Potential Amazon site massive boost for Shannon

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– Reports that retail company is in talks with Shannon Group
– Would prove major lifeline for airport and region

Fianna Fáil TD for Clare Cathal Crowe is welcoming reports that global retail giant Amazon is potentially looking to Shannon for an Irish expansion.
According to reports in today’s Irish Independent, the US multinational is in talks with Shannon Group about the possibility of locating a significant distribution facility and other infrastructure at Shannon Airport.
“This is hugely significant news for Shannon, for Clare and for Ireland, if these talks prove fruitful,” said Deputy Crowe.
“Amazon is an extremely well-established company and has flourished during the Covid-19 pandemic, with record profits of $6.3 billion US dollars in the final quarter of last year.
“To have a company of this calibre looking at Shannon is massive and would be a huge endorsement of the potential of Shannon Airport and the Midwest region as a whole.
“This would be a lifeline for Shannon Airport at an extremely difficult time in its proud history.
“As Fianna Fáil’s aviation spokesperson I’ve been strongly pushing the case for a new cargo role at Shannon for some time now.
“In the days before Christmas, I had a lengthy chat with the Taoiseach during which we discussed future pathways for Shannon.
“I will do everything I possibly can, at the highest levels, to ensure that the full potential of Shannon is realised.”
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Closing date approaching for 2021 Historic Structures Fund and Built Heritage Investment Scheme

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The closing date for applications under the 2021 Historic Structures Fund and Built Heritage Investment Scheme has been extended to Monday, February 22, 2021.
€6 million in funding has been made available across both schemes.
The Built Heritage Investment Scheme and the Historic Structures Fund will support the owners and custodians of protected structures in every local authority area across the country in 2021.
For more information visit: http://ow.ly/oqrr50DlajE

Ireland AM – Covid-19 travel restrictions

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Interview with Ireland AM’s Brianna Parkins on Virgin Media One, about the latest Covid-19 travel restrictions

Housing Update – January 27th 2021

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Every Wednesday, I will update you here on the social houses that are available via Clare County Council.

As always, it is vital that you register with Clare County Council’s housing section for their Choice Based Letting site, where you are able to register your interest for a property. You can contact the housing section on (065) 6821616.

Scariff

Address: 6 Fossabeg, Scariff, Co.Clare

Details: 1-bedroom, end-of-terrace

Kitchen/Dining area; Sitting Room; Heating –  Oil Heating – Stove in kitchen; Accessible bathroom; Ramp to the front of the property

N.B. –  Please note applicants are not to access sites or properties. Many properties are under final stages of construction, or refurbishment and not accessible or safe for viewing

We must reappraise inland windfarms – Crowe

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  • Miltown Malbay plans withdrawn
  • Inland developments significant concern for local communities

 

Fianna Fáil TD for Clare Cathal Crowe is calling for a re-examination of how inland windfarms in Ireland are developed.

It comes as plans for a development of eight 175m high turbines for Slieveacurry near Miltown Malbay have been withdrawn – the plans were subject to widespread objections from the locality.

“I think we need to reappraise how windfarms are developed on inland sites going forward,” said Deputy Crowe.

“We’ve seen the reaction in Clare to these recent plans, we saw last year the controversy around the landslide at a windfarm site in Donegal.

“Above all, inland windfarms are now believed to be only 40% efficient whereas 100% efficiency is achieved with offshore wind developments – so it makes sense to take stock of things.

“New national guidelines on wind energy are imminent and will be shortly circulated to all local authorities.

“In recent months, I have been engaging via Zoom with a number of resident groups around Clare who have shared with me their huge concerns in relation to an increase in applications made for new windfarms.

“I believe windfarm developers should cease applying for projects until these are in place.

“The new guidelines will continue to facilitate windfarms but only at a reasonable distance of 500m or more back from residential properties.

“Going forward, though, we need to see more windfarms being developed on offshore locations where they are far more eff and less obstructive visually on landscape and less likely to be met with objections.

“At the moment, the legislation governing offshore windfarms is hugely outdated and will be overhauled over next 12 months by Dáil Éireann.

“This new legislation along with the new guidelines should see an increased provision of windfarms but more so on an offshore basis and this is what the majority of people want to see.

“I look forward to seeing some positive change in this regard.”

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ESB commits to rejuvenation of Ardnacrusha/Parteen Tailrace trail

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  • Much-loved local amenity with rich history
  • Huge potential as an outdoor recreational spot

 

Fianna Fáil TD for Clare Cathal Crowe has welcomed confirmation from the ESB that funding will be provided for a rejuvenation of the Tailrace trail in the Ardnacrusha/Parteen area.

The Tailrace is a canal embankment south of Ardnacrusha Power Station and it runs for a little over a kilometre in length, connecting the dam at Ardnacrusha with the Tailrace Bar, a well-known local pub.

It was formed in the 1920s when the Shannon Scheme was being developed, when steam trains had to bring materials to and from the construction site at the power station in Ardnacrusha, but the old railway track became obsolete in the 1940s and 50s.

However, it has continued to be a recreation used by locals in the 60+ years since.

