Latest News - Government - Ireland

A network of Community-based forums from outside Dublin have pledged to redefine the term 'Balanced Regional Development'.

County Clare, IRELAND, 3rd Oct 07 - Clare Local Authorities has prepared a new Irish Language Scheme, in accordance with section 11 of the Official Languages Act 2003.

The Mayor of Clare has expressed disappointment that a Government motion on the Shannon to Heathrow issue has been postponed until tomorrow.

Minister Killeen Says The Appointment Of A Rural Recreation Officer Will Help Sustain Walking Tourism Throughout County Clare

The Mayor of Clare today (Monday 24th September 07) called on members of the public to express their opposition to the axing of the Shannon to Heathrow service by attending the first full Government debate on the issue this Wednesday.

The Minister for Health and Children confirmed today that Ennis General Hospital in County Clare is to benefit from a consultant-led Accident and Emergency service but will lose its 24 hour A+E status in the long term.

John Gormley T.D., Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government today (19 September 07) announced he is to establish a boundary committee to examine an extension of Limerick City Council's boundary.

Ennis, County Clare, IRELAND, 19th Sept 07 - An Bord Pleanala has upheld an Ennis Town Council decision to grant planning permission for the development of Transitional Housing for Homeless Persons in the County Clare capital.

County Clare, IRELAND, 19th September 07 - The Mayor of Clare warmly welcomed today’s news that County Clare is not going be affected by the proposed extension of Limerick City Council's boundary.

19th Sept 07 – The Clare County Council Motor Taxation Office has been shortlisted for two national awards by the Excellence Ireland Quality Association (EIQA), less than twelve months after it expanded its services at Kilrush and Westbury.

County Clare, IRELAND, 18th Sept 07 - The National Heritage Council, is seeking applications for imaginative and innovative proposals from organisations and individuals who wish to carry out projects that conserve or promote the County’s heritage.

Minister of State and Clare T.D., Mr. Tony Killeen confirmed today that CLAR top-up funding of EUR3,476 has been approved for the Gowerhass Group Water Scheme.

17th Sept 07 - Mr Tony Killeen, TD, Minister of State at the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government, today announced details of his Department's spending plans on new water and sewerage infrastructure for Co Clare.

14th Sept 07 - Minister of State and Clare T.D., Mr. Tony Killeen has received confirmation from the Office of Public Works that tenders are currently being sought for improvements works to be carried out at two Garda Stations in Clare.

New Ross, Wexford, IRELAND, 13th Sept 07 - Over 300 Local Government representatives today unanimously called on the Taoiseach and Minister for Transport to take whatever steps are necessary to ensure that Aer Lingus complies with Government policy.

Dublin Castle, IRELAND, 10th Sept 07 - Kilrush has today been awarded a gold medal in Category D of the annual National Tidy Towns Competition.

Limerick, IRELAND, 10th Sept 07 – The Limerick Clare Energy Agency is scheduled to meet with the Minister for the Environment, John Gormley T.D., later today to discuss how Limerick and Clare can avert a multi-million Euro carbon tax.

Limerick, IRELAND, 7th Sept 07 – The Manager of the Limerick Clare Energy Agency (LCEA) highlighted today the need for both Limerick and Clare to take ownership of their own energy needs and climate change strategy.

Mr Willie O'Dea, T.D., Minister for Defence and Cllr. Kevin Sheahan, Cathaoirleach of Limerick County Council will officially open the new Limerick County Civil Defence Headquarters in Annacotty Business Park at 11am on Friday 14th September next.

Minister of State Tony Killeen T.D. today stated that the significant uptake of various renewable energy technologies in the Midwest Region would continue to be supported by the Government.

The Mayors and Managers of eleven cities and counties along the Western Seaboard have this evening demanded that secure permanent and quality connectivity between Shannon Airport and London Heathrow be reinstated.

The Mayors and Chairpersons of 11 Local Authorities in the West of Ireland will attend a meeting in the Oakwood Arms Hotel, Shannon, County Clare at 4pm on Thursday 30th August 2007.

Library branches across Clare have been upgraded to allow elderly people and those with disabilities to gain easier access to library services.

"Should the haemoraging of manufacturing jobs continue at its current pace I fear that the foundation for development in the County and wider region will be fatally undermined" - Mayor of Clare Patricia McCarthy.

