This article is from page 25 of the 2011-04-19 edition of The Clare People. OCR mistakes are to be expected so download the original SWF or the rendered page 25 JPG
REPRESENTATIVES of the Ennis Development Forum and Ennis Chamber, met with the Minister for Enterprise Richard Bruton TD at the Temple Gate Hotel in Ennis on Friday.
This meeting was organised by the Fine Gael TDs in Clare, Joe Carey and Pat Breen, in order for the business community to discuss the issues affecting enterprise in the county as well as to highlight the initiatives and ideas from businesses to stimulate the economy and so that County Clare is the first county out of recession.
Minister Bruton was presented with the topics which were discussed by the Business Forum in their first meeting with the recently elected Clare TDs held last month. Under these topics Ennis Chamber CEO Rita Mc Inerney and President John Dillane raised the concerns in relation to the Cost of Doing Business and the Retention/Creation of Jobs and in particular the struggle facing businesses to keep their doors open with many not taking a wage and the need to address theses costs through reviewing of how commercial rates are charged, the reduction of bureaucracy for businesses and the need to support new developments in the county.
Brian O’Neill of the Rowan Tree Hostel commended the Government’s review of the Joint Labour Committees in relation to the hospitality industry and the need to incentivise people to work while Martin White of AAA Taxis promoted the idea of buy-back for taxis, the development of Triangle of Clare Tourism Routes and the need to support Shan- non Airport.
Aoife Madden, Chairperson of Ennis Development Forum, explained the Create the Magic customer service initiative for County Clare in how, thorough workshops and collaboration, a pilot group of businesses are setting about making Clare Ireland’s friendliest town.
Local councillor Johnny Flynn profiled the concept of developing Clare as the Low Carbon County through promoting of the Mid-West Corridor as the centre for renewable energy given the resources that already exist in the county such as connection to the national grid and location for wind / hydro power. Revitalising the construction industry was outlined by Michael Leahy of Leahy Conway Architects through introducing grants and streamlining the planning system.