150 jobs on the horizon for Shannon

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  • 150 jobs to be created at former Molex facility
  • New tenant being pursued for Avara facility too

Fianna Fáil TD for Clare Cathal Crowe has welcomed the announcement of 150 news jobs at the former Molex facility in Shannon.

Limerick-based UMR Group has said it is in advanced discussions with a significant employer, to create the positions at the Molex facility by the end of the year.

This is on top of the previously announced 100 jobs which have been promised by Aerogen, which is also establishing a presence at the former Molex plant.

“This is a real lifeline for Shannon, after the loss of such a significant employer,” said Deputy Crowe.

“Last Friday, Molex ended 40 years of a presence in Clare when it finally closed its doors – since 2019, 500 jobs have been lost there which was a huge blow to the county, it was one of the largest employers we had.

“This news that there will be 150 new jobs coming to the county is so very welcome, I understand these talks are at an advanced stage and I stand ready to engage and assist in any way I can.

“In addition, a new tenant is being pursued for the former Avara plant, which also shut its doors, with some positive news on the horizon in the second half of the year.

“This is all really positive news and is a beacon of hope for us in a quite dark year, with Covid continuing to loom large.

“This is a significant boost for Shannon, for Clare and the entire Midwest region.”

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Post Office network must not be allowed to flounder

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  • Fears for Broadford post office branch after 190 years
  • Latest example of decline in network

 

Fianna Fáil TD for Clare Cathal Crowe is calling for tangible action from government in addressing the decline in the country’s post office network.

It comes amid uncertainty about the future Broadford’s post office, which has been in operation in the village since 1831.

The branch closed in the leadup to Christmas on compassionate grounds but there is now major concern that it will close for good once the current operator retires.

“The loss of this post office in Broadford has hit the community hard,” said Deputy Crowe.

“I raised this in the Dáil last week with Minister Eamon Ryan and told him about the proud 190-year history of this branch.

“James O’Brien is the latest in a long line of postmasters in Broadford and after guiding the post office through probably its most challenging business period in its nearly two-century long history, deserves to put his feet up now when he retires.

“However, the end of his working life should not mark the end of a post office for Broadford.

“If it’s withdrawn at this stage, it won’t come back and now with people working remotely there’s a greater need than ever for post offices and all forms of communication to be accessible in rural communities.

“People are being asked to instead consider travelling 15km to Ardnacrusha, or to Tulla or Kilkishen. This isn’t feasible for all and with poor public transport, excludes those without access to a car in many respects.

“The reality of 21st century working is that there are now a number of small businesses working from home in the Broadford area and these people often have to nip out and go down to the post office to receive or post parcel or package and losing out on the branch on their doorstep would hugely discommode them.

“Dublin City Council are progressing plans to develop white-water rafting in city at a cost of €22 million. At the same time, Grant Thornton has found that it would cost €17m per annum to keep Ireland’s network of post offices afloat – this would plug their shortfall.

“It’s completely non-sensical that €22m would be spent on a vanity project in the capital while the vital network of rural post offices face shutdown – it’s another example of how communities outside of the main urban centres are being left to flounder and it simply can’t continue.”

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Enhanced bus services for Clare

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  • New service kicking in on March 1st
  • Work not finished in East Clare

 

Fianna Fáil TD for Clare Cathal Crowe has welcomed confirmation that there will be an enhancement of rural bus connections in Clare, after some uncertainty about the future of services in recent days.

Senior Bus Éireann officials have confirmed that they will be transferring two of their West Clare services to Local Link from March 1st.

This is on the back of the July Stimulus package announced by the government last year.

However, in East Clare, a question mark remains over an add-on to the much used Scariff to Limerick route.

“There has been some misinformation circulating in recent days that there will be a loss of bus services in the West Clare area but thankfully, this is not the case,” said Deputy Crowe.

“In fact, rather than a hit to rural transport in the west of the county, we will see a better, enhanced service rolled out.

“I’ve been speaking with senior figures in both Bus Éireann and Local Link who have confirmed that both the 333 and 336 will be managed by Local Link from the beginning of next month.

“The 333 is the Ennis to Kilkee service, which stops in the likes of Corofin, Kilnaboy, Lahinch, Ennistymon, Miltown Malbay and so on and at present leaves Ennis four times per day.

“The 336, meanwhile, is the route between Ennis and Doonbeg, taking in Kilrush, Lissycasey, Moyasta and so on and that is a six times per day service.

“I’ve been assured that the transition will mean that we will see both increase in terms of their frequency which is a huge step forward for rural transport in our county.

“While this is so very welcome, East Clare has been dealt something of a blow.

“The 345 Scariff-Limerick route will increase its frequency but now, the Saturday add-on service which took in Bodyke, Tulla, O’Callaghan’s Mills and Broadford has been scrapped.

“The NTA sets the timetable for bus services at present which are then operated by the likes of Bus Éireann and Local Link.

“They have overhauled this timetable at the expense of this much-utilised add-on service and I am now engaging directly with the Transport Minister, the NTA and Bus Éireann with a view to implementing a solution.

“I believe the transition to Local Link, as has happened in the west of the county, could provide the answer here.

“I’m also continuing to engage with the NTA and Bus Éireann about an enhanced bus service to serve the Meelick-Parteen-Ardnacrusha area which has huge population growth and needs strong transport links into Limerick City.”

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

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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