Tag Archives: Deputy Cathal Crowe

A RECOMMENDATION contained in a Traveller accommodation expert review report repealing trespass legislation would make it almost impossible to move on illegal encampments in Clare. That’s according to Deputy Cathal Crowe, who has described this proposal as “crazy and political correctness gone mad”. The Meelick Deputy has also expressed concern about the colossal legal fees faced by local authorities in defending themselves in court on matters relating to Traveller accommodation. In 2021, Clare County Council spent €1.1 million defending legal actions taken against it by various individuals and bodies. “It is a waste of public money that would be much better spent in providing accommodation, rather than lining the pockets of lawyers,” he said. Speaking in the Dáil recently, Deputy Crowe cited one of the recommendations contained in the report, which was published in July 2019, proposing to “repeal the Trespass legislation, in particular as it applies to publicly owned land, until an appropriate network of transient provision as envisaged …

PROGRESS with the provision of additional classrooms at an East Clare secondary school is moving as quickly as possible, the Minister for Education has said. Minister Norma Foley gave the assurance on the long-awaited new rooms, which will include facilities for practical work, in response to a question from Deputy Cathal Crowe. The Meelick man raised the issue in the Dáil, asking for an update and timeline on the works. In response, Minister Foley confirmed that, under Project 2040, under her Department’s Additional Accommodation Scheme two new mainstream classrooms are to be provided as well as a metalwork room and a woodwork room. She confirmed that the project has been “devolved for delivery to Limerick and Clare ETB (LCETB)”. “In respect of Scariff Community College, the project was approved in February 2017 and proceeded through the various stages of the architectural planning process thereafter,” Minister Foley outlined. “A Stage 1/2A report was received in May 2018 in that respect and …

SPORTS capital grant funding of €4.6m will be shared among 69 clubs in Clare, as part of a nationwide fund of €150m announced by Minister for Sport Jack Chambers. Ranging in size from €4,624 up to €138,768,the grants will facilitate infrastructure and improvement works in clubs across the county. (see the full list at the bottom of the piece) Among the biggest winners are St Joseph’s Doora Barefield GAA, Kilmurry Ibrickane GAA, Ennistymon GAA Club, East Clare Golf Club and Burren Riding Club, while soccer clubs competing in Limerick but based in Clare like Corbally United and Ballynanty Rovers are also included. Fianna Fáil TD for Clare Cathal Crowe has welcomed the allocation saying he was “delighted to see this huge investment in sports facilities throughout Clare”. “Time spent involved in sports is golden time for young people and it’s only right that we invest in the facilities that improve participation. This year, Minister Chambers placed particular emphasis on clubs …

A STRONG case should be made to secure UNESCO designation for Ardnacrusha Power Station, according to a former fitter and national union organiser who worked for almost 50 years with the ESB. Seán Treacy enjoyed a long and distinguished career with the company, starting out as an apprentice fitter in 1960 before graduating up along the ranks to become a national union official. Mr Treacy believes the power station should be designated as a UNESCO site, saying “Ardnacrusha is an iconic place. At one stage, Ardnacrusha was the distributor for all the country. Workers in the control room turned on and off electricity for the whole country. “It is an iconic place. If I was still involved in the ESB, I would be making a case for this designation. It takes a while to do it, but Ardnacrusha deserves this designation.” Valentia Island is due to become a new UNESCO site within the next two years following work spearheaded by …

A NEW bill is going through the Oireachtas, which aims to allow the State to tackle instances of illegal dumping through the use of CCTV, drones and automated number plate recognition, writes Owen Ryan. The Local Government (Surveillance Powers in Relation to Certain Offences) Bill 2021 was introduced to the Seanad on Tuesday by Fianna Fáil Senator Malcolm Byrne. His party colleague Cathal Crowe said it is a piece of legislation that he himself has taken an interest in. “Over the past year, I’ve been in regular contact with Senator Malcolm Byrne and the Office of Parliamentary Legal Advisors in the Oireachtas – they being the team that support members of the Oireachtas in drafting new legislation. “Senator Byrne and I feel that the current laws in place relating to litter pollution make it very difficult for local authorities to use modern technology to catch offenders. “This difficulty has increased with the advent of GDPR regulations which make it very …

CLARE Deputy Cathal Crowe has been transferred to a new internal Fianna Fail committee on Northern Ireland from his initial appointment on a commission assessing the aims, ideology and objectives of the party. The FF press office statement comes after questions were raised by Clare Fianna Fáil members at a recent meeting about whether or not Deputy Crowe was appointed to the strategy committee. Last October, Deputy Crowe posted an announcement on social media about his appointment by the Taoiseach Micheál Martin to a new commission chaired by Kildare North Deputy James Lawless, which will examine Fianna Fail’s strategy over the coming years. The Meelick Deputy also confirmed this appointment in an interview with the Clare Champion at the time. A press release announcing the establishment of a new commission on the party’s aim and objectives on September 29 didn’t include Deputy Crowe as one of its new members. Deputy Crowe was, however, mentioned in a Fianna Fáil press release …

A SOUTH-EAST Clare resident has been forced to replace five showers in her home due to frequent water breaks and changes in pressure, writes Dan Danaher and Owen Ryan. June Kirwan, who lives near the entrance to Corbally United FC, revealed decreasing and increasing water pressure when there is a water break on the busy regional road breaks her shower, particularly if it is being used at the time. “I had plumbers out to check everything in the house and our problems with water pressure. After spending so much money, they realised the problems are caused by changes in the water pressure,” Ms Kirwan told The Clare Champion. “When there is a water break on the road, they reduce the water pressure and then increase it again when it is fixed. If anyone is in the shower, I am in trouble. It is going to break the shower with the pressure coming off and on.” Residents are becoming increasingly frustrated …

SERIOUS questions have been raised over the council’s application to have the defective blocks grant extended to Clare, The Champion has learned. Despite an assurance from the Housing Minister in August that a decision would be made within “a matter of weeks”, his Department is challenging several aspects of the council’s submission. In November, Minister Darragh O’Brien told Clare Oireachtas members his Department’s concerns were not “insurmountable”. However, a letter issued on Monday poses far-reaching questions. The document queries whether pyrite is the only cause of damage to the five homes tested. “It is unclear whether the presence of pyrite has manifested itself in structural wall damage, or if the walls are damaged either wholly or partially by another cause,” the seven-page letter states. The document adds that while the technical report has confirmed excessive amounts of pyrite, “it has not been stated however that the damage which has been documented has manifested due to the presence of reactive pyrite, …