council has used a power jetter to clear the outlet from the gully at this location. This gully discharges to a soak away in this grass margin on the opposite side of the road.
“The council is examining the existing storm drains in the area to see if this location can be discharged to a storm sewer, otherwise the soak away will be renewed.”
He added that the council are looking at what is available to bring relief and said it is on the immediate list of works to be done.
Councillor Brennan told the meeting he had also raised the matter with Mr O’Dea and he was told it would be done in the near future when staff are available.
“This is an issue that’s gone on for years and someone will be killed there as cars are swerving to avoid the water,” he said, before advising the relocation of council staff to Ennis.
He was supported by Councillor Flynn, who said there is a lot of pressure on the council’s area offices, due to a lack of outdoor staff.
Also at the meeting, Councillor Paul Murphy raised concerns about water logging outside the parochial house, next to the church, in Clarecastle. He urged that this be dealt with “as a matter of priority”.
“Rainwater from Creggaun-na-Hilla estate flows straight across the roundabout, bypassing the gully trap to the side of the roundabout and lodges at the entrance of the parochial house, causing a lot of annoyance to callers to the house and to mass-goers, particularly at night time,” he said.
In response, Mr O’Dea said the council will “examine the road levels at this location and endeavour to reduce the impact of rainfall run-off in this area”.
The issue of flooding was also on the agenda for members of the Ennis West Electoral Area, who also met on Monday.
The meeting heard that elderly people are having difficulty getting to mass as a result of flooding at the rear gate to St Joseph’s Hospital.
Councillor Brian Meaney called for drainage to be provided and/or cleared to ensure there is no further flooding at the rear gate to St Joseph’s.
“This is becoming a significant issue. It’s been an ongoing issue the last number of years. One particular Sunday a lot of elderly people found difficulty in getting to mass,” he said.
Mr O’Dea responded, “Ennis Town Council will examine this location along with other locations where rain water is ponding and see if there is a feasible method to dispose of the storm water. Any works will be subject to available resources.”
Also at the meeting, Councillor James Breen raised concerns about flooding in Loughville during the summer and autumn months, saying families needed to be protected.
Councillor Breen urged, “In order to prevent flooding in late summer and early autumn in the Loughville area, more attention should be provided at the flood gates at the Maid of Erin.”
He went on, “We need to protect families who are trying to make the most of their land”.
Mr O’Dea, senior executive engineer, informed Councillor Breen that a “close eye” is kept on this particular area.
However, at particular times of the year the local authority have to be conscious of the requirements of the Fisheries Board in terms of fish migration.
He responded, “Water Services personnel in the Ennis area operate the sluice gates at Mill Road Bridge. There is an understanding between the council and the Fisheries Board that water flow over the Mill Road weir/fish pass has to be maintained.
“The sluice gates are kept closed during low to medium flows in the river. Once the river flow increases, the sluice gates are fully opened and have been since September this year. The Upper Fergus River levels are monitored and this informs the decision to alter the sluice gate levels,” he concluded.