Lucky number 13 for new mayor

ENNIS man Pat Daly was unanimously elected Mayor of Clare last Friday by his fellow Clare county councillors.
He was nominated by his Fianna Fáil colleague PJ Kelly, who described the chairman of Éire Óg GAA Club as “a man of excellent integrity who never breaks his word”.

He said Councillor Daly has “unbelievable experience” and he is looking forward to the work he would do as mayor.
Another Fianna Fáil representative, Pat McMahon, said the new mayor is “an honest, hard worker, who is very good with people”.
Having been elected without any contest, Councillor Daly said he is delighted to hold the office. “I’m 13 years a county councillor and my mother, God rest her, 13 was her favourite number.”
He said Councillor Pat Hayes would be a difficult act to follow but that he would do his best.
Councillor Daly said over the last number of years, the council has worked on the basis of consensus and co-operation among the members, while he said he would “like to commend all the hard-working members of Clare County Council, who work in difficult circumstances currently”.
Regarding the future of Shannon Airport, he said he would “warmly welcome the thrust of the proposal by the minister”. However, he also said one of his first duties would be to meet with Transport Minister Leo Varadkar and he planned to tell him Clare County Council should be involved in the airport’s management.
Shannon enjoys assets such as the longest runway in Europe and US customs and border protection preclearance, Councillor Daly said. He also said Ryanair had in the past provided a “financial bonanza” for the region. “I call on Michael O’Leary to come to Shannon and negotiate a deal,” he added.
With The Gathering coming up next year, he said he is hopeful that many of the expected 400,000 visitors would use Shannon Airport.
Councillor Daly said he is hopeful that Fleadh Cheoil would be brought to Ennis, while he lauded the development of the tourism product at Loop Head Lighthouse. “People were crying out for something in West Clare and they have it now,” he said.
In relation to Ennis hospital, he said it has seen a big increase in daycare procedures and he welcomed the fact that a 50-bed unit is due to open shortly.
He said it is important the councillors use their time for the benefit of their constituents and that he would look for a meeting with the party whips in the coming weeks.