Tag Archives: Councillor Gerry Flynn

THE proposed sale of Ballycasey Craft and Design Centre by Shannon Group was criticised at this week’s Shannon Municipal District meeting. Shannon Group were criticised for short-term thinking by looking to sell property, while it was claimed that selling the premises is very worrying for many of the business people based there. Councillor Gerry Flynn put a motion before the meeting asking that the Shannon Municipal District “call on Shannon Group to provide information concerning the sale of property from the property portfolio provided by the Government to maintain and support Shannon International Airport. That information also be provided concerning the recent proposal to offload Ballycasey workshops and also advise the council of any property in their ownership in the vicinity of SkyCourt Shopping Centre.” The independent councillor said that the closure of the old Shannon Development offices close to the town centre had a negative impact on the nearby businesses, while he said the council could do with knowing …

CHANGES in the organisational structure of Clare County Council, including the creation of five directorates, have led to “too many chiefs and not enough Indians”. Following the recent appointment of new chief executive Pat Dowling to Clare County Council, a “series of improvements to the organisational structure of Clare County Council” have been announced. “Five distinct directorates, each being led by a director of service/head of finance, will be created,” the council stated. Councillor Gerry Flynn has questioned if the right moves are being made. “The new CEO is after coming into his job in Clare County Council and already has had success in increasing the property tax for homeowners by 15%, which is going to bring in another €1.5 million into the coffers of Clare County Council. He more or less outlined the benefits of increasing the property tax and that’s what they [the councillors] did,” Councillor Flynn said. “On the other hand, I’m hopeful that the changes will …

Shannon-based county councillor Gerry Flynn has decided against running for the Dáil. The independent councillor said he made the decision with a heavy heart but had concluded that it wasn’t possible for him to win a seat, particularly with support for Fine Gael rising. He predicted that the electorate will punish Labour but that Fine Gael will perform well and will probably hold onto their two Clare seats. Councillor Flynn said finance is part of the reason for not running. “I have thought long and hard about it, I’ve looked at the opinion polls. I have also costed how much I would need. I’d have to have approximately €30,000 at my disposal to even think about it. The parties are funded by the taxpayer but, for me, it would be like climbing Mount Everest 10 times. There was no way Gerry Flynn was going to enter any race unless I thought I was going to win. From an economic perspective, …

CHIEF Executive of Clare County Council Tom Coughlan is set to come under pressure for answers about the non-renewal of Neil Pakey’s contract at Shannon Group and the non-progression of the Lynx Cargo facility at the airport. Mr Coughlan is a member of the board of Shannon Group and at next Monday’s meeting of Clare County Council, the six Shannon councillors will look for standing orders to be suspended for a discussion of the two issues. Just before Christmas it was announced that Mr Pakey’s contract would not be extended beyond next June. Also, in a letter to Clare County Council last month, Shannon Group confirmed that the Lynx Cargo project, which it was once claimed could deliver a huge amount of local jobs, is not going to proceed. On Wednesday, Independent Councillor PJ Ryan, who is chair of the Shannon Municipal District, said there is a need for information on why Mr Pakey is not being retained. “What we …

Ennis Chamber is seeking an independently facilitated meeting with Clare County Council to discuss the issue of the increase in commercial rates passed in the recent annual budget meeting of the local authority, and the further proposed increase for next year. This follows last week’s Day of Action by the Chamber when a large group of businesses gathered in the public gallery of Áras Contae an Chláir for the monthly meeting of Clare County Council to highlight their concerns about the rate changes. Ennis Chamber submitted a letter to the meeting and following interjections from Councillors PJ Kelly and Ann Norton as well as a number of attempts by Councillor Johnny Flynn and an adjournment, the letter was accepted by the meeting with Cathaoirleach James Breen agreeing to put it to County CEO Tom Coughlan for consideration. However according to a spokesperson for the business member organisation they are “concerned” that the local authority will “attempt to side step and …

THE appearance of the roundabout at Shannon Town Centre, which is currently beset by weeds, was the target of criticism at this week’s municipal district meeting. Councillor Gerry Flynn put forward a motion asking that the council “remove all the shrubbery off the main roundabout at Shannon Town Centre. This roundabout is an eyesore due to the amount of weeds and unsuitable planting being done at this location over the years, and that a more suitable plan be put in place to enhance this central location in Shannon.” A written reply from senior executive engineer Eugene O’Shea acknowledged the issues raised by the independent councillor. “The appearance of this roundabout is unsatisfactory at present, mainly due to the heavy weed growth that has been exacerbated by recent wet weather conditions. Arrangements will be made with the council’s gardening section to tackle this weed issue at the earliest opportunity. Consultation will also be made with the council’s architects with a view …

IRISH Water has denied that Clare County Council will have to pay the water charges of tenants who fail to pay. The CEO of Clare County Council, Tom Coughlan told a meeting of the council that he understood that the council will have to pay Irish Water, if tenants don’t pay their quarterly water charges, the first of which have been dropping through letterboxes in recent days. But Irish Water said this Wednesday that this is not the case and under law, “the occupier of the house is liable for the bill.” “That also applies to private landlords, and once a landlord provides us with the details of the tenant then we will follow up any case on non-payment with the tenant,” a spokesperson for Irish Water told The Clare Champion. Clare County Council CEO, Tom Coughlan was responding to a series of questions put by Councillor Gerry Flynn after the council gave the names and addresses of tenants to …