“In recent years, the Tailrace has enjoyed something of a renaissance with more and more people using it for walks, runs, cycles, walking their dogs and so on and it’s also a much-loved nature trail for kids attending Parteen National School,” said Deputy Crowe.

“Most of the railway tracks have been removed and many sections have been used to help reconstruct the preserved West Clare Railway at Moyasta.

“Only fragments of the old infrastructure still exist on the Tailrace now and though the trail is quite narrow in places and can be overgrown with vegetation, it continues to be widely enjoyed.

“I asked the ESB to enhance the trail and install signage and they have agreed to accede to my request and will make funding available to carry out works this year.

“I think the trail improvement will be a relatively easy process – much of the work will merely involve trimming back the vegetation that takes over in places.

“There’s also a lot of scope for having a really beautiful trail with proper signage highlighting some of the old history of the walk.

“The Tailrace has a fascinating past which I’m sure some of those who enjoy it are not aware of, so it would be really great to ensure it isn’t forgotten.

“Tragically, in the 1920s, a German man by the name of Jacob Kunz, who worked in the power station, was murdered on the Tailrace – an event which was featured in a TV documentary in recent years.

“In 1969, a Disney film called Guns in the Heather, starring Kurt Russell, had a scene filmed on the Tailrace section of the railway.

“I think spelling out these historical events, coupled with signage relating to the array of trees and native plants there, will enhance the experience of everyone who enjoys it at present.

“It’s within my 5km and something I’ve been blessed to be able to enjoy with my kids throughout the months of lockdown so I’m really looking forward to seeing what’s to come.”

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Controversial concrete barriers at Illaunamanagh Cemetery to be moved

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  • Barriers were temporary solution to illegal encampment issue
  • Had impeded on burial ground access

 

Fianna Fáil TD for Clare Cathal Crowe has welcomed confirmation that the controversial concrete barriers that were erected at Illaunamanagh Cemetery in Shannon last week will be re-examined.

The barriers were installed at the car park last week, preventing access on a temporary basis, following the removal of an illegal encampment that had sprung up there in recent weeks.

While the removal of the encampment has received a broad welcome, the barriers had caused some concern given their positioning, which was impeding access to the cemetery for some of those wishing to attend.

“These concrete barriers are completely unsightly but unfortunately are necessary to ensure that an illegal encampment doesn’t return to this spot,” said Deputy Crowe.

“They are robust and heavy and can’t be moved easily and will deter people from parking up caravans along the footpaths near the cemetery and crematorium, which was a real worry for people visiting the crematorium or burial grounds at a vulnerable time – I was contacted by a huge number of people about this.

“Thankfully, that issue was resolved but I then received a number of calls in relation to these barriers.

“On foot of being contacted by a number of residents, I made contact with Clare County Council’s Shannon office asking that they be re-looked at and repositioned.

“I’ve been assured now that they will be repositioned, so I’m glad this will now happen which will make access a little bit easier.

“The council will now have to look at a more permanent solution that is more fitting to the locality and visually pleasing.

“Separately, I’m in contact with An Garda Síochána and Clare County Council regarding the illegal encampment at Sixmilebridge railway station, which popped up in recent days.

“At any time of the year, roadside encampments are illegal but they’re particularly wrong and inappropriate now at a time of an international health crisis, when everybody is only entitled to move within 5km of home and I’m hoping all authorities, as they did in the Shannon situation, will work to expeditated a move this encampment too.”

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Housing Update – January 20th 2021

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Every Wednesday, I will update you here on the social houses that are available via Clare County Council.

As always, it is vital that you register with Clare County Council’s housing section for their Choice Based Letting site, where you are able to register your interest for a property. You can contact the housing section on (065) 6821616.

Shannon

Address: Drom Cuilinn, Tullyvarga, Shannon

Details: 2, 3 and 4-bedroom; semi-detached

The following properties are being made available through an Approved Housing Body, Tuath Housing Association. Allocations are on a phased basis.

Property types include a number of different house types including single and two storey  semi-detached houses, terraced houses and two storey apartments;

Mixture of 2 no. 3 no. and 4 no bedrooms;

Kitchen/Dining Room; Sitting Room; 1 Bathroom; Downstairs WC; Heating type is Gas boiler &PV Panel (no chimney); Rear garden; Parking to outside of property which is communal, there are no designated spaces;

Tenants of AHBs are deemed to have their housing need met and their housing application with a local authority changes to status of an AHB tenant. Tenants of AHBs are subject to similar rules in relation to future transfers as Local Authority tenants, and need to be tenants for 2 years, with no rent or ASB concerns before applying for transfer based on an overcrowding situation, downsizing requirement, or medical needs.

N.B-  Please note applicants are not to access sites or properties. These properties are under final stages of construction, or refurbishment and not accessible or safe for viewing

Kilkee

Address: 16 Cluain na Mara, Kilkee, Co.Clare

Details: 2-bedroom terraced

Kitchen/ Dining area; Sitting room; Heating – Solid Fuel with back boiler; Upstairs bathroom

N.B-  Please note applicants are not to access sites or properties. Many properties are under final stages of construction, or refurbishment and not accessible or safe for viewing