*The Cliffs of Moher Visitor Centre.
MORE THAN €8m was spent by Clare County Council on two sites adjacent to the Cliffs of Moher Visitor Centre.
An audit committee report from 2023 published this week has revealed that the local authority paid an eye-watering €8m two years ago to acquire two separate sites next to the iconic tourism landmark in North Clare.
Located in the parish of Liscannor, the sites were owned by two local farmers and were situated north and south of the Cliffs of Moher visitor centre. Two years later, issues relating to planning and a right of way have yet to be resolved on the lands. The estimated area of the two pieces of land combined is 55 acres.
In the external auditors report, it is noted, “The Council purchased two separate sites at the Cliffs of Moher at a cost of over €8m including associated costs. These purchases were supported by independent valuations which were based on ‘special interest’ to the Council and therefore constituted paying a higher than market value. The Council also agreed to pay the vendors costs which exceeded €200,000. At the time of audit, there are issues in relation to planning and right of way that still need to be resolved”.
Former Chief Executive of Clare County Council, Pat Dowling in a written response to the auditor stated, “The Cliffs of Moher Experience is Ireland’s most visited natural attraction offering a world-class visitor experience and welcomes visitoros in a safe and informative manner while adhering to best practices in the conservation of its environs as a Special Protection Area (SPA) under Irish & EU legislation.
“The purchase of the sites referenced above was considered key in the context of the successful implementation of the Cliffs of Moher Strategy 2040 and came about after fifty years of pursuing this objective to protect and preserve the land adjacent to the Cliffs of Moher. This objective is supported by policies of Clare County Council and National Government which aim to protect the natural environment and biodiversity of the lands adjacent to the Cliffs of Moher. The Council is committed to ensuring best practice and value for money is achieved in the purchase of lands in line with the objectives set out in the Cliffs of Moher Strategy 2040”.
Speaking to The Clare Echo, Cllr Shane Talty (FF) said, “I was aware that it would have been a strategic target and I was aware the lands were acquired but I was not aware of the cost and I didn’t know the final costs until we received this report. I am very disappointed and surprised that we did not get a briefing on the deals as they were being done which at this stage were done over two years ago and we are only receiving the information”.
According to the Lahinch representative, there is an onus on the Council to become more transparent. “I’d like to see more transparency and openness going forward, there were other issues highlighted in the auditors report which suggested other deals had incomplete files and were difficult in sourcing the information. We want to see proper governance and procedure in Clare County Council, we’re relying on numbers being presented to us rather than trying to find the information”.
Paying such sums are sure to heighten tensions between the Council and the thirty six landowners on the Cliffs of Moher Coastal Walk when negotiations on future management and operation of the trail commence.
In the Tobin report released last week on the future management of the Cliff walk, the consultants recommend that the local authority take over full ownership of the 18km trail by exploring all options including long-term leases and acquiring the land by compulsory purchase order (CPO) if necessary. Landowners and farmers in North Clare have been greatly irked by the mention of CPO in the report.
Atmosphere regarding the Cliffs of Moher Coastal Walk will become more tense as a result of the €8m land deal, Cllr Talty acknowledged. “It will heighten the atmosphere and tension around the negotiations and future management of the walks. When it settles down, it will still leave the same feeling and negotiations will have to happen”.
