Green light for controversial Doolin pier

Work on the controversial €6 million Doolin Pier could start later this year or early in 2012 after Clare County Councillors unanimously gave the green light to revised plans on Monday.

A large number of objectors, mainly representatives from surfing organisations, have opposed the council’s updated plans for the new pier amid concerns it would adversely affect surfing in the area.
Surfers claimed the plans represent a serious health and safety hazard as they will be forced to paddle across the paths of ferries to get to the waves at Crab Island.
However, there was no dissent or caution when councillors discussed the Part Eight proposal, which is similar to a planning permission but can’t be appealed to An Bord Pleanála.
County manager Tom Coughlan told councillors he expected the project should be ready to go to tender in weeks rather than months and confirmed the council would continue its work to secure a foreshore licence in tandem with the tender process.
Mr Coughlan explained the council had tried to strike a balance between mitigating environmental factors and the need to develop a facility that would benefit tourism in North Clare.
He said there were issues in the past concerning land acquisition and finance, which had resulted in delays for the project but is satisfied these are resolved. However, he also acknowledged there are some issues outside their control concerning decisions which would be taken by outside bodies in relation to the development.
Senior engineer Tom Tiernan told councillors the project should be ready to go to tender in four to six weeks, that the tender process could take three months with construction underway in four to six months.
“There will be some limitations to what the council can do during the winter period, so it may be 2012 before construction starts. It is appropriate that the lines of communication should remain open with groups who may have concerns and we will try to accommodate them as much as possible,” he said.
The downtime of the existing facility is over 71 days a year, as a result of wave conditions. It is presently used by a number of commercial ferry operators, fishermen, leisure crafts and Doolin Coast Guard.
Councillor Richard Nagle said the local community had been waiting 30 years for funding for a project that would help North Clare realise its full tourism potential.
He noted the consultation period was extended to give groups an opportunity to air their views on the development of the pier, the main access point to and from the Aran Islands.
Councillor Joe Arkins felt the right balance was struck between environmental, ecological and tourism interests, while councillor Michael Kelly predicted the pier would be the catalyst for further tourism development in the area. Councillor Michael Hillery stressed it is vital for the project to proceed, with Martin Conway adding that the new pier would be “a major cog in Clare tourism”.
Councillor Pat Daly noted the condition of the Ennis to Doolin road and called on the National Roads Authority to sanction funding for this tourism route.