A MOTION by a Clare cllr to install QR codes containing emergency information on all life buoys in the county received considerable support at a recent council meeting.
Cllr. Tommy Guilfoyle (SF), who has since been elected Mayor of Ennis, made the proposal during the June sitting of Clare County Council, receiving the backing of several other elected representatives.
Speaking at the meeting, the Clarecastle-based cllr put forward the motion that “Clare County Council should examine the installation of an Eircode or designated area reference, along with the relevant Emergency Service contact numbers, on all lifebuoy stations and water-safety points across the county. This may be delivered through a durable sticker QR code to assist the public, and particularly visitors, in quickly identifying their exact location when contacting emergency services at beaches, rivers, lakes, piers, and coastal walkways”, he added.
Guilfoyle elaborated on where the idea for the initiative came from, outlining that it was “brought to me by people who love the outdoors”. The activist highlighted the benefit the proposed QR codes could have during the upcoming tourist season, pointing out that “major events like the Walker Cup and Irish Open which will bring a record number of tourists to Clare. It’s a low cost measure that can greatly reduce response times with priority locations to be addressed ahead of busy periods”.
Shannon LEA representative cllr. David Griffin (FF) spoke in support of the motion, calling it “an excellent one that makes total sense. That type of information in the moment is really important”, the Newmarket-based cllr added. Griffin also made the suggestion that defibrillators be included under the proposed scheme.
Cllr. Dinny Gould (IND) welcomed the proposal, again touching on the importance ready access to emergency numbers could have for tourists this summer, saying “I think it’s a great motion, especially for strangers to the beaches that come around and wouldn’t be regulars. It would be very good to see QR codes on all the beaches we have back west”, he added. Cllr. Joe Kileen (FF) also voiced his support for the motion.
Cllr. Guilfoyle issued a previous motion on lifebuoys this time last year, proposing that the council carry out “a comprehensive survey of all local waterways and install lifebuoys at every suitable location”.
Thanking elected representatives for their support, the Sinn Féin representative quipped “I don’t have shares in a QR code company but I do have a keen interest”, in the issue.
