Tag Archives: Minister Eamon Ryan

A WEST Clare councillor has made a passionate plea for the region’s roads to receive a slice of the exchequer surplus of €5 billion.  Strong growth in tax revenue and an end to many Covid supports resulted in an exchequer swing of €12.4 billion at the end of last year from the €7.4 billion deficit recorded in 2021. Given the windfall, Councillor Ian Lynch has written to Ministers Eamon Ryan and Micheál McGrath highlighting the dire state of roads in the West Clare Municipal District. The Independent member made the case for an injection of €50 million for Clare County Council for road improvements, focusing on vital surface dressing and strengthening improvements.  In correspondence seen by The Champion, the Kilrush man told the Ministers for Transport and Public Expenditure said: “Decades of underinvestment in rural roads no longer allows for these finances to be tucked away for a rainy day the investment in rural roads must be made now. I …

GIVEN how long it took to replace Rose Hynes, and how long it took to find an alternative after the appointment of Aaron Forde as chairman of Shannon Group fell through, there was shock this week when it was announced as Conal Henry got the nod to replace Pádraig Ó Céidigh. On those previous occasions it took months for a replacement to be found, but in this case it took a mere six days. Inevitably, given how quickly it happened and how much disappointment there is at the Ó Céidigh resignation, the fact that such a quick decision was made will be seen as an attempt to quell any controversy. On Tuesday, Minister Eamon Ryan announced that Mr Henry would be next to be appointed. “Given the important role of Shannon Group to the economy of the Midwest region and nationally, I am pleased that Conal Henry is willing to accept the position of Chairperson of Shannon Group. “Conal has …

MINISTER for Transport Eamon Ryan faced questions on a range of issues when he met Clare county councillors on last week’s visit. Topics like the future of farming, limits on development in Clare and the impact of increased carbon levies were all on the agenda. While the Green Party have some support in Clare there is no doubt there is also a large degree of animosity towards them, and that was reflected in much of what was said by the councillors. However there was also a large degree of respect towards Ryan for coming to Clare to engage with them, and for the fact that he stood by his views even though many of those he was addressing disagreed with him. Mr Ryan told the meeting that the scale and speed of the change required to deal with climate change is “beyond compare”. He also said that he believes a consensus must be built, if it is to be effective. …

WITH UL and Clare County Council having sought a strategic development zone designation for their ‘new town’ proposal, opposition to the plan within government was criticised by a local councillor. When Transport Minister Eamon Ryan addressed the County Council last week, he spoke about bringing university courses to Ennis, given it has existing infrastructure, which prompted an angry intervention from Councillor Tony O’Brien. “Are you trying to close down East Clare?” he bellowed at the Green Party leader. Referring to the UL project, he said there are 214 acres of land for development in East Clare, but if the Minister got his way the people of the area could “pack up our tents and go away”. Speaking to the Clare Champion subsequently, Councillor O’Brien said that Minister Ryan’s opposition to the development, and to the Northern Distributor Road is contrary to the principle of having effective local Government. “We have a county development plan, which we voted on and which …

IT was back to school for Environment Minister Eamon Ryan when he visited Ennis last week. The Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications and Minister for Transport paid a visit to Gaelscoil Mhíchíl Cíosóg where he joined in with their walking bus. The walking bus has proven to be a massive success with pupils at the Gort Road primary school since its introduction two years ago. And on Friday the Green Party Minister got to see first hand how the children have been doing their bit to help the environment by walking to school. During the visit the minister also spoke with principal Dónal Ó hAiniféin on the importance of cycle lanes for the town, as well plans for the school’s new extension. Mr Ó hAiniféin told us,“Like other schools we have been dealing with traffic issues for many years, the dropping off and pick up in those 15 or 20 minute period when things are quite busy. “Instead …

CLARE County Council has been allocated a total of €34.917m for local and regional roads investment for 2022. About one third of the allocation, €11.8m will go towards progressing the Shannon crossing at Killaloe and Ballina. Slightly more, €12.18m will go towards restoration improvement/ Minister for Transport, Eamon Ryan TD, today announced details of a €597 million nationwide investment programme for 2022 for regional and local roads. Overall funding will increase by over 4% this year. The funding package will allow approximately 3,100kms of roads to be maintained and 2,550kms to be strengthened. Minister Ryan stated: “The main priority in 2022 continues to be the protection and renewal of the existing regional and local road network. Last year I introduced a climate change adaptation grant for works on roads at risk due to the impact of climate change and severe weather events. “I am pleased to say that this funding will continue in 2022 with €15 million being allocated for …

Minister for Environment, Climate and Communications Eamon Ryan TD will visit Clare next week. On Thursday, February 10, Minister Ryan will attend ‘In conversation on Climate’, a public event for the people of Clare, hosted by Clare Green Party Senator Róisín Garvey. This is a free and public event, beginning at 8.30pm in The Old Ground Hotel. Everyone is welcome to attend and questions will be taken from the audience. On Friday Minister Ryan will give a Climate Action Plan briefing to county councillors in the Council Chamber. In addition, he will join the Gaelscoil Mhíchíl Cíosóg Walking bus, visit public realm in Ennis and a social housing retrofit project and a visit to Shannon and the airport. Senator Garvey said, “It is great that my Green Party colleague Minister Eamon Ryan, the Minister for Climate, is taking the time to speak to Clare councillors on the Climate Action Plan. “In fact, he hopes to attend every council chamber in …

CLARE County Council has supported a call for Environment Minister Eamon Ryan to reject the granting of a proposed prospecting licence to Minco Ireland in South-East Clare. Minco Ireland wants to conduct desktop studies, geochemistry and drilling in the area, which the company claims would involve ‘minimal’ levels of disturbance in surrounding communities. The Department of the Environment announced its intention to grant a licence to Navan, Co. Meath-based Minco Ireland Ltd. to prospect for base metals, baryte, gold and silver ores in Tulla Upper Barony and Bunratty Upper Barony. This announcement was made on December 9 2021 with the closing date for any objections to the granting of the licence required to be submitted by January 8 2022. The public consultation period has been extended to January 24 following representations to the department and huge concern in the affected communities. A petition by local environmental group Futureproof Clare launched on Thursday January 6 has received more than 1,500 signatures …