Local business groups engage with TDs

Ennis Development Forum and Ennis Chamber, at a recent meeting with Clare’s four TDs, outlined concerns at the fact that unemployment in the Ennis area has grown dramatically since 2007 from 2,000 to over 6,000.
The meeting was part of an initiative whereby representatives of the business community in Ennis met with their elected representatives to highlight job retention and creation issues that require assistance and advice from both sides. 
The Clare TDs had undertaken to follow up at national level on the various obstacles to the progress of job creation locally.
These include the lack of adequate signage for Ennis on the motorway; the need for a marketing budget and strategy for Shannon Airport; the delays in renewable energy connection to the national grid; the threat to the development of the northern shore of the Shannon Estuary by EU designations; public transport issues including the situation for taxi drivers and the cost and regulation for doing business, including commercial rates.  The TDs briefed the representatives on progress on a number of these issues and committed to continuing working on them.
Local businesses are very unhappy with the poor signage on the motorway, which they believe is leading to the loss of national and international tourism.  It was agreed that the intransigence of the NRA on this issue was leading to job losses in the retail and hospitality sectors in the county town. 
The TDs reported on the initial meeting with the NRA, arranged by Deputy Timmy Dooley. Rita McInerney, CEO of Ennis Chamber, committed to liaising with the TDs in relation to recently published guidelines on tourism and leisure signage where it is possible for Ennis and Clare attractions to benefit from this policy document.
Brian O’Neill of The Rowan Tree outlined the marketing and branding needs for Shannon Airport from a tourism perspective, which were to be considered and followed up by the TDs.  Deputy Pat Breen briefed the meeting on the progress on the Lynx Cargo Hub and other developments in relation to airline route development.
Dr Brian Motherway, chief operations officer of the Sustainable Energy Association of Ireland, joined the meeting for the discussion on Clare’s opportunity to export electrons (electricity) to the UK market utilising the interconnector currently being constructed at a cost of €600 million. 
Councillor Johnny Flynn, a renewable energy promoter, outlined the potential of utilising the model similar to the food export industry, with the possibility of creating up to 5,000 jobs in Clare.  Following Dr Motherway’s positive contribution, Deputy Michael McNamara advised the meeting that such renewable energy projects come under the remit of the Minister for Energy, Pat Rabbitte.  The development of deep-sea ports on the northern shore of the Shannon Estuary was discussed with regards to their potential for job creation in cargo, energy, marine industries and leisure.
Martin White of AAA Taxis outlined the issues of regulation, the possibility of a buy-back scheme and the drop in revenue to taxi drivers.  The taxi industry is the only public transport available 24 hours a day, seven days a week, all year round for Ennis and its environs while complementing the roll of the State transport providers.
Discussions arose around the lack of reduction in state controlled costs such as energy, water charges, commercial rates and development rates have increased while other business-to-business input costs are being negotiated and reduced.  Deputy Joe Carey recognised the importance of the control of costs to business within local government.
The threat to the economic viability of Ennis town centre by the proposed retail zoning of a large district centre on the outskirts of Ennis on the Clare Road was also discussed and significant opposition to this zoning was expressed by the TDs.  Deputy McNamara said Ennis was a market town and any significant threat, such as this proposal, should be opposed.
All parties agreed to work on the above issues and meet again for the next quarterly meeting in the new year to remove obstacles and generate momentum in job creation for Ennis and County Clare.