Minister Tony Killeen has welcomed today's Government approval of grant assistance of up to EUR16.4 million for two separate bundles of major sewerage schemes in Clare.

Members of the Southern and Eastern Regional Assembly have unanimously called on the Government to immediately prepare an Irish Government Aviation Policy and end the monopoly of airlines in deciding to remove strategically significant services.

Commenting on Ryanair's request that an EGM be called, Minister of State, Mr. Tony Killeen said, "The holding of the EGM allows all Aer Lingus shareholders to voice their concerns over the potential loss of services between Shannon and Heathrow.

Removal of development levies indicated for green projects

The Mayor of Clare has reacted angrily to the Government’s statement this evening regarding Aer Lingus’s axing of services from Shannon to Heathrow, describing it as “a choreographed slap in the face” to the people of the West of Ireland.

Members of Limerick County Council have unanimously agreed to support the call for an extraordinary general meeting of Aer Lingus aimed at retaining services from Shannon Airport to Heathrow.

Minister of State for Environmental and Energy, Mr. Tony Killeen today said he would be making every effort to ensure that the Government provides the necessary support to the campaign aimed at retaining direct services from Shannon to Heathrow.

Up to 10,000 jobs in 28 multinational companies throughout County Limerick are threatened by Aer Lingus' decision to withdraw its daily Shannon-Heathrow service.

Clare County Council today announced that up to 10,000 vehicles per day are expected to use section 2 of the N18 Ennis bypass project, which opens to traffic at 7pm this evening.

Members of Shannon Town Council have unanimously called on the Government to immediately explain why Aer Lingus slots at Heathrow airport were not ring fenced in the interests of Shannon Airport, as requested by the Local Authority in April 2005.

Minister of State and Clare T.D., Mr. Tony Killeen has welcomed the announcement that EUR66K will be distributed to the Ennis RAPID Programme to support the development of new playgrounds or refurbishment of existing playgrounds.

Minister of State and Clare T.D., Mr. Tony Killeen has received confirmation that almost EUR116k has been allocated to County Clare under the 'Scheme of Grants for Locally Based Community & Voluntary Organisations'.

The rejuvenation and future development of Ballyvaughan and Carrigaholt is the subject of two Village Design Statements currently being drawn up by Clare County Council.

The appointment of Ireland's first county heritage education officer is being explored by the Clare Heritage Office in a blueprint for the strategic management of local museum and heritage centre collections.

Clare County Council has been allocated EUR23k for public education and awareness initiatives on litter.

Clare County Council has signed a contract worth EUR660k with Response Engineering Ltd. of Charleville, Co. Cork to construct a new wastewater treatment facility for Tulla.

Clare County Council has today signed a EUR8.3M contract with EPS/Bowen Construction of Mallow, Co. Cork to construct a new water treatment plant to serve the town of Ennis and it environs.

Mr. Tony Killeen, T.D., Minister of State at the Department of Environment, Heritage and Local Government, today launched a national community fire safety programme at Ennis Fire Station in County Clare.

Almost a million Irish homes built before 1997 are poorly insulated and energy inefficient, according to the country's leading renewable energy association.

The members of Seanad Éireann were today presented with a motion to approve Ireland's participation in the EU-US Agreement on Passenger Name Records (PNR).

Minister of State at the Department of Communications, Energy & Natural Resources Tony Killeen T.D., today announced that funding of EUR1,853,213 has been allocated for a voluntary housing project at Tullyvarraga Hill, Shannon, County Clare.

Minister of State at the Department of Communications, Energy & Natural Resources Tony Killeen today confirmed that Ennis Town Council is to receive additional funding of EUR39k under the RAPID programme to fund Sports Capital Programs in the town.

Shannon, County Clare, IRELAND, Thur 28th June 07 – Members of the public today attended a public consultation concerning the preparation a masterplan for the rejuvenation of County Clare's second largest town.

Clare County Council's allocation of funds for the development of playgrounds, under the Community Playground Grant Scheme 2006-2009, has reached EUR1 million.

A number of sites have been identified by the Office of Public Works (OPW) as potentially suitable for Ennis Educate Together National School, Minister of State and Clare T.D. Tony Killeen confirmed today.

The Clare County Development Board has welcomed the approval of grant assistance by the Department of the Environment Heritage & Local Government to five community projects in Clare.