The Mayor of one Ireland’s largest towns has described Minister for the Environment Phil Hogan’s decision to abolish all Town Councils as a “regressive” step.
Cllr. Peter Considine, who was first elected to Ennis Town Council in 1974, said that the future development and management of the town of Ennis in County Clare would be undermined by the replacement of Town Councils with new Municipal Districts.
The Mayor commented: “Ennis, as Clare’s largest town and one of the County’s primary commercial and employment centres, must have a local authority in place that is charged solely with managing its development, both now and in the future. The factors affecting the management and development of the Ennis urban area, which has a population of over 25,000, are dramatically different to those relating to the County, which is currently managed by Clare County Council.
“The development of the town, particularly during the last 20 years, has been initiated and led by a very effective partnership of elected members and officials within Ennis Town Council whose decisions were based on driving social, economic and cultural activity in the town. Ennis has been one of Ireland’s fastest growing towns and has become an attractive location for investment by both indigenous and multinational firms. It is a well established visitor destination, and has excelled over a number of years in the National TidyTowns competition.
“As a result of Minister Hogan’s decision, I hope that in 15 to 20 years time Ennis will not be seeking assistance regarding the establishment of a regeneration project for the town,” Mayor Considine concluded.
Cllr. Peter Considine, who was first elected to Ennis Town Council in 1974, said that the future development and management of the town of Ennis in County Clare would be undermined by the replacement of Town Councils with new Municipal Districts.
The Mayor commented: “Ennis, as Clare’s largest town and one of the County’s primary commercial and employment centres, must have a local authority in place that is charged solely with managing its development, both now and in the future. The factors affecting the management and development of the Ennis urban area, which has a population of over 25,000, are dramatically different to those relating to the County, which is currently managed by Clare County Council.
“The development of the town, particularly during the last 20 years, has been initiated and led by a very effective partnership of elected members and officials within Ennis Town Council whose decisions were based on driving social, economic and cultural activity in the town. Ennis has been one of Ireland’s fastest growing towns and has become an attractive location for investment by both indigenous and multinational firms. It is a well established visitor destination, and has excelled over a number of years in the National TidyTowns competition.
“As a result of Minister Hogan’s decision, I hope that in 15 to 20 years time Ennis will not be seeking assistance regarding the establishment of a regeneration project for the town,” Mayor Considine concluded.
