A new report has branded Clare as the most over-zoned county in the state.
Its one of the findings of a new report by An Taisce into planning practices at the 34 local authorities across the country
Clare has been ranked in 23rd position with a E ranking while Ennis was singled out as an example of what An Taisce has described as the most senseless zoning excesses of the Celtic Tiger era
It says almost 4 and a half thousand acres of land was zoned for development sufficient to increase the population from 26 thousand to over 100 thousand.
However, Clare wasn’t ranked as the worst offenders – with F grades given to nine other local authorities including Galway County Council, Kerry and Mayo
On Tuesday’s Morning Focus John Cooke spoke with Charles Stanley Smith, the spokesperson for An Taisce who explained the findings.
Councillor PJ Kelly in Lissycasey reacted to the statements made by An Taisce.
Deputy Michael McNamara of the Labour Party spoke about the party conference that took place in Galway at the weekend, with debates on social protection, energy and political reform
It was the first conference in 15 years to be held with the party in Government, and also marks the centenary of the foundation of the Labour Party
Deputy McNamara spoke on the issue of the renegotiation of Anglo promissory bonds at the conference at the weekend
We heard the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources Pat Rabbitte speaking about fracking at the Labour Party conference last weekend
The potential dangers of hydraulic fracturing or ‘fracking’ were discussed at a public meeting in Ennis on Sunday last
Fracking involves high pressure drilling to exploit natural gas from shale and though the practice hasn’t taken place in Ireland, the Clare basin has been identified as somewhere it could take place
Clare County Council voted to oppose fracking in January
Róisín Ní Gháirbhith – spokesperson of Clare Fracking Concern – reacted to the Minister’s comments.
Sue Worst, a councillor from the Clare and Gilbert Valleys in South Australia is visiting County Clare on a personal level but as part of long standing twinning relationship at the moment
Former Mayor of Clare and Kilnamona Councillor Flan Garvey has been instrumental in twinning between Clare, Ireland and Clare Australia for 25 years
They both joined John in studio.
Yesterday the Holy Family Senior School Ennis won the Walton’s Music for Schools Competition at the National Concert Hall in Dublin
77 children singing in their choir today
they sang ‘One Small Voice’ from Sesame Street – 3,000 euro worth of vouchers for Walton’s
Knockanean School came second in the same competition
Gillian Bridge, the Musical Director of the chamber choir expressed their delight at the achievement.
Frankie Coote – Clare ISPCA Warden – joined John for his regular slot
A ‘Doggy Walk’ is taking this Saturday beginning in the Ballymaley Business Park- over 200 dogs signed up to raise funds for the Clare ISPCA- Contact Darren on 086 3095536
Concern as people are abandoning dogs in terribly bad condition- and leaving them to die- the ISPCA reiterates their plea to people to bring the dog to the pound
Contact Frankie on 087 6225253, Contact the Clare pound on 6820393.
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