This article is from page 16 of the 2008-03-11 edition of The Clare People. OCR mistakes are to be expected so download the original SWF or the rendered page 16 JPG
ENNIS Town Council is looking to win support for a proposal that would see the council increased from nine to 12 members.
Green Party councillor Donal O’Bearra put forward the motion calling for the council to make a submission to the local electoral area boundary committees to increase the number of council seats to 12.
Cllr O’Bearra said the explosion in development around the fringes of Ennis and the increases in popula- tion called for the expansion for the council.
He said, “I think it was the late ‘80s since the last changes were made to the Ennis boundary. We have spoken before about increasing the council membership from nine to 12 mem- lero Ece
“I think it’s time we make a sub- mission for greater representation on the council.”
Fianna Fail councillor Tom Glynn supported Cllr O’Bearra’s motion. He said the council had to look at in- creasing membership in the context of recent discussions on the exten-
sion of the Ennis boundary.
He said, “I think this is a good op- portunity to go ahead and do this, particularly when we are looking at increasing the town boundary. | defi- nitely would second that motion.”
The motion for the local electoral area boundary committees will also include a request for the regulations for independent candidates standing in local elections to be modified.
Independent candidates are re- quired to obtain the signatories of 14 people before their name can be put on the ballot paper.
Independent councillor Brennan said the procedure should only apply to independents seeking election for the first time.
“I don’t see why we should have to do the same thing again and again. If it’s for first-time candidates that’s fair enough, but I think it is unfair that we are discriminated against.”
Cllr Tom Glynn maintained candi- dates from political parties faced a similar challenge in trying to win the support of their part colleagues.
He said, “Its different but it’s the same. You don’t have to go before a political party.”