The Electoral Chair – Ennis 2040 debated, councillors changing horses mid-stream & public feel ignored

*Páraic McMahon, Brian Meaney, Kieran Burke and Michelle O’Connell. 

ONE PARTICULAR issue is dominating the conversation and will influence voters in the Ennis Municipal District for the local elections on June 7th.

In part two of The Electoral Chair focusing on the Ennis MD, we discuss the key issues that the electorate will take into consideration before casting their vote.

Chief among them is an economic and spatial strategy called Ennis 2040 which Clare County Council has drawn down a €10m loan to establish a Designated Active Company for.

This episode of The Electoral Chair was recorded in the Temple Gate Hotel. The Electoral Chair is a political podcast exclusive to subscribers of The Clare Echo.

Joining Páraic McMahon are Michelle O’Connell (IND) of Save Ennis Town and a business person in the town, former Green Party councillor and four-time Dáil candidate Brian Meaney (GP) and Kieran Burke (SF) a member of Tommy Guilfoyle’s canvassing team.

Areas covered in the Ennis MD are the town of Ennis, Kilnamona, Toonagh, Barefield, Spancilhill, Clooney, Doora and Clarecastle.

On the agenda:

• An ugliness among the electorate
• Does the unpredictable climate as evident for the Referenda have any bearing for the Ennis MD
• Frustration on the extent of road works in Ennis
• Ennis 2040 – division, debate, confusion
• Lack of consultation for the public on Ennis 2040
• Councillors changing horse mid-stream
• Businesses are struggling in the county town
• Parking low on the priority