This article is from page 35 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 35 JPG
derelindslomea eel oy
which is as yet in its infancy will look
into tourism in the area and identify
any actions that may improve the in- CliamtA
The task force will also be charged
with progressing an economic devel- opment strategy for the region.
Covering a geographical area from Kildysart to Loop Head and north as far as Miltown Malbay Cllr Cham- bers said the main function of the task force will be to encourage in- dustry into west Clare.
He said it is vital that the Clare side of the Shannon estuary is developed and maintained and that the pier off Moneypoint is currently working at 25 per cent capacity.
“Kilkee to Loop Head is the finest scenery in Europe and that is not ex- aggerating. There is great potential,” he said.
“The long-term objective is to get people to settle in west Clare.”
The idea of a new task force was first mooted at a Kilrush Town Coun- cil meeting.
Town councillor Liam O’Looney (FF) said that the previous proved successful and folded only after it reached the three goals set for it
The first goal was to encourage broadband into the west Clare capi- tal, which was achieved.
Decentralisation was the second goal with came to fruition last year when the Revenue offices moved into Cappa.
The third goal set for the town was to source a much-needed hotel. Since then sites for a hotel have been iden- tified and interest shown by some ey ba Olen
“The task force should be es- tablished to organise sustainable
jobs for the area,” said Councillor O’Looney.
The West Clare Economic Task Force is made up of the seven Kil- rush area county councillors, the mayor of Kilrush, mayor of Kilkee, Kilrush and Kilkee Chambers of Commerce, Leader, FAS, Eiri Corca Baiscinn, Shannon Development, the County Enterprise Board, the VEC and the ESB.