Tag Archives: clare county council

  The National Roads Authority (NRA) has been asked to attend the January meeting of Clare County Council to address public dissatisfaction over the remedial works carried out on the motorway linking Crusheen and Gort. The call came the NRA was subjected to stinging criticism of the effectiveness of work carried out on the motorway, despite two recent road closures. Councillor Pat Hayes told a recent council meeting motorists were still complaining about a section of the motorway between Gort and Crusheen and weren’t happy with recent works carried out by the NRA. “The work carried out by the NRA didn’t address the issues that people were complaining about – the dips, hollows and aquaplaning in wet weather. The NRA spent between three to four weeks working on this road and nobody seems to know what they were doing. “It was all hush hush. The public need to know what is going on. The NRA should be invited to address …

  Clare County Councillors have backed the reduction of vehicle speeds from 50 to 30 kilometres per hour in new and existing housing estates throughout Clare. This proposal was made by Councillor Johnny Flynn at a recent council meeting where he received cross party support for the introduction of new safety measures in urban estates. He was supported by Councillor Paul Murphy, who tabled a similar motion requesting the council to consider simple effective measures at reducing vehicle speeds in housing estates by considering them at initial design and planning application stages, which might help prevent accidents and tragedies.” Councillor Flynn’s proposal was made after Transport Minister Paschal Donohue requested local authorities to submit proposals for the reduction of speed limits in existing housing estates from 50 kilometres per hour to 30 kilometres per hour. Minister Donohue also sought the use other measures such as speed ramps in housing estates aimed at improving safety for the most vulnerable road users …

FORMER Clare Civil Defence officer and water safety development officer (WSDO), Liam Griffin, has been named Irish Water Safety’s 60th Life Governor in recognition of his dedication towards the humanitarian goal of saving lives from drowning. Clare County Council’s WSDO from 1996 until his recent retirement, Liam followed in the footsteps of the late Noel Carmody, who died before his time and was regarded by his contemporaries as one of the best WSDO’s ever. Liam maintained and then improved standards in the performance of his duties as WSDO and as a member of Irish Water Safety (IWS). Clare is one of the most challenging counties in which to hold this brief, being surrounded by water on three sides. To the west is the Atlantic Ocean, with the west coast famous for its many swimming and surfing beaches, from Bishop’s Quarter in North Clare, to Fanore, Lahinch, Milltown Malbay, Spanish Point and Kilkee in the south. Inland, Clare is bounded by …

CLARE County Council members have rejected the offer of meeting with Irish Water officials on a one-to-one basis. Instead, after protracted debate this week, councillors insisted that they would meet, as a group, with Irish Water at 10am next Monday in the council chamber, with the public and media present. From 11am, councillors would have the opportunity to meet privately with Irish Water if they want to. It was also suggested that the various municipal districts could meet with Irish Water to discuss capital projects in their respective areas. Monday’s adjourned county council meeting had heard that the proposed “clinic” with Irish Water would consist of six and a half minute, one-to-one meetings between each of the 28 councillors and the Irish Water delegation. However, on Monday, Councillor Cathal Crowe said if the councillors were denied the opportunity to meet in public and as a group with Irish Water, they should not meet them at all. On Wednesday, Councillor Gerry …

Clare County Council is urging land, home and business owners in flood prone coastal locations to remain vigilant over the next 48 hours due to a heightened risk of coastal and tidal flooding. People in coastal areas of County Clare, which have flooded in the past should take note that, due to high winds, very high waves and associated tidal surges, there is a high risk of coastal flooding in such areas from this evening (Tuesday) to Thursday morning, in particular at times of high tides. The public are strongly advised not to venture out in these areas during this period for their own safety and to note warnings from Met Éireann.

CLARE County Council is seeking further information from Clare County GAA Board on the proposed €2.5m redevelopment of the Southern Stand at Cusack Park, following three separate submissions on facilities for disabled fans. The county board applied for planning permission on October 30 to remove the existing roof of the Southern Stand, erect a new roof complete with camera box accommodation and rear access stairs, and to build a new toilet block adjacent to the stand. An application was also submitted for a new turnstiles block and boundary wall. Clare County Council has now written to the county board to say that, “concerns remain regarding the provision of adequate disabled access and viewing points within the proposed development,” and has requested an access statement which, “demonstrates how the proposal in its current format provides for the requirements of Universal Design” – [the design and composition of an environment so that it can be accessed, understood and used to the greatest …

PLANNING permission has been granted to St Patrick’s Comprehensive School, Shannon for a major extension. The extension is to be two storeys in size, with a gross floor area of 2,616m2. It is to accommodate a special needs unit, general purpose area, engineering room, lecture room, art room, science laboratory, music room, home economics room, multimedia room and business/computers room, while there will other site works, including a new site entrance, car parking and set-down areas, as well as a hard court and hurling wall area. Clare County Council had sought additional information regarding a number of aspects of the development, including the drop-off areas, road safety, flood risk and the removal of trees. The applicants submitted the additional information sought and the planning authorities expressed satisfaction with the replies. With regard to the removal of the trees, the planning report states, “The existing tree line is to be removed as part of the improved traffic management arrangements to accommodate …

THE improper disposal of asbestos at a number of locations in West Clare was unacceptable, it has been acknowledged by Clare County Council. Commenting on the independent report released this week, compiled by two former county managers in Cork and Tipperary following an investigation into the council’s disposal of waste asbestos cement pipes, chief executive, Tom Coughlan said, “The confirmation that the disposed material does not pose a public health risk is an important finding but does not negate the fact that the operational practices that led to the improper disposal of asbestos were unacceptable”. “These practices fell short of the standards, policies and procedures that were in place within Clare County Council at the time and which remain in place in order to comply with a changing regulatory environment and enhanced guidance documents,” he added. The council has yet to put a figure on what the asbestos disposal will cost. Earlier this year, Councillor PJ Kelly told a then …