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No invite for Taoiseach to launch new town plan

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CALLS for An Taoiseach Enda Kenny and Minister for Environment Phil Hogan to launch the Ennis 2020 Hub Town Framework have been rejected by Ennis councillors. Instead they will be invited to attend the event which is set to take place later this month.

Councillor Johnny Flynn urged that the local authority invite either the Taoiseach or the Minister to jointly launch the document with Mayor of Ennis Councillor Peter Considine and the President of UL.

Councillor Flynn described how Ennis Town Council had shown “great foresight” in working towards the creation of this document along with the University of Limerick. Councillor Flynn said he believed that by having the document launched by either the Taoiseach or the minister it would give national “due recognition” to the work. He stated that there may be scope for developing future partnerships with UL.

However, Councillor Tommy Brennan voiced his opposition to the idea saying, “This was an idea that was launched and commissioned by Ennis Town Council, and paid for by it.”

Councillor Michael Guilfoyle also came out against the idea of inviting the Taoiseach to Ennis when moves are being made to abolish town councils. Councillor Guilfoyle said he was troubled at the notion of inviting the Taoiseach “who continually tells his own TDs what way to think” and who is “trying to put us out”.

“The country is in an awful state at the moment and to me he doesn’t have his finger on the pulse,” he added. He described the Putting People First action programme for local government as ‘putting government first’.

He praised the work that has been done by Councillor Flynn and others involved with the Ennis 2020 document adding that inviting the Taoiseach would not give due credit to the people behind the initiative.
Councillor Paul O’Shea suggested that, as a compromise, President Michael D Higgins could be asked to launch the document as part of his upcoming visit to the town.

Councillor Mary Howard supported Councillor Flynn describing the document as a “valuable piece of research” which she would like to see launched by the Taoiseach.

Councillor Frankie Neylon commented that he believed plans to abolish town councils go back years, including previous governments. Councillor Mary Coote Ryan also lent her support to Councillor Flynn’s proposal stating that there was a “great turnout” from all sectors of society to take part in the research for the Ennis 2020 document.

Mayor of Ennis Councillor Peter Considine said he believes it would be a “big expectation” for the Taoiseach to come to Ennis for the launch.

“This was an experiment initiated by the town council and I do think it is something the members should deal with, we should keep it at local level.” He added that he would “never be insulting to any Minister or Taoiseach, there is respect for the office.”

It was agreed that both the Taoiseach and Minister for Environment would be invited to attend the launch, but not perform the official launch. The event is to be held in conjunction with the 400th anniversary of the formation of Ennis town council/borough.

 

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